12Jun

Tal y Fan – 2020 cancelled

Read more

Tal y Fan – 2020 cancelled

Unfortunately, as Wales is still in lockdown, local travel only, social distancing and no big group rules all still apply, and no indication when they will be lifted, the Rowen Carnival Committee has cancelled this year’s village carnival.

Both the WFRA and WA are not issuing race permits, and consequently there is no insurance cover available. 

Therefore we have had no option but to cancel this year’s Tal y Fan race.  We do hope to be back – Saturday 10th July 2021.

02Jun

Welsh Athletics

Read more

At Welsh Athletics we have been working hard with Sport Wales, British Athletics, the other home country athletics federations and other partners to plan and try to keep the sport as active as possible during these unprecedented times.

 

As we know, the sport of athletics is diverse, and we want to keep in touch with as many of you as possible. As a result, we are launching the ‘Ask Us’ series of regional webinars with the aim of trying to further connect the full athletics community of Wales.

 

The aim of the ‘Ask Us’ sessions is to be as open as possible and will be looking to provide some brief updates but, most importantly, to also engage with attendees and allow for questions and discussion. The webinars will feature James Williams (Interim CEO of Welsh Athletics) as well as all Heads of Department who will be available to both listen and answer questions as appropriate.

 

The feedback and questions will also help to provide more focused and relevant support for the sport in Wales.

 

LINK TO REGISTRATION

 

The sessions will take place from on the following dates:

 

‘Ask Us’ (North Wales): Thursday 4th June

‘Ask Us’ (West Wales): Thursday 11th June

 

Further information also available on the Welsh Athletics website via the webinar series pages: https://www.welshathletics.org/en/events/stay-home-stay-involved1

17May

Welsh Athletics Statement.

Read more

Welsh Athletics have today (14th May) announced an extension to the current suspension of the sport in Wales, the new suspension is in place until the 19th of June (https://www.welshathletics.org/en/blog/post/extension-to-the-suspension-of-athletics-activity-in-wales)

Given that the Welsh Government are not expected to provide a further update to the restrictions until the end of May, we felt that clubs would need time to prepare for any changes that may be announced. The new date will allow Welsh Athletics to work on guidelines to provide clubs in preparation for any ‘return to sport’ plan that may be outlined as part of an overall roadmap to recovery by Welsh Government.

It is worth noting that the suspension on competition (until the end of June) has not changed.

Unlike previous announcements, the suspension has not been extended in any of the other Home Countries, who are aiming to align any changes to their own National Government guidelines.

To ensure that all members have an opportunity to engage Welsh Athletics directly and to highlight any emerging challenges that they may be facing, we are announcing a series of open forums for members to engage the Senior Management Team of Welsh Athletics directly. The Ask Us series will be start next week, with clubs and members in East Wales having the opportunity to discuss their views. Each week we will aim to engage a different region. Chris Moss and Rob Sage will forward further information on this series in due course.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact me should you wish to discuss any aspect of our current response in more detail.

Kind Regards

James Williams

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Address: Cardiff International Sports Campus, Leckwith, Cardiff, CF11 8AZ

Mobile: 07802 180319 / 07864 613666 Office: 02920649848

Email: james.williams@welshathletics.org

Website: www.welshathletics.org

 
24Mar

Welsh Athletics Statement Covid -19

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

 

 

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.

Read more

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

Read more

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

Read more

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.