Another warm night in Cardiff saw the SSAFA 5k host the regional championship race, and as always it was a spicy line-up! This race has been a solid part of the South Wales running scene for decades and attracts a high-calibre field for some good old-fashioned no-frills racing.
First across the line was Sam Griffiths who will also take home a regional medal for his fantastic sub-15 performance, leading an excellent night for Les Croupiers RC. James Hansell (San Domenico RC) improved on last year’s second M35 to be second overall, and Morgan Thompson (Pontypridd Roadents AC) finished third.
The women’s race saw a stunning victory for 13-year-old Alesha Santos (Rhondda AC) ahead of some very strong competition from Les Croupiers in Louise Flynn and Georgia Palmer. Alesha appears to be on fire at the moment, and 6th female in a high-class field is a massive achievement.
To continue with the U20 achievements, it was a good night for the Griffiths family as siblings Leroy and Grace, who both took home bronze medals last year, upgraded to a gold and silver respectively. Ioan Vale (Aberdare Valley AC) claimed second male followed by Zac Munn (Cardiff Athletics) whilst Lily Jacklin successfully defended her 2025 gold with Martha Herbert (Porthcawl Runners)in third.
Onto the ever-competitive masters categories, and it was Tom Flitcroft (Les Croupiers) in first for the M35s, with Chris Oxley (San Domenico RC) and Neale Denton (CDF Runners) all finishing within seconds of each other. Julie Chamberlain (Les Croupiers RC) was the women’s winner, followed by Sally Pugsley (Porthcawl Runners), and Delyth Williams (San Domenico RC) in third.
The vastly experienced James Thie (Pontypridd Roadents AC) led the V45 runners, followed by teammate Doug Nicholls, and Matthew Turner (San Domenico RC). Catherine Barker (Penarth & Dinas Runners) was first of the V45 women, with Elizabeth Neville (Les Croupiers RC) in second.
Tracy Jenkins won Porthcawl Runners’ first regional gold of the year in the V55s, with Carol Rees (Les Croupiers RC) second and Gina Hardman (Bridgend AC) third. Tony Allan continued San Domenico RC’s excellent performance with a first place for the V55 men, with Phil Hodge adding a silver to his Treforest 10k silver from a few months ago. Robert Short (San Domenico RC) was third.
Finally, but never least, the club stalwarts of the V65 category. David James lead the only one-club podium of the night for Les Croupiers, joined by clubmates Howard Kent and Robert Evans. The Croups V65 domination continued as the final medal of the evening went to Julie Scholey.
A big thank you to Race Director Graham Finlayson, and everyone at SSAFA for putting on the race.
(Cover photo credit: Paul Stillman)