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Last Sunday Match 1 of the BAL Premier Men's League took place at Swansea, inconjunction with BAL Division 1 match was held at same time, with Swansea Harriers as host club. Cardiff Athletics team finished 6th, with a weak team, and some events having no Cardiff athletes competing. The outstanding performance in the Cardiff team, came from Jeremiah Azu winning the 100m A race in 10.39 secs achieving the GB U20M team standard for the European U20 Championships. Jeremiah came 2nd in the 200m A in 21.09 secs a pb performance. A promising start to his 2019 track season.

There were good results in sprints events, and 4x100 relay 2nd. In the Steeple Chase, Joseph Turner A 2nd, with Owain Edwards B 2nd. In Field, Discus, Curtis Mathews A ( 3 events) 2nd, and Jay Morse B 3rd. Hammer A & B no competitions, and 4x400m no competetors. Late withdrawals meant reserves being contacted, doubling up, or team spaces not filled. Certainly Cardiff cannot afford to field a weak team in the next match. Full results are on Powerof10 that can be reached through Links in left column. 

Walter Thomas a leading coach and Team manager in Cardiff AAC during 1970/80s, recently passed away 84yrs old. Walter coached a number of younger club athletes during his time at club, and Team Managed younger club teams, on track and cross country.

Walter also wrote in Club Magazine, where his dry sense of humour came through, that helped with coaching the younger age groups. Many athletes coached by Walter went on to gain International vests in Welsh teams. Photo supplied by Steve Knight alongside his coach, Walter Thomas.

Walter's funeral takes place on Tuesday 21st May 2019, at Thornhill crematorium starting at 2pm.

The Victory 5km road race in Whitchurch held on Sunday in Whitchurch, Cardiff, included the Welsh Championships, and an Inter Area competition for senior competitors. A total of over 1300 runners finished the race. Welsh senior Champions include Cardiff's Ieuan Thomas (2nd in race 14.08), 4 seconds behind Adam Hickey (South). Clara Evans won the senior womens race in 16.04 pb following the Welsh Edurance training camp in Arizona USA.

There was a huge turn out of Cardiff runners in this popular race, from masters, seniors, to U20/U17/U15/U13 runners.

The full results are up on Welsh Athletics web site.

Photo shows Clara Evans coming home 1st female, and winning Welsh 5km Road Championship title.

Delay since last post, has been due to WWT in Portugal. Unfortunately the warm weather we were expecting, disappeared up North including to UK. Got to admit it was the worst weather experienced on all WWT camps have attended. However it did not stop the athletes from completing all planned training sessions.

Upon return to club training last Monday, we observed that lining of the track has commenced. With dry weather forcast for most of this week, the track lining should be completed by this weekend.

That being the case, the first club training evening on the completed track, should be next Tuesday 7th May, (Monday is a Bank Holiday). 

As a result of the Leckwith track redevelopment work delayed last Summer, effected the second half of the track season, with no competitions held. Track was closed till 5th November. The work to complete the track was due to commence last month, and completed by end of April, poor weather conditions prevented that. The track work is estimated to take 4/6 weeks, to be completed.

A form (designed by AJ) was posted on club FB. The Availability form is an aid for club team managers, especially with the 2019 track season starting on 27th April. U13 & U15 YDL 1 at Swansea. And WAL 1 at Newport. Debbie Bull is seeking athletes for the U17 & U20 YDL at Swansea on the 5th May. The availability form is available in the club office, that will remain open throughout the track closure period. The form can be found on line. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/cardiffathletics   

James Thie took part in the World Masters Championships held in TURUN, Poland. James won his 1500m M40 heat on 29th March in 4.11.50 from Nadutti Italy 2nd 4.12.88, with Merroune France 3rd 4.13.40. The final was held on 30th March, James Thie won in 4.07.33 SB, from Juan Gil Spain 2nd 4.08.05, Catlatayud Perez Spain 3rd 4.08.42, Herrera Esteso Spain 4th 4.09.56. Naduutti Italy was 5th 4.12.70. From photos seen on FB James came around the Spanish runners off final bend taking lead, with gritted teeth held on to win the M40 World 1500m title. Spain had 6 runners in the 12 finalists. Endurance running is popular in Spain. Split photo shows James winning 1500m final, and his family support, following the podium presentations. Congratulations James. 

,The Cardiff Bay 10km Road Race held last Sunday, was a Welsh Championships. Despite having a good week of weather prior to Sunday's race, the weather was cloudy, with a strong cold wind, that would have slowed runners times. Matt Clowes was in lead 1km from finish, but had to stop due to a tight Hamstring.

Adam Clark Aldershot won 29.28. Jake Smith Cardiff 2nd 29.34, with Josh Griffiths Swansea 3rd 29.34 won the Welsh title. Ieuan Thomas Cardiff 4th 29.35, Ciaran Lewis 5th 29.48 a massive pb running 5mins faster. James Hunt Cardiff 8th 30.18.

Cardiff's Charlotte Arter won the women's title with 32.49, with Clara Evans 3rd 33.26, and Lucy Marland 7th 36.25. At time of web post team positions are not known, will update post when known.

In the 2019 England Combined Events U15/17 Championships held in Sheffield ID Centre on 9th & 10th March, Cardiff's Ben Hillman won the U17M Silver medal over the 2 days of competitions. Ben improved his performance from 12 months ago, when he finished 11th with 4254pts.

In the 2019 competition Ben improved his overall points improvement, achieving 4903pts. A significant improvement leading him to improve by 9 positions at end of the 7 events. Events included 60m: HJ: LJ: SP: 60H: PV: 1000m. Ben's points total besides being a lifetime best performance. Ben achieved a new Welsh record for U17M Combined Events competiton. See below Ben's results.

The Indoor Season came to an end with European Championships held in Glasgow, during 1st to 3rd March, Cardiff had 2 athletes in the GB team Owen Smith 400m (pictured) and Joseph Reid, 800m both coached by Matt Elias. Both athletes are in Cardiff Met University. Owen from Deeside North Wales, has been competing for Cardiff's BAL Ptemier team since 2016. This winter his Indoor season has been successful. He finished 2nd in the British Championships 400m Final with 46.27i leading to selection for the GB team in the European Championships. Owen got through the heats held on the first evening finishing 2nd in 47.50i The next day he was 5th in the first 400m semi final in 47.39, unfortunately only first 3 make the 400m final. Racing over 2 days, he was not selected for the Relay team, held on the third and final day. However he will gain from experience in competing at European level. His place in the relay was taken by Joe Brier (Swansea H.) coached by Matt Elias. 

Last Saturday was the last fixture of the Gwent League Cross Country season. The event was held in Blaise Castle, Bristol, despite a poor weather forecast, the day turned out dry. After the races, medals and Plaques were presented to individuals and teams. The only age age that did not receives their awards (due to numbers taking part) was the senior men and women and Masters age groups, their awards will take place later this month.

The senior men's overall winner was Cardiff's Stephen Morris. Stephen (pictured) has had a great cross country winter season with consistent good results. Stephen must the first Pararunner to gain a League XC title in UK. Many congratulations Stephen, who is an inspiration to all runners, and his coach James Thie.