WITH the cross country season well underway by now, Aberystwyth Athletics Club was well represented at the second North Wales League fixture in Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay on 31 October.

As always the fixture started in the morning with the junior race and Aberystwyth had a strong travelling contingent.

First up was Moi Schiavone who had a good run to finish tenth in a strong U16s boys race.

The under 14s boys had a three strong team with Aled Davies finishing an excellent ninth position overall, followed by Ifan Jones in 17th and Now Schiavone in 26th.

Aber under 14s runners Aled, Ifan and Now
Aber under 14s runners Aled, Ifan and Now (Aberystwyth AC)

The results secured fourth position for the team on the day, a great performance considering all the runners have another year in this age group.

The under 12 boys had another great showing after the team came out on top in the first fixture at St Asaph.

They were one short of a full team of four this time but still third place on the day thanks to Dion Wyn Jones in 7th and twin brothers Edmund and Idris Davies-Dunn who finished 8th and 9th respectively. The result leaves them a close second place in the league, just 4 points behind Deeside who lead.

Anita, Maggie, Ceris and Louise at Parc Eirias
Anita, Maggie, Ceris and Louise at Parc Eirias (Aberystwyth AC)

Alaw Jones raced for the first time this season in the U12 girls race and had a great run to finish 15th, whilst Owain Davies finished 5th in the U10 boys race to maintain Aberystwyth’s place at the top of the under 10 league table.

Moving on to the senior race in the afternoon, Aber were able to fill a full team for both the women and men’s races.

First up, the women were asked to run two large laps of the technical Eirias Park course to make up approximately 3.5 miles in distance.

Dylan, Llyr, Owain and Nathan
Dylan, Llyr, Owain and Nathan (Aberystwyth AC)

Louise Barker led the Aber team home in 50th place in a time of 22:26, followed by Maggie Collingborn in 90th (24:01), Anita Saycell in 106th (25:04) and Ceris Williams 129th (27:10) in what was a huge women’s field on the day.

The men’s race was just over five miles and included one small lap followed by three large.

Owain Schiavone led the team home in 25th position overall, and 2nd M45 in a time of 30:47.

Llyr ab Einion had another strong showing to finish 38th in 32:08, with Dylan Jones debuting in an Aber vest to finish 54th (33:49) and Nathan Robertshaw completing the team of four to finish 118th in 45:01.

The results means the Aber team maintain second place in Division 2 as they continue to make a push for promotion to the top tier next season.