Local runner Chris Jenkins races to victory at Parkrun
ATHLETICS
A RECORD field last Saturday assembled for the 180th Porthcawl 5k Parkrun to pay testament to the event’s continued appeal, writes Tony Poole.
Compliments were paid to the course from Porthcawl seafront to Rest Bay and back, the clubs involved and most of all 26 dedicated volunteers.
Throw those three ingredients into the mix and it’s hardly surprising that 317 runners turned up to face the starter in heavy and cloudy weather conditions.
And it produced a local winner with Chris Jenkins (Porthcawl Runners) racing to victory in a decent time of 17mins 30secs.
He finished just five seconds in front of a personal best run from Mark Robinson (Cornelly Striders) with first-timer Robert Anderson crossing the line third in 18:15.
Cornelly Striders star Daniel Nicholas came fourth in 18:28 with Rowan Hobbs (Brackla Harriers) next home in 18:51.
Sixth-placed Jack Evans clocked a personal best time of 19:16, Daniel Moore (Brackla Harriers) completed the course in 19:17 and William Edwards (Porthcawl Runners) registering 19:36.
St Mary’s golf star and the king of kitchens Mark Hiddlestone (Port Talbot Harriers) also cooked 19:36 with David Jones just two seconds back.
And another fine run from ex-Caerau and Llangynwyd Rangers footballer Niki Puleio (Cwm Ogwr Running Club) saw him finish in 19:40.
The best female finisher and 32nd overall was Jessica Hegarty (Cornelly Striders) with a time of 21:14.
Competitors are reminded that on Saturday week the 182nd Parkrun will have an Elvis Presley theme.
It coincides with the latest Elvis festival to be staged in Porthcawl and hopefully not too many runners will go missing.
Last week saw the final Bridgend County Running League fixture with Pencoed Tri organising the Rest Bay Beach Run.
The Tuska 5k attracted a fine turnout with Neil Jones (Cwm Ogwr Run- ning Club) beaching his rivals.
He was followed home by Richard Dando (Bridgend) and Sean Lewis (Brackla Harriers).
The other top-10 finishers were Mark Emery (Bridgend), guest runner Andrew Reynolds, Chris Jenkins (Porthcawl Runners), Rowan Hobbs (Brackla Harriers), Geraint Lewis (Porthcawl Runner), Ben White (Bridgend ) and Paul Speyer (Brackla Harriers).
First female runner home was Kate Roberts of the Bridgend club.