Short Strides Run Club proves you don’t need long distances to build something big.
Built on a simple ethos: short strides, good vibes.
The crew runs Wednesdays at 6pm and Saturdays at 10am, taking on a punchy local loop around Ridgeway and Allt-yr-Yn. It’s a social 5KM, but with around 100m of elevation, there are moments where you’ll need to dig in. That’s part of the fun. You climb together. You hit the summit together. You celebrate together.
The after party is part of the fun too.
On Wednesdays, the group heads straight to the local pub. Saturdays wrap back at the café for flat whites, pastries and long chats. The run is the catalyst – the community is the main event.
Short Strides began for a refreshingly honest reason: the founders just wanted to make some friends. Mates had moved away, people were travelling, and Newport needed a spark. What started as a handful of runners quickly snowballed into something much bigger.
Within a year, Short Strides was named Run Wales (Welsh Athletics) Group of the Year 2025 – a huge nod to the growth, culture and momentum they’ve built in such a short space of time. From “let’s just get a few people together” to one of Wales’ most celebrated social running groups – that journey says everything.
Beyond the regular loops, Short Strides host “Long Strides” training runs in preparation for events like the Cardiff Half Marathon and Newport Marathon, giving members the structure and support to go further.
They’re also known for their themed runs – think Halloween, Christmas and Summer pub crawl runs – which have become legendary local icebreakers and a core part of the club’s identity.
It’s mainly social runners who turn up, but all abilities are genuinely welcome. Whether you’re chasing fitness, consistency or just new faces, there’s space for you here. The loop may test you in places, but the encouragement is always there.
Add more Joy to Your Runs 💌
