Williams shows class as race makes welcome return
THE Bwlchygroes multi-terrain race made a welcome return to Taf Running and Orienteering’s calendar after an enforced three-year absence due to Covid restrictions.
The race was initiated in 2001 by the late Brian Williams, owner and manager of Bwlchygroes Farm Feeds and an active Trots member. The decision to reinstate the race was made by his family and the Trots committee.
A total of 45 runners contested the six-mile multi-terrain race, while a 1k race for juniors under the age of 12 attracted 13 entrants.
The junior race was won convincingly by Daniel Grace ahead of runner-up Lewis Fantocchi. In third – and the first girl home – was Manon Phillips of Trots.
Ian Williams led from start to finish in the senior race, showing the field the way round the six-mile route on the hilly forestry trails where he trained as a junior.
Now 37 and representing Birmingham-based club Tipton Harriers, he has competed for Wales in road racing and has a best of 66 minutes for the half-marathon.
For the first two miles, a duel with Pontypridd’s Mark Horsman looked likely. But before the long ascent to the finish Williams was well clear. On this punishing twomile climb he built up a lead of almost three minutes to finish in 38 minutes 45 seconds.
Glyn Price from Sarn Helen crossed the line a further two minutes behind Horsman in third.
Nerys Jones, fresh from the previous week’s efforts in her Army team’s world record run from Lands End to John O’groats, was an easy winner in the women’s race, finishing eighth overall in exactly 47 minutes. Behind her
were the Sarn Helen pair of Lou Summers (48.28) and Dee Jolly (49.21).
All proceeds from entries and donations went towards Trots junior section, set up in 2017 by club coach Aled Jones-davies and to which Brian Williams lent a great deal of support. The Williams family would like to thank all who turned out to support the race.
Other Trots placings: 8 Nerys Jones; 12 Vincent Bailey; 13 Julian Lewis; 14 (1st F55) Lindy Eynon; 16 (1st F45) Emma Jones; 22 Paul Thomas; 23 Jonathan Williams; 24 Keith Powell; 25 Ieuan Wigley; 26 Nuala Sharpe; 27 Lon Morgan; 31 Margaret Powell; 35 Bridget Moseley; 43 Janette Jenkins; 44 Yvonne Davies; 45 Pauline Thomas.
Seven Trots took part in the Great Welsh Half Marathon in Pembrey Country Park. Aled Jones-davies was first to finish, placing 27th in a time of 1.29.
Trots placings and times: 27 Jones-davies 1:29.20; 259 Mark Lee 1:57.48; 270 Mair Morgan 1:58.27; 470 Lon Morgan 2:20.38; 488 Emily Edwards 2:23.16; 512 Leanne Mcfarland 2:27.37; 569 Angharad Dew 2:46.24.