Llanelli parkrun

jason d wrote (see)

Mattoo- think Tim needs to rethink IMHO. Parkrun is all about jturning non-runners into runners. Runners who are likely to enter HBA events.

I agree with your thinking Jason and think for the HBA Series in general it would be a good thing with the numbers of runners in the area increasing.

With regard to their 5k races, I suppose HBA may think that why would people pay to enter the Fusion 5k on a Thursday night when they can Park Run for free on a Saturday?

I agree with Jason and Kev. I was surprised when I saw that HBA were against it. The park run is every week, the Fusion 5K doesn't run all year round, and as has been said, Parkrun is all about getting people out there in a non threatening non competitive atmosphere, people follow on from this into races very often. Parkruns are also good recruiting arenas for established clubs the same as events such as Race for Life.

Mattoo - Such a shame about a parkrun in Llanelli, however I have been very impressed with the events I've taken part in, in the region for the past 5-6 years & having a marathon there is excellent - giving local people (& others in the UK) a good alternative to London. I certainly hope that something can be set up in the future for people living in West Wales though.... Maybe Carmarthen way?

I have supported HBA events for the past few years & enjoyed them all but as with so many other races across the Country if you do every one, the cost does add up, so the concept of a (free) and accessible parkrun is appealing to many.

As I'm Swansea based I will still be pursuing setting up a parkrun in Singleton Park, but due to work and study commitments, will not be able to make much headway until the New Year. So far a lot of people have come forward in being interested in running the parkrun which is great news, but unless more people come forward who are willing to help, then unfortunately it is too big a task to do on my own. For now I will concentrate on carrying on the work which has already been done to confirm the course, post-run coffee venue (most likely 360 degrees cafe within new watersports centre) & final agreements with the council, etc. Future family commitments may mean I cannot attend a parkrun more than twice per month, but I'd hope to share the responsibility with 3-4 others & if needs be hand over the reigns in the future (unfortunately I dont feel able to commit to giving up 3-4 hours of my time every saturday morning, although I could manage alternative weeks.) So if anyone else from the Swansea region with a passion/interest in helping me set up a parkrun could PM me on here, I'd be very grateful - thanks. Meanwhile I'll try & drum up interest & support withing local running groups and clubs. Will be trying the proposed course out next week too with some colleagues from the Uni.

Mattoo - thank you for starting this thread. It seems unfortunately a Llanelli parkrun may not happen for a while yet & I will therefore start a new thread called 'Swansea Parkrun. I will be interested to see a parkrun in Carmarthen in the near future & hope it can be turned into reality one day. 

All the best

LTS

I am not getting involved in questioning the wisdom of HBA's decision, I cannot stop people going ahead and organising one in Llanelli, I guess we will never know whether it is the right decisionor not unless unless on is set up?

LTS regards Swansea I wouldbe happy to be involved but cannot commit until May at the earliest. Will search the thread out though....

Hi LTS, Please let us have a link to the Swansea thread when started.

Thanks

Kev

jason d wrote (see)

Some club mates of mine- and myself- are interested in setting up a Carmarthen parkrun. But we are more limited for venues than is the case in Llanelli....

Nant-Y-Ci Showground, Five Fields?

All good but ideally any venue would be accessible by public transport. We do struggle in West Wales in that respect.

JD - let me know how you get on & if you'd like any help or support please get in touch. Would be good if we both do get park runs up & running in our respective areas to keep in touch/update each other with any developments, etc.

How about Pembrey country park? (good race facilities inc. car parking, cafe, toilets, etc) Accessible by bike, car & on foot, further away from train station though)

Gelli Aur is a lovely scenic park. The cakes in the coffee shop are lovely 

all the best

Pembrey Country Park is accessible by Bus. Would be a good place albeit paying to get in would put some off and there is only limited parking outside the gate.

Great 'venue' though.

 

Life's Too Short wrote (see)

country park? (good race facilities inc. car parking, cafe, toilets, etc) Accessible by bike, car & on foot, further away from train station though)

 - good news - 

I've not been there, but assume that toilets and cafe are available?

Dragon- Yep

Well that was a disappointment! Aber parkrun turned out to be my worst 5k for AGES. Don't know if it was the fact that i haven't slept much for the last 2 nights, but i have had faster and longer tempo runs!!!! Oh well, a morning out....

It is a beautiful location

JD - excellent news, thank you for keeping us updated  Is that the park which has a large lake/reservoir, nature reserve area, etc? If it's the one I'm thinking of it has a cafe, toilets and large car park - sounds ideal

Will look forward to hearing more in the new year....let me know if you need any help...I'm hoping to be much more available for races in the new year once work quietens down.

sorry to hear about the recent PR by the way - there will be other races & I'm sure the lack of sleep was a factor!