From Auckland to the streets of Cardiff, jet-setting Wimbledon teacher Annie Riley admits her fitness journey has changed her life.
After deciding to improve her fitness and overall health last year, the 24-year-old set herself the daunting challenge of running five half marathons in five years, and takes on part two at the Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon on October 4 – Wales’ largest mass participation event.
Annie completed her first half marathon in New Zealand last year, and after her December move to the UK to pursue her teaching career at Wimbledon Chase Primary School, decided on Wales’ largest mass participation event as the venue for her next challenge.
And alongside her cousin Sam, 23, who is running with her in the Welsh capital, the Tooting resident is hoping her times can go lower and lower.
“I ran my first half last year in Auckland to raise money for world vision, but I am running this one as part of a more personal goal,” Annie said.
“I want to run all five half marathons in different countries ideally – it’s a bit of a fitness goal of mine as I’m not a runner by any means.
“It was a time when I was thinking about improving my health, and I don’t see myself as a swimmer or a cyclist. So I turned to running, and the training side of it inspires me and pressures me a little bit so I can enjoy the run in Cardiff.
“I’ve started training already with my cousin – he’ll probably beat me but that’s ok. It’s going really well so far, and I’m trying to beat my time of 1:51.00 from Auckland this time.”
Lloyds Bank is in its sixth year as proud title sponsor of the event in Wales, with the Cardiff Half Marathon along with their other community programmes helping bring to life the bank’s continuing commitment to Helping Britain Prosper.
Well over 19,000 people regularly take part in the 10K and half marathon road races in Cardiff, with one of Lloyds Bank’s aims to help encourage more people in sport.
And having already visited the city before, Annie believes the huge crowds lining the streets of Cardiff will make it her best run yet.
She added: “I chose Cardiff as I went there earlier in the year when I first moved to the UK, and I just loved it there.
“It’s an amazing and beautiful city, and who wouldn’t want to run a half marathon in such a nice place?
“Next I’d love to do the London one, so I’ll be throwing my name in the hat, but there are also half-marathons all over the place.
“There’s one in Kuala Lumpur which looks really good, so we’ll see how we go.”
Lloyds Bank is proud to continue its support of the Lloyds Bank Cardiff Half Marathon – Wales’ largest mass participation event. Entries are still available at: www.cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk
