HUNT ON FORM AGAIN IN TRACK MEET
BRIDGEND runner James Hunt (Cardiff AAC) was in driving form last Saturday during the Welsh Athletics Endurance Open meeting that was staged at the Michael Sobell Sports Centre in Aberdare, writes Tony Poole.
He clocked a useful time of 8:37 in the 1500m section to finish runnerup to Cardiff AAC team-mate Guy Smith, who recorded a time of 8:26.
Bethan Hardman (Cardiff Archers), who has links with Bridgend AAC through her mother Gina, also took the opportunity to get in race practice.
She carded a time of 10:23 in the 1500m U15 girls bracket while in the 3,000m walk, Gemma Price (Bridgend) clocked 21:00 behind winner Daniel McKerlich (Cardiff AAC) 15:15.
Owing to Welsh Government guidelines, event capacity was limited to ensure that gathering sizes complied with organised outdoor activities.
WELSH TRIATHLON
TRIATHLON fans in Bridgend County are delighted at the prospect of a pilot to showcase the ability of organisers to stage an event in a responsible way during the post coronavirus era.
The event will be held with Welsh Government guidelines in place and in collaboration with British Triathlon. It’s the product of months of detailed research by the event-permitting team and British Triathlon in consultation with governing bodies in the Home Nations to stage multisport events in a safe and responsible manner.
Welsh Government approval in allowing test events to be staged was announced last week during their latest three-week update bulletin.
And through this initiative a pilot event will be staged this Sunday at Pembrey Country Park in Carmarthenshire.
The event is being delivered by Carmarthenshire County Council and Pembrey Country Park, and it will draw on the expertise of the events industry in Wales.
If the test is successful and there is no second spike in coronavirus cases, then the Welsh Government intend during their next three-week review to extend the range of small scale outdoor sports events.
“We’re delighted Welsh Triathlon has been asked to deliver a test duathlon event this weekend in Pembrey Country Park, as part of the phased return of sporting events in
Wales,” said Welsh Triathlon Chief Executive Officer Bev Lewis.
She added: “Existing triathletes and new cyclists and runners will be able to enjoy the excitement of duathlon.
“Though owing to coronavirus it will be a little bit different, as we seek to deliver a safe environment with social distancing rules, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.’’
The event embraces two waves of 50 participants competing in a sprint duathlon, comprising 5K run, 17.5K bike ride and closing 2.5K run.
Early Penybont Triathlon Club entries have come from four competitors - Mary Jayne Granville, Melinda Miller, Simon Williams and Katherine Wood.
RABBIT RUN
A DECISION has been made to cancel this year’s fifth staging of the Rabbit Run in Merthyrmawr.
The 7.5 mile Trail Race was originally set for June 20 but owing to the coronavirus pandemic, it was held back until September 19 in the hope that things would be back to something approaching normality.
But unfortunately, due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, the 2020 event has been cancelled, and the organisers are hoping it will reappear next year.
First staged in 2016, the special day in Merthyrmawr also embraces events for junior runners along with a children’s dash.
No date has been announced to stage the event in 2021 and in an online statement, the organisers explained the situation.
The statement read: “With sport being unable to make any kind of real headway, and the position unlikely to change for many months in Wales, it left us with little alternative than to call off the 2020 staging of the event.
“The organisers, like the running community, are frustrated with the situation, but as soon as we get the go ahead from the authorities and can work within sports guidelines, then we’ll settle on a date for 2021.
“Once a date is agreed all entries will be automatically deferred while there’s an option to transfer places to another runner at no additional cost.
“We apologise for not being more definitive, but trust runners realise that we are keen to host the event at the fantastic Merthyrmawr location.”
The 7.5 main trail run has proved a runaway success, as the race embraces stunning countryside around Merthyrmawr, the Big Dipper sandhill and the river crossing close to Ogmore Castle.