Can you medal in Wales?

To build on the excitement of the greatest sporting event in the world taking place on our doorstep, Visit Wales is challenging people to head for Wales on holiday and have a crack at some medal-themed challenges.

We’ve seen some remarkable feats of endurance and skill at the Games, but you don’t have to be a highly trained athlete to get some adrenaline thrills. Wales is an adventure playground with action and excitement at all levels - on foot, two wheels, in the water and in the air. Mountain biking, coasteering, running, cycling, diving, hang-gliding and more – there’s something for just about everyone.

We’ve asked Welsh all-round adventure addict, ultra-runner and TV star, Lowri Morgan to come up with her gold, silver and bronze activity challenges.

BRONZE – Get yourself high!

Can there be anything better than flying for sheer excitement? You can do trial flights in both small planes and helicopters from Swansea airport. Soaring high above the wonderful Welsh coastline and countryside you’ll get views of the waves dancing in the sunlight, the wide sandy beaches, soaring cliffs and mountains in the distance. Best of all – you don’t need to be a fitness fanatic to do it! If you’re feeling braver you can try tandem skydiving here too.

SILVER – Swim in the wilds

Wild swimming isn’t just swimming – it’s jumping in and out of pools, scrambling across rocks and floating gently downstream too! And it’s heaps of fun if you do it in the right places. The wonderfully rugged scenery of the Brecon Beacons makes the perfect backdrop. There’s a lovely mile or so of pools, rocks and small waterfalls through woodland and heathland at Pen-Y-Fan – perfect!

GOLD – Run up a mountain

I’m a huge fan of ultra-running.. But anyone fairly fit can try running or walking through the fantastic Welsh countryside at numerous events across the country. Try either of these two for my gold challenge – The Trail Marathon offers full and half marathon courses through the woodland tracks and trails of the Coed y Brenin forest in the Snowdonia National Park. Or, if you’d like to venture up Wales’ and England’s highest mountain without taking the train, what about running up Snowdon? The 10-mile Snowdon Race involves running from the edge of Lake Padarn in the village of Llanberis to the highest summit in Wales and England - and back down again too.

Check out the Visit Wales website for more information about holiday ideas and activity breaks in Wales.

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