Two hundred participants in fancy dress ran through supermarket aisles and around the car park at Tesco Extra in Bridgend on Sunday, June 28, in a six-hour endurance event dubbed the Supermarketathon. The sell-out race, supported by Phoenix Running, offered distances of 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, and ultra, with all proceeds and donations benefiting the charity Help for Heroes.
Unique Venue and Festive Atmosphere
After the store closed for the day, runners tackled laps that wound through the supermarket, around the car park, and even up the travelator. Costumes ranged from bananas and ketchup bottles to superheroes, adding a festive atmosphere. Each finisher received a medal upon crossing the line.
Tesco store manager and regional community lead Paul Sherman said: "This is a brilliant and completely unique event for our store to host. We are really excited to welcome runners to Bridgend Extra in Cowbridge for the first Tesco supermarket marathon and to help raise money for Help for Heroes."
Support for Veterans
Sherman added: "It has taken a huge amount of work to bring the event together, and we hope colleagues, customers and the wider community will get behind everyone taking part. We know how important the work of Help for Heroes is, supporting veterans and the wider Armed Forces Community with physical health, mental health and wellbeing challenges and we are proud to support such a worthy cause."
The entry fee of £50 per runner, along with additional donations, went directly to Help for Heroes, which provides support to veterans and their families. The event was a sell-out, with all 200 places filled by local residents and running enthusiasts.
A First-of-Its-Kind Event
The Supermarketathon marked the first time a Tesco store hosted a marathon, transforming the retail space into a running track. Participants described the experience as surreal, with some noting the novelty of racing through aisles normally filled with shoppers. The travelator section provided a brief respite, as runners were allowed to walk rather than run.
Photographer Richard Swingler captured the event, showing runners in colorful costumes, cheering crowds, and the finish line. The event has been praised for its creativity and community spirit, with plans possibly to repeat it in future years.
