Five hundred runners will be heading to Llanelli’s Festival Fields on Sunday to take part in the Great Welsh Marathon and Half Marathon.
Known as South Wales’ only marathon, the race has been a long established event on the running calendar.
One keen runner, Paul Butcher from Garnswllt in the Amman Valley will be taking on this challenge as part of his training building up to a mammoth race in July.
He said: “I used to run in school as a young boy but took up running seriously in 2009.
“I regularly attend training sessions with Pontardawe Running Club and the Great Welsh Marathon will be my 30th race in 30 months.
“I am building up to a big event in July, where I will be running 7 marathons in 7 days.
“This is something I have never attempted before so it will be new territory for me, but I am determined to do this for my dad, who has been diagnosed with dementia.
“I’m really excited to be taking part the Great Welsh, and I can’t wait to RunCymru. I’m looking forward to seeing the improvements at this year’s race and I’ll also be volunteering to help out at this years’ Swansea half.
The Great Welsh is strictly limited to 500 participants and is set to be a small but exclusive field of runners. Places have filled on both the half and full marathon distances.
Starting and finishing at Festival Fields, Llanelli at 9am the course stretches all the way to Burry Port and is set within the Millennium Coastal Park.
The Coastal Path offers breath-taking views of the Loughor Estuary and Gower Peninsula and is home to one of the flattest routes in the UK.
David Martin-Jewell, Managing Director said: “We are very excited to be hosting The Great Welsh Marathon and Half Marathon.
“It will be our first marathon that we as an events team have delivered so we are very much looking forward to it.
“This race, which has steadily built in profile and is already a favourite amongst runners, will receive the same level of attention that we use across our portfolio of races.
“Participants will experience a great course, which is well supported by our fantastic crew of volunteers and sectors heads.
“We would like to wish everyone the very best of luck for race day and hope that there will be many P.B’s smashed during the event.”
Spectators are encouraged to attend and cheer on the runners all along the coastal path. However, some of the best cheering spots would be at Festival Fields and throughout the entire Millennium Coastal Path between Llanelli and Burry Port as well as the North Dock Discovery Centre.
For more detailed information about key timings, water stations, toilets and medical provision, participants can download their very own Race Day Guide by visiting: www.greatwelshmarathon.co.uk