Rhiwbina fun run!

There are screams of excitement from the younger children. They are already
running around in circles chasing each other in preparation for the race ahead. The
schoolyard bustles with action. On lookers stand behind red tape, draped from tree to
tree, barely reaching knee height. Excitedly, I instinctively move towards the front of the
pack eager to reach a winning position, on the Rhwbina school fun run!

The heart of Rhwbina is known as the Garden Village and was constructed very deliberately during the 1900’s to avoid city slum areas, which had been growing around the thriving dock lands in Cardiff. The area provides the feel of a countryside rural town whilst keeping close proximity to Cardiff city centre.
The sun leans round a cloud and the anticipation of the 3-mile marathon begins to
play on my mind. The oversized alarm clock ticks down. A stall nearby calls out names and numbers and the head teacher stands in earnest, megaphone in hand.
She raises it to her lips “The race shall begin on my mark”. The crowd inches forward, my back is pressed ever tighter to those behind and the starting tape stretches across our chests.

Places such as Rhwbina are a rarity, the houses are small and amenities such as
shops and parkland are close. As a child, Rhwbina proved to be the perfect area to grow up. My parents allowed me free reign. There were a number of children who lived in close proximity and all were roughly the same age. The idyllic nature is it’s most sought after asset, but once a year this is shattered by the local school fun run.

The moment dwindles; the Head teacher closes her eyes and winches as she pulls
on the trigger. A loud crack whips around the playground. Children, adults and all poised lurch forward collectively. The crowd sprints out of the schoolyard and on to the deserted road.

The houses themselves were designed by Raymond Urwin. As a child their size never seemed to bother me. The voices of my father and mother always seemed close and to escape all I needed to do was step outside onto the ‘green’. Looking left and right from my front step would not reveal a road like from many homes. But a large field around which the houses circled. The perfect place to play.

The road is lined with tall oak trees and the sun breaks through the leaves
revealing the white houses beneath. Running past the houses as a child would become a
memory which would become very vivid. As the race continues the pace slows. The children who ran with such exuberance and excitement at the start begin to walk. The 3-miles feeling longer with every step. I approach the school gates and the crowd of parents can be heard cheering on the runners. This instantly lifts myself, and everyone around me to take part in a futile sprint finish which leaves us all gasping for air.