Free Press Sport
Fairwater Runners win silver at the Welsh Cross Country Championships
1:04pm Wednesday 22nd February 2012
Fairwater Runners took a team of eight runners along with a great support crew to the Welsh Cross Country Championships, held in St Fagans, Cardiff on Saturday 18th February and surprised everyone by returning with a team silver medal in the Senior Man's category, behind winners Swansea Harriers. This makes them the first Gwent Club to pick up a medal in the championship since Newport Harriers took the title back in 1992.
It is by far the greatest achievement in its 29 year history and even more remarkable in that it boasts little over 30 members, many of whom came along and showed their support to those running the tough and gruelling course which consisted of 1 small lap and 3 large laps around farmland and was just over 10K in distance.
The squad was headed up by two former international athletes in the shape of Matthew Collins and Mark Jennings, both of whom have returned to their roots in recent years, having had spells at the club back in the 90's.
Collins was first of the Fairwater contingent to cross the line in 14th place, in a time of 39.24. He was followed by Jennings in 16th place in 40.22. Newcomer to the club Stefan Simms (V40) put in a sterling performance, finishing one place below Jennings and just 16 seconds behind. Next across the line in 20th was Daryll Barnby in 41.43, giving Fairwater four athletes in the top 20. Grant Lewis capped an excellent race, finishing strong in 26th position, in a time 43.06.
With only the first six finishers from a club counted as scorers, the battle for the remaining place couldn't have been any closer with Alun Williams (V40) holding off the challenge of compatriot and Club Captain Richard Lloyd. Williams crossing the line in 38th position, in 46.11 and Lloyd one position and an agonising 6 seconds behind, meaning he missed out on a medal that his gutsy performance merited.
The final Fairwater runner across the line was Jonathan Williams (V45) in 64th position in a time of 53.22.