Earlier this month, hundreds of people came together in Wales to watch the third episode of the ever-growing FootStep Run and Tenfoot Swim & Swim/Run.
The local endurance event raises significant funds for charities close to the community’s heart.
The event kicked off with a family-friendly fun run on the Friday night, ranging from the 0.5-mile children’s run to the 1- 3- and 5-mile adult runs between Saundersfoot and Stepaside with many of the 350 participants rocked up in fancy dress, creating a great atmosphere.
This year’s charitable weekend also saw the addition of a new event, as a 10K Swim/Run was introduced alongside the popular 5K Swim, believed to be a first within the local area.
Everyone who completed the run was awarded their medal by former Wales rugby international Ian Gough.
The celebrated rugby player had planned to partake in the event itself, however, due to a neck injury was forced to sit on the sidelines but joining the support crew.
Saturdays TenFoot saw Jake Plumley from Pontypool as the first swimmer to reach Saundersfoot, while Andrew Wallace from Pembroke Dock was at the forefront of the inaugural Swim/Run.
Throughout the day, medals were presented by Tony Brown, the Mayor of Tenby; Neil Sefton, Chairman of Saundersfoot Community Council and Thom James from FBM Estate Agents and FBM Holidays, who were one of the main sponsors of the event.
A spokesperson of the event said: “There was an incredible atmosphere throughout the weekend, and we could not have done it without the commitment and dedication of everyone involved, our sponsors and of course our safety support crew.
“Many of this year’s attendees commented on the picturesque route and the quick response from our safety crew. It’s great to see everyone enjoying themselves at the TenFoot which continues to grow each year.”
Overall, 76 kayakers and paddle boarders registered on the day to the water safety team. A further 32 boats or ribs also supported the event.
An event organiser said: “It’s great to see the communities of Tenby and Saundersfoot come together and put on this fantastic charity event. We couldn’t have done this without our amazing volunteers and sponsors.”
This year’s event raised money for Huntington’s Disease and Bone Cancer Research Trust, two charities close to the local communities of Saundersfoot and Tenby. Further donations will be made to groups supporting safety cover on the day.
Among this year’s event supporters were Tenby Surf Link, Pembroke Paddlers, RNLI, Tenby and Saundersfoot sailing clubs as well as Narberth Netball, who supplied teams for marshalling.
Further support was received from Chris Salisbury at Tenby Harbour and the Saundersfoot Commissioners of Saundersfoot Harbour as well as Marc Owen from Pembrokeshire County Council. Saundersfoot Medical Centre allowed volunteers to use their parking space, while Harbwr Bar and Harbwr brewery provided runners and swimmers with hot soup and refreshments.
This year’s sponsors included FBM Holidays, FBM Estates, JOP Ltd, Mike Wealleans PVCu, Little & Large Bites, Saundersfoot Harbour Commissioners, Silver Lily, Mr J.Taylor at North Beach Café, Scaffold 2000, 1 Formula Fitness, 1 Formula Ltd, Pembrokeshire Wealth Management, Periwinkle, Harbwr Bar, Gower Hotel, Pembrokeshire Tyres Tenby, W D Lewis Aberdare Ltd, John Rothery Health, Heritage Park, Trevayne Farm, Lily Cole, Equinox, Portabella, Castle Homes, Martin Woodhall, Harbourlight Guesthouse, Safe Electrical, Dragon Mobile Catering, The Boat House, Prowaste, Dryhome Condensation Ltd, Towergate Insurance Brokers, Folly Farm, Andrew Price, Broughton Leisure, Hanger 5, Big Brums, NBSM, TRJ, Spar-Saundersfoot, Tesco-Saundersfoot, Dan at the Slipway Gift Shop, Odley’s Ice-Cream at Saundersfoot, David Lewis – Hean Castle Estate, Swim Pembrokeshire and James E Smith, Timber.
Applications for the 2020 have now opened to this year’s competitors and will be opened for general release at the end of the month. People can sign up for the charitable weekend of fun at https://tenfootswim.co.uk/
