Running Clubs At An All-Time High

With the Olympics storming the media, the motivation to get up and try new things has certainly increased, so why not have a go at one of the new running clubs now available at two Caerphilly County Borough Leisure Centres. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Due to high demand, Caerphilly Sports Development and Leisure have introduced running sessions at Caerphilly and Risca Leisure Centre who both currently deliver one session a week each, every Wednesday 6pm until 7pm open to all abilities. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Running clubs throughout the borough have steadily increased over the last year with 425 affiliated members belonging to Welsh Athletics, compared to 296 in 2015. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Alongside these running clubs there are also a number of recreational clubs available, which sees over 200 runners taking to the parks and streets of Caerphilly. This vast amount of runners has impacted the Penallta Parkun event, making it one of the largest. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Sport Caerphilly is currently working closely with both competitive and recreational clubs ensuring they have the support to access funding, increase club membership and develop coach education. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The running clubs have also played a significant part in the rise of people who carry out the Caerphilly 10k with over 2,300 people running it in 2016, compared to just over 2,000 in 2015. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Laura Williams, Sport Development Officer said, “The development of running clubs is at an all-time high, with club affiliation increasing by a staggering 50% from January 2015 due to the great work all our local running clubs are currently carrying out. It is great to see that the majority of participants are female which ultimately will narrow the gender gap within the Caerphilly Borough which is a key priority for our department.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cllr Nigel George, cabinet member for community and leisure services said, “It is great to see these clubs being used by the Caerphilly borough residents with all running abilities. Healthy living is always something we aspire to do and it is great to have these local sessions to help boost our motivation into becoming a healthier and fitter generation. Thank you to the staff and runners who make these clubs possible.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​