A full-time psychiatric nurse and busy mum of three from Pontypool is among the most inspirational people to enter the fully sold-out Tata Steel Llanelli Half Marathon organised by Front Runner Events on Sunday 16 February 2025. Nichola Davies’ story reminds us of the power of determination, kindness, generosity of spirit and never giving up on our goals...

At 43, Nichola decided it was time to do something for herself. She began running, finding a way to reclaim her health and a newfound sense of purpose. Her running journey took on greater meaning when she donated a kidney to her best friend’s son, Rhys, who was in stage 5 chronic kidney disease. With no suitable family match Nichola stepped forward and, after rigorous testing, became his donor.

“Rhys needed a kidney, and I already had two, so I shared,” she said frankly. Before surgery, Nichola was already pushing herself, improving her fitness, and completing her first half marathon just one day before her operation. Post-surgery, recovery was tough but her determination never wavered. Within four months she had completed the Solihull Half Marathon in an impressive 2 hours 14 minutes – a testament to her grit and resilience.

As she prepares for the Llanelli Half Marathon, Nichola is running to raise awareness for kidney donation and inspire others. “Running has given me strength and donating my kidney was the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done,” she shares. Her message to anyone considering a donation is: “Go for it! You can save someone’s life and still live yours to the fullest.”

The ever-popular Tata Steel Llanelli 10K and Half Marathon will see up to 2,000 running on the beautiful Millenium Coastal Path, with a maximum elevation of only 15m in the 10K and 16m in the half marathon course, across some of the best scenery Carmarthenshire has to offer.

Tata Steel Trostre is the headline sponsor. Local car dealership Gravells is the official vehicle partner and Brecon Carreg remains the hydration partner to the Front Runner Events series including the Great Welsh Marathon on 16 March and the Swansea Half Marathon and Swansea City 5 on 8 June 2025.

For more details visit Llanelli Half Marathon

Race info, previous reports, and results are at the runABC race listing 

Photo of Nichola provided by Emma Martin-Jewell for Tata Steel Llanelli Half Marathon