Cardiff Parkrun Explained

Date:Every Saturday, 9 am
Location:Cardiff
Type:Tarmac footpaths
Distance:5 kilometres (3.1 miles)
Record:Ieuan Thomas 14:24 (2015)
Charlotte Arter 15:50 (2019)

Cardiff parkrun is a parkrun event that takes place every Saturday morning at 9am in Cardiff, Wales. The parkrun was the first in Wales[1] and has become the second largest in the UK.[2] The run was started on 16 Feb 2008 and celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2018 with its largest ever attendance.[3]

The course

The course is an out and back run on the Taff trail along the River Taff, within Bute park, and on tarmac footpaths. Charlotte Arter set the women's parkrun world record time at the course on 5 January 2019 with a time of 15 minutes and 50 seconds.[4] The men's record time for the course is 14 minutes and 24 seconds set by Ieuan Thomas.[5] The event director set up nearby Grangemoor parkrun in 2015 and a third parkrun in Cardiff is planned to reduce congestion on the course.[6]

Suspension

The event was briefly suspended in 2011 by Cardiff Council for health and safety reasons. The suspension was criticised by Kevin Brennan, the local member of parliament, and the Wales Online portal remarked that there is a parkrun in war-torn Afghanistan. The suspension was lifted several days later without interruption to the event.[7]

Notable participants

Notes and References

  1. Web site: These are the inspiring stories behind Cardiff parkrun. Anna. Lewis. 29 September 2017.
  2. News: Cardiff parkrun celebrates its tenth anniversary with a record attendance. BBC Sport. 19 February 2018.
  3. News: City's parkrun marks 10th anniversary. BBC News. 17 February 2018.
  4. News: Tips from fastest woman to do a Parkrun. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2021-07-28.
  5. Web site: results Cardiff parkrun. 2021-07-28. www.parkrun.org.uk. en-US.
  6. Web site: parkrun wants to start a third race in Cardiff. Jessica. Walford. 14 January 2019. walesonline.
  7. Web site: Weekly park running race banned by council on safety grounds. 20 September 2011. walesonline.
  8. News: Tips from fastest woman to do a Parkrun. BBC Sport.
  9. Web site: Kelly runs the Cardiff parkrun.