MAESTEG 5K
ROWAN Hobbs (Brackla Harriers) blasted his way to a ninth Maesteg 5k Parkrun victory in 14 visits to the Welfare Park.
His winning time was 19 minutes 16 seconds, and was well outside the personal best he achieved of 18:08 when winning the 13th Maesteg staging back in October.
It was also his sixth win on the trot in the Old Parish, and he finished 33 seconds in front of three-time winner Niki Puleio (Ogmore Phoenix Runners).
Third place in the 25th staging of the event went to Matthew Bunce (Brackla Harriers) in a time of 21:13, and he was followed home by four unattached runners – Paul Kearns 22:18, Tomas Stephens 22:46, Dean Evans first-timer 23:00 and Gregg Harris 23:22.
Eighth place went to first-time competitor William Langdon (Leighton Fun Runners) in 23:23 and he finished in front of Ryan Bunce (Brackla Harriers) 23:35 and Toby Kearns (unattached) pb 23:49.
Top female in 13th position was Andrea Evans pb 25:49 from Emma Williams (both unattached) 28:28 (15th), Catherine Hook (Vegan Runners) 29:20 (16th), Mari Higginson (Bridgend) 29:25 (17th) and Michelle Bendyk (unattached) 31:06 (18th). gend) did it again last Sunday in gaining back-toback victories in Bridgend Junior 2k Parkrun at Newbridge Fields.
A 23rd event victory from 36 starts was achieved in a time of 7 minutes 52 seconds, and it was 14 seconds faster than the previous week. However, his personal best remains 7:36.
Second home was firsttime competitor Thomas Loynes, who completed the course in an exceptional 8:05 for a newcomer.
Joshua Morgan (Bridgend) was third in 8:45 with Leroy Griffiths (Rhondda AC) next to cross the finishing line in a time of 9:00. The remaining top-10 places went to top female Lily Stephens 9:15, Matthew Bridges 9:24, Iwan Froley (Bridgend) 9:27, Dylan Jones 9:31, Benjamin Davies 9:36 and Osian Stephens 9:42.
A further nine runners in a field of 81 competitors finished inside 10 minutes – Euan Jenkins 9:42, Ewan Harris 9:43, Hollie Lewis (Bridgend) 9:43, Ryan Ellis pb 9:46, Mia Allen (Bridgend) 9:46, Katie Blower 9:47, Ffion Howe 9:50, Niamh O’Brien 9:55 and Georgia Smele (all Bridgend) 9:58.
A further nine personal best times were set, and they came from Connor