RHAYADER Running Club’s Elan Valley 5k event kicks off next week and competitors have received a good luck message from a very special legendary athlete – World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.

Lord Coe, who was a hugely successful athlete before moving into politics, won gold medals in the 1500 metres at both the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games, in Moscow and Los Angeles respectively, as well as 800m silver at both games.

Coe, 67, happily agreed to record a good luck message for Powys athletes taking part next week, after one of the club’s members was part of a round table event interviewing him in London recently.

“I’m here to wish you all very best of luck in Rhayader Running Club’s Elan Valley 5k race taking place on May 22,” said Lord Coe.

“Good luck, enjoy, don’t go off to quick. Hydration the whole way and really enjoy (it).”

The Elan Valley 5k race is just a single event last year; it is usually a 5k series. The race takes place next Wednesday, May 22, starting at 7pm from Caban Coch reservoir.

“One of our members happened to be in an interview with Sebastian Coe at an event in London, and cheekily asked if he’d do a message for Rhayader Running Club’s 5k,” said club chairman Adam Barrett.

“He said yes and that’s how it came about, which is marvellous.

“This year it’s just a one-off 5k race instead of a series. We’ve had loads of people doing our couch to 5k course this year, so one race seems like it was plenty for those guys as they’re just getting started.”

OTHER NEWS:

Online entries are £9 or £7 for Welsh Athletics affiliated members and £6 for Rhayader Running Club members. Online entries close at 7pm on Monday, May 20.

This is a great event for both beginners and experienced runners. It’s beautiful, flat, sociable and there’s refreshments after at Rhayader Rugby Club.

To enter, visit https://www.entrycentral.com/login, and head to the club’s Facebook page for an interview with a British athletics legend and for more information.