IT’S BEEN A hard slog so far in 2020 with coronavirus and lockdown restrictions having an effect on our businesses, finances and mental health.

But one Powys running club has quite literally taken the bull by the horns and tried to keep the community spirit well and truly alive in their town.

Builth and District Running Club (BADRC) – which have a bull emblazoned across their vests – have been supremely active during lockdown since March, and even though members haven’t been able to meet up and gather quite like they’re used to, they’ve still been pounding the pavements, roads, paths, lanes, dirt tracks and anything else they can put their feet on.

As well as staying active by getting out for normal jogs, runs and walks, the club have also been coming up with slightly crazy and quirky fitness challenges too – even getting clubs from across the UK to take part.

The event that really went the distance was their first Builth and District Running Club 15-hour relay which took place in July. The premise was simple – one runner at a time, running for a period of 30 or 60 minutes, or however long they could, before passing on the virtual baton to the next runner.

Initially a relay for club members, the event garnered so much interest within the club, that it then split into two teams, Team Builth and Team District, so non-members could get involved.

However, the event then exploded, with word soon spreading, first to other local clubs. But after two weeks and through the power of social media and contacts throughout the UK, by the time the actual day of the event came around, there were over 60 teams entered for the challenge.

“I was running over Cwmowen one day and wondered how I could get people out running during lockdown,” said club chairman Christian Prynne.

“We couldn’t meet up during lockdown but we can check what we’re doing on Strava so the idea for a continuous relay came about.

“Our social secretary Haydn O’Reilly took it on and tried to promote it to other clubs and in the end we had 65 clubs across the UK joining in altogether and one Irish club.

“All in all 2,500 miles were completed in total, which is a phenomenal achievement. It’s surely one of the biggest running events in history.”

Far from content with the scale of their achievement, and being a club whose whole ethos is built on movement, BADRC went into overdrive over the ensuing months and runners have regularly been seen out and about competing in a variety of fun and memorable challenges.

“I then said we need to do an altitude challenge,” added Christian.

Ludlow-based Croft Ambrey took up the baton on this one and the ‘Ain’t no Mountain High Enough’ Elevation Relay was born.

“This was a 12-hour relay, with the aim to gain as much height in 30 or 60-minute intervals. And a team from Builth won it.”

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With a second “firebreak” lockdown for two weeks announced by the Welsh Government on Monday and coming into effect from 6pm this Friday (October 23) until November 9, events like this are just a way to keep people active and upbeat during a difficult period.

“It’s just about trying to find ways to simply help club members stay running and motivated,” said Christian.

“The next big thing is the interclub cross-country championships, taking place at three separate venues; Forest Fields, Maesmynis and we’re looking for a third venue.”

Club members have also been taking on their own challenges too, with Lee Nicholson and Matthew Morris not letting the cancellation of the South Canum Ultra a week before it was due to take place, in September, stop them.

The event – a 40-mile adventure along the wonderfully picturesque Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal – was part of Lee’s epic lockdown challenge to run the equivalent of Lands End to John O’Groats (874 miles) in six months.

“It was just to keep me motivated as all races were being cancelled or postponed,” said Lee.

“Once restrictions were eased a bit the club set up virtual races, including the elevation challenge and the distance challenge, which was great as it gave me something to focus on and provided a little healthy competition.

“I entered the South Canum Ultra, from Newport to Brecon along the canal. It got cancelled about a week-and-a-half before the race but me and Matt didn't want to waste our training and so decided to do our own 40-mile run.

“Hay and back seemed like the best route without too many hills so we went for it.”