Women's running club founder named Coach of the Year

A SPLOTT running coach has won Community Coach of the Year at the 2017 Nation Radio Sport Awards.
Lucy Marland, founder of women’s running group Girls Together – Splott, was shortlisted for the award last month.
She received the award at Cardiff City Stadium on November 17, during a ceremony featuring a performance from Blue star Simon Webbe.

Run in conjunction with Sport Cardiff, the awards recognise those helping to improve sports participation in their community.
“I was very fortunate to be nominated for Community Coach of the Year, an award I honestly didn’t expect to win,” Ms Marland said.
“Having won it, I am extremely humbled; it was such a lovely evening full of really inspiring people and groups who do so much in their communities.”

Ms Marland, who studies Human Dietetics and Nutrition at Cardiff Metropolitan University, hopes this award will encourage others to start running.
“For the Girls Together – Splott this will hopefully help to get our name known by ladies all over Cardiff and inspire others to join us on a Thursday night,” she said.
“Together we will set goals and help to develop and grow the social running network across Cardiff, which is growing rapidly year on year.”
Girls Together – Splott meets every Thursday evening at 6.15pm outside Splott Old Library.
The group’s goals for the next year include trail races, group relays, a marathon challenge and next year’s Cardiff Half.