Not too hot to trot as runners head Welsh Road Relay Championships

A Carmarthenshire country park hosted another big sporting event over the weekend in conjunction with Welsh Athletics and Carmarthenshire County Council.

For the fourth year in succession, Welsh Athletics organised the popular Welsh Road Relay Championships for all age groups in West Wales at the fantastic Pembrey Country Park on Saturday (11th September). Previously these races have been held in Llandow Circuit Track and Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd.

Back for the first time since 2019 due to the pandemic, the fixture for the 53rd time returned to the National Closed Road Cycling Circuit and the surrounding parkland on a route that was traffic free and had some excellent views.

Pics. Nathan Jones

Approximately 500 athletes and over 140 teams were entered in this year’s road relay championships.

The event provided the chance for both established and up-and-coming endurance runners in Wales to compete in a competitive team format at the beginning of the autumn season.

Races included a primary schools challenge, full junior programme, men’s, women’s and masters categories along with the 18+ Run Wales Relay.Distances varied by age group from 1,540m for the younger participants of the day up to 5,400m towards the latter stages of the programme with an out-and-back extension increasing the distance for older age groups as they headed to the far end of the course passing the Pembrey Saltings.

Pics. Photo Sports Wales

Under 13s and Seniors were run in a team of four, whilst the Under 15s, Under 17s, Run Wales and Masters categories were contested as a trio of athletes to make up the complete team.

Claiming team titles in the junior age groups (primary – U17) earlier in the day were Swansea Harriers, Cardiff Athletics, Newport Harriers and Carmarthen Harriers.

Joining them on the podium were Bridgend AC, Pembrokeshire Harriers, Neath Harriers, Aberdare Valley and Cardiff Archers.

Meanwhile in the senior and master races, Swansea Harriers, Cardiff Athletics, Pontypridd Roadents AC, Les Croupiers RC, Aberdare Valley, Bridgend AC, Neath Harriers and Parc Bryn Bach Running Club finished in the top three of their respective age groups.

Fastest individual legs of the day went to Brynony Boyce (U13 girls); William Coles (U13 boys); Millie Gold (U15 girls); Kobe Beltran (U15 boys); Sophie Knoyle (U17 women); Henry Evans (U17 men); Alaw Beynon-Thomas (Senior women); Dewi Griffiths (Senior men); Helen Marie-Davies (MW35); Danny Otteson (MM35); Maria Zubizarreta (MW45); Carl Cable (MM45); Lindy Eynon (MW55); Ifan Lloyd (MM55); and Nick Fox (Run Wales)

Pics. Photo Sports Wales