Buzz Magazine August 2014 | Page 45

ENGLAND V INDIA AT SWALEC STADIUM

pic: ©HUW JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY

Sarah Hazelwood eyes up the England and India
cricket teams, ahead of their clash in Cardiff.
IN a clash that promises to be the biggest game in
Wales this summer, England and India go head to
head, or bat to bat more accurately, yet again for the
Royal London (note: it’s not actually in London) One
Day International at Cardiff’s SWALEC Stadium.
The history of the two teams has been fairly
turbulent in the last few years. India played
three matches during the ICC Champions Trophy
last year, taking home the title after beating Sri
Lanka. In the same series they beat England
by a nailbiting five runs. In 2011 a similar story
unfolded: despite India’s batsmen posting over
300, England took an unexpected win due to
batsman Jonny Bairstow.
Despite a former winning streak, and instrumental
roles in a couple of the Ashes tournaments,
Alastair Cook (the English captain for One Day
and International games) has had an unlucky run

since India’s tour started in England. This match
may even be his last chance to redeem England –
and himself – by bringing home a win.
Victory won’t come easy, though, as England have found
themselves up against some formidable opponents.
India have brought their best game to England’s shore,
and captain of the national team Mahendra Singh
Dhoni has won more games than he has lost since being
appointed captain of the team in 2007 – making him the
most successful Indian Test captain ever.
July saw India beat England on their patch to win
their first away match in 16 tests, and their first win
at Lord’s last month since 1986. They will be hoping
to stay strong as they arrive in Cardiff. They have
been winning their matches since they landed on
British shores, proving themselves to be admirable
opponents – both in these test series, and possibly
for the Ashes next year.

England Vs India, SWALEC Stadium,
Cardiff, Wed 27 Aug. Tickets:
£55-£375. Info: 029 2041 9311 /
www. glamorgancricket.com

SURVIVAL OF
THE FITTEST
If you thought that your
local spin class was
exhausting then you’re
in for a surprise as the
famously difficult Survival
Run comes to the South
Wales coast. Watson
Thomas finds out what
to expect from the
Celtic version of this
grueling challenge.
BANDAGES at the ready – one of the toughest
endurance races on the planet is coming to Europe
for the very first time this August, and it’s taking
place in Bridgend.
You can forget the monkey bars, press ups and
manufactured mud pits that have made Tough
Mudder the ultra-marathon-of-choice for many
a hardcore fitness buff of late. Survival Run:
The Celts is a grueling 50k obstacle course race,
starting at Kenfig National Nature Reserve and
following the coast to Ogmore Castle, which will
be directly inspired by the challenges faced by
our Celtic forefathers. 
Never before seen in Europe, the event has
previously taken place in both Nicaragua and
Texas, and while this year’s course is shrouded
in secrecy (many challenges aren’t revealed until
race day), previous races have involved running for

miles handcuffed, carrying live animals, dragging
logs along beaches, scaling volcanoes, climbing
coconut trees, building shelters and crossing
rivers. In the par entrants have even been made
to filter their own water and construct their own
footwear and backpacks.
If that doesn’t sound all that challenging to you,
just bear in mind that 35 people entered the first
event in Nicaragua and only two actually reached
the finish line.
Event organiser Barrie Williams explains how the
event came to be taking place in Wales. “I met
Josue (the guy behind the Fuego y Agua events) at
an ultra marathon in Mexico’s Copper Canyon last
year. I showed him pictures of how challenging it
would be to race through Bridgend, over giant sand
dunes and so on. He came over in April to see it for
himself and, a few days later, we started organising

the next Survival Run!”
He continues, “What makes the Survival Run so
unique is that it is based around the history of
the destination. We don’t build obstacles – we use
what’s already there and recreate challenges that
people would once have had to do to survive.”
The event has already attracted entrants from
around the world, but there’s still time to apply. Be
warned, there are no aid stations, no handicaps and
no survival packs, and you MUST be physically able
to run at least 50km, swim, climb, jump and carry
heavy objects. This isn’t a race for the faint hearted.

Survival Run: The Celts, Kenfig National
Nature Reserve, Bridgend (starting point),
Sat 23 Aug. Admission: free to spectators /
$10 to take part. Info: www.fuegoyagua.org