News

25/04/2019 00:00, In Road / School News /

Welsh Athletics are pleased to announce the make-up of the teams for this year’s Virgin  Money Giving Mini London Marathon to be held on Sunday 28th. April. This is the first year that teams selected from the Welsh Athletics Endurance programme have attended this prestigious event held over the last 3 miles of the London Marathon course. It provides an opportunity for young athletes from Wales to test themselves against the best in Great Britain & Northern Ireland, competing against the other Celtic nations, the powerful English regions and athletes representing each of the London boroughs.

The Under 13, 15 and 17 teams comprising of 6 athletes have been chosen from track events held across Wales over recent months, where they compete over a 3-kilometre distance. They now travel to Royal Holloway College on Saturday 27th., and following an overnight stay continue into London early on Sunday morning with races taking place shortly after 9 am. Television coverage is provided via live streaming.

Performances over the winter cross country events have highlighted how competitive this year’s group should be. The Under 17s team has a lot of experience with James Penrose (Cardiff Archers), now at the top of the age group and previous winner Osian Perrin (Menai T&F) also likely to feature, they are joined by the equally experienced track athletes David Locke (Cardiff),  Sebastian Lewis (Neath) and Ben Reynolds (Cardiff), they are likely to be well supported by Tomos Land (Colwyn Bay)who adds his previous experience of the event after coming in as a late replacement. Mia Roberts (Deeside), Ashleigh Willis (Swansea) and Nia Clatworthy (Cardiff) will head up the Under 17 Girls challenge, Aimee Callow (Cardiff Archers) and Orla Davies (Deeside) also have previous appearances at the event which will leave them well prepared. Tiegan Ward (Brecon) makes a first appearance and will gain great experience.

The theme of experience continues into the Under 15s where Jacob Reynolds (Cardiff), Dafydd Jones (Carmarthen), Liam Edwards (Carmarthen) and Oliver Jones (Maldwyn) are expected to be in contention. Adam Beer (Llanelli) is another with both previous experience and an outstanding Cross Country season behind him, Elur Urkola (Newport) makes his debut at this level. There is also good depth in the Under 15 girls with Samia Jones (Menai), Gwenno Goode and Sophie Evans (both Cardiff) all in great form, add to this mix Daisy Thompson (Swansea) alongside Moli Lyons (Cardiff) and Lily Hart (Newport) and this is another team which should be in contention.

There is a competitive look to both Under 13 teams although there is a lack of experience at the event, however both Callum Morgan (Maldwyn) and Eden Edwards (Deeside) will benefit from the experience of SIAB Cross Country competition earlier in the year, for the others the races provide an opportunity to gain experience and learn about both the event and the road racing discipline. The team event in each of the age groups is based on 4 athletes to score, we expect to be competitive in all age groups with the additional race within a race against the Scots and Northern Irish providing another benchmark of performance.

"The team is supported by a Management Team of 7, Steve Jones (WSAA) will take the lead alongside newly appointed Endurance Lead Liz Davies (Cardiff), Delyth Brown (Carmarthen)and Darryn McAtee (Newport). They will work alongside John Messum & Neil Edwards (Deeside) who will support the North Wales contingent. Thanks also go to Naomi Reid (Cardiff) who will lead on communications over the weekend. Good luck to all involved."

 

Steve Jones

WSAA Support Officer