Thousands take to city streets for a flatter and faster 10k run
THOUSANDS of people took to Cardiff’s streets yesterday for one of Wales’ biggest racing events – the Nation Radio Cardiff 10k.
More than 8,000 people participated in the run for the event’s flattest route so far, with many participants recording personal best times.
Hosted by Kidney Wales, the race was won by Dewi Griffiths from Swansea Harriers, who crossed the finish line in 29 minutes, 11 seconds.
Dewi said: “I had a great win in the Cardiff 10k last year, and although I’m not in the same shape now as I was then, I had a good time today winning the race. I always enjoy running the routes in Cardiff.”
The new course also led to a quick wheelchair race and this year that contest was won by Richie Powell from Tredegar, who finished the race in 29 minutes, 13 seconds.
Richie said: “I love racing in front of my home crowd in the Welsh capital. The new flatter course utilises more of the road, which makes it a fantastic route. Kidney disease touches all of us and we’ve all had a friend or someone we know in need of a transplant. I can’t wait to be back for the Cardiff Half in October.”
At the runners’ village, there was family entertainment and street food where everyone could take part in the festivities, whether they had run or not.
Assembly Member and Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, also joined the event, supporting the thousands of people who came together to run for local Welsh charities of their choice, including Kidney Wales.
Professor Roy J Thomas, chief executive of Kidney Wales, said: “It was wonderful to see so many young people and families enjoy the 2k Family Fun Run. We wanted to make this year’s race a true day out for families, filled with entertainment.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better atmosphere. A special thanks must go to our volunteers and all the race sponsors, without whom this event simply could not happen.”
The day’s festivities got up and running at just after 9am, when more than 1,000 people of all abilities and ages took on the 2k Family Fun Run, with sponsored T-shirts from Cardiff Metropolitan University.
Many of this year’s entrants had a personal connection to the Kidney Wales cause, whether they were running for a family member or friend, had donated a kidney or were given a kidney themselves – everyone came together to unite for the Kidney Wales cause.