A housing association chief is putting on his running shoes to help promote the benefits of keeping fit to 3,800 tenants.
Andrew Bowden, the Chief Executive of Cartrefi Conwy, will line up for a one-mile fun-run in Conwy on Sunday, November 20 and expects to be joined not only by scores of tenants but also several colleagues.
The fun-run between Conwy Quay and Llandudno Junction and back is being held for the first time in conjunction with the Conwy half-marathon organised by Run Wales.
The housing association, which took over responsibility for housing from the county borough council in 2008, is sponsoring the event.
“Cartrefi Conwy is always looking for ways to be involved in the community and supports local communities through donations and sponsorship funds.
“We are conscious that where possible our support presents additional opportunities to benefit our tenants, said Mr Bowden, a keen walker who hopes to be able to run the distance.
Cartrefi Conwy’s tenants will be able to enter the fun-run free of charge – the fee for others is £4 a head or £10 for a family of four – and all finishers will receive a medal, T-shirt and goody bag.
“At the moment we have more than 10 members of staff planning to take part but we hope there will be a few teams representing all our departments come race day,” said Mr Bowden.
“Whilst some people may run it doesn’t matter if some choose to jog, walk or skip their way to the end of the race. We hope many families will become involved and it may even encourage some to step up and have a go at the half-marathon next year.”
Cartrefi Conwy will also be represented in the half-marathon itself, which has attracted almost 1,500 entrants to date.
In the past two years Kevin Talbot from Llandudno has been among volunteers marshalling the event but he decided to have a go this time because of the involvement of Cartrefi Conwy, for whom he works as a maintenance coordinator.
Kevin, 47, will be raising money for Ty Gobaith/Hope House, which has been adopted as the housing association’s nominated charity for this year. It is the second major fundraising event in which Cartrefi Conwy has been involved in raising money for Ty Gobaith, the first having been a recent golf competition.
He is a relatively experienced distance runner, having taken part in the Chicago Marathon in 2000 and the London Marathon in 2007.
His best time for the half-distance is about 1 hour 40 minutes but as the Conwy race includes a circuit of the Great Orme his aim this time is to break the two-hour barrier.
“I’m glad to be able to take part in a local event like this, especially for such a good cause,” he said.
The race’s main benefitting charity is Help For Heroes, but Mr Bodwen said they hoped tenants would take the opportunity to support any good causes.
Race organizer Chris Yorke said he was delighted to have Cartrefi Conwy among the event sponsors and he was sure that the fun-run, which will be held before the main race, would be an added attraction, bringing yet more people into the town.
All Cartrefi Conwy tenants who plan to take part in the Fun Run must register for free entry by ring 01492 805500. Entries from members of the general public who want to participate in the Fun Run will be taken only on the day whereas on-line entries for the half-marathon, which starts an hour later at midday, will be accepted only in advance. Both events start and finish on the quayside.
