MAJOR EVENT MAKES RETURN
TWO cross country events for primary and secondary schools have made a welcome return to Carmarthenshire.
The 33rd edition of the Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships took place for the first time in three years.
Organised by Carmarthen Harriers and supported by Carmarthenshire County Council, the 2022 race moved to a new venue at Pembrey Country Park. Prior to this year, the United Counties Showground had been the location for three decades.
Approximately 1,200 runners from more than 40 primary schools competed in the evening sunshine.
Watched by hundreds of parents, family members and teachers, eight races were on offer. The Year 3 and 4 pupils ran 1k, while Year 5 and 6 races were over one mile.
Held on Monks Field within the park and next to the National Closed Cycling Circuit and Ski Centre, competitors ran along fast grass and hill sections.
Individual and team awards were presented to the first five in each race and the winning school team in each year group combined. Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to pupils from 22 schools.
Ysgol Iau Llangennech were team victors in Year 3 and Ysgol y Dderwen came out on top in the Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 categories.
As a result, the school was presented with the overall trophy.
Top three positions:
Year 3 Girls: 1 Erin Jones (Carreg Hirfaen), 2 Farah Bowen (Llangynnwr), 3 Evie Isaac (Swiss Valley).
Year 3 Boys: 1 Daniel James (Rhys Pritchard), 2 Gruff Davies (Rhys Pritchard), 3 Eligh Youngman (Iau Llangennech).
Year 4 Girls: 1 Zara Phillips (Rhys Pritchard), 2 Erin Bowen (Llangynnwr), 3 Mared Lili Rees (Y Dderwen).
Year 4 Boys: 1 Steffan James (Y Dderwen), 2 Elgan John (Y Bedol), 3 Zyiah Onoh (Mynydd Y Garreg).
Year 5 Girls: 1 Gwenno Jones (Nantgaredig), 2 Emilia Matthews (Pontyberem), 3 Elsie Davies (Saron).
Year 5 Boys: 1 Jasper Davis (Llandovery College), 2 Tai Jones (Y Bedol), 3 Tyler Gregory (Bro Banw).
Year 6 Girls: 1 Manon Phillips (Peniel), 2 Megan Evans (Cynwyl Elfed), 3 Olwen Williams (Y Dderwen).
Year 6 Boys: 1 Tomos Cai Davies (Y Dderwen), 2 Miles Hayhurst (Ferryside), 3 Jayden Fergus (Saron).
Elsewhere, 374 pupils from Years 7 to 10 travelled to Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in Whitland for the first of four Brianne Secondary Schools Cross Country League fixtures.
Seven schools – Dyffryn Aman, Maes y Gwendraeth, Bro Dinefwr, Bro Myrddin, Queen Elizabeth School, Llandovery College and hosts Dyffryn Taf – were involved. Bro Myrddin is the venue for the second fixture at the end of October, before Llandovery College and Dyffryn
Aman host in November and January respectively.