The Cardiff care home residents getting race-ready
The Cardiff Care Home residents getting race-ready
The Wizz Air Cardiff Half Marathon takes place in just over a week’s time. And one group of residents are certainly making sure they are race-ready.
Cartref Care Home by Roath Park Lake is positioned at mile 10 of the route and it is traditional for residents – who range from 60 to 103 years old – to cheer on the runners from their garden.
It is a key milestone for runners who are often in need of some encouraging words to spur them onto the finish line.
And this week, the Run 4 Wales team – which organises the Cardiff Half Marathon – have been to visit residents and have been helping to make posters and banners to wish the runners well.
Resident Valerie, originally from Dinas Powys said: “I’m looking forward to cheering on the runners of course. I’ll be clapping, maybe some shouting! I was never a runner myself. I used to play lacrosse, which is a sort of running, a long, long time ago!”
Mal, from Bridgend, was once a runner himself: “I did my first marathon in Cardiff back in 1985, in about 4 hours which I thought was reasonable. The second time I thought I could do better and knocked 45 minutes off. I enjoy seeing the runners come past our front door.”
Lillian from Cardiff, who turns 104 next week added: “It’s great to see them running. It’s lovely to get outside and watch the race.”
A record number of runners from outside Wales – both across the UK and overseas – are registered to take part this year. Matt Newman, Chief Executive of Run 4 Wales, says they are confident they will receive a warm Welsh welcome:
“Every year, we have a theme running through the event and this year’s is a celebration of Wales. We want to showcase everything that is so special about Cymru. And truly, the residents at Cartref Care Home offer the biggest Welsh welcome and it really is the highlight of the route for many.”
Monmouthshire Building Society, who have recently come on board as a Cardiff Half Marathon event partner have got involved by providing biscuits, drinks and even flasks to keep the residents warm.
Eve Wilkins, Chief Customer Officer at the Monmouthshire Building Society, said: “We’re delighted to sponsor the Cardiff Half Marathon this year, as we embark on our own journey into Cardiff, with our new branch opening on Queen Street in October.
“Supporting our local communities is so important to us at the Society. The Society’s own values are about helping our colleagues, our members and our communities to thrive today and into the future, so being part of events like this links incredibly well with our purpose. It’s a pleasure to provide the care home with refreshments and flasks for their party, we hope they can enjoy a warm cuppa whilst watching the race!”
Donna Jones, Home Manager at Cartref said: “The half marathon is a date in the calendar that all the residents look forward to. It means a lot to them that they’re able to show their support, and that Cartref is seen as a focal point on the route for runners. We’re really looking forward to next Sunday!”
Find out more about the event at www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk