CROWDS FLOCK TO CITY FOR PACKED WEEKEND OF EVENTS
HUNDREDS of people gathered in the sunshine this weekend to soak up the atmosphere at two community events.
The Butetown Mile and Butetown Carnival both took place yesterday.
Kicking off the day’s celebrations, more than 200 people took to the streets in the morning to complete a mile-long run to raise money for the Sickle Cell Society. Marking the biggest turnout since the event restarted in 2014, the race saw athletes and families take on the course from Bute Street to Cardiff Bay.
Speaking after the race, organiser Sarah Fry said: “It’s been really successful, it was a really fun atmosphere and everyone seemed to enjoy it.”
Cardiff Running Club member Stewart Harding said: “The Butetown Mile is always one I encourage people to do. To do a mile run is a slightly unusual distance so from the point of view of a runner it’s a fantastic opportunity as it’s a nice flat course.”
With a time of four minutes, 33 seconds, David Williams of Cardiff’s Les Croupiers Running Club was the first man to cross the finish line, with Pontypridd Roadents’ Christine O’Connor coming in at five minutes, 44 seconds as the fastest female.
The fastest junior was Vaughan Hughes with a time of six minutes and nine seconds.
The two-day Butetown Carnival had a theme of dragons, tigers and butterflies.
Organised entirely by volunteers, with partners including the Wales Millennium Centre, the start of the celebration saw performances from acts including the Tiger Bay Troupers and samba band Barracwda.
Starting with a parade leading from the Wales Millennium Centre, other musical acts throughout the day included Levi+, Reuel Elijah and Suns of Dub.
Leading the parade, Cardiff University and community group Routes to Root performed traditional African ceremonies, followed by families and community members with homemade costumes and decorations.
Organiser Keith Murrell, who originally performed in the Butetown Carnival as a child, added: “The epitome of the carnival is to bring the community together. The principle is just, ‘let’s get together and feel alright.’”
Butetown festival continues at Canal Park in Butetown today, with more music and events from Sanisha, Knitwear Junkees and soul2Sole. It is open from 1pm until 8pm.
Harbour and Hub festivals draw crowds: Page 4