News

The Welsh Schools Cross Country races (now under Welsh Athletics) were held in mild sunny conditions at Brecon. The course was altered due to the new school being built on field at back of the track stand, where a lap of the cross country course and finish used to take place. Yesterday's races followed the tough hill course at the GL Pontypool event last Saturday. Runners that raced at Pontypool might have been affected, by the short recovery time. The first 6 runners are automatic selection for Wales SIAB Schools team held in Dublin on 23rd March. There are 8 runners in SIAB teams, for Senior and Middle age groups races, the last two runners in teams, are selected later after yesterdays races.

Senior Boys race. Larry Ryan, took lead after one lap, and held on for a ten second win over a testing course. Morgan James (GV) with a solid 4th place, had automatic selection. 

C&V Senior Boys team. Larry Ryan 1st, Dylan Nazareth 10th, Daniel Austin 21st, James Gold 23rd, Alfie Davies 28th, and Samuel Belcher 31st. C&V Senior Boys team finished 2nd. 

On Sunday the 27th January the final C&V Schools Cross Country race series was held at Bro Morgannwg School in Barry. The course in the school grounds is a tough course, was made more challenging by a freezing wind, with gusts of 40mph. Even officials well wrapped up were still frozen. As the races were for Championship titles, the numbers taking part were down from the normal fields of runners. However the numbers were up, from the same event in January 2018. The low numbers meant all 6 races took 2 hours to be completed.

There were some outstanding individual performances from Year 8 & 9 Boys winner Owain Tyrrell winning by 34secs. In the Senior Women race Nia Clatworthy (Guest) was a clear winner, by 22secs. Moli Lyons official winner was 38secs clear of 2nd placer. And Iona Roderick Year 7 Girls, won by 21secs.

Race Results Below (first 6). 

The senior championships were held over 2 days, Saturday 26th January and Sunday the 27th. The meeting included an International Pentathlon for SM and Heptathlon for SW. There were also some Welsh Junior Championship events, and 4x200m Relay races, so plenty of action for spectators to watch.

One of the main Welsh Championship track events caused a major surprise, with Sam Gordon and club mate, Jeremiah Azu, who both recorded the fastest heat times, were both disqualified in the final race. That left the two other Cardiff sprinters, the chance to win 60m sprint title and championship medals.

As a result of the Met Office issuing an Amber weather warning TODAY, for rain and snow, with a wind chill temperature of -5c, from 6pm to 9pm.

This will result in unacceptable training and hazardous transport conditions.

The Club has consulted the stadium management, and the decision has been made to CANCEL all training at the stadium, TONIGHT. 

Last Saturday a number of Cardiff athletes competed abroad, as well as those in who have been in training camps in Spain and South Africa.

In an Indoor Meeting in the Czech Republic, Jonathon Bailey jumped 2.00m in the Senior men's High Jump event.

Meanwhile Owen Smith opened up his Indoor season with a 47.30 400m  in the Vienna Indoor Classic, in Austria.

Michael Ward in USA, produced a personal best performance over 3km, winning in 7.57.88 at the UW Invitational, Seattle, Washington State. Michael must like this track, as he did his previous 3km pb on the same track 12 months ago.

Welsh Athletics held the 2nd day of the Junior Indoor Championships Sunday 6th January, that included the Welsh Regions, and the South West of England Region. Cardiff athletes competing won in Track events 9 Gold, 8 Silver and 4 Bronze medals. In Field events they won 2 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medals.

When one considers that our track was out of use from mid July to the first week in November, when the new track was available for training, except it has no line markings. At moment, a provisional date has been set for track line marking to take place at the end of March. Our Track athletes won 21 medals, and Field eventers 5 medals. Field events have been more effected by the track closure. Only in the Long Jump and Pole Vault events, did Cardiff athletes compete and gain medals. Track events covered 60m, 60mH, 800m and 1500m. In the U17M 800m, Cardiff runners won all Podium medals. 

Checking official race  results of 2018 Nos Galan, Cardiff's Oliver Reynolds won the 10-11age group Boys race. Ellis Finlayson won the 11-13 age group Boys race, and Jacob Reynolds won the 14-15 age group Boys race. In the Elites race 22 Cardiff runners took park. In the Fun run Cardiff had 5 runners, with one lady runner, related to one of the Cardiff runners.

No teams were shown in the Elites results, 210 finishers. In the Fun run, teams results were shown with 903 finishers.

Going back to Cradiff runners in races. Following home Oliver Reynolds in 10-11 race was Jack Farrell, and Caleb Finlayson. Ellis Finlayson 11-13 was the only Cardiff runner. Also competing in the 14-15 age group race was Lloyd Sheppard, Lloyd Jones, Ben Farrell, Ben Hughes, and Lili Jones.

A new womens Parkrun UK record time of 15.50 was achieved by Cardiff's Charlotte Arter in finishing 2nd overall, only beaten by 1 second to a SM, 903 finished the race. Went to watch race to support runner am coaching, and give a support shout to other Cardiff and runners seen passing me in race. Due to numbers in race it was difficult to spot Cardiff runners who wore all sorts of tops.

A leading group of men and Charlotte shot past me by the weir about 1km from start, they were really going fast, with Charlotte tucked in with them. Following my support at weir, once field thinned out, walked to point, just before 400m from finish. Got a good view of runners running past house up towards me. Charlotte breathing hard was running alongside 1 man, watched they passed 400m point, just before they got out of sight around a bend, could see Charlotte opening up a short lead.

Last Saturday and Sunday the above Championships was held at NIAC. Events also include some Welsh Junior Championships In the senior events, there was a surprise in the SM 60m final, with race favorite Sam Gordon, and his club mate Jeremiah Azu both being disqualified, especially as they recorded the two fastest heat times.

Included in the meeting, was an International Heptathlon for SM, and Pentathlon for SW.

Cardiff medalists

Track:

SW 60mH Lauren Evans 2nd 8.86 Silver. SM 800m Ben Reynolds 2nd 1.57.21 Silver. SW 800m Lizzie Harris 2nd 2.11.09 Silver. U15B 800m Ben Farrell 2nd 2.08.08 Silver.     

Apologies for delay in posts in December. Unfortunately went down with a virus in mid November, that was not pleasant, as others have found, it's hard to fully shake off. There has been other reasons, but enough of reasons why.

Reporting on the third Gwent League at Bryn Bach Parc, held on Sunday 2nd December, didin't attend re above. However feed back and checking the site details, a number of issues occurred. There is a lake with a building on far side, that entries were taken. Fine, as long as no late entries turn up. The tent village on the near side of lake, with the course 400m further away, going up a hill to get there. Thus logistics were an issue, the course, was isolated from tents and race, entries centre. Poor weather didn't help on the day, with a cold wind and rain showers. First Aid was there, but not seen on course.

Cardiff runner Millie Gold (Novice Girls) had a serious foot injury during race, finished race, but needed to be carried 400m down hill to tent. The injury, split open her toe that required stitches. However it was hours before she could leave Bryn Bach Parc.