Croeso | Welcome! We are Mynyddwyr de Cymru (MDC), a friendly fell running club based in south Wales.
MDC was formed after the first Llanbedr to Blaenavon fell race in 1980, and from humble beginnings we have grown to be very successful – but still retain that ‘small club’ feeling.
Non-Welsh speakers may wonder about the English translation of ‘Mynyddwyr De Cymru’: it means ‘Mountaineers of South Wales’.
We meet and run across South Wales. We spend a lot of time in the valleys and have occasional trips to the coast, but have a particular fondness for the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park where we also run a lot. Our members regularly take part in fell, mountain and hill running events all over Wales and abroad, including the infamous Transfan! Fell running is the club’s main activity, but members are also cavers, climbers, cyclists, kayakers, orienteers and much more.
Some members of MDC are also Race Organisers and are always looking for volunteers to marshal – it’s a great way to see what fell running is all about and meet club members. MDC has men’s and women’s teams in many local races, as well as events further afield such as the FRA Fell Relays. Look out for posts on Facebook, and you’ll find the race calendar on the WFRA website. The team kit is white, green and red…or grey, green and red if you’ve ever worn it for more than one race.
From April to October we train weekly on Tuesday nights and usually finish with food and a drink in a local pub. During the winter months we meet fortnightly for a run in the dark. For details see our list of training runs.
Our members also organise many informal activities on our facebook group, which you are welcome to come along to – no need to join straight away, come and see if you enjoy it first.
We found Martyn running in the dark on the Garth, and now he is the MDC figurehead!
MDC's new Men's Captain, Matt is a recent convert to the club, but by dint of being really very fast, he makes a perfect leader. He can be a tricky person to find, either posing awkwardly holding various items of silverware, or bounding off at the front miles ahead of you. If there's anything you'd like to say to him, maybe it's just easiest to email him here...
Joining MDC was one of the first things Donna did during lockdown 2020! Having met most of the MDC members on zoom quizzes she firmly established herself as part of the club. She would love to hear from any ladies who are thinking of joining us for a run or two ....
When he's not running, Richard does a lot of Orienteering and is the go to person for anything to do with race stats! Richard is the person to talk to for all new MDC members.
With an international-standard orienteer to navigate our Tuesday night runs, you can be guaranteed to run through the gnarliest batch of brambles, scrambles and mud to be found in South Wales.
Every week, the MDC Tuesday night run ends up in a pub, and it's Simon's job to find us the cheapest curry and best pint the hills can offer. He is also the holder of running vests and club stash
Mark and Alice are the MDC Welfare Officers. If you need some help, get in touch...
Briony is part of several initiatives to encourage more environmentally-friendly practices in fell running (e.g. climate change and environment guidance, Environment Awards) as well as encourage more women to take part (Women in Fell Running Working Group), and is helping to bring this knowledge through to MDC.
Took the role as Martyn said it would look good on his CV.
When Sarah landed in Wales, she knew this was the club to join! Hailing from Canada, Sarah is passionate about exploring local trails and promoting MDC. Feel free to reach out with any suggestions or additions to the website.
A new role for the club created due to Covid. This position is responsible for ensuring club runs are within our guidelines as he knows from first hand (or should I say ankle) experience the risks that are involved.