A record number of runners turned out for the popular Caerphilly 10k race on Sunday June 18 in sweltering summer conditions.
The race, now in its fifth year, saw nearly 2,500 people take to the roads around Caerphilly town under a blue sky and in an uncomfortable heat – a stark contrast to last year’s rain.
The Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k race would see a new winner, after Owain Jones, victor in 2016 and 2015 and the reigning course record holder, did not enter.
Abed Teweldebrhan of Newport Harriers claimed first place in his debut appearance, but missed out on breaking the course record by just 16 seconds, finishing in 31 minutes and 19 seconds.
The 20-year-old said: “I’m happy. I thought it went well, because it’s very warm. The surroundings are great here, and it’s a really good race. It’s my first time in Caerphilly but I’ll definitely be back.”
Meanwhile, Clara Evans was the first female runner to complete the course, having finished second and third in 2016 and 2015 respectively.
The 23-year-old, representing Cardiff AAC posted a time of 36m 43s, and said: “It feels really good to have won this year. I’ve been struggling in my running recently, so it feels great to be back in Caerphilly and win, especially in this weather.
“It’s a bit too hot, I’d prefer cooler conditions ideally. I love the atmosphere here, and while the route’s not too hard, it can be challenging.
“I’ll definitely be back next year, and hopefully I can defend my crown.”
Several local clubs had large turnouts at the event, including Caerphilly Runners, Islwyn RC and the newly-formed Ystrad Runners.
Formerly Ystrad Mynach RC, the club underwent a change of committee at the end of 2016 after declining numbers meant a risk of losing their affiliation to Welsh Athletics. The club now has 32 registered members, with 15 taking part in Sunday’s 10k.
Caerphilly Runners had over 100 members competing, including Hywel Williams from Thornhill.
Mr Williams, 35, said: “I finished in 47m 50s, which is a slight improvement on my time from last year, but it’s too hot for running really.
“It’s a great event, there are always good crowds and it’s great to see a lot of us from Caerphilly Runners here. The club is doing really well and is growing every year.”
Blackwood’s Sandra Hambly, 40, beat her target of an hour, and added: “I found it pretty hard but I got through it so I’m happy. I finished in 59m 56s, and I had been aiming for an hour.
“It’s my first Caerphilly 10k. I ran one in Swansea a few years back but this is my first one in a long time. I don’t really want to think about doing it again next year, I need to recover from this heat first.”
Niall Hughes, 41, was also running the race for the first time. He said: “I’ve done others which are a lot flatter.
“It was awful in the heat, but I got round and finished it and that’s all that matters. I’m not using the trainers I normally wear because I knew my feet would be expanding.
“I finished in an hour and four minutes, so no personal best but I wasn’t expecting one. The area is lovely, I wasn’t expecting it to go uphill quite as much as it did, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.”
Cllr Mike Adams, Deputy Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council, offered words of support to the runners while former Wales rugby star Gavin Henson manned the starting cannon, as the main race got underway at around 10am following an immaculately observed minute’s silence for the victims of the recent Grenfell Tower fire in London.
Before that, the Caerphilly 2k was won by Benjamin Reynolds of Cardiff AAC in six minutes 12 seconds.
Don’t forget to pick up a copy of our print edition out on Thursday, June 22, for more pictures.
