THOUSANDS of people descended on Caerphilly town centre yesterday for the second annual 10k road race.
On a very hot day, thousands of spectators crowded around Caerphilly Castle from 9am, with nearly 200 children taking part in a Junior 2k around the castle before the main event kicked off later in the day.
Residents lined the streets of the 10k route, which led the runners in a loop around the town centre before finishing back in the shadow of the iconic castle.
Nearly 2,000 elite and competitive runners completed the race with Owain Jones from Bristol and West Athletics Club beating the previous winner’s time by almost an entire minute. He breezed across the line in 31 minutes and 22 seconds.
Cllr Dave Carter, Mayor of Caerphilly County Borough Council started the race alongside the council’s deputy leader, Cllr Barbara Jones, and Andrew Coombs, captain of the Newport Gwent Dragons.
The Mayor said: “I am thrilled that I am able to be here for the second year in a row to start this race. I hope you all enjoy this challenging course and the fun activities that our Sport and Leisure Team have provided in the Commonwealth Sport Park.
“Events like this truly showcase what we can do and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in organising the day.”
This year there was one racer who took on the undulating course in her wheelchair. Sian Hughes, who trains with the Parc Bryn Bach Running Club in Tredegar, finished the course in an impressive one hour and 11 minutes. The results for the men's and women's races were as follows:
1 Owain Jones, Bristol & West AC, 0:31:22
2 Marc Hobbs, Swansea Harriers, 0:31:51
3 Josh Griffiths, Swansea Harriers, 0:31:56
1 (52 overall) Emma Wookey, Lliswerry Runners, 0:36:33
2 (78) Kate Roberts, Swansea Harriers, 0:38:21
3 (81) Clara Evans, Pontypridd Roadents, 0:38:32
The council wants participants to give feedback about the race, from the runners and spectators who enjoyed the event as well as from businesses, residents and visitors to the town. To do so, visit www.twitter.com/visitcaerphilly or www.facebook.com/visitcaerphilly or email 10k@caerphilly.gov.uk
More pictures by Huw Fairclough of the Caerphilly 10k can be seen here.
Images of all finishers and pics from both the 2k and 10k races are on sale here:
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