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| Why the Cardiff Half Marathon Brings a Much-Needed Dose of Positivity to Welsh Living |
In recent weeks, our political landscape has been marred by distressing incidents. These include threats against our First Minister, a barrage of harsh social media abuse, and a vote of no confidence targeting the Deputy Minister for Climate Change. Additionally, a long-awaited plan to revamp our underpowered and under-resourced Senedd has been perceived by some as self-serving rather than an enhancement of our democratic system. This has cast a shadow over the relationship between the public and our politicians.
I am apprehensive about adding fuel to this fire, but I must express my disappointment that it took a public safety intervention related to traffic speed limits to spark genuine interest in our devolved democracy. If we gauge public engagement by the size of petitions (a somewhat imprudent metric), it seems that our cherished cars and commute times hold greater significance for us than pressing structural issues like Wales' housing crisis, the isolation of rural communities due to inadequate public transport, or the chronic underfunding of Wales through the Barnett formula. This is even more startling when considering issues such as child poverty and persistent health problems.
However, it's time to shift our focus towards something positive. Tomorrow, the Principality Cardiff Half Marathon will take center stage. Once again, Cardiff will be transformed into a vibrant hub of runners donned in fancy dress costumes, running gear, and charity shirts.
This beloved event has become a staple in the global running calendar and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, promising to be the largest one yet. For those familiar with my columns, it comes as no surprise that running plays a significant role in my life. It serves as my therapy during tough times and a source of pleasure in better ones. Running has always been my way to clear my mind. In Wales, more than 16% of adults engage in regular running, offering ample potential to encourage even more individuals to lace up their sneakers.
The Cardiff Half encapsulates everything that's wonderful about our capital city and its people. It's about the feel-good factor, inspiring stories, the collective effort, and camaraderie along the 13.1-mile route. It's about the hugs and tears of pride and relief at the finish line. It's about the runners pushing their limits for various noble causes and those who persevere through adversity and grief.
Consider the story of Anita Tucknutt, a primary school headteacher in Abercarn who battled bowel cancer and will now run for Bowel Cancer UK after successfully entering remission. Then there's Isobel Ace, a 22-year-old with cystic fibrosis determined to prove that the disease need not be a life-limiting label, becoming a role model in the process.
I also want to commend my colleagues at the Football Association of Wales, who are running to raise funds for Tenovus Cancer Care, a cause close to our hearts following the loss of our beloved colleague Betsan Wyn Morris last year.
Events like the Cardiff Half inspire people to embrace new challenges, whether it's reaching a milestone birthday, honoring a lost loved one, raising money for charity, or simply embarking on a journey to better fitness, activity, and health. Behind every runner, there's a unique story, and that's what makes the Half so extraordinary.
The Cardiff Half fills me with immense pride for our capital and Wales as a whole. While I've only run it once, I've also had the privilege of participating as a member of the Sport Wales relay teams a few times!
The race route encompasses numerous landmarks, starting at Cardiff Castle, passing by the Principality Stadium and Cardiff City Stadium, and weaving through Penarth Marina, the barrage, and Cardiff Bay. Runners also traverse the Wales Millennium Centre and complete a loop around Roath Park before returning to the civic center. It winds through the wonderfully diverse communities of Riverside, Canton, Grangetown, Tiger Bay, and Roath, ultimately showcasing everything that Wales and Cardiff offer to visitors.
It's worth noting that 1,500 runners from overseas are expected to participate this weekend. Many of them are working toward completing the "superhalfs," a series of half marathons in fantastic European cities, including Lisbon, Prague, Copenhagen, Valencia, and, of course, Cardiff. This initiative not only promotes international connections but also puts Cardiff on the map as a desirable city break destination, highlighting the concept of runner tourism in our stunning nation.
While Wales may still struggle with global recognition, events like the Cardiff Half are gradually changing that. Our recent appearance in the FIFA World Cup shone a spotlight on the nation's potential and the impact of sports diplomacy in enhancing our profile. The Cardiff Half elevates our capital city as a prime choice for weekend getaways, and I'm a firm advocate of runner tourism, particularly in a country as visually breathtaking as ours.
Moreover, as Wales' largest mass participation race, the Cardiff Half contributes significantly to the city's economy. Runners and spectators inject money into our pubs, cafes, hotels, B&Bs, and shops, estimated to be around £2.3 million.
I'm also thrilled to see the Welsh language integrated into the event, as it should be. Runners have the option to display a Cymraeg badge on their race bib, encouraging conversations among participants and garnering cheers of "ymlaen" (forward) and "amdani" (go for it) from the spectators.
Remarkably, we've made considerable progress in terms of gender diversity among runners. Registration numbers are nearly evenly split between men and women, with female entrants even surpassing male participants in 2019. This shift signals a positive trend.
My employer, Cardiff University, serves as the research partner for this event. Colleagues have delved into the motivations behind women's running and, more importantly, the barriers they face. Unsurprisingly, women run for fitness and mental health, but they also sometimes struggle to find time due to work and family pressures—a challenge many of us can relate to.
Balancing a hectic professional life with family commitments remains an ongoing challenge. However, I view exercise as indispensable as brushing my teeth. I'm acutely aware of how inactivity can profoundly impact both my physical and mental well-being, even after just a few days. Exercise is a powerful and cost-effective remedy, and we should prioritize and invest in it within the context of public health discussions.
The timing of the Cardiff Half is significant. Taking place in early October, it allows runners to complete their training just as the days grow shorter. This timing is important as public safety remains a concern for many women.
I was heartened to learn that Cardiff's first-ever Muslim women's running club was established just five months ago. It provides a safe environment where like-minded women with shared beliefs and values can run comfortably, whether in hijab, jilbabs, abayas, or activewear. The club schedules runs to accommodate prayer times, ensuring that participants can be home for Salah.
It's projects like these that benefit from the race entrance fees. Run 4 Wales, the organizers behind not only the Cardiff Half but also the Newport Marathon and 10ks in Porthcawl, Barry, and beyond, operates as a non-profit organization that reinvests surpluses into grassroots sports and community initiatives. It has supported 48 free Parkrun events, funded opportunities for school athletes to compete at district, national, and international levels, and provided financial backing to more than 100 social running groups across Wales.
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