24Mar

Welsh Athletics Statement Covid -19

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The Board of Welsh Athletics met yesterday, 23rd March, to discuss the Corona Virus situation in relation to athletics in Wales. Following the further restrictions on movement put in place by the UK Government last night, they agreed the following updates to our previous statement issued on 17th March:

  1. Extending the suspension of all athletics activity in Wales to the 31st May. [Initially this had been agreed to the end of April]. This suspension includes all organised athletics activity with the UK, including all competitions, formal club activities, running groups, and all Education activity (coach, official, teacher).
  1. Strengthening our position on coaching activity – We are now mandating that all physical coaching ceases, and only be conducted via virtual means during this period. Bringing groups of people together to train, however small, can no longer be permitted under the strict ‘Stay at home’ measures implemented by the UK & Welsh Governments

“These decisions have not been taken lightly, and have been made in light of the continuing and real risk to life and to the NHS posed by the spread of the COVID-19 virus in Wales and the UK. We must now do all we can do. We would ask that the athletics community in Wales continues to help one another by staying connected and supportive of each other whilst at home in these unprecedented times. We will continue to review the situation in line with Government and Public Health guidance.”

Updates can be found here

 

19Mar

BORDERS LEAGUE 2019/20

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BORDERS LEAGUE 2019/20 PREMATURE END
Due to the coronavirus epidemic: Following extensive discussion and considering a number of possible alternatives, none of which would appear to be satisfactory, the Borders League Committee have decided that the 2019-20 Borders League season is over and that the final results will be the standings after Race 5. The final two races of the season due to be staged by Ellesmere Port and Helsby, have been cancelled.
There will be a presentation of awards. When, where and the format of it is yet to be decided.
The AGM is scheduled for early July. We have no plans for it at present, that will depend entirely on the situation nearer the time.
What turned out to be the final race of the Borders Road Running League season at Wrexham on Sunday 15th March, 10 Eryri Harriers were amongst the 267 finishers in the two lap 5.9 mile event around the “Scenic” Wrexham Industrial estate. First home for Eryri was 18th placed Dilwyn Powell-Jones in a time of 31:46 followed by: 32nd Ian Edwards 33:37. 84th & 1st F35 Gemma Moore 37:40. 121st & 3rd M60 Arwel Lewis 40:12. 155th Helen Blair 42:19. 176th & 1st M75 Emyr Davies 43:29. 227th Gwyn Moseley 48:10. 233rd Nia Meleri-Edwards 49:02. 242nd Allison Donnelly 50:42 and 262nd Roy Jardine 60:11.
In the final individual standings:
2nd – Female/50 – Helen Blair
2nd – Male/60 – Arwel Lewis
2nd – Male/70 – Roy Jardine
2nd – F/70 – Maggie Oliver
1st – M/75 – Emyr Davies
In the team standings – Eryri
Men – Division Two – 2nd and promotion to Division One
Women – Division Two – 4th
Improvers Trophy – 1st for both of our Male and Women’s teams.
Borders Road Running League website: http://www.bordersleague.org.uk/
17Mar

Welsh Athletics Covid-19 response

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Covid-19 Athletics response:  Welsh Athletics statement announcing the suspension of all Athletics activity.

NOTE TO EDITORS
RSVP / Media Enquiries – please contact rob.sage@welshathletics.org 07864 613635

 

This morning Welsh Athletics, along with the other Home Countries have decided on a number of immediate actions in relation to how the sport of Athletics will respond to the threat of the Coronavirus pandemic.

Welsh Athletics in cooperation with UK Athletics have decided to suspend all planned organised athletics activity until the end of April where the situation will be reviewed once more:

  • This suspension includes all organised athletics activity with the UK, including competitions and leagues, member clubs, running groups and races until the end of April.
  • All Education activity (coach, official, teacher) will cease until the end of April. The aim will be to re-schedule all courses to a later date.
  • Welsh Athletics is advocating that clubs and groups should not be undertaking training, competitive or other related activities during this period, and it is already apparent that parts of the sport are already showing their own leadership and are acting in this respect.

We have made this decision in accordance with the directives outlined by the government through the Prime Minister in his statement on Monday afternoon.

Welsh athletics would like to thank all members of the athletics community IN Wales for their support at this challenging time. We will endeavour to maintain regular, open communication as this situation develops. Please prioritise and support the health and wellbeing of yourselves and those you can within the Welsh Athletics family.

ABOUT WELSH ATHLETICS

  • Welsh Athletics is the Governing Body for all Athletics and running activities in Wales. We have supported and facilitated huge growth in the sport in recent years.
  • The Governing Body supports over 100 affiliated clubs, and 150 social running groups. This is underpinned by a strong and dedicated volunteer workforce, including over 1000 active coaches and close to 700 officials.
  • Welsh Athletics strategies are closely aligned to the Sport Wales vision of getting every child hooked on sport and creating a nation of champions. Our performance programme aims to make Athletics the number one Commonwealth Sport in Wales, whilst our community strategy aims to have every school offering Athletics, whilst also creating an Athletics Club at the heart of every community.
  • Recent Survey results in Wales show that the demand for athletics and running continues to increase. The 2017 Welsh Government Unified survey showed that 16% of Adults in Wales ran once a week, whilst athletics/running was listed as the most popular sport in the school Sport and HE/FE sport survey.
  • This demonstrates our impact across the sporting landscape in Wales, with our programme contributing to physical activity levels, whilst also creating future champions that will inspire a generation.

You can get in touch and follow Welsh Athletes via the following channels:

  • Office 029 20644870
  • Website – welshathletics.org
  • Twitter – @WelshAthletics
  • Facebook – Welsh Athletics
  • Instagram – WelshAthletics

Media Enquiries              rob.sage@welshathletics.org 07864613635

16Mar

British Champs: Ras yr Aran.

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British Champs: Ras yr Aran.

Conditions up to this date had been wet and windy, consistently. Its Spring after all. On Saturday, not to disappoint, it was wet and windy. And very VERY wet underfoot… A good few of us nearly lost shoes, items of clothing or our souls to the power of the numerous bogs…

25 Eryri Harriers turned up to pit themselves against some of the toughest runners across the UK, and the bog.

First in, and a new signing to Eryri, was Gareth Hughes, 14th overall, and 11th in the Open race. A fantastic 17th place overall was Tom Woods, and 1st U23 by minutes. 3rd Eryri male in was Rob Samuel, 31st overall, and 22nd in the Open race. All other Eryris in the Male Open category were: Gavin Roberts 28th, Rhys Goodhead 51st, and Owain Williams 78th Open.

In the V40 category, Matt Fortes was 11th V40, followed by Rich Roberts in as 13th V40, Emlyn Owen 21st V40, Glyn Williams 35th V40, Paul Jones 36th V40, Michael Coyne 52nd V40, and Ali Chant 59th V40.

V50s: Craig Jones was 11th V50, Guto Edwards 30th V50 and James McQueen 34th V50.

V60: Stephen Jones was a fab 2nd V60, with Russell Owen 5th V60 and Iwan Edgar 12th V60.

In the Womens race, Miranda Grant was 8th overall, and 5th in the F Open category, and Becki Law was 41st overall, 22nd OpenF.

Jacki Lee and Andrea Rowlands looked to have had a good battle being 7th and 8th V40, and 27th and 28th Women respectively, and Sarah Barnwell was 5th V50, with Ellie Salisbury 17th V50.

Really well done to everyone who took part in tricky conditions both underfoot and on the hill, with the brief weather window still giving us all a good run for our money. Results are below, along to some links to photos.

Huge thanks to Meirionnydd Running club for putting on such a great race in what has been a very challenging few weeks.

It is anyone’s guess if the next British Champs race in N Ireland next month will go ahead but I’ll update nearer the time.

12Mar

Conwy Mountain Fell Race

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Well done to all the Eryri Harriers who have taken part in the first races in the North Wales Series, and WFRA Champs/S Wales series in the last few weeks.
Conwy Mountain, which took place despite the atrocious conditions and weather warnings, saw 22 hardy runners from the club battling the elements on what is a tough course at the best of times. Top results go to Matt Fortes who was 3rd/ 1st V40, Gemma Moore 3rd F, Craig Jones 1st V50 and Maggie Oliver 1st V70. The next race in the series is Llantysilio on the 21st March.
Slightly better conditions were had for the Carding Mill Canter (I’m sure I saw some photos with people smiling in the SUN!) which saw 8 Harriers taking on the challenge of the first WFRA/ S Wales champs race. Gavin Roberts 2nd Senior & 3rd overall, Owain Williams 5th senior/8th, Emlyn Owen 3rd MV40/10th, Jackie Lee 3rdFV40, Kean Rowlands 12th MV60, Ellie Salisbury 6th FV50, Geoff Fielding 2nd MV70 and Maggie Oliver 1st FV70.
Next race in the WFRA/ S Wales champs is Cribyn on the 25th April.
CLUB CHAMPS: FIRST RACE IS ON THE 28TH MARCH!! MOEL WNION! 🙂 Get involved in that one everyone!
And good luck to everyone taking part in the first race in the British Championship this weekend. What will Ras yr Aran be like this year? Sideways hail, or requiring Factor 50?
AND!! The Tuesday Night Series begins again, like clockwork (we all hope, in the current climate) at the end of March: Moel Tryfan on Tuesday 31st.
12Mar

Club Champs Mountain Running

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Just a reminder of the Mountain Running club champs races for 2020:
The races for 2020 are:
March 28th: Moel Wnion
April 21st: 3 Hills (Tuesday evening series)
May 9th: Moel Eilio race (not the Intercounties race the same month)
June 6th: Welsh 1000s
June 20th: Foel Fras
September 12th: Eilidr Fawr
September 26th: Pedol Peris (Full)
November 14th: Penmaenmawr race
Same format as last year: best 4, with a min of 3 to count.

 

12Mar

Urgent Ras yr Aran Information

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Urgent Ras yr Aran Information

 

Covid 19  –  Instructions for athletes

 

At present the Government has not ordered nor advised the abandonment of outdoor sporting activities of our size so the race will continue.

 

However it is important that we take as many precautions as we can to prevent the spread of the virus to fellow runner, officials or the local community through our activities. Please refer to PHE advice

 

You should NOT attend the race if

 

  • You are feverish and have symptoms of respiratory infection cough cold shortness of breath ( this is sensible whatever the cause of your illness)
  • You have been directly advised to self isolate, or is in a group that the government has advised to self isolate.
  • You think you have been in close contact with someone who has has the virus, or if you think you may have it

 

People can have the virus and feel well so there may still be people coming who has it.

To minimise the chances of contamination please remember

 

  • Follow hand washing advice.
  • Avoid unnecessary physical contact (!)
  • Not to bunch up if queuing for any reason
  • If the weather is fit stay outside as much as you can, don’t congregate around registration or any lists.
  • If you arrive early consider returning to your car til warm up time.

 

We will try to make the flow of people through the number pick up as smooth as possible.

Subject to weather the presentations will be outside. We will try to keep them brief.

We will not be offended if those who are confident in their disappointment wish to go home without attending the prize giving.

We can post their prize on to any winners who don’t wish to stay.

12Mar

NICK BEER 10K

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ERYRI DOMINATE AT the NICK BEER 10K
24 Eryri Harriers completed the annual Nick Beer 10k on its rearranged date of Saturday 7th March and yet again, the recent storms meant a race detour. Following a landslide and rock falls on the Great Orme, a hastily new race route was devised and accurately measured, making use of the promenade and Church Walks and, as has been the case lately, though dry, the runners were faced with strong headwinds on various parts of the course.
Dilwyn Powell-Jones paced the course and conditions superbly to claim his best ever race win with a time of 34:51 followed by: 5th (2nd MV/35) Ian Edwards 35:53. 6th(2nd MV/45)  Nic Brook 35:59. 10th (2nd MV/40) Matt Fortes 38:00. 12th Michael Corrales 38:51. 21st Michael Coyne 39:48. 22nd Paul Jones 39:48. 23rd Brian Wills 39:56. 30th, 2nd female overall & 1st FV/45 Andrea Rowlands 41:31. 36th & 1st MV/65 SPJ – Steve P Jones 42:00. 41st & 2nd MV/55 Tim Watson 42:50. 58th & 2nd MV/60 Arwel Lewis 43:44. 69th & 1st FV/40 Megan Hughes 44:35. 76th & 2nd FV/40 Helen Morgan 45:24. 95th Emlyn Roberts 46:19. 101st & 2nd FV/50 Helen Blair 46:34. 107th Luke Earnshaw 46:49. 172nd Harri Roberts 50:53. 175th Jess Mullan 50:54. 176th Gwenllian Dafydd 50:54. 243rd Rebecca Roberts 55:14. 310th & 1st FV/70 Maggie Oliver 59:39 and 365th Roy Jardine 64:52. There were 428 finishers.
Eryri men and women claimed the respective team titles.
05Mar

BUSY SUNDAY OF ROAD RACING for ERYRI

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BUSY SUNDAY OF ROAD RACING for ERYRI
 
The weather yet again played havoc with racing this weekend! At the Jones Crisps Anglesey Half Marathon on Sunday 1st March, though the weather was dry, the strong winds prevented the competitors being allowed to race across the Menai Suspension Bridge meaning a change of start location, nearer the Town Centre by Askew Street, the overnight winds also brought down a tree on the A545 Beaumaris Road that meant a change of race route, which certainly made it interesting, taking in the alternative race route via Llandegfan to Beaumaris, Llanfaes and back, taking in, the iconic “Cemetery Hill” Overall race distance was 13.7miles with over 1,200ft of climbing! At least there was some shelter from the strong head wind on the Llandegfan back roads on the way back to the finish!
18 Eryri Harriers were amongst the 1206 finishers with 6th placed Nic Brook leading the way in a time of 1:24:57 followed by: 11th Keirren Jones 1:27:10. 19th Sion Kelly-Williams 1:29:03. 44th Michael Coyne 1:34:10. 59th (3rd M/50) Paul Hodges 1:37:50. 60th & 2nd Female Gemma Moore 1:38:05. 66th & 3rd Female Anna Mackenzie 1:38:18. 101st (2nd M/60) Arwel Lewis 1:42:11. 120th Ifan Jones 1:44:05. 141st Manon Wilkinson 1:46:55. 147th Megan Hughes 1:47:33. 160th Helen Morgan 1:48:15. 192nd Jacki Artist 1:49:57. 422nd Gwenllian Dafydd 2:04:13. 459th Harri Roberts 2:05:42. 504th Chris Hoult 2:07:08. 614th Katie Wilby 2:13:47 & Gwyn Moseley 2:19:11.
The race was won by Martin Green (M/45) 1:21:08 with local athlete Steff Sayer (Menai T&F) not far behind in 1:21:19. The first woman home was Bangor University student Lucy Williamson (Ilkley Harriers AC) with a time of 1:32:56. The event was the 3rd counter in the Eryri Road Running Championships which will be updated later.
In conjunction with the Half Marathon, there were 641 finishers in the 10k event. The first Eryri Harrier home was 18th placed and 1st M/60 Dylan Huws in a time of 42:17 followed by: 26th Jody Cain 43:48. 82nd and 1st M/65 Eurwyn Edwards 50:13. 85th and 1st F/50 Marian Jones 50:30. 86th and 2nd M/65 Malcolm Jones 50:32. 253rd Kelly O’Donnell 59:18 & 394th (2nd F/60) Viv Edwards 64:08. The race was won by Ryan Davis (Wrexham AAC) 34:18 with former Eryri athlete Lydia Sharpe finishing 6th overall & 1st female in a time of 39:56.
Also on Sunday, Rob Samuel was just 6 seconds away from a 10k PB at the Trafford 10k with a time of 30:27.
Though Rob was 6th overall in the event, he was only the 4th Welsh finisher which shows the depth of talent that we currently have in Wales amongst both our male and female athletes.
The race was won by Andy Hunt (Cardiff AAC) 29:44. 2nd Andy Davies (Stockport) 30:14 with, 3rd Rowan Axe (Cardiff AAC) 30:16.
Down South, Rhys James finished 58th in the Newport Half Marathon in a time of 1:22:43 where there were 1943 finishers.