Glynneath 5 Event Report - 2007

Record Turnout

Over 300 runners completed the undulating 5 mile course at Glynneath, on Boxing Day. This was a record turn-out, the best in the 21 year history of the race.

In the unavoidable absence of Max Boyce, the Lady Mayor of Glynneath, Ruth Thomas, started the race and presented the prizes, with dignity and enthusiasm.

The race was won by Richard Gardiner(Cardiff A.C.) for the 4th time. His time of 24 minutes 46 seconds was excellent. He won by over 100 metres and dominated the race.

Marc Hobbs (Swansea Harriers) again come 2nd in a fast time of 25 minutes 1 second. He led his young Swansea side to team victory. The open team winners were Marc Hobbs, Daniel Gurmin, Alex Lewis, Chris Parker, and Mark Webborn – all in the top 20 finishers!

Daniel Gurmin, in 3rd place, achieved his best ever position in the race in a fine time of 25 minutes 15 seconds.

Paul Griffiths (Neath Harriers) was the outstanding Veteran runner and also won the over 40 years category. He won in the fine time of 26 minutes 38 seconds. Paul Talbot (Neath Harriers) was the 2nd Veteran home and second in the over 40 years category. He ran his best time of 27 minutes 12 seconds. Bob and Phil Bamsey and David Davies completed the victorious Veteran team who won the trophy for Neath Harriers for the second year in succession.

Young Rhys Jones (Neath Harriers) won the under 18 years category. He came in 15th position out of 310 competitors. His time of 28 minutes 24 seconds was his best ever over 5 miles. His progress has been stupendous and this young Neath star is somebody who has great potential.

Another Neath Harrier won the Ladies Race at 16 years of age. Leah Dixon had the best performance of the 2006 race and she repeated this in this 2007 race. She outpaced over 100 women runners in a brilliant time of 29 minutes 37 seconds. What a remarkable performance from this already multi-international experienced, runner!

These two youngsters – Leah and Rhys are stars of the future. In the 21 year history of the race there has never been two such outstanding young runners.

3M's Ladies Team of Amanda Evans, Louise Miskel, Julie Thomas, Kathryn John and Catherine Lloyd Bennett won the Ladies title for the second year in succession.

The Fancy Dress Prize was won by Amy and James Colburn of Birchgrove, as “Batman and Batgirl ”.

Jane Elliott (3M's) won the best improver title beating last year's time by 10 minutes 30 seconds.

Although not officially in the race, (only 13 years old), Josh John of Glynneath ran the course in an excellent time of 39 minutes 30 seconds.

Zoar's Ark, Neath and Clyde Baker (Glynneath) sponsored the improvement T-Shirts won by over 30 competitors; thank you to both for the help given.

Next year, the new, exceptionally large, Improvers Trophy will be known as the John Cronin Trophy, in memory of that fine runner who passed away during the 2007 Boxing Day race. It will serve as a memorial to John who dearly wanted to lift the Trophy this year.

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