Former Wales rugby star Adam Jones is preparing to take on the Cardiff Half Marathon as part of his ongoing fitness journey. The 45-year-old Harlequins scrum coach has lost more than five stone or 32kg while working to improve his health. He will run the 13.1-mile race on October 4.
Jones was inspired to make changes after seeing footage of himself while working with Wales during a tour of Japan in 2025. At the time he weighed 24st 7lb and was also dealing with gout. Jones said seeing himself on camera made him realize he needed to make a change.
He admitted to not always maintaining a healthy diet during his playing days according to the BBC. Jones said he used to rely on crash diets when things didn't go well in matches. He now follows a slower approach that includes regular training.
Jones said he has a sweet tooth and has cut chocolate and bread from his diet. He found satisfaction in tracking his progress week by week. His early training included simple steps such as walking for five minutes before progressing to running for 90 seconds.
Jones initially planned to work toward a 10K before deciding he had enough time to prepare for the Cardiff Half Marathon.
His training has progressed considerably since those first sessions. Jones recently completed a 17km training run and said it was the longest run of his life. He joked that all the running he did during his Test matches might not add up to much more than that.
Jones said he has received support from Harlequins players and coaches. A few have sponsored his efforts while he joked that some of the team's higher earners have yet to contribute. He believes putting himself in uncomfortable situations also sends a message to the players he coaches.
Despite the challenge he maintains a balanced view on what lies ahead. Jones often reminds his players that they are not working in dangerous conditions such as a mine. His grandfather was a miner and Jones said that experience gives him perspective about what genuinely difficult work looks like.
Jones has not made finishing the race in a particular time his main goal.
He said getting around the course is more important although his competitive side remains. Harlequins player Cadan Murley has also offered to increase his donation if Jones finishes in under two hours and 30 minutes.
Jones is using the challenge to raise money for St David's Hospice Care and Prostate Cymru. The two Welsh charities support people affected by serious illness and prostate disease.
His wife Nicole and daughter Isla are expected to support him along the course. The Cardiff Half Marathon will give Jones a chance to test how far he has come since deciding to change his health and fitness habits last year.
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