9:00 am 10th APRIL 2011

Llanelli Star – Great Welsh Marathon

As the spring sun broke through the early morning Llanelli mist, hundreds of athletes from all over Britain, and countries as far away as Cambodia, lined up for the 9am start of the Llanelli Star Great Welsh Marathon.

The race was started by the world famous adventurer Rosie Swale Pope MBE who joined the masses and also ran the 26.2 miles.

The two lap, technically demanding, undulating course, superbly organised by ‘Human Being Active’, steered athletes through the length of the beautiful traffic-free coastal path / cycle-way, stretching from Machynys Golf Course in the east through to Burry Port Harbour in the west.

But the scenery was only of secondary importance to most athletes who’s priority was to remain hydrated during the race, when temperatures peaked at a higher-than-average 21 degrees C (70F).

Telford Athletics Club, Dan Soltys, better known for his records in hilly events as a Wrekinsport Cycling member, lined up on the start line after having only run one race competitively after 19 months lay off due to injuries. He was amongst the front-runners from the gun.

At the two-mile post, he decided to test the field, opening a 2 second gap.

This gap was steadily increased mile by mile and at eight miles the gap had increased to 20 seconds. At the half way point the gap was 58 seconds. At 20 miles, Soltys had extended his lead to over 2 minutes and was firmly in control of the race.

Soltys smashed the event record by two minutes in a time of 2hrs 40.22, followed by Carl Allwood, (Sutton & Ashfield Harriers) 2hrs 43.01, followed by Daniel Robinson (Brats A/C) 2hrs 43.38.

In the female race Port Talbot Harrier – Clare Phillips was in complete control from the start. Clare kept a steady pace over the entire 26.2 miles and absolutely smashed the event record for a female runner by almost 10 minutes finishing in 2hrs 53.31. In second place was the 2010 winner Val Swingler with a time of 3hrs2.59 and in third place was Charlotte Wells with a time of 3hrs 5.05.

In total 16 athletes ran under the magic 3hr barrier, a testament to the standard of the runners and the quality of the course.

The story however is not just about the winners, but is about every runner that takes part in the challenge and adventure.

The Human Being Active events allow its participants to experience some of the best sporting challenges in the UK and bring attention to the beauty and splendour Llanelli has to offer.

HBA Director - Tim Gasser stated ...

The Llanelli Star Great Welsh Marathon was another very successful Carmarthenshire event. With almost double the entries from 2010. From the fantastic feedback given by the runners and their support, it suggests that this event will soon become one of the biggest and best marathons in the UK. HBA looks forward to working with the Llanelli Star on this and other future events.

 We would like to thank the Llanelli Star, St John Ambulance, Carmarthenshire County Council, the Millennium Coastal Park Management, Welsh Athletics, Rosie Swale Pope MBE, Llangennech Scouts, the United Families Support Group, 3M’s Gorseinon Road Runners, Llanelli Ramblers, Bynea Cycling Club, Coleg Sir Gar, Bodyworks, the Sanshirokwai Dojo, family and friends, ..... and all others that were involved with the event including the wonderful runners and their supporters. Without this vital support the events could not take place.

The organisers  now look forward to Human Being Active's Great Welsh Walkathon on the 9th October 2011 and the Llanelli Waterside Half Marathon on the 5^th March 2012 ...

If you would like to know more about Human Being Active events and would like to be involved then please contact us.

9:00 am 18th APRIL 2010

The first ever Llanelli Star Great Welsh Marathon organised by Human Being Active was hailed as a great success. Runners from across the UK took part and saw a quality field run in glorious conditions within Llanelli’s beautiful Millennium Coastal Park.

The race started from the Discovery Centre at Llanelli’s North Dock and meandered over the coastal path taking in Llanelli’s stunning beauty. There was a lap of the fantastic harbour at Burry Port and then the course headed back east following to the coastal path to Penclacwydd National Wetlands Centre before returning to the Discovery Centre to finish the 26.2 mile course.

The race was won by David Kehoe from Swansea in a fantastic time of 2 hours 42 minutes and 52 seconds. First female to finish was Val Swingler of Shropshire Shufflers who finished in a time of 3 hours 3 minutes and 17 seconds.

The hand cycling category was won by David Sandles in a time of 1 hour 48 minutes and 47 seconds. The team prize was taken by Sarn Helen RC, running for the team was Glyn Price, Murray Kisbee, David Thomas and Caryl Davies.

This event like all others organised by Human Being Active would not be possible without the help and support of a small army of volunteers. Huge thanks goes to the teams from St John Ambulance, 3M’s Road Running Club, Pontyberem Junior RFC, Swiss Valley Primary School PTA, Coedcae School year 11, Sanshirokwai Judo Club, Tri Exercise, the United Families Support Group and other family and friends. A thanks also goes to the Coastal Park Management for letting us use their facilities.

Huge thanks also goes to the runners for taking part in the event and their travelling support.

The event was supported by the Llanelli Star and was in aid of Cancer Research Wales.

Paul Jenkins, Commercial Director of the Llanelli Star also ran the race, he said ...

it was a fantastic event for the Llanelli Star to support. I would like to thank the organizers and countless people who gave their time to marshall the event. I was very proud of the way the people of Llanelli encouraged the runners during the race – it really made a difference and helped them keep going. I am sure next years event will even more successful.