Happy New Year/ Blwyddyn Newydd Dda to all our Run Wales community of Social Running Groups, individuals, volunteers and Clwb Run Wales members. We hope that you had a fabulous running year in 2023 and are ready to discover the joy of running and pursue your goals in 2024.
Alongside enjoying their Christmas dinners and seeing in the New Year, we’ve enjoyed seeing members of the community out and about over the last few weeks with their own festive runs, parkrun trips and event participation.
Read on below to see what they’ve been up to:
Some of Wales’ most iconic running events take place over the festive period. One of these is Nos Galan, a 5k race held annually on New Years Eve in Mountain Ash. A large contingent of social runners from South Wales-based groups such as Albany Road RC, Seriously Mad Runners and She Runs: Cardiff were in attendance to see out their running year in style.
Heading West, a few Clwb Run Wales members strode along the promenade at Porthcawl in the Lions Charity Run alongside members from Yr Hen Blwyf Run Club. A few days later, several members of the Cowbridge Moovers headed to Kenfig Nature Reserve for the Prince of Wales New Years Day Race.
Meanwhile, away from the major events, social running groups were still enjoying parkrun’s line up of festive events!
Albany Road Run Club headed out in force to try out different local events, such as Pontypool, Tremorfa and joining BRF Running Club at Barry Island. Local Runners also enjoyed Pontypridd parkrun’s first NYD event in over 10 years! RunNewport celebrated the New Year by heading to Tetbury Goods Shed parkrun for a fun outing!
Heading North, a trio of festive Dwygy Dashers enjoyed the challenge of the Nant Y Pandy parkrun while the Mon Milers joined runners from across Ynys Mon at the 2023 Dash Dolig.
Some groups had their own events to celebrate the festive period. She Runs: Cardiff took members on their magical mystery 5k tour while The Sunday Striders finished the year with a Christmas fancy dress run followed by their 2023 group hills challenge!
Wrexham Sole Sisters, Happy Feet Runners Brecon all enjoyed festive runs around their home areas. The Stackpole Striders and the Llantwit Major Milers did the same, however they were brave enough to manage a chilly dip in the sea to finish off!
On boxing day, Llanelli Striders held their Boxing Day Fun Run while Undy and Redwick Road Runners enjoyed a great turnout for their annual post-Christmas outing.
It was great to see so many groups out celebrating a wonderful 2023 and the fun on show epitomises the togetherness, community spirit and sense of fun that is seen in so many Run Wales Groups.
If you’d like to get involved this New Year and you’re not already, then don’t hesitate to check us out on the Run Wales Group finder here!