Gareth Purkis
How long have you been Running?
How long have you been with Caerleon Running Club and how did you come to join us?
A little over 2 years. I was doing a lot of running on my own and someone suggested joining a club – and I don’t regret it!
What inspired you to start running?
My health, I was 18st 7lbs when COVID first appeared, given obesity was one of the things that made you high risk, I made a decision that I needed to lose weight to give myself the biggest chance of seeing my children grow up!
What motivates you to keep running?
Now, it’s to see how fast I can get at each distance. I truly believe we are all capable of a lot more than we give ourselves credit for!
What is your running ambition?
I have many, a few that are specific to times for their respective distances, I also really want to run the Cape Town 100 (a brutal 100km race across the Cape Town Peninsula) but ultimately I want to keep running and setting an example to my children!
What do you consider your proudest moment?
Tough to decide, last year I ran some (for me) great races – I’d probably have to say running my first Marathon at Brighton last year. Although it didn’t go how I’d have liked it to and I actually ran almost 20 minutes quicker a couple of months later at Edinburgh – it was my first ever marathon! If you’d have asked anyone that knew me if I’d have done a marathon you’d have had some interesting responses! I will always remember when I first started running doing the Couch to 5k, I was doing walk/
run laps of the Caerleon rugby pitch and all I could think about was losing enough weight so I could stop running! How things have changed!
Do you have any regrets when it comes to your running journey?
No, only maybe that I wish I’d started sooner.
What is your favourite race, and why? If you don’t race, what is your favourite run?
I’d have to say Edinburgh- only because of the location. I absolutely love the city, the marathon isn’t the prettiest (out and back in Musselburgh) but it’s flat and fast so definitely a PB course for anyone wanting one!
What is your favourite music to run to? Or if you don’t listen to music, what do you think about while running?
I don’t really listen to anything – occasionally a podcast or the UK top 40 if I feel I need something to get me through. But I do like being out with my thoughts – it helps clear the head.
What is your go-to post-run drink or treat?
Just a simple Clear whey protein shake and an electrolyte.
What advice would you give to someone who is just starting out running?
Keep moving, if you need to walk, then walk – but just keep moving! If I can do it, anyone can!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
Just that the help and support you get from this club and the very, very wide range if members is amazing! Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else!