RUNNERS BACK IN THE COUNTRY
THE cross country season for runners of all ages and abilities returned this month for the first time since March 2020.
Llandaff Fields in Cardiff was the venue for two popular UK Cross Country leagues.
The opening 2021-22 British Athletics Cross Challenge Series leg was held in Wales (Cardiff Cross Challenge) along with the first of five John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League fixtures for clubs across South Wales and the South West of England.
Many of the UK’S top endurance runners travelled to Cardiff to kickstart their winter campaigns.
For the very first time, this year’s Cardiff Cross Challenge was a part of the World Athletics Cross Country Tour, joining Belfast as the only two races in the UK on the tour.
Incorporated into the event in Cardiff was the U13, U15, U17, U20, Seniors & Masters West Wales selection race to represent the region in the Welsh Athletics Inter-regional Cross Country Championships on Saturday, November 20.
More than 50 Carmarthen Harriers and Llanelli Athletics Club juniors and seniors competed at the season opener.
Results:
Novice Girls: Megan Evans (5:57), Seren Bowen (6:38)
Novice Boys: Ellis Mathews (5:51) Under-13 Girls: Amelia Williams (10:27), Martha Morgan (10:44), Lyra Roberts (10:53), Beatrice Morgan (11:17), Esme Lynock (11:28), Mari Wilson (12:22)
Under-13 Boys: William Coles (9:05), Jimmy Davis (10:46), Toby Anthony (11:24)
Under-15 Girls: Erin Morgan (12:26), Frances Mackie (12:41), Marged Jones (12:44), Eleanor White (13:04), Eleanor Fuller (13:35), Leah Regan (14:26), Arianna Protheroe (14:59), Amelie Campion (16:22)
Under-15 Boys: Iwan Thomas (9:55), Finley Bruce (10:18), Ifan Bowen (10:27), Alex Coles (10:30), Joshua Barnett (10:50), Aron Hedd Jones (13:04)
Under-17 Women: Amy Greatrick (19:30), Emma Ferns (19:55), Amy Tucker (21:12)
Under-17 Men: 11 Thomas Jones (18:22), Steffan Davies (18:48), Iwan Wilson (19:14), Jack Bruce (19:55)
Under-20 Women: Eva Edwards (15:50)
Under-20 Men: Liam Edwards (20:52)
Senior & Master Women: Wendy Price (25:27), Jessica Williams (27:22), Claire Protheroe (27:48), Jenny Phillips (29:41), Helen Williams (29:46), Lisa-marie Penn (31:31), Rhian Bruce (31:52), Katherine Morgan (32:58), Claire Kearney (36:40), Emily Powell (37:15), Jody Willliams (37:18), Lorna Powell (37:33)
Senior & Master Men: Cameron Young (31:12), Dai Keenan (32:56), Isaac Ayres (35:39), Dan Totterdale (38:24), Nick Fox (38:26), Huw Davies (39:12), Peter Osborne (41:18), Anthony Heald (45:54), Craig Kearney (59:57), Liam Thorley (60:04)
The next John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League will be held in Brecon in mid-november, before Carmarthen Harriers host the third fixture in Carmarthenshire at Pembrey Country Park at the beginning of December.