A TEAM of determined runners and cyclists from Aneurin Leisure took part in an epic 30 mile challenge around Blaenau Gwent to raise money for Red Nose Day last week.

The runners set off at 9am from Aneurin Leisure’s central base at the Regain Building on the Works Site in Ebbw Vale, running through Cwm, Aberbeeg, Abertillery, Blaina, Brynmawr, and Tredegar before returning back to Ebbw Vale just six hours later.

The core team of 10 runners were made up of members of staff from all over Aneurin Leisure as well as life members from our three Sports Centres, who were joined at various stages along the 30 mile route by another 17 eager runners from Aneurin Leisure and the Sports Centres, who together have raised approximately £1,000 so far for Red Nose Day.

Throughout the day, the group stopped at a variety of Aneurin Leisure venues across Blaenau Gwent to get some much needed refreshments and collect donations, and were astounded by the amount of support they received from everyone, even people on the streets who cheered them on as they passed.

Anthony Hughes, Managing Director of Aneurin Leisure said of the challenge: “It was such an inspiring experience to join the group on their 30 mile challenge today and help raise money for such a worthy cause. I would like to congratulate everyone who took part and thank all our supporters for their encouragement and kind donations.”

Ashley Owen, Sport & Fitness Manager at Aneurin Leisure, and one of the runners to complete the 30 mile challenge added: “It was fantastic to see so many of our customers participating alongside staff and supporting such a worthy cause. Many thanks to all those that contributed to the event, from Aneurin Leisure staff, our customers, support cyclists and the wider community.”

Tom Kivell, Fitness Development Officer at Aneurin Leisure, and one of the organisers of the challenge said: “I want to thank everyone that either took part in the gruelling event or donated to the great cause. I also want to thank David Williams for coming up with the challenge. On personal reflection of the event I didn’t expect it to be that difficult, but when you train to run for 200 metres and then do a 30 mile run I guess my body was screaming for me to stop, but I was always going to complete it for a fantastic cause. I look forward to the next challenge that can again bring the community together.”

Autumn Mason, Miss Blaenau Gwent 2016, met the runners at the finish line at Ebbw Vale Sports Centre and said of the fundraising challenege: “A massive congratulations to the Aneurin Leisure team that completed their 30 mile challenge. They’ve run more than the London marathon in just one day, and everyone crossed the line with a smile - a fantastic achievement, they should be very proud of themselves.”

If you’d like to show your support for the team you can still make a donation to their Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/ANEURINLEISURE?