by Ben Jones
THIS Sunday thousands of runners will descend onto the streets of Newport as they take part in the Admiral City of Newport Half Marathon.
The St David’s Day event is supporting St David’s Hospice Care, a charity that looks after patients and their families who suffer from life-limiting illnesses that can no longer be cured.
At team of 65 runners, made up of teachers, pupils, parents and past pupils from Rougemont School have entered.
After raising over £10,000 for Velindre two years ago, the school has set a target of raising £25,000 to donate to St. David’s Hospice Care this year. Rougemont Runners will be easily identifiable on the day with their electric pink tops.
One student, James, has run competitively before and he emphasised his excitement to take part in his first half marathon.
“I enjoy these big races, where there’s lots of people watching, and the atmosphere. I just enjoy the buzz these events have,” he said.
Nick is another student taking part in his first half marathon, something he’s been inspired to do for a long time.
“My brother suffered from cancer and thankfully beat it. He’s now done two London Marathons, so I’ve been inspired by him just to get involved and do my bit.
“He’s now living life to the fullest by doing the London Marathon, and that made me want to be like him and do the same, continue in his footsteps,” he stated.
Classmates Ella and Olivia are motivated to run as the hospice has given care to relatives in the past. Olivia has volunteered for the hospice in the past, too.
Maths teacher Andy Richards ran a half marathon before in memory of a friend; it’s not about the time to him, it’s about the cause he is running it for.
“This time we’ll support St. David’s Hospice. Hopefully we’ll have lots of people out on the course, cheering us on, and we’re looking forward to raising a lot of money for St. David’s Hospice.
“I’m aiming to finish and get around as much of it without stopping. I just want to run it as much as I can and cross that finish line. Every step I take is another pound for the charity, and that’s how I see it. It’s about the achievement of doing it,” he said.
He’ll be running on Sunday for St. David’s, but he has one eye on the London Marathon in April too.
“This will be my long training run for the week, hopefully then every week I’ll put a couple of kilometres on and a week before London, I’d have done 20 miles so I’ll be happy. If I stay injury free, I’ll be in a good place.”
