ATHLETICS

AVE Dickson (Porthcawl Runners) came joint-fourth in the opening event of the Run4All Neath Virtual 5K Summer Series, writes Tony Poole.

Owing to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s Neath event is being contested on virtual routes.

Chosen routes with social distancing began and ended from the same point while there were no unfair gains from either tailwinds or descents.

Competitors then had to upload GPS proof of activity onto the Open Track platform with runs based on “time elapsed” as opposed to “moving time”.

The winner was Craig Foley (Port Talbot Harriers) in 16:18 from Michael Roderick (R1982) 16:37, Steven Taylor (Swansea Harriers) 16:51 and Porthcawl star Dickson 17:28 (2nd M35).

Top female in eighth place overall was Rachel Davies (Swansea Harriers), who completed her 5K run in 18:30.

There was also an outstanding run from Katy Griffiths (Ogmore Phoenix), who took the U13 Girls bracket in 25:04 while Neil Cross (Porthcawl Runners) topped the Male55 section via a time of 23:51.

Also to the fore was Bridgend handyman and St Mary’s golf star Mark Hiddlestone (Port Talbot Harriers), who turned in a tip-top time of 18:50 for 11th overall and winner of the Male 45 category.

Other fine times from Bridgend County runners were recorded by Adrian Pearce 18:53 (2nd M50), Rhodri Thomas (both Ogmore Phoenix) 20:15 (6th Senior Male), Deb Roberts (Porthcawl Runners) 20:21 (2nd W45), Gareth Jenkins 21:21 (9th

PENYBONT have displayed genuine ambition in signing proven scorer Ian Traylor from Merthyr Town.

With a second season in the J D Cymru Premiership having been recently rubber stamped, the Bridgend club captured the 31-year-old former Hirwaun, Pontypridd Town and FC Cwmaman wide operator in a deal that ended a 10-year career with the Martyrs.

During this spell, Traylor – nicknamed Traylz - scored an incredible 192 goals in over 400 games for the BetVictor Southern League Premier Division club, who are coming to terms with the loss of their star player.

“I just can’t wait to start working with a player of such undoubted class as Ian Traylor,” said delighted Penybont boss Rhys Griffiths.

But his Merthyr Town opposite number Gwyn Williams is devastated in losing a player of this quality.

He said: “I’m absolutely gutted to lose Ian Traylor, as he’s a natural goal

M35), Claire Dunbar-Bowen 22:47 (2nd W40), Sarah Davies (all Ogmore Phoenix) 23:42 (4th W45), Neil Cross (Porthcawl Runners) 23:51 (1st M55), Katy Griffiths 25:04 (1st U13 Girls), Phil Iveson (both Ogmore Phoenix) 25:05 (4th M50), Louise Hogan (Cornelly Striders) 26:14 (5th W35), Clair Godfrey (Bridgend) 27:05 (8th W45), Christopher Pratt (Ogmore Phoenix) 27:12 (13th M45), Molly Graham (Porthcawl Runners) 27:42 (13th Senior Women), Paul Barrett 27:58 (11th M40), Kay Pedler 28:29 (6th W40), Ashley Howells (all Ogmore Phoenix) 28:56 (15 th M45), Sylke King (Porthcawl Runners) 29:07 (3rd W50), Jonny Tidball (Ogmore Phoenix) 29:26 (22nd M35), Leanne Griffiths (Porthcawl Runners) 29:49 (10 th W35), Deb Gamblen (Porthcawl Runners) 30:20 (5th W50), Georgie Fraser 30:54 (7th W50) and Emily

Fraser (both Cornelly Striders) 31:10 (14th Senior Women).

I RUN Wales last week issued interesting information on solo running during the coronavirus pandemic.

During these hectic times, it can be difficult to find any peace and quiet on any given day.

With that in mind, running alone allows you to pursue the world while also taking in the benefits associated with running, and listening to what your body is telling you.

One of the benefits, however, of going solo is that you can run wherever and whenever you like with the only expectations set by yourself.

Some people do enjoy their own company, and if this is to your liking then you can most certainly make the most of it.

Becoming more resilient is another advantage during either a poor run or if you find it difficult keeping up with the clock in high temperatures.

You can also hit difficulties during any given part of a run, a steep hill is a classic example, and thoughts turn to whether it’s worth continuing.

Self-motivation will then kick in and you overcome a rough patch, but it must be remembered there’s more mental strength pressure in solo running.

Things will get better once limits have been tested, resulting in you becoming a stronger and more proud competitor.

So, if you’ve either become a fan of solo running or likely to do so in the coming weeks, then I Run Wales can be your virtual partner.

They have support resources and by registering you’ll have access to advice on the correct running programme, support plans and much more.

For further details go to the irun. wales website.

AS a lot of Porthcawl Parkrun runners are missing the weekly trip along the Wales Coastal Path to Rest Bay and back, a suggestion has been made to remain connected.

Sue Wilkins felt Porthcawl should follow other Parkruns in having a series of Rainbow “notparkruns”.

It involves performing 5K “notparkruns” from doorsteps wearing each week a different colour of the rainbow, and pictures going on social media.

Red was the opening colour to be adopted followed by orange until the rainbow is completed.

However, runners mustn’t congregate in groups at the normal Porthcawl Parkrun venue, as it would reflect badly on the event.