THE 38TH RUNNING of the Carmarthen Mayor’s Races returns to the town centre on May Day Bank Holiday, 6th of May. With less than a fortnight to go, online entries are now open and the whole family can get involved.
The event, now organised under Noelwyn Daniel supported by Carmarthen Town Council along with many local organisations, was established by the Councillor Peter Hughes-Griffiths, in partnership with Dr Hedydd Davies, the International athlete who has represented his country many times.
Taking place around Guildhall Square and Lammas Street, it has annually attracted over 800 runners between 3 and 80 years old every year. Supporting the event this year in a number of ways includes Stiwdio Box, G.D Harries & Sons, Rotary Club of Carmarthen, Merlin’s Walk, St.Catherine’s Walk, Charles B.Sams, Carmarthen Journal, JT Thomas, Mark Hopley Heating Services, Security 4 Wales, Mayor’s Charity Appeals Committee, WPS, Carl Morgan Building Surveyor, Spine & Sports Physio, Bowen & Weaving Ltd, Towy Works, Gwasanaethau Myrddin and Robert Lloyd PR Media Consultant.
It has hosted 25 Welsh road race championships in conjunction within the race in the period 1982 to 2006 over various distances such as a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km.
Carmarthen Mayor’s Races Fun Run, having gone from strength to strength, takes place in the heart of the town centre, affording great opportunities to cheer on the runners.
The event raises thousands of pounds for charity with many local groups and organisations benefiting. Proceeds in 2019 will go to Carmarthen Freshstart, Carmarthen Food Bank, Carmarthen Youth Opera and Talking Books Wales.
A total of 238 runners took on the 5K challenge 12 months ago on the streets of the town with each one having their own reason to take part. The 2018 fun run was won overall by Amman Valley Harriers’ Rob Davies in a time of 17:15. He was followed in by Marc Davies of Swansea Harriers (17:53) and Liam Edwards from Carmarthen Harriers (18:15) to complete the top three. The women’s overall champion was local Harrier Wendy Price who took victory on the road in a time of 20:32.
Meanwhile, children races were popular with Seren Bowen (Y Dderwen), Gwilym Rees (Nantgaredig), Libby Hale (Newton), Llion Davies (Y Dderwen), Carys Wood (Stepaside), Mared Jones (Y Dderwen), Liam Upton-Boorman (Johnstown), Amy Tucker (St John Lloyd) and Frank Morgan (Bro Myrddin) all coming out on top in their respective school year group.
Race organiser and Triathlete Noelwyn Daniel from Healthy Life Activities urges fun run competitors to make a note of the race date in their diary.
Mr Daniel said: “The event is recognised as a great occasion in Carmarthen. So if you want to get into shape over the winter months ready for the big race day, then now is the time to start.”
The same routes will be in place in 2019 as the last couple of years but including the 2018 course used for the 5K that took runners in the opposite direction to previous years which means you Finish by running up into Guildhall Square. Electronic Chip Timing will again be in use for the 5K.
The day gets underway with the 3-lap Senior 5K fun run at 10.00am from opposite the bus station on Blue Street and is followed by a series of junior races over 2 laps of the route.
The Year 1 and 2 will start proceedings at 11.00am before moving up to year 3 & 4 and year 5 & 6. Concluding the day will be a secondary school year 7 and 8 race and a chance for those 6 years and under in Nursery and Reception to run a lap of the course with their parents and families.
As with all junior races, their reward will be their very own medal to take away as a finisher.
The Mayor will be on hand to help start the races and present the awards throughout the day. There’ll be trophies for the top 3 in each age group (except Nursery and Reception) as well as the following awards in the main 5K race: Males under 40, V40+, V50+, V60+, Females under 35, V35+, V45+, V55+, Best Fancy Dress, Males/Females in School Years 9 to 11 and 1st Relay Team.
Timetable
10:00am: 5km Adult Fun Run (3 laps)
11:00am: Primary School Girls Years 1 & 2 (2 laps)
11:10am: Presentations of trophies for adults fun run
11:20am: Primary Schools Boys Years 1 & 2 (2 laps)
11:35am: Primary Schools Girls Years 3 & 4 (2 laps)
11:50am: Primary Schools Boys Years 3 & 4 (2 laps)
12:05pm: Primary School Girls Years 5 & 6 (2 laps)
12:20pm: Primary School Boys Years 5 & 6 (2 laps)
12:35pm: Secondary School Girls & Boys Years 7 & 8 (2 laps)
12:45pm: Mini Fun Run – Nursery & Reception (may be accompanied by an adult) (1 lap)
1:10pm: Presentation for Junior Races
Closing Date for Postal entries is Sunday 28th April 2019. Forms and cheques to be sent to: Carmarthen Town Council, St Peter’s Civic Hall, Nott Square, Carmarthen, SA31 1PG. Cheques payable to Carmarthen Fun Run.
St Peter’s Hall will be open from 8.00am on May 6th for those entering on the day. Please check out the start times of the races and ensure that you arrive in plenty of time to register and get to the start line on time. Please try and bring the correct entry fee to Registration. There will be signs above each table indicating the Race Category.
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