ATHLETICS
Higginson (Bridgend) 19:11, John Cheal (Stragglers) first-time competitor 19:15, Paul Chappell (Cornelly Striders) 19:28, Michael Furness (Porthcawl Runners) 19:42 and Lloyd Francis (Brackla Harriers) pb 19:49.
Also in action on Porthcawl seafront was former Bridgend, Llanelli, Wales and British Lions utility back Dafydd James.
On only a second Porthcawl Parkrun start, the Bridgend AAC member clocked a pb time of 25:01 to better by 57 seconds his effort from the previous week.
And the time from top female finisher Katrin Higginson – on her 19th start in Porthcawl – was just 13 seconds shy of the personal best that she achieved last October when finishing 15th overall and fourth best woman.
Second female finisher last Saturday in 28th position was ever consistent Deborah Roberts-Goule (Porthcawl Runners) in 20:59 ahead of Fleur Jones (Cornelly Striders) 21:18 (35th), newcomer Stephanie Connaire (Les Croupiers RC) 21:36 (42nd), Rachel Hopkins (unattached) pb 21:59 (55 th) and Clare Hughes (Bridgend) 22:09 (57th). OGMORE Phoenix descended on Jersey 5K Parkrun last Saturday with eight runners recording respectable times, The 174th staging of the Jersey event attracted 366 runners with victory going to Joshua Brien (unattached) in 18:03 from Dave Holmes (Guernsey Island AAC) 18:33.
Top Ogmore Phoenix performance came from seventh-placed Aled Hughes, who came home in 19:28, and he was in front of team-mates Steven James 21:24 (22nd), Thomas Chapman (also Pencoed Tri Club) 22:41 (44th), Dawn Hopkins 24:29 (90th and 19th female), Karl Johnson 26:11 (129th), Chris Stanlake 27:36 (177th), Rhiannon Buckley 28:32 (213th and 74th female) and James Beynon 28:33 (214th).
“Our eight-strong party took tourism to the extreme in visiting Jersey Parkrun and though they returned home the same day, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience,” said an Ogmore Phoenix spokesman. NIA Clatworthy of Porthcawl PE Department last Saturday picked up a gold medal at the Welsh Junior Indoor Championships that were staged over two days at The National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff.
Her victory came in a straight final at Under-17 level in the Womens 1500m race, clocking a time of 4:46.16, to finish in front of Cardiff AAC colleague Moli Lyons 4:49.17 and Aimee Callow (Cardiff Archers) 4:50.27.
Other noteworthy performances during the opening day of the event came from Bridgend runner Rhys Hardman (Cardiff Archers), who finished fourth in the Mens U17 1500m.
He clocked 4:22.41 with Ben Reynolds (Cardiff AAC) sweeping to victory in 4:08.59.
Mabon Rhys (Bridgend) came sixth in the Boys U15 60m sprint; recording 7.82 with victory going to defending champion Arthur Powell (Maldwyn Harriers) in 7.29.
And Georgie Wilson (Bridgend) took seventh place in the Girls U13 1500m, registering 6:15.26 – Frances Mackie (Carmarthen Harriers) took the gold medal in 5:19.77. DAN May (Cornelly Striders) last Sunday carded an 11th win in 47 starts at Bridgend Junior 2K Parkrun in Newbridge Fields.
His winning time on this occasion was 8:06, and it was just 12 seconds outside the best that he set last December.
Runner-up was Joshua Morgan (Bridgend) in 8:45 while Samuel Cubbage set a personal best (pb) time of 8:50 in finishing third.
The next 12 young runners in a field of 89 were also inside 10 minutes – Luke Woodhouse 8:51, Lewis Durston 9:03, top female Bryony Brace pb 9:07, Thomas Evans pb 9:12, Tomas Clarke 9:14, William John 9:15, newcomer Dylan Ayoub 9:16, Alex Clarke 9:20, Oliver-John Beavington 9:27, Zac Williams 9:29, Jack Ellams 9:45 and Bailey Buckley 9:53.
A further 13 personal best times were registered, and they came from Dewi Thomas, Edward Jeynes, Harry Williams-Jones, Cohen Wallis (Cornelly Striders), Ella Ready, Seren Salberg, Evie Nelson, Finlay Dowling, Jack Jones, Olivia Ellis, Merryn Bourke, Jamie Phillips and Evelyn Clapham.