A running club in Brecon, called the ARSE Run Club, is motivating people to rise early and run in Brecon.

ARSE, which stands for Average Runners Stupidly Early, is run by local Izaak Duffy.

The run club has been growing quickly on a shared ethos of doing your best. Around 25 people show up, with 50 being in the wider group. The sessions run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, and meet at Theatr Brycheiniog.

“The runs are simple,” says Izaak. “Around four miles on a Tuesday and Thursday, then a longer one on a Sunday, which is usually around 8 to 10 miles. There’s no sign-up, no fee and no pace groups. Everyone runs at the speed of the slowest person, so no one gets left behind. We’ve got a real mix of people turning up. From Ironman athletes and ultra-marathon winners, to people just getting out for a bit of fitness, and some who have never run before. It’s turned into more of a mini event than just a run. There’s a proper community feel to it now and it’s growing week by week.”

Izaak believes that what is different about this group is removing barriers and making running more welcoming and accessible. “No cost. No commitment. No expectations. You don’t need to be fit. You don’t need the right gear. You don’t need to know anyone. You just need to turn up. And once you’ve done that, you realise it’s not as hard as you thought.

“There’s a proper buzz to it. It feels more like a small event than a training session. People arrive half asleep and leave wide awake. There are sweets at the end. No one is pretending they’ve earned a green juice.”

Izaak hopes that more people will join. “6am. Theatr Brycheiniog. Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Just turn up.”