RHAYADER Running Club are donating £500 to St Johns Rhayader from entry fees for last year’s Elan Valley 10-mile race.

The annual Elan Valley 10-mile race has been a staple event of the local community’s calendar for the best part of a decade but it was unable to go ahead this winter due to Covid-19, so Rhayader Running Club organised a virtual race instead. The race was used as a fundraiser with 100 per cent of all entry fees going to St Johns Rhayader.

Competitors from all over Wales and the borders ran 10-mile routes of their own choice over the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, November 21 and 22. The runners submitted their times electronically using one of the various apps available.

The fastest male time was Mark Whitehead form Aberystwyth AC with an impressive time of one hour six minutes. The female winner was Julie Knill from Rhayader Running Club in one hour 12 minutes.

The full results can be seen on the club’s website at http://www.rhayaderac.org.uk/.

St Johns Rhayader have been a pivotal part of Rhayader Running club races for many years, attending several events annually for decades. They provide first aid and paramedic cover for all the local events but also help support larger events too.

St Johns Rhayader has also been supporting the Welsh Ambulance Service with the Covid crisis throughout Wales and they also respond to 999 calls for WAST – First Responder capacity.

A spokesperson from the Rhayader branch said: “We rely heavily on donations to buy new equipment, repair and maintain the vehicles and the funds raised by our local running club will help pay towards this and are very much appreciated.”

This donation from the 10-mile race entry fees plus a donation from the club was agreed at the AGM this January.