"I am a County Councillor with the Ceredigion Authority representing the North Ward of Aberystwyth and have been for several years and I believe that whilst one is of good health and can benefit the community one should do so because we do not know when we might require support ourselves.

During the early 1980's I organised the Aberystwyth Summer Festival for eight years and athletic events were always well supported and monies raised during the festival were returned to the community in the form of donations to local groups and charities.

In my capacity as a councilor people regularly told me that they missed and would welcome the return of an athletic event.

In 1998 the first 10k race attracted about 80 runners and the funds raised through entry fees were donated to a Cancer Charity.

Subsequent years have seen increased participation up to 400+ and the Cancer Charity benefiting from the increase in donations and entry fees. Over £35.000 being raised over the years.

This year has brought another dimension to the race with participants already registered from Hull, Leicester, London, North Lancashire and Bristol requesting names of hotels in Aberystwyth for overnight accommodation on the Saturday. This must be of benefit to the economy of the town and is to be welcomed.

Again in my capacity as a councilor I am the prime mover locally in attempting to establish an athletic track in Ceredigion hopefully and ideally in Aberystwyth and I am working in conjunction with Aberystwyth Athletic Club in an attempt to secure this much needed facility."

Article by Carl Williams