North Wales proved it can host big events; Organisers delighted by Commonwealth success.
Byline: GARETH HUGHESWITH the Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championships having been deemed a huge success hopes are now high that even more prestigious events will be attracted to North Wales.
The three-day festival of international and local competitions came to a superb climax when Wales' men won all three individual medals and took team gold in the 55k trail race in Newborough Forest, Anglesey.
Richie Gardiner (Aberdare), winner of last year's Snowdon Marathon, took gold with a strong finish to win by almost five minutes. Welshpool's Andrew James (Maldwyn) came storming through the field for silver and Nat Lane (Cardiff) completed the winning team in third place.
In the women's race Andrea Rowlands (Eryri) finished 11th and clubmate Tammy Lewis-Jones 15th. The first woman home was Emma Gooderham (England), with Angela Mudge (Scotland) second and Kirstin Bull (Australia) third.
The Welsh victory was the icing on the cake according to Steve Brace, Head of Athletics Development for Welsh Athletics, who had been largely responsible for co-ordinating the weekend's activities involving three local authorities, the Welsh Assembly Government, and local clubs and organisations.
"It was a huge success and a fantastic effort by everyone involved," he said.
"We knew that the mountain race in Llanberis was in good hands because of the experience in organising major competitions there but the other two competitions, the 24-hour race in Llandudno and the trail race in Newborough, were something completely new to the region."
"The feedback has been very positive and I'm sure that when the documentaries are shown on S4C and Channel 4 in the next couple of weeks it will all be very impressive," said.
"We have shown that we can stage major events in all three disciplines and the natural next step would be to put on the European or World championships," he added.
Steve said he was also delighted with the turnout for the children's competitions and open races held at each venue. Meanwhile Eryri's Iain Ridgway, who had originally been selected for the Welsh 24-hour squad, won the Flatrock 50k in Kansas, finishing 18 minutes clear of his closest challenger and smashing the old record by 17 minutes.
In the Macclesfield half-marathon Deestriders' young Andrew Edwards had a fine run, finishing 12th overall in 79.44, while Eryri's two "exiles", Paul Wathan and his partner Gemma Morgans clocked 35.20 and 45.18 respectively in the Preston 10k. Paul was in fifth place.
In the Northern Counties' six-stage road relays former Deeside athlete Ricky Challinor helped Liverpool Harriers finish fourth and ex-Colwyn Bay member James Bleakley was in the Trafford AC squad which came 12th.
Meanwhile in the Midland Counties' relays Claire Martin helped Telford finish sixth and she recorded the fifth fastest time of the day.
CAPTION(S):
LEFT: Wales claim one, two and three in the trail-running event with winner Richie Gardiner flanked by Andrew Davies from Welshpool, and Nat Lane (Cardiff); MIDDLE: Welsh competitors in the 24-hour ultra distance race; RIGHT: the Women's Commonwealth mountain race in Llanberis Commonwealth ultra trail event, Newborough, Anglesey
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| Title Annotation: | Sport; Opinion, Columns |
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| Publication: | Daily Post (Liverpool, England) |
| Geographic Code: | 4EUUK |
| Date: | Sep 27, 2011 |
| Words: | 510 |
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