Pontypridd Roadents hosted the 10k championships at their classic Treforest 10k race, which takes runners out and back from the Treforest Industrial Estate and onto the Taff Trail. The race was once again a sell out, and took place on a hot sunny bank holiday weekend.
First across the line for the region, and second overall, was Andy Gardiner (San Domenico RC) improving from his second place at the 2025 champs. He was followed by David Craig (Les Croupiers RC), and Matt Jacklin (Aberdare Valley AAC).
San Domenico’s Delyth Williams took the win in the women’s championship, ahead of Janneke van Beijnum (Les Croupiers RC), and Susanna Bulpin (San Domenico RC).
The M40 podium was familiar as Matt Turner (San Domenico RC), and Paul Morton (Penarth and Dinas Runners) both took a step up from last year’s race, with John Burridge (Ogmore Phoenix Runners) joining them in third.
Recent Builth & District RC transferee Aimee Ferguson sensibly retained her South Wales eligibility and took first place in the W35 category. She was followed by Amy Edwards (Rhondda Valley Runners), and Gail Evans winning a bronze and potentially first regional medal for Dragons RC!
After two bronzes at previous 10k championships, Wayne Humphreys (Les Croupiers) struck gold in the M50 category. Perhaps he’ll need to aim for silver next year to complete the set? John Adams (Rhondda Valley Runners) took second, with Chris Medcalf (San Domenico RC) finishing third.
San Domenico RC’s fifth gold medal came for Em Bissex (San Domenico RC), while Rebekah Miles (Les Croupiers RC) picked up silver, and Myfawny Thomas (Clwb Run Wales/She Runs Cardiff) won’t mind me saying she was very surprised and delighted to take home a bronze medal. That’s championship racing!
The only podium clean sweep of the day came for Les Croupiers RC as Andrew Blair, Phil Hodge, and Richard Bullin dominated the M60s.
Les Croupiers’ masters continue to find success with Carol Rees and Yvonne Bullen taking the top two spots in the W55s. Fiona Drysdale bagged a second bronze of the day for Ogmore Phoenix Runners.
Howard Kent (Les Croupiers RC) ran a close race with Geoff Twigg (Penarth & Dinas Runners) to claim gold in the M70, with Michael Tabor (Les Croupiers RC) in third.
Julie Scholey added to her South Wales medal collection with another gold in the W65, ahead of Les Croupiers teammate Clare Johnson ensuring the Cardiff club took home more than half of the medals on offer. Helen Lloyd-Jones picked up a bronze for Pegasus RC.
A huge thank you to Rhodri, Fiona, and the whole team at Pontypridd Roadents for putting on another exceptional race and hosting the championships. Look out for their future events for a proper club racing atmosphere.
Full regional medal results
Overall male
1. Andy Gardiner – San Domenico RC
2. David Craig – Les Croupiers RC
3. Matt Jacklin – Aberdare Valley AAC
Overall female
1. Delyth Williams – San Domenico RC
2. Janneke van Beijnum – Les Croupiers RC
3. Susannah Bulpin – San Domenico RC
M40
1. Matthew Turner – San Domenico RC
2. Paul Morton – Penarth & Dinas Runners
3. John Burridge – Ogmore Phoenix Runners
F35
1. Aimee Ferguson – Builth & District RC
2. Amy Edwards – Rhondda Valley Runners
3. Gail Evans – Dragons RC
M50
1. Wayne Humphreys – Les Croupiers RC
2. John Adams – Rhondda Valley Runners
3. Chris Medcalf – San Domenico RC
F45
1. Em Bissex – San Domenico RC
2. Rebekah Miles – Les Croupiers RC
3. Myfanwy Thomas – Clwb Run Wales
M60
1. Andrew Blair – Les Croupiers RC
2. Phil Hodge – Les Croupiers RC
3. Richard Bullin – Les Croupiers RC
F55
1. Carol Rees – Les Croupiers RC
2. Yvonne Bullen – Les Croupiers RC
3. Fiona Drysdale – Ogmore Phoenix Runners
M70
1. Howard Kent – Les Croupiers RC
2. Geoff Twigg – Penarth & Dinas Runners
3. Michael Tabor – Les Croupiers RC
F65
1. Julie Scholey – Les Croupiers RC
2. Clare Johnson – Les Croupiers RC
3. Helen Lloyd-Jones – Pegasus RC