Hundreds take part in 38th annual Mayor’s Race

THE 38th annual Carmarthen Mayor’s Race was held earlier today, Monday (May 6). The race gave the opportunity for the whole family to get involved. It took runners through the streets of the town centre with spectator all along the course to cheer the participants on.

The dry but chilly Bank Holiday conditions attracted runners and spectators alike from all corners of Wales who enjoyed the day’s activities and the race day atmosphere.

The race saw another bumper turnout ranging in ages from the two-year-olds to the experienced club runners and over 60’s. In the period 1982-2006 there were 25 Welsh road race championships held in conjunction within the Mayor’s Race ranging from 10K up to half marathon and marathon championships.

With almost 800 running over the three-hour programme, which passes the shopping centre area and affords great opportunities to cheer on the runners. Race commentators Robert Lloyd and Marc Griffiths had the perfect views to name athletes as they ran passed.

The event raised thousands of pounds for several charities with many local groups and organisations benefiting. Some of the runners took part in fancy dress. The proceeds of this year’s race go to Carmarthen Freshstart, Carmarthen Food Bank, Carmarthen Youth Opera and Talking Books Wales.

This year’s event sponsors and supporters included Stiwdio Box, G.D Harries & Sons, Rotary Club of Carmarthen, Merlin’s Walk, St. Catherine’s Walk, Charles B.Sams, Carmarthen Journal, JT Thomas, Mark Hopley Heating Services, Security 4 Wales, Mayor’s Charity Appeals Committee, WPS, Carl Morgan Building Surveyor, Spine & Sports Physio, Bowen & Weaving Ltd, Towy Works, Gwasanaethau Myrddin and Robert Lloyd PR Media Consultant.

The Mayor of Carmarthen Emlyn Schiavone was on hand to start all of the races with the hooter and present medals and trophies to all runners taking part. All finishers who crossed under the Healthy Life Activities inflatable were presented with their own finishers medal by Cllr Schiavone alongside Tina Schiavone (Mayoress of Carmarthen) and Jeff Thomas (Deputy Mayor of Carmarthen). Presentation of trophies to the leading athletes took place on the gantry with parents, club mates and friends proudly watching on.

As in previous years, the day started with the Senior 5K fun run at 10.00am with runners starting opposite the Carmarthen bus station. They progressed along the town’s main roads a total of three times before the grand stand finish up at Guildhall Square. The senior 5K was welcomed with chip timing and made official online. All athletes were able to get their own individual time once they crossed the finishing line.

At the front end of the field, it turned out to be a thrilling battle as a group of five were neck and neck entering the final lap. The overall victory this year went to Carmarthen Harriers under 17 member Dafydd Jones (Carmarthen Harriers) in a time of 16 minutes 59 seconds. His club teammates Jack Tremlett and Frank Morgan recording 17:01 and 17:02 respectively ensured that the local club made it a clean sweep. Aberystwyth AC’s Owain Schiavone (17:08) and Rob Davies from Amman Valley Harriers were next in fourth and fifth.

“It was great to run around the streets of Carmarthen with the crowds cheering us on” said Jones post-race. “I was very happy to win the men’s 5K race, especially with fellow Carmarthen Harriers, Jack and Frank following in second and third place. I really enjoyed it. Thank you to all involved in organising the event today.”

The female overall champion, Eva Edwards was also representing Carmarthen Harriers to make it a great start to the day. She finished in a high position of sixteenth overall and crossed in 19:13. Following closely behind onto the red carpet at the finish was Sioned Howells Amman Valley Harriers (20:13) and Dando Georgie Bridgend AC (20:46).

Edwards added: “It was a tough but very enjoyable course with plenty of hills and the support from the crowd made it even better. It was great to be a part of the strong Harriers team.”

HDUHB Hywel Dda Diabetes, Tywi Community Church, Aberystwyth AC, Bridgend AC, Les Croupiers, TROTS, Cardigan RC, Paul Popham RC, Amman Valley Harriers, Carmarthen Harriers, Caerphilly Runners, Llanelli AC, Sospan Road Runners, Pontarddulais RC, Pontyclun Road Runners and Sarn Helen were some of the clubs and charities being represented.

This was followed an hour later by a series of junior races for all ages and a look at the stars of the future. Featuring experienced competing athletes to those just making their first steps in running, the junior programme started with the boys and girls in year 1 & 2 followed soon after by the year 3 & 4 races. The halfway mark in the morning saw year 5 and 6 and the secondary year 7 & 8 events take centre stage. All of the year 1-8 participants completed the course twice.

Finishing off the action at lunchtime was a fun category for the nursery and reception children over 1 lap, where the young ones could run alongside their friends and family and feel part of the big day.

 

5K SENIOR RACE / 5K RAS HYN: Top 3 podium finishers as follows:

Senior Male / Dynion Hyn:

1st – 1af: Jack Tremlett (Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Owain Schiavone (Aberystwyth AC)

3rd – 3ydd: Rob Davies (Amman Valley Harriers)

Male over 40 / Dynion dros 40:

1st – 1af: Richard Dando (Bridgend AC)

2nd – 2ail: John Morris (Les Croupiers)

3rd – 3ydd: Wayne Lewis (Amman Valley Harriers)

Male over 50 / Dynion dros 50:

1st – 1af: Kevin Griffiths (TROTS)

2nd – 2ail: Alec Williams (Pembrokeshire Harriers)

3rd – 3ydd: David Warren (Cardigan RC)

Male over 60 / Dynion dros 60:

1st – 1af: Mark Lee (TROTS)

2nd – 2ail: Nigel Watts (Amman Valley Harriers)

3rd – 3ydd: Michael Terry (TROTS)

Senior Female / Menywod Hyn

1st – 1af: Sioned Howells (Amman Valley Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Kayleigh Bagshaw (TROTS)

3rd – 3ydd: Cerys Davies (Carmarthen Harriers)

Female over 35 / Menywod dros 35:

1st – 1af: Dando Georgie (Bridgend AC)

2nd – 2ail: Sarah Roberts (TROTS)

3rd – 3ydd: Sarah Bruce (HDUHB Diabetes Team)

Female over 45 / Menywod dros 45:

1st – 1af: Joanne Bowes (TROTS)

2nd – 2ail: George Billingham (TROTS)

3rd – 3ydd: Rachel Holland (TROTS)

Female over 55 / Menywod dros 55:

1st – 1af: Mary Anthony (TROTS)

2nd – 2ail: Lindy Eynon (TROTS)

3rd – 3ydd: Janette Jenkins (TROTS)

Year 9 to 11 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 9 i 11:

1st – 1af: Tanwen Moon (Maes Y Gwendraeth/Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Amber McIsaac (QE High/Towy Community Church)

3rd – 3ydd: Scarlett Mackenzie-Jones (Bro Myrddin)

Year 9 to 11 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 9 i 11:

1st – 1af: Frank Morgan (Bro Myrddin/Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Jake Lynock (Bro Dinefwr/Carmarthen Harriers)

3rd – 3ydd: Ifan Bowen (Bro Myrddin/Carmarthen Harriers)

1st Corporate Team:

1st – 1af: HDUHB Diabetes Team

 

CHILDREN’S RACES / RASYS PLANT: Top 3 podium finishers as follows:

Year 1 & 2 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 1 a 2:

1st – 1af: Leah Gwen (Cynnwyl Elfed)

2nd – 2ail: Mannon Phillips (Peniel)

3rd – 3ydd: Erin Clarke (Maesydderwen)

Year 1 & 2 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 1 a 2:

1st – 1af: Jac Thomas (Y Dderwen)

2nd – 2ail: Cai Davies (Y Dderwen)

3rd – 3ydd: Job Tilley-Gyado (Johnstown)

Year 3 & 4 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 1 a 2:

1st – 1af: Esme Lynock (Llangadog/Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Keira Bruce (Pembrey)

3rd – 3ydd: Gwennan Jones (Y Dderwen)

Year 3 & 4 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 3 a 4

1st – 1af: Jac Billingham (Tavernspite/TROTS)

2nd – 2ail: Tomos Jones (Griffith Jones/TROTS)

3rd – 3ydd: Ryan Williams (Griffith Jones/TROTS)

Year 5 & 6 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 5 a 6

1st – 1af: Mari Stephens (Castell Nedd/Neath Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Jessica Norman (Johnstown/Carmarthen Harriers)

3rd – 3ydd: Mared Jones (Y Dderwen/Carmarthen Harriers)

Year 5 & 6 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 5 a 6

1st – 1af: Liam Upton-Boorman (Johnstown/Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Aron Hedd Jones (Y Dderwen)

3rd – 3ydd: Sam Griffiths (Llangynnwr)

Year 7 & 8 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 7 a 8

1st – 1af: Amy Greatrick (QE High/Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Erin Morgan (Bro Myrddin/Carmarthen Harriers)

3rd – 3ydd: Carys Wood (Greenhill/Carmarthen Harriers)

Year 7 & 8 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 7 a 8

1st – 1af: Ellis Caddick (QE High/Carmarthen Harriers)

2nd – 2ail: Iwan Thomas (Y Strade/Carmarthen Harriers)

3rd – 3ydd: Zach Elvy (Bro Myrddin/Carmarthen Harriers)

 

Report and photos: Nathan Jones