A NEWPORT gym has assembled the largest team for this year’s Cardiff 10k race to raise money for Kidney Wales.

The running team at Exert Gym, based in Abercarn, will see the fitness centre enter the race for a fifth year, with entry numbers rising year on year.

In 2009 they entered a team of 30 people, but this year they are set to double that figure with almost 60 runners so far signed up for the six-mile run.

Russell Smith, Exert Gym founder and owner, and a supporter of race organisers, Kidney Wales, enlists the help of family, friends and gym members to take part in the race with all of the money raised going to the charity.

Mr Smith said: “Anyone who’s linked to the gym can get involved and join our team. For us, it’s a really good social as well as a competitive race. My mother, who’s 58, got involved last year. I asked her if she wanted to get involved again this year but I won’t tell you what she said!”

He added: “Last year, our team was 52 strong and this year, we are looking at a team of 60.We’ve had a strong core from the first race and it just keeps growing and growing. The spirit is fantastic! “We try and do three fundraising events a year; one at the start, the middle and the end. In the four years we have run the event, we’ve managed to raise in the region of £10,000 for Kidney Wales.

“On the race day, everyone will head down to Cardiff to cheer on the team and then, afterwards, we will all get together for a well-deserved social.”

Roy J. Thomas, who has overseen the Cardiff 10k for eleven years, said: “We are getting more and more interest from corporate teams each and every year, and we’re thrilled to have these teams on board.

“This year we have some of the biggest business names in Wales involved including Legal & General, Admiral, the South Wales Fire Service, S A Brain & Co, and, of course, Exert Gym.

“We value their generosity and spirit hugely and appreciate all of their work, both with their training schedules and their fundraising efforts. For them to take Kidney Wales to their hearts means a huge amount to all of those suffering from kidney disease and renal failure who we support.”

The Cardiff 10k takes place on Sunday, September 8. Registration is open and you can sign-up at www.cardiff10k.com.