Hurford triumphs in hard-fought parkrun
PORTHCAWL 5K PARKRUN:
MATTHEW Hurford (Les Croupiers) last Saturday took the 328th staging of Porthcawl 5k Parkrun along the Wales Coastal Path to Rest Bay and back, writes Tony Poole.
His winning time was 17 minutes 42 seconds, and it was 23 seconds outside the personal best he achieved when finishing runner-up to Andrew Hodgson (Bridgend) in race number 67 back in July 2014.
Hot on his heels was Matthew Reynolds (Port Talbot Harriers) in 17:47 with Dafydd Jones (unattached) taking third-place honours in 18:18.
The next eight finishers in a field of 328 competitors were also inside 20 minutes, and the list comprised Dave Bennett (Porthcawl Runners) 18:31, Graeme Rand (Bridgend) 18:35, Christopher Jeynes (Brackla Harriers) 18:37, Ben Steven Smith (Aberdare Valley) personal best (pb) 18:39, Michael Furness (Porthcawl Runners) 18:53, Ross Purchase (Cornelly Striders) 18:58, Geraint Lewis (Porthcawl Runners) 19:21 and Steven Smith (Aberdare Valley) 19:34.
Top female in 20th spot was Deborah Roberts- Goule (Porthcawl Runners) in a time of 20:31 from Clare Hughes (Bridgend) 21:59 (32nd), Paula Wilfort (Cornelly Striders) pb 22:49 (43rd), Elaine Wharmby (Pegasus RC, Cardiff) 22: 50 (44th), Natasha Burton (unattached) 23:34 (53rd) and Ffion Jones (unattached) first-time competitor 23:34 (54th).
MAESTEG 5K PARKRUN:
JAMES Griffiths won the 40th staging last Saturday of Maesteg 5k Parkrun in the Welfare Park.
The Neath Harriers member clocked 18 minutes 20 seconds, and this was 27 seconds outside the personal best that he registered last September when runner-up in race number 10 to Rhys Francis (Brackla Harriers).
He finished seven seconds in front of 15-times winner Rowan Hobbs (Brackla Harriers) with Adrian Pearce finishing third in a time of 19:30.
The remaining top-10 places were occupied by Niki Puleio (Ogmore Phoenix Runners) 20:04, Robert Golden (unattached) pb 20:45, Kris Denholm (Ogmore phoenix Runners) 20:51, Morgan Thomas (unattached) 21:08, Aled Hughes (Ogmore Phoenix Runners) 21:15 along with two firsttime competitors in Christopher Lewis (Run4All, Neath) 21:18 and Martin Croshaw (CSSC Sports & Leisure) 23:20.
First female home in 26th position was firsttime competitor Ann Bonell (unattached) 25:47 from Mari Higginson (Bridgend) pb 27:58 (34th), Debbie Griffin (Ogmore Phoenix Runners) 29:56 (36th), Katy Kearns 30:33 (37th), Tammy Beshella 30:37 (38th) and Sonia David (all unattached) pb 31:00 (39th).
ROYAL WELSH TRAIL:
GEORGINA Jayne Dando was last Saturday first female to finish in the 10k event at the Royal Welsh Trail at Llanelwedd.
The Bridgend runner clocked a fine time of 48 minutes 21 seconds in a race that was won by Rob Davies (Amman Valley) in a time of 38:45.
Meanwhile, Jack Blackburn (Pontypridd Rodents) won the Half Marathon in a time of one hour, 20 minutes, 58 seconds.
Best local runner was Dave Cascarina of the Cornelly Striders club, who completed the course in 1:46:59.
The trail races in the heart of Mid Wales were part of last week’s Royal Welsh Spring Festival.
BRIDGEND JUNIOR 2K PARKRUN:
ANNA Rose Merchant (Bridgend) won back-toback victories last Sunday at Bridgend Junior 2k Parkrun in Newbridge Fields.
Her winning time on this occasion was eight minutes and one second, and she had nine seconds in hand over Dylan Jones, who registered a personal best time.
Third-placed Emrys Ireland also had pb against his name, having clocked 8:15, and he finished 15 seconds in front of Dan May.
The next 11 young runners in a field of 98 competitors were also inside the 10-minute mark, and the list contained Matthew Bridges 8:34, Georgia Smele (Bridgend) 9:05, Ewan Harris pb 9:18, Joel Rees pb 9:19, Jessica Crawley (Bridgend) 9:21, Samuel Spurgeon pb 9:21, Bethany Jenkins pb 9:24, Zaine Colley 9:31, Ariannah Thomas 9:39, Luke Woodhouse 9:44 and Lewis Durston 9:52.
A further 22 personal best times were set, and these came from Luke Watson, Oscar Thomas, Aneirin Ireland, Andrew Poulton, Rowan Clarke (Porthcawl Runners), Harry Ngui, Jack Woodhouse, Olivia Butler, Isaac Robson, Ifan Buchanan, Nicholas Poulton, Thomas Williams, Olivia Clatworthy, George Evans, Morgan Boulton, Jacob Morris, Iris Brown, Max Unsworth, Harrison Mustoe, Billy Jones, Izabelle Derbyshire and Gruff Williams.