The end of January and early February 2023 saw the highlight of the indoor season in Wales, as Welsh Athletics hosted its national indoor track and field championships for juniors and seniors over two consecutive weekends at Cyncoed Campus. Meanwhile, 1,400 university athletes across the UK headed to Carmarthenshire for the British Universities & Colleges Sport Cross Country Championships 2023, at Pembrey Country Park.
There was also the penultimate British Athletics Cross Challenge Series and the second Cardiff Met grand prix new year open meeting.
Below are the Carmarthen Harriers club results from events held between January 14th and February 5th at Cilycwm, Perth, Cardiff and Pembrey, along with a round up of the second Welsh Athletics Regional Development Programme weekend.
Well done to everyone that competed. Da iawn pawb wnaeth cystadlu.
Welsh Athletics Regional Development Programme (West Wales) - Swansea University (Saturday 14th January & Sunday 15th January)
The 2022/2023 Welsh Athletics Regional Development Programme for U15 to U20 age groups returned on the second weekend of January (14th-15th), following the programme launch back in October.
Days three and four of West Wales' six regional days this season was held at Swansea University Indoor Athletics Track / University fields (Endurance, Speed, Jumps & Throws - Javelin, Shot & Discus) & Cwrt Herbert Neath (Throws - Hammer). It also incorporated a regional 'come and try' pole vault session for younger juniors.
Carmarthen Athletics Track will host the third and final weekend in March 2023. For more details on this initiative, click here
Fell-y-Cwm - Cilycwm (Saturday 14th January)
A new event of 4 miles and just under 800ft of elevation at Cilycwm near Llandovery on Saturday 14th January.
Carmarthen Harriers members in action were Steffan Davies - 36:40 (1st open male) and Huw Davies - 42:12
British Athletics Cross Challenge Series - Event 4 - Scone Palace, Perth (Saturday 14th January)
The fourth and penultimate fixture of the British Athletics Cross Challenge series visited Scone Palace in Perth, Scotland on Saturday 14th January.
Running a distance of 6km, Iwan Thomas (20:08) was the first of the Carmarthen Harriers trio to cross the line, in sixth position.
Liam Edwards (20:24) and Finley Bruce (20:50) were ninth and fifteenth in the combined under 17 and 20 men’s age group, making the long journey worthwhile.
Cardiff Met Non Thomas New Year Indoor Grand Prix - National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff (Sunday 22nd January)
Following the Christmas classic event during the festive period, Cardiff Metropolitan University held its second of two grand prix events at National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff on Sunday 22nd January - the Non Thomas New Year Open.
Lewis Evans went in heat 2 of 9 in the men's 60m sprint, stopping the clock on 7.31. The 800m saw Macsen Toogood and Jessica Hyland finish in 2:13.58 and 2:21.33 respectively whilst in the 3000m event, Dafydd Jones completed the fifteen laps in a time of 8:44.08.
Over in the field, Cerys Angharad Jones cleared 2.11 metres in the pole vault discipline.
Welsh Athletics Senior & U15 Indoor Track & Field Championships 2023 - National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff (Saturday 28th January & Sunday 29th January)
Welsh Athletics U13, U17 & U20 Indoor Track & Field Championships 2023 - National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff (Saturday 4th February & Sunday 5th February)
Welsh Athletics hosted its annual indoor track and field national championships 2023 over consecutive weekends in January and February at the National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff
The Welsh Senior & U15 championships were held on Saturday 28th January and Sunday 29th January, before it was the turn of the Welsh U13, U17 & U20 age group championships a week later on Saturday 4th February and Sunday 5th February.
Over the four-day competition, events featured 60m, 200m, 300m/400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m, 60m Hurdles, High Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Put, Long Jump and Triple Jump for both men and women.
This year, a dozen Ambulant / Para events were incorporated into the 2023 Welsh indoor championships.
A total of twenty-four Carmarthen Harriers members, from under 13 to senior, travelled to Cardiff to compete at national level over the both weekends, gaining valuable experience in the process.
In addition, both Carol Jones and Joan Goldsmith were presented with the 'Welsh Athletics Award of Honour 2022' in Cardiff. The award is made in recognition of a minimum of twenty five years of active service to the sport in Wales at club, schools, regional and/or national level.
Medallists at the Senior & U15 championships were: Beatrice Morgan (60m - silver) and (Long Jump - silver); Mia Lloyd (Ambulant 60m - silver); Jessica Lee (Long Jump - bronze); Amelia Williams (3000m - silver); Lili Church (High Jump - gold).
In addition' Amelia's time of 10:40.09 in the under 15 girls 3000m was confirmed as a Championship best performance & Welsh Age Best.
Medallists at the U13, U17 & U20 championships were: Jessica Lee (High Jump - gold) and (Long Jump - gold); Noah Anyadike (Shot - gold); Jessica Hyland (800m - gold) and (1500m - bronze); Tomos Cai Davies (800m - silver); Finley Bruce (3000m - gold); Ifan Bowen (3000m - gold) and Mia Lloyd (60m - gold)
Welsh Senior & U15 Championships Day 1 & 2 Harriers Results in full:
Lewis Evans - Senior men 60m (7.26)
Jessica Lee - Senior women 60m B Final (7.93) & Long Jump (5.69m)
Beatrice Morgan - U15 girls 60m Final (8.00) & Long Jump (5.20m)
Mia Lloyd - Senior women Ambulant/Para 60m (16.00)
Anastasia Eggleston-Stoker - U15 girls 800m (2:44.80)
Esme Lynock - U15 girls 1500m (5:30.97)
Amelia Williams - U15 girls 3000m (10:40.09) CBP
Lili Church - Senior women High Jump (1.66m)
Chloe Thomas - U15 girls Shot (7.67m)
Welsh U13, U17 & U20 Championships Day 1 & 2 Harriers Results in full:
Ellimay Williams - Under 17 women 60m (7.97) & 200m (27.04)
Luned Defis - Under 17 women 60m (9.14), 60m Hurdles (11.34), High Jump (1.42m) & Long Jump (4.05m)
Carter Norris - Under 17 men 200m (24.47)
Tygan Davies - Under 17 men 200m (26.51) & 800m (2:17.96)
Noah Anyadike - Under 13 boys 200m (28.39) & Shot (6.59m)
Anest Jones - Under 17 women 200m (29.85)
Megan Evans - Under 13 girls 200m (31.96) & 800m (3:00.92)
Paige-lily Williams - 200m (33.22), 800m (3:00.11) & Long Jump (2.78m)
Macsen Toogood - Under 17 men 800m (2:14.94)
Jessica Hyland - Under 20 women 800m (2:20.08) & 1500m (4:47.87)
Tomos Cai Davies - Under 13 boys 800m (2:30.06)
Finley Bruce - Under 17 men 3000m (9:10.48)
Ifan Bowen - Under 17 men 3000m (9:26.58)
Jake Lynock - Under 17 men 3000m (9:53.50)
Joshua Barnett - Under 17 men 3000m (10:15.95)
Jessica Lee - High Jump (1.62m) & Long Jump (5.79m)
Cerys Angharad Jones - Under 17 women Pole Vault (2.22m)
Sara Jones - Ambulant women Shot (3.97m)
British Universities & Colleges Cross Country Championships (BUCS) 2023 - Pembrey Country Park, Llanelli (Saturday 4th February)
There was a great turnout on race day with four races having taken place, the Women’s Short Race (6K), Men's Short Race (8K), Women's Long Race (8K) and Men's Long Race (10K).
On a demanding course that showcased the counties park and the surrounding areas, the competitors tackled fast grass sections, hills, sand dunes, woods and paths.
Liam Edwards represented Edinburgh University in the men's long race (35:47) whilst Ellie Kiff competed for Cardiff University in the women's short race (27:33)