The first weekend of December (04/11/21 - 05/11/21) was a busy one for the club and West Wales region, as Carmarthen Harriers hosted a successful cross country league fixture back in Carmarthenshire as well as athletes winning regional medals and representing Wales in Pembrey / Cardiff / Glasgow.
The events at Pembrey and Cardiff incorporated the West Wales Cross Country & Indoor Championships for all junior, senior and master age groups.
Read on for the weekend round-up and all the club results...
John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League Fixture 3, hosted by Carmarthen Harriers - Pembrey Country Park, Llanelli - Saturday 4th December
The John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League, one of the most popular grassroots cross-country leagues in the UK, returned to West Wales for the fifth time on Saturday 4th December.
1,200 runners of all abilities descended on Pembrey Country Park near Llanelli and races featured the under 11 athletes right up to the seniors and masters' categories.
Local club, Carmarthen & District Harriers Athletics Club hosted the third of five fixtures this season. The club were grateful for the support offered by Carmarthenshire County Council in hosting the event in their park.
The park, situated between Burry Port and Kidwelly, has become used to hosting big athletics and cycling events by now. Sporting events staged here over recent years have included the Welsh Athletics Cross Country Championships, Welsh Athletics Road Relays Championships, John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League and the Llanelli Secondary Schools Area Cross Country.
The league season began back in October when Llandaff Fields in Cardiff played host to the first British Athletics Cross Challenge Series as well as the John H Collins Gwent Cross Country. This was followed by the second meeting in Mid Wales at Parc de Pugh in Brecon three weeks ago.
Competitors, coaches, team managers, officials and spectators from more than 40 clubs travelled to the Carmarthenshire park from across South Wales and the South West of England.
On a demanding course that showcased the counties park and the surrounding areas, the competitors aged 9 to 80 tackled fast grass sections, hills, sand dunes, woods and paths. Participants had the opportunity to take in some breath-taking views around the route overlooking the coastal scenery of Carmarthen Bay and the Gower.
In addition to runners scoring points for their clubs, Pembrey also hosted the West Wales Cross Country Championships 2021 where regional medals were presented to the top three athletes from the region to finish in the junior, senior and master age groups.
The action got underway on Saturday morning with the novice age groups running a total distance of 1,600m. The ten-race programme was followed by the under 13, under 15 and under 17 and 20 races (girls and boys) completing either small, medium or large laps.
In the latter part of the afternoon, the Senior & Master Women and Men ran their respective distances of 7,300m and 9,800m. There were big fields once again and plenty of support out on the course. 667 participants crossed the finish line in these two events.
Lauren Cooper of Parc Bryn Bach was the Senior Women’s winner in 26 minutes and was followed by Chelsea Creak (Bristol and West Athletic Club 26:24) and Alaw Beynon-Thomas (Les Croupiers Running Club 26:57).
Meanwhile in the Senior Men’s race, Joshua Griffiths from Swansea Harriers led from the gun to finish in first place in 29:32. Felix McGrath 30:23 and Tony Orvain 30:39, both from the Bristol and West Athletic Club, made up the top three positions.
The leading athletes in the master categories were Helene Represse MW35 (Bristol and West Athletic Club 27:42), Sandra Chapper MW45 (Lliswerry Runners 28:01), Claire Jolliffe MW55 (Bristol and West Athletic Club 30:07), Shirley Hume MW65 (Westbury Harriers), Richard Jones MM45 (Lliswerry Runners 33:21), Jon James MM55 (Wells City Harriers 33:49) and Alan Davies MM65 (Llanelli Athletics Club).
Claiming victories in the junior age groups - U11 to U20 - were Ella Drew (Swansea Harriers), Libby Hale (Swansea Harriers), Millie Gold (Cardiff Athletics), Megan Hornung (Bristol and West Athletic Club), Georgia Palmer (Cardiff University Athletics Club), Oliver Finch (North Somerset AC), Joseph Finch (North Somerset AC), Iwan Thomas (Carmarthen Harriers), Frank Morgan (Carmarthen Harriers) and Dafydd Jones (Carmarthen Harriers).
The 2021/2022 John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League will visit Blaise Castle in Bristol in the New Year on Saturday 19th February 2022, before the season ends at Singleton Park in Swansea next to the Mumbles seafront on Saturday 19th March.
We hope that all clubs, athletes, officials and spectators enjoyed your visit to West Wales / Carmarthenshire and had a safe journey to and from Pembrey.
Carmarthen Harriers (Host Club) Results:
A home event for the first time in two years - it was a great opportunity for new and established Carmarthen Harriers junior and senior members to compete on home soil at a familiar venue in the county.
The club had fifty-four members attend the third fixture at Pembrey Country Park and produced some good results on a challenging course.
Well Done to all athletes listed below, and a big thank you to the parents, team managers and coaches who also supported the event in a number of ways, including marshalling the course and clearing up the venue afterwards / Da iawn i'r athletwyr i gyd wedi rhestri isod a diolch i'r rheini, rheolwyr tim a hyfforddwyr wnaeth cefnogi mewn nifer o ffyrdd ar y diwrnod.
The event wouldn't have been able to happen without your contributions!
Athletes & Positions / Athetwyr a Safleoedd...
NOVICE GIRLS / MERCHED O DAN 11:
20 Seren Bowen (6:42); 26 Ffion Jones (6:48); 27 Megan Evans (6:49); 44 Leah Gwen Defis (7:17); 48 Erin Clarke (7:29); 52 Fflur Jones (7:35), 53 Elizabeth Williams (7:40); 55 Paige Lily Williams (7:40)
NOVICE BOYS / BECHGYN O DAN 11:
13 Tomos Cai Davies (6:07); 20 Noa Jac Thomas (6:20); 21 Gethin Thomas (6:21); 30 Ellis Mathews (6:27); 39 Harri Blue (6:44); 47 Max Edwards (7:07);
UNDER 13 GIRLS / MERCHED O DAN 13:
15 Martha Morgan (11:55); 25 Esme Lynock (12:33); 33 Macy Blue (12:49); 62 Rose Edwards (16:42)
UNDER 13 BOYS / BECHGYN O DAN 13:
2 William Coles (10:08); 34 Jimmy Davis (11:45); 38 Toby Anthony (11:53)
UNDER 15 GIRLS / MERCHED O DAN 15:
14 Eleanor White (14:48); 19 Frances Mackie (14:58); 23 Marged Jones (15:29); 25 Mared Jones (15:41); 34 Megan Thomas (17:11); 37 Elizabeth Hill (17:24); Eleanor Fuller
UNDER 15 BOYS / BECHGYN O DAN 15:
1 Iwan Thomas (11:57); 3 Finley Bruce (12:16); 12 Jake Lynock (12:49); 14 Ifan Bowen (12:54); 16 Alex Coles (13:04); 19 Macsen Toogood (13:08); 27 Joshua Barnett (13:32); 32 Aron Hedd Jones (13:43); 42 Liam Regan (14:22)
UNDER 17 WOMEN / MERCHED O DAN 17:
21 Emma Ferns (22:46); Amy Greatrick
UNDER 17 MEN / BECHGYN O DAN 17:
1 Frank Morgan (15:40); 8 Thomas Jones (16:39); 11 Steffan Davies (16:59); 15 Joshua Thomas (17:02); 26 Jack Thomas (18:20); 32 Jack Bruce (19:20); 39 Rogan Cox (20:38)
UNDER 20 MEN / BECHGYN O DAN 20:
1 Dafydd Jones (15:04); 10 Liam Edwards (16:38)
SENIOR WOMEN / MENYWOD:
14 Wendy Price (29:14).
Wendy also ran at the Merthyr Mawr Christmas Pudding Run in Bridgend on Sunday, finishing in a time of 50:33.
SENIOR MEN / DYNION:
17 Cameron Young (31:58); 44 Marcus Etheridge (33:29); 53 Isaac Ayres (33:48); Huw Davies (46:51); Ben Thomas.
Isaac also ran at the Cambrian News Aberystwyth Charity 10K on Sunday, finishing in a time of 35:15.
SIAB Schools Indoor Combined Events International - Emirates Arena, Glasgow - Saturday 4th December
Sixteen Welsh school pupils made the journey to Scotland to represent the Welsh Schools Athletic Association at the 2021 British Schools Indoor Combined Events International (SIAB), held at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.
The International were for athletes in the under 16 and under 18 categories. The Welsh Schools squad were up against the top runners, jumpers and throwers from English Schools, Irish Schools and hosts Scottish Schools.
Both age groups, with four athletes per country taking part, competed in a pentathlon with 60m Hurdles, Shot Put, 200m / High Jump, Long Jump and 800m making up the day's events.
Supporting them in Glasgow were a team management of nine - Fyn Corcoran (WA National Talent Development Coordinator for Jumps and Multi Events), Zane Maynard (WSAA International Secretary), Jo Warner (WSAA Vice Chair), Dai Williams (WSAA Delegate/Treasurer), Dai Gatehouse (WSAA Delegate & SIAB Chair) and Joan Goldsmith (WSAA Safeguarding) alongside team coaches Phil Warwicker, Mike Guest and Catherine Collins.
Well done to Jessica Lee, from Ysgol Dyffryn Taf in Whitland who was selected and won her second Welsh vest in less than three months, following her third-place finish in Cardiff. Finishing fourth individually with 3545 points in Glasgow, she helped the Welsh Schools under 18 girls win bronze medals in the team event. There were also third-places for the Welsh Schools under 16 boys and under 16 girls age groups whilst the under 18 boys were fourth.
LEE RESULTS:
60m Hurdles (9.34); 800m (2:32.10); Long Jump (5.79m); High Jump (1.63m); Shot Putt (9.26m)
RESULTS/CANLYNIADAU: SIAB Schools Indoor Combined Events International (Emirates Arena, Glasgow)
Welsh Athletics U13, U15 & U17 Junior Indoor Open incorporating West Wales, East Wales & South West England Championships - Sunday 5th December
The Indoor Athletics season for junior athletes got underway on the first weekend of December with Day 1 of the Welsh Athletics Junior Indoor Open (Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 age groups) at the National Indoor Athletics Centre - Cardiff Met, Cyncoed Campus.
200m, 300m, 400m, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump and Shot Put events took centre stage on the opening day over a six-hour programme and saw approximately 200 athletes attend.
Following the same format as in previous years, the Welsh Athletics Junior Indoor Open fixtures in 2021/2022 incorporates the West Wales, East Wales and South West England Regional Championships for all track and field disciplines this year.
Gold, silver and bronze medals were presented on the podium to the top three in all events for West Wales, East Wales and South West England Regions.
Beatrice Morgan and Luned Defis from Carmarthen Harriers travelled to the Welsh Capital to run the 200m and jump in the long jump and high jump, returning home with 2 gold and a bronze medal between them.
RESULTS:
Beatrice: 200m (27.93) West Wales Gold; Long Jump (4.32m) West Wales Bronze
Luned: Long Jump (3.86m); High Jump (1.35m) West Wales Gold
RESULTS/CANLYNIADAU: Welsh Athletics U13, U15 & U17 Junior Indoor Open Day 1 (NIAC, Cardiff)
Day 2 of the Welsh Athletics Junior Indoor Open (U13, U15, U17) will take place at NIAC in the New Year on Sunday 9th January. Events that day will feature 60m and 60m Hurdles, 800m and 1500m distance events as well as the Long Jump, Shot Put and Pole Vault in the field.
CLICK HERE TO ENTER Day 2: Welsh Athletics Junior Indoor Open (U13-U15-U17) on Sunday 9th January, entries close at 5pm on Thursday 16th December with no late entries accepted, don't miss out!
Podium 5K Road Race - Saturday 4th December
Iestyn Williams finished 24th at the Podium 5K Road Race in Leicester (15:08)
