HARRIERS PAIR BAG THIRD PLACE

CARMARTHENSHIRE athletes made the trip to Prestwold Hall in Loughborough to represent the West Wales region at the UK InterCounties Cross Country Championships.

It also incorporated the conclusion of the British Athletics Cross Challenge Series, which had already visited Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Liverpool and Belfast earlier in the winter season.

William Coles was the first finisher in the under-13 boys’ race in 12:17, with Sam Griffiths (14:23), Jimmy Davis (14:27) and Ashton Williams (14:55) contributing towards the team score.

The under-15 boys finished 15th in the team event thanks to Iwan Thomas (14:12) in fifth place individually.

He was followed by Finley Bruce (14:56), Jake Lynock (15:43), Ifan Bowen (15:47) and Joshua Barnett (16:23).

Representing the region in the under-17 men’s age group were Steffan Davies (26:20), Iwan Wilson (27:19) and Jack Bruce (27:33).

Callum Campion and David Keenan led the team home in the senior men’s event with finishing times of 40:03 and 40:41.

Earlier in the day, Lyra Roberts (15:30) and Esme Lynock (15:43) competed in the under-13 girls’ race, while Eleanor White and Marged Jones crossed the line in 18:35 and 19:21 in the under-15 girls’ category.

Coles and Thomas both finished in third position overall in the 2021-22 under-13 boys and under-15 boys British Athletics Cross Challenge Series after five events.

Elsewhere, three Harriers travelled to Cardiff to take part in the annual Vault Cardiff 2022 pole vault competition.

There was a best of 2.21m for Cerys Angharad Jones and 2.91m for Connor Handford in the under-15 girls and under-20 men age groups respectively.

Jeston Allan in his first under-13 competition cleared 1.91m.

The final West Glamorgan Cross Country League of the season took place at Gnoll Park in Neath.

Running in the colours of Llanelli Athletics Club were David Keenan (30:02), Ieuan Griffiths (31:24), Alan Davies (33:07), Rob Davies (35:59), Peter Osborne (37:23), Mathew Jones (37:26), Craig Hopkins (39:20), Daniel Thomas (39:58), Claire Protheroe (40:51), Jenny Phillips (41:31), Dai Rees (42:17), Katherine Morgan (42:25), Colin Edwards (42:51), Vanessa Buckler (45:42), Craig Kearney (55:37) and Jackie Lewis (65:12).*

Carmarthen Harriers coach Carol Jones was among the winners at the Welsh Athletics and Run Wales National Awards Dinner at the Vale Resort Hotel. Jones was presented with the Welsh Athletics Participation Coach of the Year award. She has been an endurance coach with the club for more than 20 years and coaches a talented middle distance group. Carol has coached athletes to medals at Welsh Championships as well as representing Wales and Welsh Schools in international matches. She has also been a team manager at several national and international events.

Under-13 boys representing West Wales in Loughborough.