What do Bangor, Newtown, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford all have that Aberystwyth does not? A proper athletics track. Aberystwyth is bigger and more strategically important and yet there is not a full track suitable for competition in the whole of Ceredigion, one of only 3 counties without one in England and Wales. The University Harriers even have to have some home competitions in Bangor and have no way of practising jumps and throws safely. Carmarthen track hosts the ‘Ceredigion’ Schools Athletics competitions. This also affects all ages and abilities, with the current track being so small and well used there is limited space for the more elderly, wheelchair athletes or families.  In the winter this is even worse as the current floodlights don’t cover half of the track.

Yes, we have a 2 lane track at the University in Aber. However it has hundreds of people walking over it each day to go to the gym and 3G pitch inside it and almost all runners I have spoken to have safety concerns. Most of us have almost bumped into people lingering on the track, which means that we cannot train effectively at busy times. Also, it has not been cleaned properly in years so has lost its porousness and has bumps and tears at points. The surface will need to be replaced in a couple of years as it will be life expired anyway, but it makes a lot more sense to spend that money partly on a new track not another 2 lane one. Apart from the track, the flat areas for running are limited to busy cycle paths, the cluttered and busy promenade and the avenue, in town. This is despite the fact that there are large areas of flat university and school playing fields in the town which we can’t use. 

My perspective is of a Welsh national level runner and current President of the University Running Club in Aberystwyth and have lived in West Wales most of my life. The dearth of adequate sport, but particularly athletics facilities in our area directly affects training and performance paths of many current and potential athletes, including myself. There is a promising amount of sporting talent in our community, the cyclists for example from Ceredigion who were at the Olympics last week. Yet, the potential for track and field talent is limited by the lack of a proper facilities.

Investing in an athletics track is not only beneficial to athletes but also to the community as a whole. Encouraging physical activities like athletics can reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other health conditions. Also, the provision of better facilities can encourage greater community unity, youth development and social opportunities. The lack of facilities turns potential athletes away from coming here to University and means local children who want to engage in athletics go to places like Newtown and Carmarthen, a negative effect on our economy as well as talent. 

The population in the potential catchment area for a facility in Ceredigion is around 60,000. A new facility like this would cost between £600k–£1.5m depending on all the specifications. For context the new skatepark in town cost around £500k, which doesn’t hold competitions to get any cash back. As we are directly connected to Shrewsbury and Birmingham by train, Aberystwyth would be well placed to host athletics competitions not just for the local area and schools, but county and national level, that could earn back some money for the cost.

Therefore, on behalf of the athletics and running community of Ceredigion I am urging the local government or relevant sporting bodies to act swiftly by planning, funding and building a proper athletics track, including jumps and throws facilities in Aberystwyth. 

Thank you, please share widely!  Janoš.