Club Committee & Officer

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 What got you into running?
Originally when I moved up to Comp I was told I was not fast enough for the football team so go and join Newport Harriers to get faster. Never went back to football. Ran for 13 years before retiring. Then at 49 my one regret was not having run a marathon. I was persuaded by South African friends that I was not too old to run a marathon, in fact any idiot could run a marathon so to set my sights on an Ultra. A two-year plan was put in place and I competed in the Comrades marathon for the first time.

How long have you been running for?
13 years a small gap of 25 years and now been back 9 years so 22 years in total.

What age did you start running?
11 and 49. Regret not discovering Ultras earlier.

What is your favourite race/event why?
Comrades Marathon, South Africa - the worlds biggest Ultra. Have run it three time twice up (87km) and once down(90km). 20,000+ runners on the road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, crowds along the full length, carnival atmosphere, 100 years of tradition. Beers the following day in The George in uMhlanga – usually with the race winners cements the camaraderie that the race is famous for.

If you could sum up Pont-Y-Pwl running club in 3 words, what would they be?
My Running Family.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting running and joining a running club?
As Nike would say “Just do it” and be prepared for a life changing journey with a friendly bunch of people who are always there for you.

Do you have a running goal for 2024?
Probably get back into running some Ultras and a bit more trail running.

 I’ve always done some form of exercise but started running on the treadmill in my thirties.  That was followed by doing Race for Life a few times and then Parkrun.  I became a member of Pontypool in 2014, around the same time that I ran my first half marathon in Cardiff.  I was one of those people who thought running clubs were for real athletes and fast runners, so was pleasantly surprised when a friend took me along to First Steps.  That was nearly ten years ago and have been running with them regularly ever since.  I am now a leader at FS after having completed the WA Leadership in Running Fitness course in 2022 and enjoy helping and encouraging new runners to our running family. Although I’ve taken part in many races more than once, I do enjoy running different races in areas other than Pontypool or Newport, although I do really love taking part in the GLCL road races.  These are great for all ages and abilities and everyone is supported, cheered on and are made to feel a valued member of not just their own club, but of the whole running community. If I had to sum up Pont-Y-Pwl & District Running Club in three words, they would be inclusive, friendly and supportive.  I would say to anyone who wants to run but is unsure of joining a running club for any reason, to come along and try us out.  Whether you’re a beginner or have been running for a while, we have something for everyone and everyone is welcome. My goals for 2024:  just to be able to run.  Since having surgery on my knee, just before lock down, I appreciate every run and am grateful that I can continue to run. 

 What got you into running?
I took up running when I stopped playing rugby, as I still wanted to keep active and be competitive. I started going to Pontypool parkrun where I met many Pont-y-pwl and district members who encouraged me to join club and I have never looked back. I have run 148 parkruns, many 10k and ha,f marathons including Newport, Cardiff, Severn Bridge, 5 Marathons (3 London, Athens, Newport) and a variety of other Road, cross country and trail events such as Man v Horse and Race the Train. 

How long have you been running for?
Since 2014

What age did you start running?
47

What is your favourite race/event and why?
A difficult one!! Probably London Marathon which I have run 3 times (great club weekend in London) followed closely by the Man v Horse relay (fun club camping trip) and the original Athens Marathon (fabulous club trip).

If you could sum up Pont-y-pwl and district runners in 3 words, what would they be?
FUN, FRIENDSHIP, CAKE.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting running and joining a club?
I would say just go for it. Join a club, preferably Pont-y-pwl and district runners  to get all the advice and support you need. From beginners to experienced runners, we are here for you.

Do you have a running goal for 2024?

What got you into running?
I believe I was born to run, was always running about as a kid and remember taking part in a local community run aged about 7. I was chuffed to bits that I managed to beat lots of the older kids, the run was probably about 800m, twice round the block. Aged 12 I broke my leg and running became a staple exercise in my recuperation. I represented the school at the local inter school athletic meets at Cwmbran stadium. During my teenage years I played many sports but running was the backbone to all of them. As I grew up in the 70’s my sporting heroes were Steve Ovett and Seb Coe. During the early 80’s I used to participate in some of the local races that were beginning to spring up such as the Newport Boxing Day 5 mile. The London marathon was now beginning to get televised and the running boom of the 80’s began. My very 1st proper job after uni took me travelling around the UK, to stay fit I would run and used running to explore the local area where ever I happened to be. In 1985 I decided to have a go at the Cardiff marathon, I managed to get in two 18 mile training runs 2 weeks before race day and thought that would suffice. Needless to say at mile 20 I hit the wall and had to have a bit of a walk. I got going again and finished in 3hrs 2mins. Having seen a lot of club runners doing the race I decided it was time for me to join a club and joined the recently formed Fairwater Runners based at my old school. The following year I ran Cardiff again this time breaking the  3hr mark with a time of 2hrs 57mins.

That was the start of many marathons to come indeed many more races of all forms and distances...road, cross country and fell running. Off road running is my favourite and until knee problems started a lot of my training would be done on the local mountains. I have fond memories of lots of local races, my favourite fell race would have to be the Waun Fach and road race the Torfaen 1/2M, the Waun Fach because of where it is, the Black mountains are fabulous and racing down the dragons back is something else. The Torfaen 1/2M because of the local support, the fast downhill from Blaenafon, running through Pontypool Park and then having to dig deep for the last 7 miles to Cwmbran stadium.

To sum up Pont-y-Pwl and District runners it would be Fun, Inclusive and Great Team.

My advice to anyone wanting to join a club is just do it!
You will never regret it, a whole new community will open up to you, you will make new and life long friends and have fun along the way.

For myself after 50+ years of running, 35 years of regular competition have taken it’s toll, so as long as I can keep running in some form I’m happy.

 I didn’t start running until I was in my mid 30’s. (So 20+ years ago) I got into it as it was a time and cost effective way of exercising with two young children. I didn’t really enjoy it but once I’d managed to get to 5K I started to absolutely love it. As well as feeling physically better it was headspace from 2 pre school age kids and a full on job.
My favourite race has to be London as it was my first marathon (at the age of 51 and 6 months after finishing treatment for breast cancer)
My advice to anyone thinking about starting running or joining a club is “Give it a try. Running gives you so much - health, the fresh air, the views, friendship, a sense of achievement and camaraderie and medals!”
3 words to sum up Pontyool & District runners?
Friendly
Inspiring
Helpful
My running goal for 2024 is my frst ever ultra in May!  

What got you into running?

A mate at work was a runner and I thought if he can do it, so can I. I realised there was slightly more to it when I entered a 5k race and had to walk half of it!  

How long have you been running for?

Since 2012.  

What age did you start running?  43 

What is your favourite race/event why?

The New York Marathon, the atmosphere is incredible, when you come off the 59th street bridge onto 1st avenue in Manhattan, it’s like running into a wall of noise!  

If you could sum up Pont-Y-Pwl running club in 3 words, what would they be? 

Really great people.  

What one piece of advice would you give someone who is thinking about starting running and joining a running club?

Do it, it was the thing that improved my running more than anything else when I started out.  Do you have a running goal for 2024?

To get a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon.