800 runners take part in Caerphilly’s Sport Relief Mile

More than 800 people pulled on their trainers, tutus and fancy dress costumes on Sunday March 23 for the Sport Caerphilly Castle Mile.

Runners had the chance to run in a six-mile, three-mile, or two one-mile events and were awarded medals for their achievements.

There were a number of standout runners who had dressed up for the occasion.

Paul Wallen raised £228.50 and ran the one mile event alongside colleagues from Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Community Safety Team in a bee costume. Other fancy dress included a giraffe onesie and a whole host of tutus from women who attend Curves Gym in Caerphilly.

Sports clubs from throughout Caerphilly County Borough also got in on the action, with 55 members of Valleys Gymnastics Academy travelling from their base in Crumlin to take part. As the club with the most members to take part they have been awarded £125 in vouchers and ActiveVibe Caerphilly being awarded £75 for bringing along 38 members.

Cllr Dave Poole, Cabinet Member for Community and Lesiure Services, said: “This is another example of the kind of event that encourages everyone across our county borough to get active. It was of course a charity event so everyone who took part should feel incredibly proud of the money they have raised for Sport Relief. I hope some of the runners who took part will be back to join us for the Caerphilly 10k in June.”

Families and spectators were also catered for at the event with an activity park featuring a climbing wall, archery and the chance to learn skills for a number of sports including netball, golf, rugby and football.

Sainsbury’s sponsored the event and provided goody bags and water for those who took part. This was in response to a Regional Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games hosted by Sport Caerphilly at Risca Leisure Centre on March 16. More than 270 members of staff from 18 Sainsbury’s stores joined together to compete in ten different sports.

Rachel Thompson, Manager of Pontllanfraith Sainsbury’s, said: “Our partnership with Sport Caerphilly has grown and strengthened over the last few years. From us supporting their various events with goody bags and water to our very own Sport Relief Games. It was hugely successful and raised some great money for Sport Relief.”