British Athletics Cross Challenge - Liverpool
Sefton Park, usually described as a mud bath, was largely dry on Saturday. In chilly conditions, with a tough wind (there’s storm Arwen to thank for that), conditions were firm underfoot.
Ffion Higginson swapped the yellow and blue vest for Welsh colours, finishing as 43rd u20 against quality opposition. The top finishers will be running for Great Britain, in Dublin, as part of the European Cross Country Championships.
Ffion covered the 4.4k course in 16:34. Pretty nippy, that’s a pace of 3:46/k
Beth Hardman pictured with Ffion (on the right).
Photograph Gareth Hardman on Twitter
Parkrun
20 runners took part in parkrun this Saturday – Craig Burrows again fastest of the bunch. Kate Roberts was first female in Maesteg, and at the same venue Krista knocked 24 seconds off her best time.
Bridgend Athletics Cross Country
This Sarturday saw the next event of the Bridgend Cross Country season head to Cowbridge, in the beautiful setting of Forage Farm. Despite heavy winds overnight and early in the day, by the time of the first race the winds had gone. But unfortunately, it had wiped power from Forage Farm shop and surrounding areas - so no post-race hot chocolate and cake for most. The power did return by 2:30 just in time for those clearing the course to stop off and enjoy the hot drinks and cakes.
We had runners spanning across 19 of the Bridgend County Schools plus 4 invited athletic clubs, meaning we had 119 runners register to take part.
It was a challenging course for all age groups. Starting with a short flat and then straight into a steep climb, with some commenting ‘crampons and not spikes needed there’. But that didn’t deter those present. Top 3 finishers were presented with rosettes, plus a box of chocolates for each winner:
U11’s
Boys
1st Jude Jenkins - West Park Primary
2nd Luke Woodhouse - Pencoed Primary
3rd Lewis Durston - Bridgend Athletics
Girls
1st Imogen Vecchi - Bridgend Athletics
2nd Sophia Rose Davies - Rhonnda Athletics
3rd Lucy Arnold - Bridgend Athletics
U13’s
Boys
1st Tom Gilbert - Rhymney Valley Athletics
2nd Liam Jury - Bridgend Athletics
3rd David Lenghel - Pontyclun Athletics
Girls
1st Eva Parry - Rhymney Valley Athletics
2nd Grace James - Bridgend Athletics
3rd Megan Pewter - Rymney Valley Athletics
U15’s
Boys
1st Iwan Froley - Porthcawl
2nd Alfie Sergeant - Barry & Vale Harriers
3rd Leo Watkins - Bridgend Athletics
Girls
1st Lily Stephens -Bridgend Athletics
2nd Alice Davies - Barry & Vale Harriers
3rd Katy Griffiths - Bridgend Athletics
U17’s
Boys
1st Ioan Van Der Elst - Pontyclun Athletics
2nd Josh Morgan - Bridgend Athletics
3rd Tyler Johnson - Bridgend Athletics
Girls
1st Freya Allen - Bridgend Athletics
Weekly report from Chris Jeynes, and Leigh James
Photographs from Gareth Hardman on Twitter
