SINTON CLAIMS A RARE DOUBLE
THE 2018 edition of the Royal Welsh Run returned to the National Botanic Gardens of Wales in Llanarthne for the second time to raise funds for the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
The rescheduled date on a bright morning saw runners of all ages and abilities descend on the venue following the postponement in mid-October due to bad weather.
There were events to suit everyone, from the 2.5k run and walk for youngsters and families through to the 5k and main 10k races, as they made their way around a loop of the grounds. All those who finished under the arch received their own medals with cash prizes up for grabs for the race winners.
The two leading 2.5k runners Sam Griffiths and Jac Jones were quick around the course and finished in 9:24 and 9:31 respectively. William Davies and Rhys Jones were third and fourth.
The girls’ winner was Manon Phillips in fifth overall (12:38).
She was followed by Maia Addison-Evans (13:31) and Mali Griffiths (14:23).
It was a busy morning for Tom Sinton, who did the double in the 5k and 10k events.
Defending the 5k crown he won last year, he was victorious over the same course in 16:40.
Meanwhile, in the 10k race, his time of 36:21 was almost a minute ahead of the second-placed runner to round off a successful morning.
Next to follow in the 5k was Ryan Tarasconi (18:37) and Matthew Page (19:23), while in the corresponding female age group, Sally Martin (26:50) was the winner with Michelle Whittal-Williams (27:03) and Lydia Smith (29:22) filling second and third.
A total of 119 runners took to the start of the 10k, and following Sinton in second position was Ieuan Griffiths in 37:03. Lewis Jones completed the open male top three in 37:26
Joanne Bowes’ 14th place overall saw her finish as the first female (45:20) and close behind were Gayle Budden (47:13) and Laura Mason (48:16).
Race organiser Kathryn Jones said: “We had a very successful event and the team at the gardens were so helpful. On top of that, the group of marshals are all good friends of the Llanddaro-Llanarthne Royal Welsh Group.”
The race in Carmarthenshire has now become an annual event and is set to return in October 2019.