Phoenix South Wales - Lovespoon Run

Phoenix Running South Wales invites you to celebrate St Dwynwen's Day with us at our LOVESPOON Run on Sunday 25th January 2026.

St. Dwynwen, a 5th-century princess, is the patron saint of lovers in Wales. According to legend, she fell in love with a prince named Maelon Dafodrill, but her father had arranged for her to marry someone else. Heartbroken, Dwynwen prayed for help, and an angel appeared, giving her a potion that caused Maelon to turn to ice. God granted Dwynwen three wishes: to thaw Maelon, to help all true lovers, and that she would never marry. In gratitude, she became a nun and founded a convent on Llanddwyn Island, where she dedicated her life to helping others.

This is one of our timed events where you choose how far to go - from 5km to 10k, half to marathon to ultra, you can complete as many, or as few, laps as you like of a 5.3km, 3.28 mile, out and back, course through Parc Taf Bargoed, a Green Flag park offering visitors access to an area of exquisite beauty and spectacular views shaped by the area's industrial past and recent redevelopment.

We welcome runners and walkers alike. Complete one lap, and you're both a finisher and a winner in our eyes or keep going and see how far you can get in the full 7-hour time . Everyone gets the fabulous bespoke finishers medal.

We operate our uniquely flexible rock up and run start times within a one-hour start window, so there is no waiting around if you arrive early and no added pressure if you're running a bit late. If you have any special start time requirements, get in touch, and depending on the distance you plan to run, we will try to accommodate all start time requests.

Here at Phoenix Running South Wales, we pride ourselves on providing the very best race bling to highlight your achievement however we are conscious that events can be expensive to enter, and times are tough right now.  We are therefore trialling a no medal entry option at a flat £22.  We cover our base costs, and you get all the usual Phoenix support, epic aid station, same-day results, athlete's profiles, Phoenix World, digital bibs, digital finishers certificates, and so on, but not having a medal means we can keep the price low for this entry option.

Not sure?  Well, the beauty of this format is that you don't even need to decide in advance - simply come and run a lap and see how you feel on the day and keep on going if it feels right.

Places will be strictly limited so don't leave it too late to enter.

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Staggered starts from 8:30am (registration open from 7.30am)

Minimum distance is 3.28 miles or as far as you can go in 7 hours. Multi-terrain. The majority is on tarmac paths with approximately 0.5 miles on riverside trail. The overall course has an elevation gain of 37m.

This event is licensed by Welsh Athletics, race license: 26MTWA00250

Why a Lovespoon medal?
A lovespoon is a decoratively carved wooden spoon traditionally presented as a gift of romantic intent. It is often adorned with symbols of love, such as hearts, chains, and bells, and reflects the skill of the carver. The tradition of lovespoons dates back to the 17th century in Wales, where they were given to express affection and intentions without the need for words.

And for runners, its symbolism feels especially fitting.

The twisted stem mirrors the journey every runner knows well: two paths winding together, representing strength in partnership, whether that’s your training buddy, your club, or the version of yourself you’re becoming with every mile. It’s the reminder that progress isn’t always straight, but every twist builds resilience.

Then there’s the dual heart motif, two hearts side by side, just like the rhythm of your footsteps. It speaks to passion, commitment, and the love of the run that keeps you lacing up even on the tough days. It’s the bond between runners, the shared grit, and the joy of crossing finish lines together.

A lovespoon isn’t just a keepsake; for us, it’s a celebration of connection, perseverance, and the miles that shape us 💕