Spotlight on Carmarthenshire Primary School Cross Country Championships

The 33rd edition of the Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships returned for the first time in three years on Thursday evening, 29th September 2022.

Organised by Carmarthen & District Harriers Athletics Club with the support of Carmarthenshire County Council, the 2022 race moved to a new Carmarthenshire venue, Pembrey Country Park situated between Burry Port and Kidwelly.

Prior to 2022, Dr Hedydd Davies has staged the event every year at the United Counties Showground in Carmarthen for more than 30 years.

Several runners have highlighted this event as the start of their running careers that have led to professional contracts and representing Great Britain internationally.

On a dry and sunny day, approximately 1,200 runners from over forty Carmarthenshire primary schools competed in the annual cross-country championships in ideal conditions. There were between 100-150 finishers across each year group.

It gave youngsters in four primary school year groups the opportunity to get involved in running and enjoy the race experience alongside their school friends, whether they were experienced club runners or trying out cross country for the very first time.

Eight races were on offer during the afternoon’s programme, with the year 3 and year 4’s completing 1km whilst the year 5 and year 6 races were over 1 mile.

Held on Monks Field within the park next to the National Closed Cycling Circuit and Ski Centre, competitors ran along fast grass and hill sections.

Individual and team awards were presented to the first five in each race and the winning school team in each year group combined – Ysgol Iau Llangennech (Year 3), Ysgol Y Dderwen (Year 4), Ysgol Y Dderwen (Year 5) and Ysgol Y Dderwen (Year 6).

The top 10 individuals in each school year can be viewed here: https://www.carmarthenharriers.co.uk/latest/carmarthenshire-primary-schools-cross-country-championships-2022-makes-a-welcome-return-to-the-county-pembrey-country-park/
Elsewhere this week, Tuesday 27th September, Ysgol Dyffryn Taf hosted the first of four Brianne Secondary Schools Cross Country League 2022/2023 events. More than 350 pupils in years 7, 8, 9 & 10 took part in the opening round in Whitland.

Seven schools – Ysgol Dyffryn Aman, Ammanford; Ysgol Maes Y Gwendraeth, Cefneithin, Ysgol Bro Dinefwr, Llandeilo; Ysgol Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen; Queen Elizabeth School, Carmarthen; Ysgol Dyffryn Taf, Whitland and Llandovery College participated.

Ysgol Bro Myrddin is the venue for the second fixture at the end of October, before Llandovery College and Ysgol Dyffryn Aman – Ammanford Recreation Ground – hosts in November and January respectively.