Community

Mark Llewhellin takes on Ryan Jones

Published

10 years ago

March 1, 2016

Ryan Jones and Mark Llewhellin: Before competition began in Haverfordwest

PEMBROKESHIRE fitness star Mark Llewhellin, who is famous for finishing 1st for the Strava Distance Running Challenge out of over 51,000 people in 2014 & 2015 and for breaking the 100k Treadmill World Record, recently took on 3-time grand slam winning former Welsh rugby captain Ryan Jones in a cycling challenge in aide of the Princes Gate Trust at Haverfordwest Tesco.

Here he tells his story of the immense challenge, and how plenty of money was made for a worthwhile cause, which helps many people in Wales:

As I walk in to Tesco the crowd of people immediately watching say “go on Mark you’ve got to do this.”, I’m thinking to myself “oh my god my fitness is about 25% as I haven’t trained much and cycling is something that I hardly ever do.”

I know I’m a complete fish out of water but it’s for a good cause so I think why the heck not.

The local crowd are excited about me and Ryan going head to head and after the positive local support for me Ryan is giving me a look as if to say, ‘who is this guy?’

The only time I’ve come up against professional rugby players was when I did a treadmill test, which was roughly 10 minutes in the University of Glamorgan. The Welsh rugby squad had done the same test as me a few weeks before and on that occasion I was lucky enough to beat their fittest person by a comfortable margin.

But this bike sprint was a different ball game. It was explosive power for a 10 second burst so I knew it was going to be a very tall order to beat Ryan.

I’d never met Ryan before but have a mutual friend Ian Gough so we end up talking and chatted about what we’re both doing these days. My first impression of Ryan was, what a nice guy but I know when he gets on that bike he’ll give it everything he’s got to try and beat me, this is something he trains for so I knew he was going to be good.

Ryan had beat every challenger that he took on and I get a sense from some of the locals that they think I’ll easily beat him because of my fitness background.

The last time I got roped into a challenge like this was at the Welsh Boat show when there was a rowing competition to see who is the fastest person over a certain distance. “Go on” my brother Darren said, you’ll be good at this rowing thing. I never row but out of the 40 people that took on the challenge I was lucky enough to win it on my second attempt (I fell off the seat on the first go) so here I am again having a go at something I never really do.

I mount the bike and adjust the pedal straps, then sit up and (jokingly) give Ryan one of those boxers stares that they do in the weigh ins before a big boxing event. He returns the favour and (jokingly) holds his fist up to me, his fist was a lot bigger than mine.

Before we start we both stand up on the bikes to use our body weight to push the peddles down when someone from the crowd shouts “ready, steady, GO.” As I’m pushing down the pedals I can see Ryan in my peripheral vision. His big powerful legs push down the pedals like “Mallard – The Worlds Fastest Locomotive” and I knew within those first few seconds the race over…Ryan powered to victory!

I could see a mixture of smiles and disappointed faces in the crowd as their local fitness lad had lost.

After the race someone in the crowd says “go for a run together,” So I invite Ryan to do a 50 miler with me, there’s a big smile on his face, he gracefully declines and we shake hands.

Overall a great event and a great day for the locals in Pembrokeshire to see Ryan who’s not only a Welsh rugby Super Star but also a genuinely nice person.

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

9 hours ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)

Community

Special delivery of thanks as MP visits Haverfordwest sorting office

Published

1 day ago

December 12, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Christmas cheer for posties working through the festive rush

A CHRISTMAS message of thanks was delivered in person this week as Preseli Pembrokeshire MP Henry Tufnell paid a visit to Royal Mail staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office.

The MP met postal workers during one of the busiest periods of the year, praising staff for their hard work in ensuring cards, parcels and gifts reach homes across Pembrokeshire in the run-up to Christmas.

Mr Tufnell said postal workers were going “above and beyond” throughout the year, but particularly during the festive period when demand is at its highest and delivery rounds are often made in challenging weather conditions.

He described postal staff as “unsung heroes”, highlighting their role in keeping communities connected and helping families stay in touch at a time when it matters most.

Speaking after the visit, Mr Tufnell said: “Our posties play a vital role in our community, and at Christmas that importance is felt more than ever. They work incredibly hard to make sure gifts and cards from loved ones arrive safely and on time.”

Staff at the Haverfordwest site were pictured alongside the MP, with some embracing the festive spirit in Christmas jumpers and seasonal outfits while continuing their daily work.

The MP also extended his thanks to postal workers across the whole of Pembrokeshire, acknowledging the dedication required to keep services running smoothly during the seasonal rush.

Royal Mail experiences its highest parcel volumes in December, with thousands of additional items passing through local sorting offices each day as Christmas approaches.

Delivering Christmas cheer: Henry Tufnell MP with staff at Haverfordwest Sorting Office during a festive visit (Pic: Facebook).