HUNT IS ON TOP FORM IN IRISH 10K RACE
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RIDGEND runner James Hunt hunted down a significant victory on his first major run in five months, writes Tony Poole.
The Cardiff AAC member stormed to victory in Northern Ireland at the Vitality Lisburn 10K event, clocking a sizzling personal best time of 29:43.
The top-three places were taken by Welsh competitors - Paul Graham (Pontypridd Roadents) following him home in 30:33 ahead of Josh Lunn 30:34 – while Clara Evans (both Cardiff AAC) was top female in a time of 34:02.
To put Hunt’s performance in prospective, last year James Edgar (City of Lisburn) took the corresponding run in a time of 33:47.
The event was due to be staged on June 17, but owing to coronavirus restrictions it was held back until this month.
And as Hunt explained, it was quite by chance that he even faced the starter in Northern Ireland.
“I only found out about the race the week before, and decided straight away to book a flight to Northern Ireland.
“I flew out with some pals who I regularly train with, and all in all it provided me with a spectacular weekend.
“This was the first time I had competed in Lisburn, and as it was such a well organised event I’m sure to return – and sooner rather than later.
“The course was extremely tough with around 15 turns per lap so slicing a second off my personal best time for 10K was quite an achievement.
“It was just fantastic to get back into competitive racing again, and the win made it all the sweeter.’’
However, Hunt hasn’t made any immediate plans for the remainder of 2020 in light of the ever-changing coronavirus situation.
He went on: “I’ve got nothing lined up at the moment, as it’s more a case of wait and see what develops over the coming weeks.
“I’ll be scouting around to see if any of the races that become available take my fancy.
“However, the main priority for me at the moment is to get a track 5K event in the bag.’’
RUN4ALL NEATH VIRTUAL 5K SUMMER SERIES
THERE were age-group victories for three Bridgend County competitors in the third and final Run4All Virtual 5K Summer Series of the year.
Deb Roberts (Porthcawl Runners) took the Women’s 45 category; Claire Dunbar-Bowen (Ogmore Phoenix) was successful at Women’s 40 level while Bridgend handyman Mark Hiddlestone (Port Talbot Harriers) swept to victory in the Male 45 bracket.
The August virtual event attracted 190 runners, who had to run 5K (3.11 miles) on a chosen route, and then upload Garmin or Strata platform results on to the Run4All website.
Victory went to Craig Foley (Port Talbot Harriers) in 16:32 ahead of Michael Roderick (Tri Hard Harriers) 16:50, Andrew Reynolds (Neath Harriers) 16:59, Daniel James (Run4All Neath) 16:59 and Patrick Tudor (Swansea Harriers) 17:44.
Top female in 13th position was Rachel Davies (Swansea Harriers), who completed the course in 18:43.
Adrian Pearce (Ogmore Phoenix) was highest Bridgend County finisher in ninth spot, and he was second in the Male 50 category.
Other fine running came from Steve Hogan (Cornelly Striders) 19:28 (2nd M40), Dave Dickson 18:29 (2nd M35), Geraint Lewis (both Porthcawl Runners) 18:37 (3rd M40), Mark Hiddlestone (Port Talbot Harriers) 19:47 (1st M45), Rhodri Thomas 20:41 (6th Senior Male), Gareth Jenkins 21:32 (8th M35), Claire DunbarBowen (all Ogmore Phoenix) 22:28 (1st W40), Deb Roberts 22:58 (1st W45), Neil Cross (both Porthcawl Runners) 23:31 (3rd M55), Paul Barrett (Ogmore Phoenix) 25:29 (10th M40), Louise Hogan (Cornelly Striders) 25:34 (5th W35), Molly Graham (Porthcawl Runners) 25:40 (11th Senior Women), Sarah Davies 25:40 (5th W45), Karl Johnson 27:19 (14th
M35), Kaye Pedler (all Ogmore Phoenix) 28:11 (6th W40) and Barry James (Porthcawl Runners) 28:38 (2nd M65).
PENYBONT TRIATHLON CLUB TRAINING sessions have resumed at Bridgend Triathlon Club with 23 members earlier in the month taking part in running work.
A load of hard work behind the scenes by the club committee made things happen again, and the restart was accompanied by Welsh Government and Welsh Triathlon guidelines.
The resumption in activity coincided with club member Adam Latcham completing a journey from Land’s End to John O’Groats in a splendid six days. And he topped things off with a 196-mile bike ride.