Newyddion
Weekend Round-Up (25 -26 October)
27/10/2025 00:00, I Mewn Blog /
WELSH INTER-SCHOOLS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS – BRECON, OCTOBER 22
The event was held as a stand-alone event for the first time since 2018. A move to a date in the first half-term of the school year, a switch to a mid-week day and a reduction in race distances all contributed to a huge entry list across the age groupings with Schools and Colleges declaring over 1700 athletes across the six races.
This year’s Championships were held in conjunction with the Colleges Championships again within the Senior (School years 11 to 14) races. Perfect underfoot conditions, coupled with a window in the weather, contributed to some high quality competion coupled with the opportunity for young athletes to have their first taste of competitive cross country over the new course at Penlan Arena, the traditional home of Welsh Schools cross country.
Battle commenced as the Junior Girls (combined Year7/8) took to the course at 1pm, with 361 finishing the race. It was Alesha Santos (Bryn Celynnog) who broke away to take a 3 second win from Gwen Hayes (Myddleton College) and Ella Hayes (also Myddleton College). However, it was Llanidloes High School who won the first team title of the day. Monique Brandon-Higgs (21st) leading home Helydd Rowlands (25th), Ella Calvin-Thomas (41st) and Teleri Rowlands (42nd), with Rhydywaun in second and Cardiff High picking up the bronze medals.
The biggest field of the day (364 finished) took to the start line in the Junior Boys event. This race was one of the closest of the day with only 13 seconds separating the 3 medallists. It was Jacob Moss (Bishop of Llandaff) who eventually triumphed from Zac Munn (Glantaf) and Farley Prichard (also Glantaf). However, Zac and Farley did have the consolation of the team gold, which also went to Glantaf, they had 4 in the top 17 with Leo Beckley in 13th. and Caio Thomas in 17th, Cardiff & the Vale Schools dominated this team event with Cardiff High and Whitchurch picking up the minor medals.
205 athletes contested the Middle Girls race, this was again another highly competitive race with only 10 seconds dividing the medallists. After a number of changes of the lead, it was Esme Lewis (Brynteg) taking a narrow 4 second victory from a dogged Bella Thie (Y Pant) with both girls giving everything. Leah Rhodes (Bassaleg) coming home in third. The team medals again went to Glantaf, led by Lyla Prichard (9th.), Elin Matthews (25th.), Chloe Kingman (28th.) and Catrin Thomas in 38th. The silver went to Bro Morgannwg with bronze this time around to Cowbridge.
Bryntirion’s Nate Greig took advantage of his impressive recent form as he dominated the Middle Boys race. After a confident start he took an early lead and then gradually increased the gap to take a comfortable victory. Training partner Lewis Durston (Brynteg) came through well to take the silver from Macsen Watts (Gwynllyw). Glantaf again took the team title as they packed well with Osian Phillips, Shen Rose, Ethan Roberts-Jones and Leo Pill all finishing in the top 30. The Cardiff & the Vale dominance of team medals continued as Cardiff High and Whitchurch took silver and bronze.
The Senior Girls race was the smallest of the day with 70 finishers. However, the quality remained high with Holly Humphreys (Gwyr) and Amelia Williams (Bro Teifi) again exchanging the lead a number of times with Holly securing the narrowest of 2 second victories as she crossed the line in 15:03. Nansi Griffiths (Greenhill) was a comfortable winner of the bronze. Megan Quirke (Merthyr College) came home in 9th. to take the Welsh Colleges title. Glantaf again took the team title with Mabli Phillips, Rebecca Derrick, Elffin Bryant and Alys Looker the scorers. Afan Nedd Tawe schools managed to wrestle away the Cardiff & Vale domination in this race as Olchfa and Gwyr took the minor medals.
There were a number of changes of lead in the Senior Boys race as a small group got away, the win eventually went to Sam Griffiths (Queen Elizabeth), Iwan Froley (Porthcawl) took a well-deserved silver and there was a welcome return to form for Whitchurch’s Josh Sanders as he took bronze. The Colleges win went to Harry Osborne (St David’s College) as he edged out brother Alfie (also St David’s) into second, another St David’s College athlete, Maks Figurski took third (23rd overall) and they were closed out by Gryff Thomas in 39th overall. This was good enough to give the College team silvers but it was Whitchurch that took the Senior Boys team title with Josh Sanders backed up by Osian Emmerson, Sef Eleslam Eltayef and Evan Shearer. Aberdare Community School took a well-deserved team bronze.
It was so encouraging to see so many young athletes test themselves during the event. For those who have been inspired by this, or if you are a PE teacher who has unearthed some talent or potential as a result, please go to https://www.welshathletics.org/en/club/list, this gives a full list of Welsh Athletics clubs near you.
Full results are on the Welsh Athletics website, these remain PROVISIONAL at present, team managers are asked to forward any queries to darran.williams@welshathletics.org, as soon as possible.
The thanks of WSAA go to all of the officials who made the event such a success as well as those PE teachers and Welsh Athletics staff, especially the Competitions Team, who worked so hard on the day. Special thanks to all those who helped take down the course at the end of the day, this allowed us to have everything wrapped up by 4:30. A great day of top-quality cross-country competition.
HALLOWEEN PORTH EIRIAS 10K – COLWYN BAY, OCTOBER 25
This predominantly flat 10k along the North Wales Coastal path is set against an awe-inspiring natural backdrop of cliff tops and world famous beaches looking over towards Anglesey.
The first to complete the course was Gareth Griffith, who crossed the line in 37:10. Rhodri Williams (Cybi Striders) was second in 37:21, with Christopher Jones (Abergele Harriers) third in 38:21.
The winner of the women’s race was Emily Grandfield (TTT Run Club), who clocked 42:42, to finish ahead of Mia Williams in 46:10 and Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) 46:23.
NORTH WALES CROSS COUNTRY LEAGUE 2 – COLWYN BAY, OCTOBER 25
Welsh Athletics Transition Programme athlete Osian Perrin warmed up for next month’s Cardiff Cross Challenge with a comprehensive win at the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross Country Senior League.
Perrin (Menai Track and Field) went off fast in windy conditions and completed the course in a rapid 26:28 to finish more than a minute ahead of Ed Slaughter (Bangor University) 27:31 and Dan Kashi (Meirionnydd) in 27:40.
The team results saw Meirionnydd finish first on the day which also consolidated their position at the top of Division One.
The senior women’s race was won by Alison Lavender (Oswestry Olympians), who followed up her success at St Asaph with another win here in 17:07. Heather Watson (Deeside AAC) was second in 17:55 with Mia Roberts (Deeside AAC) third in 18:34. Top team on the day were Deeside AAC, who strengthened their lead in Division One.
Another Osian from Menai Track and Field, this time Osian Parry, won the Under-17 men’s race in 15:43. Lewis Morris (West Cheshire AC) was second in 16:04 and Zac Campbell (Deeside AAC) was third in 16:18. Deeside AC took the team win.
The Pyramid Consulting North Wales Junior League races, saw Isaac Garcia Lewis (Denbigh Harriers) win the under-15 boys race in 13:57. Menai Track and Field club mates Daniel Purcell and Elis Earnshaw were second and third in 14:12 and 14:17 respectively. Menai Track and Field took the club honours to maintain their overall position in the league table.
The under-15 girls race was won in convincing fashion by Martha Bown (Menai Track and Field) in 10:44, ahead of Nia Manson (West Cheshire AC) in 11:06 and Tamsin Seguin (Menai Track and Field) in 11:21. Menai also took the girls club honours and stay top of their league.
In the under-13 boys race, Lucas Sawyer (West Cheshire AC) was victorious in 10:16, with Jacob Price (Menai Track and Field) second in 10:21 and Isac Martin (Deeside AAC) third in 10:59. Deeside won the club event to stay top of their league.
In the girls under-13 race, the clock couldn’t separate twins and Deeside AAC clubmates Ella and Gwen Hayes who clocked the same time of 9:20. Lois Evans (Colwyn Bay AC) was third in 9:41. West Cheshire took the club honours on the day and share top spot in the league with Deeside.
Elliot Steele-Jones (Menai Track and Field) won the under-11 boys race by a large margin in 9:28 with Eben Davies (Denbigh Harriers) second in 10:04 and George Hughes (Wrexham AAC) third in 10:07. Denbigh Harriers consolidated their place at the top of the club league.
Zoe James (Deeside AAC) won a closely contested under-11 girls race in 6:06 ahead of Abby Gamble (West Cheshire AC) in 6:09 and Matilda Thompson (Deeside AAC) in 6:10. Deeside AC maintained their position at the top of the league.
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