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26/03/2022 00:00, In Blog / Road / Cross Country / Track & Field /

Cardiff Half Marathon 

After 903 days, the Cardiff Half Marathon finally returned to the streets of Wales' Capital City! As the sun shone down on the nation’s largest mass-participation event, it was Natasha Cockram who led the way for Wales, becoming the first Welsh athlete to be crowned Cardiff Half Marathon Champion in 18 years! The Welsh Marathon record holder is looking towards starring at this years Commonwealth Games, and her performance - a near 2 minute personal best, of 70:47 - looks to be setting her on the right track! 

“I didn’t really know what to expect in terms of position but I came here wanting to PB which I’ve done, and to win made it extra special. I love coming back to Wales, especially being a home athlete, everyone seems to know me and I hear my name quite often in the crowd, it’s really good.

“The Commonwealth Games have been my dream from a really young age so hopefully I can get selected for that now. It’s been my dream since I started running.”

Natasha Cockram (via Cardiff Half)

Following in behind Cockram, to round out the overall podium were Bronwen Owen (Leeds City) and Elle Twentyman, who ran 74:04 and 74:58 respectively.

In the Welsh Championships, it was Bronwen Owen and Olivia Tsim (Pontypridd Roadents), who joined Cockram, with Tsim runnnig 76:47, to place sixth over all and third in the Welsh Championships.

In the men's race, it was Kadar Omar who sprinted clear in the home stretch to take the tape in 62:46. It was brothers Mahamed and Zakariya Mahamed who finished second and third overall, with Mahamed running 62:52 and Zakariya running 64:05.

In the Welsh Half Marathon Championships, James Hunt (Cardiff) took top spoils, placing fifth overall in 66:06, a new personal best. Paul Graham (Pontypridd Roadents) was tenth overall, and second in the Welsh Championships, recording a time of 66:53, just outside his personal best. Rounding out the podium for the Welsh Championsips was Dan Rothwell (Swansea) who finished 13th overall in 67:16. 

Full results can be found here. 

SIAB Schools International 

On Saturday many roads lead to Pembrey Park for some of the countries top school athletes. The SIAB Cross Country International, provided a great day of top class competition from some future stars.

In the first schools event of the day, the Junior Girls 3,000m, Shaikira King of England replicated her English Schools victory to  walk away with the win. It was an England 1-2-3-4-5-6 as they claimed the overall team title. Millie Gold was the first across the line for Wales, finishing in 8th place with Libby Hale coming home in 12th.

In the Junior Boys 4,000m race, it was another English victory, as Alex Lennon made amends for his 2nd place finish in the English Schools race to come out on top here, ahead of Jake Meyburgh. England once again took top honours in the team event, whilst Joshua Sanders and William Coles were the first back for Wales in 18th and 21st.

The Inter Girls 4000m event was also a 1-2-3-4-5-6 sweep for the English girls, as Innes Fitzgerald ran away with the victory, with English Schools champion Jess Bailey finishing 2nd. Becca Bown had a fantastic race for Wales, coming in 7th, with Caitlin Jones rounding out a top 20 position, finishing in 19th.

After a 3rd place finish in the English Schools Championships, Robert Price rectified this but taking the victory this weekend, coming in ahead of Cormac Dixon of Ireland. Iwan Thomas of Wales put together a strong run to finish 10th, whilst Aled Breeze finished in 19th.

In the mixed relays, the Welsh junior girls and boys team,  finished up with a spot on the podium, coming in 3rd, behind England and Ireland, whilst the Welsh inter gils and boys team finished up 4th, with England taking top spot on the podium.

The day started off with Primary school races, with Georgie Davis (Swansea), Manon Phillips (TROTS) and Ella Drew (Swansea) taking to the podium in the girls race. Whilst in the boys race, it was Lucas Howard Machado (Cardiff Archers), Osian Phillips (Cardiff) and Miles Hayhurst that went 1-2-3.

Full results can be found here

Raleigh Relays 2022 - North Carolina

Kate Seary had the race of her life in North Carolina, where she improved the Welsh Steeplechase record by over 15 seconds, recording a time of 9:55.96. With the Commonwealth Games Nomination Standard being 9:49.50, Kate is edging closer to it. 

Ole Miss Classic - Oxford, MS, USA

Amber Simpson (Deeside) threw another Commonwealth Games Nomination Standard in the Hammer, recording a best of 63.36m to place 5th.