ATHLETICS
THE 183rd Porthcawl Parkrun last Saturday marked the 12th anniversary of the inception of running in this format, writes Tony Poole.
It all began when 13 runners competed in a first Parkrun, and since then a staggering 1,803,794 competitors have joined the party.
The weekly run this time around saw 208 entrants set out on the course from Porthcawl seafront to Rest Bay and back in wet and windy conditions.
And on this occasion competitors from Neath Harries occupied first and third positions.
The winner in a time of 17mins 27secs was Andrew Mark Reynolds ahead of an unknown runner-up.
Dan Triggs came third in 17:37 with Cornelly Striders throwing up the fourth-placed finisher in Mark Robinson (17:58).
First-timer John Thurlbeck was fifth in 18:19 with local runner Dave Dickson (Porthcawl Runners) clocking 18:53.
The other top-10 finishers were Dave Cornwell (Unattached) in a person- al best 19:13, Steve Hogan (Cornelly Striders) 19:28, James Pearce (Lliswerry Runners) 19:32 and William Edwards (Porthcawl Runners) 19:40.
Top female finisher and 34th overall was Deborah Goule (Porthcawl Runners), who completed the course in 22:11.
Meanwhile, the final Bridgend Running League event of the year is being staged on October 23 (10am).
A 4k run is being organised on Porthcawl sea- front, embracing a mixed relay format.
And at the end of an extremely busy summer, Cornelly Striders are beginning to wind down.
Club members have been in action at many top events with Dan Nicholas first Strider home in the Tuska Beach 5k and Joanne Edwards top female.
In the Cardiff 10k, Leigh Wallis led the Meadow Street club contingent home in 48mins 23secs with Charlotte Harries top female (54:35).
In the Swansea equivalent, Rachel Bayona clocked 47:52 and Russell Bayona 50:10, and there were also good finishes from Mark Bankhead, Charlotte Harries and Louise Hogan.
And in the opening West Glamorgan Cross Country League event of the winter, newcomer Sam Moore was more than delighted with a time of 29:42 while captain Jennet James recorded 42:10.
Last Sunday’s 58th Jun- ior Parkrun attracted 98 young athletes on a crisp autumnal morning in Newbridge Fields.
The winning time of Jack O’Brien was equally crisp, completing the 2k course in a personal best 7mins 42secs, to finish 26 seconds in front of Bridgend team-mate Dafydd Pratchett.
Eve Ruby Hickman (Bridgend) was top female finisher in a time of 8:10 with fourth-placed AnnaRose Merchant clocking a personal best time of 8:29.
Ioan Phillips was fifth in 8:41, and there was a personal best from Tianna Teisar (24fit South Coast) of 8:53.
The remaining top-10 finishers were first-time competitor Alex Powell 8:54, Ben Buckley 8:56, Lily Stephens 9:11 and Nancy McAllister 9:11.
There were 14 other personal best times recorded, and pats on the back went to Matthew Bridges, Aaron Merchant, Adam Rossi, Millie Bridges, Emily Burt, Mali Paige Roberts, Lexi Hamer, Monty McGlone, Hayley Burt, Molly Marchant, Penelope KempHughes, Dion Williams, Jenny Payne and Ben Hatterall.
Finally, the success of last Sunday’s Cardiff Half Marathon has led to them being given a Marathon next year.
Last Sunday’s capital run saw 22,000 competitors face the starter with many from local clubs.
Plans have yet to be formalised, but it is expected the Cardiff Marathon will be held ahead of the London event with the course spilling over into the Vale of Glamorgan.