Newyddion
Weekend Round-Up (9-10 November 2024)
11/11/2024 00:00, I Mewn Blog /
CARDIFF CROSS CHALLENGE - CARDIFF, NOVEMBER 9
The Cardiff Cross Challenge returned this year for the 27th edition and it enhanced its status as the UK’s premier Cross Country event on Saturday.
Thousands of competitors and spectators descended on Llandaff Fields as some of the world’s top athletes ran alongside domestic stars and grass roots club runners from the length and breadth of Britain.
In the senior races at the World Athletics Cross Country Tour Gold Label event there was double glory for Uganda as Keneth Kiprop returned to retain his Cardiff Cross Challenge men’s title and Charity Cherop claimed the women’s crown.
JOHN H. COLLINS GWENT LEAGUE – CARDIFF, NOVEMBER 9
Brilliant performances by Dafydd Jones and Cari Hughes at the Cardiff Cross Challenge also brought success in their club colours in the second fixture of the John H. Collins Gwent League on Saturday.
Hughes (Cardiff Athletics) finished fourth overall in the senior women’s race packed with internationals from across the globe at Llandaff Fields.
That placing also brought the GB international victory in the Gwent League fixture, which attracted a huge turnout of athletes representing clubs from across south Wales and the south west of England.
The St Moritz-based athlete from north Wales finished first out of 396 starters in the senior women’s league race, clocking a time of 20:25 for the 6.4K course.
Susannah Lecoutre (University of Swansea) matched her second place at the opening league fixture in Pembrey, as she followed Hughes home in 21:47. Chelsea Creak (Bristol and West AC) was third in 22:14.
Bristol and West took the senior women team honours on the day, ahead of Parc Bryn Bach Running Club and Les Croupiers Running Club.
In the senior men’s race, Jones’ 11th place finish overall also saw him take the league honours, finishing first out of 601 starters in 28:02 over the 9.6K course. His performance also brought him first place in the under-23 category.
Second place in the senior race went to Jack Millar (Bristol and West Athletics Club), who followed Jones home in 28:07. Jake Smith (Pontypridd Roadents AC) was third in 28:27.
Bristol and West once again took the senior men team honours, with their B team sharing second place with Pontypridd Roadents.
There were some excellent performances through the age group categories. In the under-17 women’s race, Swansea Harriers dominated proceedings with a clean sweep of the podium places.
Libby Hale claimed top spot in 15:00, ahead of Millie Gold, who finished in 15:47, just a second ahead of Holly Humphreys. The same three athletes occupy the same positions in the overall standings.
The under-15 girls race was won in fine style by Bryony Boyce (Cardiff Athletics), who clocked 10:55 to finish well ahead of Sali Owen (Carmarthen Harriers) in 11:21 and Lillia Beazley-Long (Westbury Harriers) 11:45.
Elsewhere, in the older age categories, Phil Matthews (Parc Bryn Bach Running Club) took the honours in both the Male Masters 35 and Male Masters 45 categories, clocking a time of 30:24.
The next league fixture takes place at Blaise Castle, Bristol, on Saturday, November 30.