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.

What do you think about athletics in South East Wales? Have Your Say and we'll publish your views online. Steve Leach from Newport would like to congratulate the Newport Harriers 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."