In the latest round-up, the first month of the outdoor track & field season continued with the introduction of more league and open meetings.
Four weeks after the SIAB Schools Cross Country international, five club athletes were selected for international representation at the TCS London Mini Marathon, which was held 24 hours before the London Marathon.
Elsewhere, there were several other track, trail and road running races - at Nant Yr Arian, Kenswick, Aberdare, Coventry, Cardiff, Gloucester and the Red Kite Challenge at Devils Bridge.
Saturday 4th May, Sunday 5th April and Monday 6th May saw Carmarthen Harriers' sprinters, endurance runners, throwers and jumpers compete at several early May bank holiday weekend events in Carmarthenshire, West Wales and further afield.
Annual events at this time of year made a return including the Welsh Junior League, Cardiff 5K - Race for Victory, BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships, Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run Races and Ras Dyffryn Cledlyn.
Below are the Carmarthen Harriers club results from events held between April 18th and May 6th.
Nant Yr Arian 5 mile Trail Race - Aberystwyth (Wednesday 17th April)
In the first of three races, the Red Kite Summer Series began with Ras Hwyrnos Nant Yr Arian near Aberystwyth.
There were year 5 and 6 girls and year 7 and 8 girls category victories for Emily Evans-Williams and Paige-lily Williams respectively.
Crossing in fourth place in the same event was Tayla Williams.
TCS London Mini Marathon 2024 - London, England (Saturday 20th April)
39 Welsh youngsters, including five athletes from Carmarthenshire, represented Wales on the road at the annual TCS London Mini Marathon on Saturday morning, 20th April.
The Mini Marathon for those aged 11 to 17 hosted a series of championship age group races covering the last 2.6km of the London Marathon route.
It provided an opportunity for athletes from Wales to test themselves against the best in Great Britain & Northern Ireland, competing against the other Celtic nations, English regions and athletes from 33 London boroughs.
The finishing line was situated on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace in the heart of the English Capital.
There were first international vests in the under 13 age group for Tomos Cai Davies (09:49) and Manon Phillips (10:30) in their corresponding races.
Making a return was Nansi Griffiths, who stepped up to the under 15 girls’ category in 2024, clocking 09:29.
Macsen Toogood (08:35) and William Harries (08:41) were two of the six athletes selected in the under 17 boys’ team.
British Athletics Mountain Running Championships 2024 - Kenswick (Sunday 21st April)
Further North at Kenswick on Sunday 21st April, the British Athletics Mountain Running Championships took place.
In the under 20 age group in Cumbria, there was an excellent top ten finish in the up and down race for Iwan Thomas in seventh with a time of 30:51.
Red Kite Challenge incorporating West Wales and Welsh Trail Running Championships - Devils Bridge near Aberystwyth (Saturday 27th April)
Carmarthenshire-based athletes enjoyed great success in Ceredigion at the Red Kite Trail Challenge / Ras Y Barcud 2024.
Eleven athletes from Carmarthen Harriers travelled the 100-mile round trip to Devils Bridge near Aberystwyth, which incorporated the West Wales and Welsh Trail Running Championships.
Making their first appearances at the event was Alex Ladd and Gethin Thomas. Clocking 14:59 and 15:01 respectively in third and fourth, the pair led the way in the regional championships.
In the girls’ under 14 category, Manon Phillips was the second female home in 15:50 with Paige-lily Williams picking up West Wales silver with a time of 17:36.
There was more success as Nansi Griffiths claimed the Welsh under 16 Trail Championship title in 22:51. Sali Owen closely followed (23:02) to make it a successful one-two finish for the local club.
Further medals came from endurance athletes Tom Bridger (23:56) and Ianto Lloyd (24:38), who both finished in the top five of their age group.
Finley Bruce claimed third position overall in the under 18 boys’ race, completing the 6K course in 26:31. In the West Wales Trail Championships, he was joined on the podium by silver medallist Joshua Barnett (29:52) and William Harries (30:49) in bronze to round-off the day.
The under 18s race was also a trial for the WMRA International Youth Cup this June.
UK Youth Development League Midland South/West A - Ron Jones Stadium, Aberdare (Sunday 28th April)
On the track, the opening fixture of the UK Youth Development League - South/West A division was held at Ron Jones Stadium in Aberdare for under 17 and under 20 athletes on Sunday 28th April (run as a double-header with the South/West premier).
Athletes took part in the early season fixture ahead of trips to Yate and Newport over the next two months.
Results:
Tygan Davies – 100m (11.8), 200m (23.5) & 400m (53.2) & Relay
Elli-May Williams – 100m (12.8) & 200m (27.2) & Relay
Anest Jones – 100m (14.4) & 200m (30.0) & Relay
Beatrice Morgan – 200m (26.6), Long Jump (5.22m) & High Jump (1.45m) & Relay
Amelia Williams – 1500m (4:45.9)
Ffion Mabey – Hammer (32.83m), Discus (27.00m) & Shot (9.01m),
Storm Evans - Discus (42.68m) & Shot (11.07m), Dolly Evans – Discus (35.07m)
Gwyn James (20.29m)
Coventry Spring Meeting - University of Warwick (Saturday 27th April - Sunday 28th April)
Mia Lloyd and Jac Sheehan participated at the Coventry Spring Meeting over the weekend of 27th and 28th April.
Sheehan competed in the seated shot (7.60m) and the seated discus (20.67m) over consecutive days. Lloyd threw a best of 14.12m in the women’s ambulant discus during day 2 of the weekend.
Gloucester AC Spring Open Meeting - Blackbridge Jubilee Athletics Track (Sunday 28th April)
The theme of open meetings continued in Gloucestershire with the local club's spring open meeting.
Tayla Williams - 100m (2:29.20) & Long Jump (2.53m), Paige-lily Williams – 100m (15.29) & Shot (5.64m) and Jessica Hyland – 800m (2:24.18) were in action.
Welsh Athletics Run With The Wind & Throws 1 - Cardiff International Sports Stadium (Wednesday 1st May)
Welsh Athletics' 2024 outdoor track and field programme got underway with the first of two midweek Run With The Wind and Field Events open meeting on Wednesday 1st May at a wet Leckwith.
Five athletes travelled up the M4, competing in nine events between them.
Results:
Storm Evans - Shot (10.51m) & Discus (41.06m)
Dolly Evans - Discus (33.28m)
Cole Brydson - 100m (11.61) & 200m (23.63)
Beatrice Morgan - 80m Hurdles (12.37) & 200m (25.87)
Anest Jones - 100m (13.76) & 200m (28.83)
Welsh Junior League - West Wales 2 - Cwrt Herbert Sports Centre, Neath (Saturday 4th May)
Three weeks after the opening round in Swansea, the Welsh Junior League - West Wales headed to Neath on Saturday 4th May.
West Wales' division middle fixture of the season was held at Cwrt Herbert Sports Centre in Neath on the first day of the Bank Holiday weekend.
On what was a well attended and successful day, more than 200 athletes from six clubs - Bridgend AC, Carmarthen Harriers, Llanelli AAC, Neath Harriers, Swansea Harriers and TROTS - entered which offered every track and field event.
The junior league gives the opportunity for athletes in the younger age groups (under 11, under 13 and under 15) to get involved and the day concluded with the 4 x 100m relays.
Twenty-seven athletes travelled to Neath, competing in the vests of Carmarthen Harriers. Results:
Florence Morgan - 800m (3:04.4); Long Jump (2.66m); Javelin (14.28m)
Haf Thomas - 75m (13.0); 150m (26.6); 800m (3:05.8)
Ruby Lewis - 75m (11.7); 150m (24.4); 800m (3:14.4)
Cara Jenkins - 800m (3:16.1)
Tayla Williams - 800m (3:23.6); Javelin (6.82m); Shot (4.83m)
Rose Hobbs Rees - 75m (12.1); Long Jump (2.77m)
Lois Murray - 75m (12.2); 150m (24.7)
Cerys Fitzpatrick - 1000m Walk (8:19.5)
Paige-lily Williams - 70m Hurdles (13.5); 1500m (5:39.5); Shot (5.78m)
Elsie Davies - 800m (2:49.3)
Teahgan Williams - 800m (3:04.0); Long Jump (2.65m)
Anya Walters - 100m (15.3); 200m (32.5)
Ayla Jones - 100m (15.6); Long Jump (3.17m)
Emily Evans-Williams - 1500m (5:57.6)
Seren Bowen - 75m Hurdles (15.5); 100m (15.0); Shot (6.05m)
Sali Owen - 1500m (4:54.0)
Summer Evans - Discus (26.23m); Shot (34.36m)
Maisie Owen - Discus (25.53m)
Alfie Stopher - 150m (25.1); 800m (2:45.4)
Macsen Davies - 800m (2:49.9)
Mason Wrona - 75m (13.2); 150m (25.7); 800m (3:02.3)
Elliot Young - 75m (11.9)
Maximus Edwards - 100m (15.4); High Jump (1.10m); Long Jump (3.31m)
Dafydd Williams - 200m (31.0)
Dylan Williams - 1500m (5:35.5)
Buddy Evans - Discus (26.00m); Shot (10.06m)
Marleigh Mackie - 80m Hurdles (15.2); 100m (14.6); 200m (29.0)
Gethin Mason - 80m Hurdles (18.4)
Gethin Thomas - 800m (2:42.2)
BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships 2024 - SportCity, Manchester (Saturday 4th May - Monday 6th May)
The same weekend also saw the 3-day BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships head to SportCity in Manchester where two athletes were representing their universities.
Jessica Hyland (Swansea University) placed tenth in the third heat of the women's 1500m with a seasons best time of 4:49.46.
Shortly after on day 1, Ellie Loweth (Edge Hill University) was in action in the women's 100m heats, also clocking a seasons best of 13.37 over the short sprint.
Cardiff 5K - Race for Victory 2024 - Whitchurch, Cardiff (Sunday 5th May)
The Cardiff 5K - Race For Victory 2024 incorporating the Welsh 5K Road Racing Championships was back in its usual May slot on Sunday evening, 5th May on the streets of Whitchurch. There were some great times recorded by the seven athletes in the Welsh Capital!
5K Results:
Ifan Bowen - 15:38
Steffan Davies - 16:04
Joshua Barnett - 16:48
Tom Bridger - 18:00
Manon Phillips - 19:31
Huw Davies - 20:12
Luke Owen - 21:31
Carmarthen Mayor's 5K & Junior Fun Run Races - Carmarthen Town Centre (Monday 6th May)
On Bank Holiday Monday (6th May), the Carmarthen Mayor's Fun Run Races returned to the town centre in its 41st year.
It was organised by Noelwyn Daniel from Healthy Life Activities on behalf of Carmarthen Town Council. Main sponsors were McDonalds and GD Harries along with support from twenty other local organisations.
The annual race was established by Councillor Peter Hughes-Griffiths, in partnership with Carmarthen Harriers Club President Dr Hedydd Davies.
With approximately 750 runners of all ages entered for the 2024 edition, the beauty of the Carmarthen Mayor's Races is that they take place in the heart of the town centre.
The day started with the 5K fun run where runners ran along the town's main roads a total of three times before the grandstand finish up at Guildhall Square. The 5K used chip timing results, meaning that all athletes were able to get their own individual time.
This was followed by a series of junior races, featuring experienced club athletes to those making their first steps in running.
It began with the boys and girls in years 1 & 2 followed by years 3 & 4, years 5 and 6 and secondary school years 7 & 8 completing two laps of the course.
The final event saw a category for the nursery and reception children over one lap, where the young ones could run alongside their friends and family.
Carmarthen Harriers 5K timed results:
Joshua Barnett (17:24), Jake Lynock (17:34), Toby Anthony (19:09), Tom Bridger (19:13), Macy Blue (19:49), Jimmy Davis (20:41), Sion Rowlands (21:28), Elizabeth Tremlett (21:37), Dafydd Bowen (22:00), Lowri Morgan (22:53), Anastasia Eggleston-Stoker (24:23), Harri Blue (24:23), Miriam Williams (25:54), Olwen Williams (28:09)
Carmarthen Harriers in the Junior Races (Year 4 to Year 8):
It was great to see such a big number of our juniors running at the event on Monday and all performing well in their Harriers vests. We hope you had a great time in the home town!
Junior results were not recorded outside the first three therefore we are unable to mention every athlete in this report, but well done to all those who participated.
The following athletes finished in the top three of their respective school years: Alfie Stopher (Ysgol Gorslas), Farah Bowen (Ysgol Llangynnwr), Gwenno Jones (Ysgol Nantgaredig), Emily Evans-Williams (Ysgol Penygroes), Dylan Williams (Ysgol Teilo Sant), Jasper Davis (Llandovery College), Tomos Cai Davies (Ysgol Bro Myrddin) and Beca Elfyn (Ysgol Bro Myrddin).
Brewer Memorial Games- Blackbridge Jubilee Athletics Track (Monday 6th May)
Eight days on from their first visit, Paige-lily Williams - 100m (15.48) & 800m (2:47.21) and Tayla Williams - 75m (13.95) & 600m (2:29.77) went back to Gloucester, this time for the Brewer Memorial Games organised by Cheltenham & District Harriers. Three new personal bests were recorded.