Coach Steve and team have put together the next few weeks of Seniors training.
Merthyr Mawr 5K Race Report
The 15th edition of the Merthyr Mawr Lane 5km where held in thundery conditions, which produced rain in the hours before the event, but if relented to leave a warm balmy still evening.
Rory McClaggan from Merthyr Mawr Estate got the event underway and immediately Aberdare AAC vests were to the fore with the leaders going through the 1km in 3:06, by 2km (passed in 3:12) Adam Bull was moving away on the gradual climb along Ton Fruit Farm.
In the ladies race, Ffion Higginson (who leads the UK u17 Women’s Steeplechase rankings) had to pull up in the first mile and team mate Georgie Dando who was alongside her, sacrificed her race in stopping to support her.
The turn around the Candleston Car Park and climb up to the 3km mark (3:15), saw Bull away increasingly from his younger under 20 clubmate Joseph Reardon, which had extended to 23 seconds by the finish line which he crossed in 15:48, compared to 15:30 in last years event where he finished third. Pontypridd Roadents Simon Lewis took third in 16:43, ahead of clubmate Paul Graham.
Meanwhile Melanie Edwards of Brackla Harriers came through to take the victory in women’s race in 19:45.
Les Croupiers took the 4 to score Men’s team title, ahead of Bridgend’s AC and Neath Harriers, whilst Bridgend AC Women’s A Team, beat their B team ahead of Brackla Harriers on a 3 to score basis.
Over 250 runners finished this popular spring midweek event that hosts a mob match between Les Croupiers RC and a combined Bridgend AC/Brackla Harriers, which was retained giving an 8 – 6 score since the inception of the Mob Match. For the first time the event hosted the South Wales Regional 5k Road Championships.
Support from St Johns Ambulance and over 30 volunteers from the host club Bridgend AC and local running community, again made the event a great success in idyllic surroundings, with permissions from the Merthyr Mawr Estate, local farmer Jon Tudor and co-operation from the local residents were again greatly appreciated.
Full results available on available on https://bridgendac.wordpress.com
Photos, courtesy of Oliver Roche -Clarke – https://www.facebook.com/groups/145613252163679
Start video (Leon Evans) – https://www.facebook.com/leon.evans.902/videos/10216368780157276
Next Event: Merthyr Mawr Trail Running Festival – Saturday 16th June 2018 – from 4pm http://www.merthyrmawrtrailrunningfestival.com
Leading Results
Men
1st Adam Bull Aberdare Valley AC 15:48
2nd Joseph Reardon (u20) Aberdare Valley AC 16:11
3rd Simon Lewis (v35) Pontypridd Roadents 16:13
Women
1st Melanie Williams (v45) Brackla Harriers 19:34
2nd Katrin Higginson (u20) Bridgend AC 19:46
3rd Deborah Goule Porthcawl Runners 20:37
Teams
Men (4 to score)
1st Les Croupiers RC 5, 10, 11, 15 41 points
2nd Bridgend AC 7, 12, 13, 14 46 points
3rd Neath Harriers 6, 8, 18, 24 56 points
Women (3 to score)
1st Bridgend AC “A” 2, 4, 5 11 points
2nd Bridgend AC “B” 6, 7, 8 21 points
3rd Brackla Harriers 1, 13, 15 29 points
Age Group Winners
Men
U20M Tom Wright (2nd) Bridgend AC 17:45
M35 Richard Jackson-Hookins (2nd) Les Croupiers RC 16:33
M45 Matt Hurford Les Croupiers RC 17:14
M55 Ian Bell San Domenico RC 19:28
M65 Keith Powell Cornelly Striders 20:41
Women
U20W Sophie Evans Bridgend AC 20:40
W35 Clare Hughes Bridgend AC 21:09
W45 Cath Stephens (2nd) Bridgend AC 20:42
W55 Julie Scholey Les Croupiers RC 22:30
W65 Jackie Lewis Cwm Ogwr RC 29:09
Merthyr Mawr 5K 2018 Results
Thank you for joining us for the 15th edition of the Merthyr Mawr 5K. This years event included the South Wales Region 5K championships.
Here are the provisional results. If you have any queries or corrections needed, please contact Derek Crowder via derekcrowder@btinternet.com
2018 Results and Age Categories
Some Photos of the event can be found here
Next years event will be on May 29th.
Merthyr Mawr Lane 5k 2018
Entries to the Merthyr Mawr Lane 5km are now open and can be made by clicking here.
The 15th edition of the race incorporates the South Wales Region 5km championships.
The measured out and back, rolling course with a start/finish at top of Merthyr Mawr Lane, welcomes runners of all abilities. Numbers can be collected on the night from Bridgend AC clubhouse, Newbridge Fields, Angel Street, CF31 4AD.
On the night entries and postal entries can be made using this form.
Entries for South Region champs closes midnight May 28th
Huge congratulations to Hannah Jenkins, Ffion Higginson, Erin Andrews and Abi Davies, all Bridgend AC junior endurance athletes, who have been selected to represent Wales in the Virgin London Mini Marathon this weekend.
It’s a 3 mile road race around London, for 11 to 17 year olds, and previous competitors have included Sir Mo Farah.
Good luck girls! #teambridgend
Well done Nadine
Congratulations to Nadine Griffiths who completed her Leading Athletics Certificate on the weekend! A great addition to BAC coaching team.
If any other parents are interested in coaching, becoming officials, or generally want to help out, please let us know. An extra pair of hands is always welcome!
Merthyr Mawr Lane 5K – Wed 30th May
Please note that this years event will be held on Wednesday 30th May 2018 – 7:30pm start. 
Unlike in previous years it will NOT be part of the 2018 Bridgend Running League Series this year.
Those interest in previous years results can see them back to 2004 (!) here.
Junior Roundup from the Weekend
This weekend was a busy one for BAC Juniors. Saturday brought day 2 of the Welsh Athletics Junior Open champs in Cardiff and international Cross Country in Antrim. Over at NIAC, Bridgend AC were represented in no fewer than 16 events with 31 athletes taking part. The day saw excellent performances delivered by all athletes, with some competing for their first time, while others moved into new age groups. It was great to see the yellow and blue populating the podium, with a total of 8 medals. 2 Gold, 4 Silver and 2 Bronze. A great haul considering the depth and breadth of competition on display from Wales and South East England. Over in Antrim, Ffion Higginson was part of the Wales U17 team competing in the Celtic International. Ffion had a great run with a time of 16:16 and finishing in 42nd place.
Full BAC Results from the Junior Open
U17 Men 1500m – Devin COOMBES Bridgend AC (SWA) 4:27.96 2-(SWA) (Silver Medal)
U15 Boys 1500m – Tom ATTWOOD Bridgend AC (SWA) 5:10.76 4-(SWA)
U13 Girls 1500m – Mali MACDUFF Bridgend AC (SWA) 5:59.92 2-(SWA) (Silver Medal)
U13 Girls 800m – Anna-Rose MERCHANT Bridgend AC (SWA) 3:00.42 5-(SWA)
U13 Boys 800m – Jack O’BRIEN Bridgend AC (SWA) 2:38.91 3-(SWA) (Bronze Medal)
U15 Girls 800m – Niamh O’BRIEN Bridgend AC (SWA) 3:05.41 9-(SWA)
U17 Women 800m – Leonora BREHENY Bridgend AC (SWA) 2:54.19 9-(SWA)
U15 Boys 800m – Joshua KERRY Bridgend AC (SWA) 2:36.33 5-(SWA)
U13 Boys 60m – Lewis STEPHENS Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.84 3-(SWA) (Bronze Medal)
U15 Girls 60m – Emily PENNY Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.42 2-(SWA) (Silver Medal)
U15 Girls 60m – Jersey JONES Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.66 6-(SWA)
U15 Girls 60m – Aimee CHILDS Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.74 7-(SWA)
U15 Girls 60m – Mia LUNN Bridgend AC (SWA) 9.47 16-(SWA)
U13 Girls 60m – Tianna TEISAR Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.69 1-(SWA) (Gold Medal)
U13 Girls 60m – Maja Lizette GALVEZ Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.87 5-(SWA)
U13 Girls 60m – Aimee LEE Bridgend AC (SWA) 9.49 11-(SWA)
U13 Girls 60m – Orea PLAYER Bridgend AC (SWA) 9.75 15-(SWA)
U13 Girls 60m – Georgia SMELE Bridgend AC (SWA) 9.92 18-(SWA)
U13 Girls 60m – Ellie LORIMER Bridgend AC (SWA) 10.48 19-(SWA)
U15 Boys 60m – Evan JONES Bridgend AC (SWA) 7.45 1-(SWA) (Gold Medal)
U15 Boys 60m – Joseph KIMPTON Bridgend AC (SWA) 7.72 2-(SWA) (Silver Medal)
U15 Boys 60m – Ethan RAND Bridgend AC (SWA) 7.90 5-(SWA)
U15 Boys 60m – Mabon RHYS Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.27 9-(SWA)
U15 Boys 60m – Tomos BROAD Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.37 10-(SWA)
U15 Boys 60m – Morgan OLPHERT Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.40 11-(SWA)
U15 Boys 60m – Joshua STEPHENS Bridgend AC (SWA) 8.45 12-(SWA)
U15 Boys 60m – Ewan BAILEY Bridgend AC (SWA) 9.03 14-(SWA)
U15 Girls Shot Put – Niamh O’BRIEN Bridgend AC (SWA) 6.59 5-(SWA)
U15 Boys Long Jump – Ewan BAILEY Bridgend AC (SWA) 4.09 6-(SWA)
U13 Boys Long Jump – Jack O’BRIEN Bridgend AC (SWA) 3.79 4-(SWA)
U13 Girls Shot Put – Georgia SMELE Bridgend AC (SWA) 4.38 12-(SWA)
Big BAC representation at Inter-regional XC
Great to see such a large contingent of BAC XC runners representing South Wales at this weekend’s Inter-Regional Cross Country event in Brecon.
Those travelling up on Saturday are as follows:
| Erin Andrews | J13G |
| Philippa Allen | J13G |
| Abigail Davies | J13G |
| Sophie Evans | J13G |
| Eve Hickman | J13G |
| Bethan Hardman | J13G |
| Dafydd Pratchett | J13B |
| Thomas Attwood | J13B |
| Rhys Hardman | J15B |
| James Hunt | SENM |
| Gareth Hardman | MM45 |
| Robert Hunt | MM55 |
| Ffion Higginson | J17W |
| Hannah Jenkins | J17W |
| Sarah Jenkins | J17W |
| Meriel Clode | J17W |
| Alisha Hayes | J17W |
| Devin Coombes | J17M |
| Gina Hardman | MW45 |
| Katrin Higginson | U20W |
Well done all – and have a great run on Saturday!
Visit from Chris Jones,Welsh Athletics Head of Endurance
This Wednesday (6th) will see the rescheduled visit from Chris Jones,WA Head of Endurance, to talk to us about “Developing Junior Endurance Runners” in the Bridgend Tennis club starting at 7pm,
This talk is exclusively for BAC Juniors – and primarily targeted to our teenage endurance runners – so primarily geared towards those in Schools Year 8 & above.
This session is relevant to both athletes and their parents and will hopefully give a attendees a better understanding of some of the best practise towards developing a healthy successful athlete now and into their athletic future.
Please let @Lucy_J7 know if you’re attending (or email her at lucykerry@btinternet.com)
