CONWY Parkrunners Ian Taylor and Josh Mottram have been given the green light to “Race the Train” at Caernarfon next week as they take on the challenge to help raise essential funds for the Whales Swimming Club.
This enthusiastic pair are already on the right track to help raise at least £500 for a special club that provides swimming and teaching opportunities for people with additional needs.
They are both regular entrants at Conwy parkrun, and now believe they can dash at full steam to try to out-run a mighty Welsh locomotive back to its base!
A passenger's view as runners "Race the Train".
This special train will leave the Highland Railway Station at Caernarfon at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 19, to carry all the entrants to the start at Dinas station.
The race, organised by Eryri Harriers, which is limited to 300 entrants, will then depart from this location at 8pm, with runners racing the train back to town via an exciting 5k course held under U.K.A. Rules.
Josh, who is a teenage athlete from Llandudno Junction, took part in the same event last year for another charity, but has since improved his fitness and his pace, and is now looking forward to this year’s event.
Josh Mottram is raising money for Conwy Whales Swimming Club.
Last July, he helped to raise substantial funds for Conwy Connect – which helps people with learning disabilities - and this time he will be running again with his friend Ian Taylor - to help support a completely different, but equally worthy organisation – the Whales Swimming Club.
Josh said: “Conwy Connect is a great charity that organizes lots of activities that me and my friends can do together, like disco’s, youth clubs, surfing etc, and they give me work opportunities, and help to prepare me for my future.
“I started running with Ian, my swimming teacher at Conwy parkrun and really enjoyed it. I ran behind him all the way, and then outsprinted him to get my PB of 22.10. We thought it would be fun to race the train at Caernarfon again this year, and to raise some money at the same time. Ian thinks he can beat me - but we’ll see!”
Josh Mottram (right) and Ian Taylor
Ian added: “On July 19th Josh and I have decided to 'Race the Train' again and we will try to raise funds for Conwy Whales Swimming Club, where we both volunteer.
“Conwy Whales is an amazing club! Josh joined to learn to swim and to spend some time with his friends, and with the help of the fantastic volunteers past and present, he is now a strong swimmer and a volunteer himself!
“Volunteering at this club is something that Josh is very proud of, and it’s so lovely to see from each session, the improvement in swimming skills, his confidence, and his love of the water!
“The Club provides swimming and teaching for people with additional needs, and it’s such a special club, and anything donated will be greatly appreciated and used to benefit its members. They have helped so many people to learn to swim, and it’s entirely run by volunteers.
“Conwy Whales are also always looking for volunteers to help with its fortnightly sessions, starting again in September.
"The question now is, will we beat the train this year, and who will get to the finish first? Team Josh or Team Ian?"
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