Athletics
South East Wales is a hotbed of athletics and road running. Steve Brace from the Athletics Association of Wales gives us some tips on where to start.
Whether you are aspiring to be a Colin Jackson at the Olympics or a Joe Jogger to finish the local fun run, athletics clubs are where you find the knowledge to achieve.
Clubs vary from large groups offering all the athletic disciplines of track & field, cross country, road running and hill and fell to like minded units of enthusiasts.
People of all abilities join athletics clubs for a variety of reasons social, competitive and fitness, where they find coaches and leaders who guide them to their preferred event (or ones they are better suited to).
Age no barrier
Athletes of all ages from ten years of age are generally accepted at clubs, offering junior training/competition with age group categories to over eighty year of age offering a place in sport for everybody.
Athletics Clubs all around the principality are also keen to recruit new coaches, officials and volunteers to assist in the various range of activities at the clubs and would welcome your enquiry.
All the clubs who boast full track facilities for athletes who enjoy the opportunity to jump, throw and run on a certified quality venue twelve months of the year.
Indoor facilities
In addition South Wales has for the last two years benefited from the National Indoor Athletics Centre (N.I.A.C.) at U.W.I.C. Cardiff where a 200 metre banked track and throws and jumping facilities in an ideal indoor environment.
This has enabled a track & field competitive programme through the winter months and many of Wales and Great Britains top athletes are often to be seen going through their paces.
A full fixtures programme of cross country leagues, matches leagues and championships are held throughout Wales from October to March when the outdoor track & field programme commences.
A varied road running calendar takes place all year round, ranging from local 5km fun runs up to marathon.
Run to the hills
Some athletes move towards the rigorous terrain of mountain and hills, where events again vary from comfortable distances and under foot conditions to long challenging events.
Details of all events can be obtained from the Athletics Association of Wales Year Book available from January and on our web site www.welshathletics.org.
Further information is available from the Athletics Association of Wales Office - call 01633 416633.
See our Community Sport Web Guide for more about athletics in South East Wales.
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ruan holt, university of glamorgan
Is there anywhere I can do shot put near pontypridd
Steve Leach
Megan, regarding your post for a club that caters for 13 year olds catering for field events as well as running. Well there is a very good one it's called Newport Harriers. It's on Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6.30pm -8.00pm all year round at Spytty Stadium at the International Sports Village.
Mick McGeoch, Barry
Want someone to run with? Les Croupiers Running Club in Cardiff could be the answer. We meet on Thursday evenings at Llandaff Rugby Club around 6.45pm. Adult only, but all ages and abilities. It's both therapeutic and social - with the numbers in this club there will always be someone to run with and of your ability. Running is easy - you just put one foot in front of the other - how fast is up to you!
Megan, Tredegar
I think there should be more athletic clubs in South East Wales for the younger age like 13 year olds. The club should have a high jump, long jump, discus, shotput and running.
Melanie Keddle, Merthyr
Ebbw Vale leisure centre started a running club on 27th Feb this year, says all are welcome.
Rhydian Evans
Ben - there's no running club in Merthyr. Have a look on runnersworld and look for a "tritaffia" on the forums.
Ben Shires
Does anyone know of any running clubs near the Merthyr Tydfil area?? I'll check back daily to see if there are any replies :D cheers
Martin Walker in Newport
Good luck to all the runners who will be taking part in the next of the series of S.E. Wales Club races tonight (30/05/06), starting at Risca Leisure Centre.
Dave from Newport
Well done to everyone. You are all doing very well and Steve Leach is doing a fantastic job.
Sara, West Asia
Congratulations to all the people who took part in the Finland Championships. I myself was in the Finlandia Junior Games 2005 and I was in wales for 3weeks to visit my family and friends before my departure to Finland. I was very dissapointed to say that there were no athletics stadiums that would let me train there unless I was a member of that club; and I can't be a member because I only stay in Wales during the summer. Don't you think it would be a good idea for young athletes to be able to train temporarily on the grounds without becoming a member? I do high jump so its not exactly clever to train with a stick and a mattress, is it?
Steve Leach in Newport
Congratulations to Newport Harriers AC athletes who took part in the Welsh National Track and Field Championships in Colwyn Bay. Rebecca Williams U17 double Gold in 300m and Long Jump, Ritchie Wells double Gold in U15 Shot and Discus, Rozelle Cavacuiti double Gold senior women 100 and 200m. To Jacqui Garner U15 Pole Vault Champion and new Club Record Holder with 2.40m - despite vandals setting fire tothe Pole Vault bed at Spytty Stadium. And finally Alex Leach U20 men's hammer silver medallist with new club record of 40.17m.
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Have your say about athletics in South East Wales
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