The last weekend of February saw the activities burst into life again with plenty of events on the agenda, some just for a bit of fun fundraising, some with members thinking starting a ride straight up Pendine Hill is the way to go, and then onto the running events, with some members deciding to head over and run in Malta, and catch a bit of sun whilst doing it, obviously working on their early season tan. And some more hardened members deciding to run on the coast path with a marathon around St. David’s, and definitely not thinking about the tan. Great for all, that events are now back on the agenda and the forthcoming season of better weather (hopefully).

CHARITY NIGHT

Friday night saw the eagerly-awaited charity shop dress up charity night, the first of many events that will be undertaken this year for the club’s charity of the year, Air Ambulance.

The format was simple, pick a name out of a hat and then dress that person with clothes bought from one of the local charity shops. Easy enough it sounds, but when you get a crowd together, and the chance to make your friends look a bit sheepish, in whatever clothes you buy for them, despite knowing in the back of your own mind that someone else is buying for you and worrying what they will get for you.

Pure and simple, most of the men ended up getting into very loud frocks, along with matching handbags and jewellery. Top this off with it being a rugby weekend and Wales playing their part against France, there was a very rum crowd watching the game at the Esplanade Hotel. Thanks to Julie and Peter for allowing us to use the hotel as the venue and for feeding us with the healthy option of chips during the match (these were very welcome).

After the match saw the chance to hold our own fashion parade, with the men dressed as ladies and the ladies dressed largely as ladies, with a couple of exceptions, with farmer Elaine Brace and the two boxers slugging it out all night, namely Tracey Thomas and Donna Bradley.

It has to be said that the men took the fashion parade far too seriously and obviously were enjoying the night.

A raffle was held to raise funds, with thanks to all who donated prizes, and special thanks to Elaine Brace and Tesco in Saundersfoot.

A few brave souls decided to wander round town afterwards, still in full attire and to the usual wolf whistles due to our looks, and thanks to Karen Evans, of the Baytree, for her kind donation on the evening, although not sure if it was out of sympathy.

Over £200 was raised on the night to put towards the charity. Thanks go to everyone who took part and there will be other events coming through the year which it would be great to see other members at also.

RAS DEWI SANT MARATHON

Last weekend saw the fourth staging of the Ras Dewi Sant, Coastal Path Marathon, which was held on the same Saturday of the St. David’s Day celebrations.

The headquarters were based at St. David’s RFC along with showers, food and drinks available.

Carlton Coates and Chris Lloyd were taking part, hot on the heels of completing the half marathon in Margam last weekend, and after competing in the Ras Dewi Sant half marathon last year, they decided to take on the full this year.

The runners were transported from the rugby club to the starting point at Celtic Camping, three miles north of St. David’s and from there they continued on their journey north to the splendid fishing village of Porthgain, via an interesting diversion inland and across country through Barry Island Farm, before heading back along the coast path south to Whitesands beach, covering some of the toughest terrain and most breathtaking views anywhere in UK, before picking up the half marathon route to the finish at the rugby club.

One thing which was slightly different to the half marathon that they undertook last year was that the first half of the full marathon was known to be quite brutal, and was hilly and isolated, but spectacular.

Well done to both and great preparation for the ultra-marathon they are doing later in the year.

DAFFODIL

CHARITY RIDE

Last Sunday, February 28, saw the hosting of the ninth annual Daffodil Ride, which takes place at Pendine Beach. The Daffodil Ride sees hundreds of riders embarking on the challenge of a 43-mile loop through hilly Carmarthenshire, starting right at the bottom of Pendine Hill.

The event is now being organised by students of the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, and all proceeds are donated to charity. The route is a grueling challenge, but very rewarding at the end, and takes you from Pendine, through St. Clears and up to Tegryn, before heading back to Pendine.

The event was attended by Gareth Rees, Jamie Silvester, Hayden Johns, Richard Day, Colin Barrett, Shaun Griffiths, Julie Andrasko, Huw Benbow, John Hubbard, Adam and Ollie Brown, Iain Rich, Steph Waring, Mandy Cavill, Paul Luger, Mike Lindsay and Kirsty Murray. Well done to all.

MALTA HALF AND

FULL MARATHON

Last weekend saw a couple of members heading out to Malta to take part in either the full marathon or half marathon, and a chance to get some much-needed warm weather.

The route for both is not totally traffic-free, but wardened at all junctions, and the route has been changed over the years to allow a virtually traffic-free route.

The full marathon route starts outside the bastions of Malta’s old capital Mdina and takes you past various notable landmarks and towns, before finishing on the Gzira waterfronts and the finish line in Sliema.

The half marathon starts and finishes in the same places, but with a change of route after the first 6km.

Mandy Draper, going for just one full marathon last weekend, went over and competed in the full marathon, while Gerald Brace and Karen Davies competed in the half marathon.

It was good to see fellow Aces members trying to photo bomb the pictures even in Malta, with Pat Currie pictured in the background as Gerald came over the finish line. Well done to all.

IRISH DANCING CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was great to see two of our younger members also competing last weekend, although in a different format, but equally as successfully, with Kiera Slack and Meg Bridges both qualifying to dance at the Irish Dancing Championships in Dublin later in the year. Well done both.

Activities for the coming week

Friday, March 4 - Pool Swim Session with Slacky for those booked in. Tenby Leisure Centre at 7 pm.

Saturday, March 5 - Colby Parkrun, a great local event and well worth supporting, lots of members taking part on a regular basis.

Sunday, March 6 - Club Ride, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 9 am.

Monday, March 7 - Turbo with Rhys at Tenby Bowling Club, 6 pm to start for 6.30 pm.

Wednesday, March 9 - Aces Run Session, meet at Tenby Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm.

Thursday, March 10 - Turbo with Mike Lindsey at Tenby Bowling Club, 6.30 pm to start for 7 pm.