New research says sea breezes and exposed cliff-top paths make county trail a safer bet for runners with allergies

PEMBROKESHIRE’S world-famous Coast Path has been named one of the best trail running routes in the UK for people who suffer from hay fever.

New research by health and fitness supplement brand Ten Percent Club ranked the Pembrokeshire Coast Path joint second overall among the UK’s National Trails for low hay fever risk, giving it a score of 3.8 out of 5.

Only the South West Coast Path matched it, while the King Charles III England Coast Path also received the same score.

The study looked at all 20 UK National Trails and assessed them across five factors linked to pollen exposure: altitude, vegetation type, landscape, wind exposure, and animal and insect density.

According to the findings, coastal routes performed far better than inland trails because of their stronger air flow, open terrain and lower pollen build-up.

Researchers said the Pembrokeshire Coast Path’s exposed cliff tops, constant sea breezes and relatively limited dense vegetation make it one of the most suitable long-distance routes in Britain for runners who struggle with seasonal allergies.

That could come as welcome news for many local runners and walkers as tree pollen season begins and spring training gets underway.

For the estimated millions of hay fever sufferers across the UK, the report suggests that choosing a route like the Pembrokeshire Coast Path could make a noticeable difference compared with more enclosed inland trails, where pollen can hang in still air and become more concentrated.

The worst-performing route in the study was the Thames Path, which scored just 2.0 out of 5. Other poorly rated trails included the North Downs Way, Cotswold Way and Glyndŵr’s Way.

The research found that low-lying riverside routes, wooded valleys and areas with dense vegetation tend to be the most difficult for allergy sufferers, particularly in late spring and early summer when pollen levels rise.

By contrast, Pembrokeshire’s coast appears to offer something of a natural advantage.

With marathon season already under way and more people heading outdoors as the weather improves, the findings may give local runners another reason to stick to the county’s spectacular coastline.

Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society unveils musical director Angharad Sanders as work begins on next big production

MILFORD HAVEN Amateur Operatic Society has announced the first member of the creative team for its 2027 production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the Torch Theatre.

The society revealed this week that Angharad Sanders will join the production as Musical Director, as preparations begin for the much-loved Ian Fleming musical to arrive in Pembrokeshire in March 2027.

In a post shared on social media, the group said it was “absolutely thrilled” to unveil part of the production team for the show, describing Sanders as bringing “a wealth of knowledge from the West End to Pembrokeshire”.

The appointment comes after the society’s recent sell-out production of Evita, with members saying they were delighted to be working with her again.

The society added that rehearsals for the new show are due to begin in September, with Sanders expected to lead the cast musically as preparations gather pace over the coming months.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remains one of the best-known family musicals, featuring songs that have delighted audiences for generations and a title role that is always a major draw for theatre-goers.

The announcement is likely to build excitement among local performers and audiences alike, with the Torch Theatre once again set to host a major amateur production on its stage.

Milford Haven Amateur Operatic Society said details on how people can join the society and take part in the audition process will be released in due course.

THE LATEST public updates suggest the iconic Spitfire is now expected to leave RAF Valley at around 2:00pm today (Apr 15) after yesterday’s Welsh leg was postponed by bad weather.

That is later than some earlier reports had suggested, with older schedule information pointing to a morning departure before the delay.

Route details linked to the tour still indicate the aircraft is expected to travel around the Welsh coastline on its way to MOD St Athan, meaning Pembrokeshire remains one of the areas most likely to catch a glimpse.

However, timings remain approximate and could still shift depending on weather and operational conditions.

People hoping to see the aircraft should keep an eye on the skies this afternoon rather than this morning.