Disciplines
‘Athletics’ refers to much more than just track & field and there are fantastic clubs and opportunities for every type of runner in South Wales.
Track & Field
Many of our oldest clubs are based around Track & Field, and feature incredible stories of bringing youngsters through to represent Wales and Team GB.
If you’re looking for a way into the sport for juniors, these clubs are the perfect places to learn new skills and make friends.
(Cover photo credit: Paul Stillman)
Road
South Wales boasts some of Wales’ leading clubs on the road, with varied training sessions that can take runners along the Taff Trail, through the Valleys, and on rolling country roads along the coast.
Our clubs foster an inclusive culture built on encouragement, commitment, and pride in local representation.
We hold championship races for 5k and 10k, awarding medals to the top three runners in each age category.
Cross Country
South Wales clubs are strongly represented in the Gwent League across all age categories, plus competition in our school districts in the Glamorgan Valleys and Cardiff & the Vale.
We hold a Championship race, generally coinciding with the first Gwent League fixture of the season, which awards the top 3 runners and teams for each age category. This serves as the selection race for the Inter-regional Cross Country in November, where we go elbow to elbow with the other Welsh regions.
We then travel for the Inter-Counties to take on runners from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Trail
There are plenty of amazing locations to get off the roads and explore the South Wales countryside. Trail running can encompass a huge variety of terrain, and is increasingly popular for clubs as a way to learn new skills and learn to race at irregular distances.
Trail races are generally very well marked and marshalled, and may include checkpoints for water and/or food. You can also expect to get pretty muddy in winter!
The Region holds a Trail Championship each year, where runners can compete across the age categories for medals.
(Cover photo credit: Abyd Quin Aziz)
Mountain & Fell
While we might not quite have the altitude of our fellow Welsh regions, we still have plenty of keen mountain and fell runners who proudly wear their club colours, though they’ll often be hidden under a few layers!
Mountain, or fell, running is generally off-road with significant gradients to contend with, and often, though not always, an element of route choice. Some courses are marked with checkpoints only and runners are given free rein to choose their lines over rugged upland terrain. Use of GPS to navigate is not allowed and you may be required to carry or wear specific kit.
Most races in Wales are licenced by the Welsh Fell Runners Association, including a series of races for junior and senior fell runners, as well as a winter hill series for seniors.
We hold a yearly Mountain & Fell Championship, and compete in Inter-Regional competitions across Wales.