03/10/2026
Thank you to Lisa, for this morning’s run report.
Cwmbran parkrun: Event Report #453
🏃♀️ Overview: A Welcome Return to the Boating Lake
It was a fantastic morning at Cwmbran parkrun for Event #453, which saw a vibrant field of 297 finishers take to the course. I was returning after my last visit in 2018 and the event has evolved beautifully since. The start area and parking have successfully relocated from The Olive Tree to the Boating Lake cafe, making the event incredibly easy to access.
The start of my morning ran seamlessly thanks to excellent car parking marshals in the signposted car park. For future tourists, the start line remains highly accessible, located just a short walk from the local train station.
📈 Growth & Innovation
Since launching in June 2016 with averages of 200 runners, Cwmbran has blossomed into a thriving community hub, regularly pulling in 350–400 participants and hitting an all-time record attendance of 481 in January 2026.
To manage this popularity on the park's narrow paths, the event team has introduced suggested start pens. This brilliant addition kept congestion to an absolute minimum today. Participants further back in the field enjoyed a smooth, uncrowded run/walk experience, with everyone mindfully keeping to the left.
📊 The Statistics
The event achieved a lovely, even split of male and female finishers, proving once again how inclusive the Cwmbran community is.
Total Finishers: 297
Personal Bests: 37 parkrunners bagged a brand-new PB!
Course Conditions: Flat, scenic, and fast.
🌍 Tourism & Milestones
Cwmbran continues to be a popular destination for tourists, drawing a diverse crowd this week from:
Lithuania
Bushy Park (the historic birthplace of parkrun)
Tipperary
Cornwall
Abergavenny (welcoming neighbours from the newest local parkrun)
🌟 Welcome to the parkrun Family
A massive congratulations goes out to the 11 individuals who chose Cwmbran to complete their very first parkrun today:
Adam Evans, Rob Smith, Lewin Mann, Daniel Williams, Dan Evans, Leah Simpson, Donald Davies, Leo Fitchen, Kate O'Donnell, Ellie Jonas, and Arthur Best.
Crossing the start line is the hardest part, and we hope you left with that unmistakable post-parkrun feel-good factor. Be warned: a few more Saturdays and you will be completely hooked!
Thank you to all the high-vis heroes and volunteers who made this morning's event possible. See you all next week!
