Storm Eunice doesn’t dampen team spirits
A tale for our juniors
‘‘Twas the night before Gwent League and all over Wales Storm Eunice was busy delivering heavy rain and powerful gales. As Bridgend athletes lay asleep in their beds dreaming of the muddy hills of Blaise castle and the athletes from rival clubs to battle. While anxious parents dynamically risk assessed and checked the weather forecast. No fallen tree or closed bridge would deter them!
A wet and windy Saturday in Blaise Castle greeted 13 junior Bridgend athletes and their entourage of dedicated parents, soggy siblings and excitable dogs! Despite the challenges it was lovely to see a Bridgend vest in every race and even more pleasing to witness the support from fellow athletes!
Results:
U11 girls
Imogen 7th
Eloise 20th
Seren 25th
Team currently 5th
U11 boys
Lewis 5th also placed in top 10% and will be the proud owner of a Gwent League t shirt!
Team currently 5th
U13 girls
Myla 13th
Grace 28th
Calla 48th
Team currently 5th
U13 boys
Rhydian 17th
U15 girls
Katy 20th
U15 boys
Fraser 38th
Leo 41st
U17 men
Joshua 21st
U17 women
Freya 17th
So, a final word from me (Mari)…. Well done to all and to all a well done!!
A 700-point buffer for our senior ladies
The women took their usual lunch-time slot in the middle of the racing schedule, and ran three laps of varying sizes. Emily re-wrote the script, finishing ahead of prolific team leader Georgie. Third over the line was Leigh, closely followed by Beth making her cross country debut. She was treated to a ‘proper’ cross country course on her first outing. Completing the 8-strong team were Gina, Laura, Krista and Abi.
Our ladies now lead the Division 2 standings by over 700 points. And we’re hoping to flood the Swansea fields with yellow and blue vests in March, in what we hope will be a celebration. Come join us, even if you haven’t dabbled over the mud yet.
Jack took part in the lady’s race as a V70, and finished a fine 5th in his age group.
Women
Emily Evans 28th, 32:05
Georgie Dando 38th, 32:43
Leigh James 49th, 33:09
Beth Lance 58th, 33:42
Gina Hardman 107th, 36:29
Laura Gush 134th, 38:21
Krista Humphrey 163rd, 41:01
Abi Morgan 175th, 41:57
234 finishers
=9th team overall, 2nd in Div 2 on the day (1st in the league)
A podium near miss
The men get the worst of the conditions, when everyone else has nicely churned up the course. It was a new face leading our men this time around – Adam was at the pointy end of the field, finishing a fine 4th. Three men made the top 100, Rich and Nick G joining Adam. Next over the line saw Dan, with Nick S and Steve S in a battle of their own and perhaps a sprint finish!? Steve B rounded up the 8-man team in 277th.
Men
Adam Bowden 4th, 32:44
Rich Dando 69th, 37:03
Nick Grinnell 82nd, 37:32
Rob Hunt 151st, 41:11
Dan Morgan 197th, 43:40
Nick Stocker 245th, (no time in results)
Steve Summers 246th, (no time in results)
Steve Brace 277th, (no time in results)
314 finishers
17th team overall, 4th in Div 2 (6th in the league)
Parkrun results
Just the one parkrunner this Saturday – Finlay Griffiths at Bryn Bach, finishing in 22:37.
Report by Mari Higginson and Leigh James
Photographs a mix from Steve Brace, Laura Gush, Krista Humphrey, Nick Stocker, Mari Higginson.