Newport Marathon becomes Wales' largest mass participation event since 2020

Wales
Health
Sport
Sunday 24 October 2021 at 11:47am

The race is the biggest mass participation event in Wales since before the pandemic Credit: Newport Wales Marathon

Thousands of people have been running the ABP Newport Wales Marathon on Sunday, the largest mass participation event taking place in Wales since before the pandemic.

8,000 people have signed up to run the marathon, 10K or family mile races which were originally scheduled for April 2020.

The race will be delivered as a 'Breathable Event' - providing a great event day experience and atmosphere with a focus on responsibility and safety. A number of measures will be in place to help keep people safe and prevent the spread the Coronavirus.

Simon Brown, Divisional Port Manager for Wales & South West, at ABP commented: 'We are delighted that the ABP Newport Wales Marathon and 10K is returning this year. This event is a fantastic community event".

The route for the ABP Newport Wales Marathon was devised by double Olympic marathon runner Steve Brace and is one of Europe's flattest marathon races.

It starts and finishes on Newport's vibrant riverfront and offers iconic landmarks, like the city's Transporter Bridge and the stunning scenery of the surrounding Gwent Levels - with coastal wildlife and picturesque medieval villages.

The single loop route takes runners past the University of South Wales and the bustling Friars Walk shopping centre before heading over the SDR Bridge, through the east of the city and into its rural areas, then on towards the village of Magor in Monmouthshire. Here, runners can expect a carnival atmosphere around the main village square.

Supporters will have the perfect opportunity to catch a glimpse of their loved ones and elite runners in the medieval town of Redwick, before runners head back towards the revamped city centre.

Before a sprint finish along the River Usk, runners will get the chance to take in the coastal wildlife on show at the Gwent Levels and Newport Wetlands - one of the UK's most popular bird watching sites.

The elite wheelchair race took place on Sunday morning Credit: Newport Wales Marathon

Mark Bricknell has waited 18 months to run the ABP Newport Wales Marathon for the NSPCC, but will now have a running partner - his daughter, Megan, who was stuck in New Zealand during the first stages of the pandemic.

A group of waste operatives are taking part in the ABP Newport Wales 10K thanks to Healthspan on Sunday. Event partner Healthspan are donating all of their free spaces in R4W events to key workers this year, in thanks for keeping us going during the pandemic. At the Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay Run last month they gifted free spaces to Royal Mail workers.

Entertainment for runners has included Samba Galez, Wales' longest running samba band.