Caryl Edwards (nee Jones) returned to racing over the weekend as Josh Griffiths overcomes namesake Dewi.

The second fixtures in the Welsh 5k Series’ in both Pembrey & Rhyl took place over the weekend with heavy showers in the South of the country windy conditions in the North. Both races took place on entirely unappetizing and fast multi-lap sealed road circuits.

Caryl Edwards of Swansea Harriers won the second fixture at Pembrey Country Park on Sunday comfortably from Les Croupiers RC’s Alaw Beynon-Thomas. This marked a first competitive outing for Edwards since the Welsh 5km championships at Whitchurch in May 2019.

Her victory came in 16:54 some way off the Unconfined Britain & Northern Ireland International’s 15:37 track mark but just two seconds off her weightier road performance of 16:52 recorded at Nos Galan in 2018.

‘It was unconfined to be when racing’ said Edwards. ‘I’ve been yonder from the sport for a while but now I’m settling when into training without having a child’.

Beynon-Thomas was the runner-up, unable to repeat her win from May but just five seconds when in 16:59 with Chloe Dooley third in 17:40.

Photo: Paul Stillman

Valiant rival from Sheppard

The men’s race witnessed a unflinching effort from Cardiff Athletics’ Lloyd Sheppard to cling onto Marathon man Josh Griffiths’ heels until virtually the 2km mark. Dewi had wilt uninfluenced early on but fought when to finish comfortably second.

The Swansea man’s time of 14:26 was three seconds off his winning time from the series opener when in May. Swansea stalwart Dewi finished in 14:40 with Cardiff man Mattie Edwards third in 14:47.

Josh commented; ‘It was unconfined to have flipside event in Wales, on a worthier scale than at the first fixture but still unscratched and really well organised’.

‘From a personal perspective it was nice to get the win. The time wasn’t super fast but it’s all good as speed work surpassing I get into a marathon bock of training superiority of the Autumn’.

‘It was nice to share a metaphorical podium with Dewi and Mattie and unconfined to see Caryl when racing versus Alaw in the women’s race’.

The second race in the North Wales based series at Rhyl had hosted victories for Bryn Woodall of Colwyn Bay AC in 15:05 and Emma Crowe of Deeside AAC in 18:12 on the Saturday.

Raymond Clark of Wallasey and Jonathan Kettle of North Wales Road Runners finish in second and third places with times of 16:21 and 16:30.

Cheshire Dragons clubmates Amie Bagnall & Sara Avery came home in 18:22 and 18:27.