Runners defy weather for Parkrun
ATHLETICS
MATTHEW Reynolds defied wet and windy conditions along the Wales Coastal Path last Saturday to take the 190th staging of the Porthcawl Parkrun, writes Tony Poole.
It led to only 259 competitors facing the starter with the Port Talbot Harriers man taking the honours in a personal best time of 18mins 10secs.
He finished 22 seconds in front of first-time competitor Sammy Rashid (Liverpool, Pembroke & Sefton Harriers) with Chris Jeynes (Brackla Harries) third in 18:40.
Laurence Pole (Pontypridd Runners) was next home in 19:00 with the Bridgend duo of Stephen Jenkins (19:10) and Philip Welch (19:43) next to complete the 5k course.
The other top-10 finishers were William Edwards (Porthcawl Runners) 19:46, Jordan Groves (Unattached) 19:49, Steve Hogan (Cornelly Striders) 19:52 and Matt Edwards (Pencoed Tri Club) 19:53.
Top female finisher and 18th overall was firsttimer Sian Kirk (Swansea Harriers) in a time of 20:37.
Meanwhile, the heavy overnight rain that caused flooding in Newbridge Fields led to the organisers setting up an alternative 2k course for the 65th Bridgend Junior Parkrun.
But there was a familiar winner at the top with Jack O’Brien (Bridgend) storming to victory in a personal best time of 7mins 33secs.
Just eight seconds behind was Alfie Smallman, who also registered a personal best time, with Joshua Morgan (Bridgend) third in 8:37.
Six girls occupied prime finishing places with top female Lily clocking 8:51.
The next three youngsters home all recorded personal bests – and they came from Dylan Jones 8:54, Abigail Morgan 9:04 and Georgia Smele (Bridgend) 9:21.
Eighth-placed Elin Vigus came home in 9:25, Stephens Nia O’Brien 9:29, Lucie Warren (Bridgend) in a personal best 9:36 with Mia Allen getting an identical time.
Meanwhile, another section of the Wales Coastal Path is now offering a weekly run with Llanelli last Saturday joining the Parkrun party.
Looking ahead to the festive season, Bridgend County Running League will soon be taking entries for the Festival Grand Prix.
It will be staged over eight days from December 24 – January 1 and will follow a now traditional format.
There will be two 5k runs; one 5k while the Prince of Wales four-mile will embrace an exciting new course.
The prize categories are Yellow Jersey (overall fastest), White (fastest age adjusted), Green (most improved), Polka Dot (spot prize).
Finally, Pencoed Tri Club will next year stage their Tuska Sprint Triathlon on August 6.
It will again be a Welsh Championship race and entries will start to be accepted in the New Year.