THE cross country racing season is upon us once more and a great contingency of senior, youth and junior runners from Sarn Helen travelled to Pembrey Country Park to compete in the first round of the J H Collins Gwent Cross Country League, writes Liz Pugh.

In the U14s girls category, Alaw Freeman, Hawys Gruffudd and Molly Rose finished in the 23rd position in the team event. U14 boys, Jacob Hall 24th overall and Alfie Clarke 74th. U16 girls, Manon Gruffydd, 57th; Kacee Nolan, 66th.

Ollie George was 14th in the U24 age category and was in the top 10% of runners thus earning himself a Gwent League t-shirt. Matt Clarke, 39:02; Kevin Jones, 40:37; Geraint Thomas, 42:27; Simon Reed, 47:26 and Thomas Newcombe, 49:45.

In the senior ladies section, Emma Palfrey finished in the top 10% in 31:02 as did Becky Atkinson in 31:44. Dee Jolly, 32:14; Hannah Jones, 37:23 and Sarah Puetz 46:18.

The race also incorporated The West Wales Cross Country Championships where Becky Atkinson won gold in the F45 category with Kevin Jones winning silver in the M55.

Carwyn Davies competed in The Her Tybie 10K, a new multi-terrain race with the route starting at the village rugby club, taking in sections that highlighted Llandybie’s Industrial Heritage.

Carwyn had a great run to finish in 51:03 and was 3rd M40.

The Twin Peaks Race is an iconic coastal-hill running event organised by Aberystwyth Athletics Club.

Wyn Evans finished 1st V35 50:25 whilst youth runner Osian Jones had a great run in58:40.

The TCS Amsterdam Marathon starts and finishes at the historic Olympic Stadium.

Standing proud in the midst of thousands of runners were three members from Sarn Helen.

Mother and daughter duo Lou and Ceri Summers had stunning runs, Ceri finished in 3:26:21 whilst mum Lou ran 3:37:39 and was 6th in the V55 category. Running his first marathon was Sion Tansley who finished in 3:04:35.