Forty of Wales’ cross-country youngsters finished their 2021/2022 winter season on Saturday (26th March) at the annual SIAB Schools Athletic Board Cross Country International held at Pembrey Country Park near Llanelli.
On a sunny and mild afternoon at the Carmarthenshire park, the event returned in the calendar for the first time in three years and hosted in 2022 by Wales.
Teams from Welsh Schools, English Schools, Irish Schools and Scottish Schools battled it out across six events using a new, challenging and undulating course.
The junior and intermediate races were over distances of either 3,000m, 4,000m or 6,000m split into a small lap, medium lap and large lap.
In addition, the 4 x 1500m mixed relays also made a welcome return in both categories, where an additional 2 boys and 2 girls were invited to participant for their country in this element.
Prior to the SIAB races, the programme began with two primary school races for boys and girls, where 38 year 5 and 6 children took part.
Margam Park in Port Talbot was the venue for this end-of-season International fixture when it was last held by Welsh Schools in 2017. Wollaton Park in Nottingham and Santry Demesne in Dublin were the other previous venues in 2018 & 2019 respectively.
It was an opportunity for the Welsh Schools athletes (under 15 and under 17) to test themselves against the best cross-country talent across the United Kingdom with many representing their country for the first time.
Welsh Schools pupils wearing the red vest of Wales were selected to run on home turf following top finishes in the Welsh Schools National Cross Country Championships in Brecon last month as well as showing good form in several other cross country fixtures during the winter.
More than 30 secondary schools across the Welsh regions – West, South, East and North Wales – were represented over the weekend.
The Welsh teams were accompanied for the weekend by a management team of eight under team leader Zane Maynard (Morriston Comprehensive) and Liz Davies (Endurance Development Lead) – Welsh Athletics Support. They were joined by team managers Joan Goldsmith (Carmarthen Harriers) Pupil Welfare, Naomi Davies (Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni), Alaw Beynon Thomas (Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is Coed), Matthew Edwards (St Teilo’s High School), Matthew Collins (Fitzalan High School) and Bethan Davies – Welsh Athletics/Welsh Schools’ logistics. An army of parents, coaches and family members also travelled to Pembrey to support the pupils.
Welsh Schools finished second in the junior girls age group, whilst the mixed 4 x 1500m junior relay team came away with bronze medals. The 2023 SIAB Schools Cross Country International will take place in Scotland.
Thanks to Nathan Jones for copy and pics.
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