Unusually warm conditions proved challenging for athletes assembled for the flat and fast Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K, meaning no course records were broken, but more than 5,000 registered runners enjoyed a run in the sun.
The event was the second fixture of the Run 4 Wales 10K Series, seeing a re-match from the top three athletes in last month’s ABP Newport 10K in the men’s race.
It was a close contest between teammates Kadar Omar and three-time race winner, Omar Ahmed, who crossed the finish line less than a second apart, but it was Ahmed who took his fourth victory with a time of 28:47.
Welshman Dewi Griffiths, who was the 2017 race winner here, came in third in 28:53.
Ahmed said: “Winning wasn’t easy today. My teammate was very close but I just managed to beat him so I’m very happy and so excited. I’ve run the course four times so I know it very well. It was really nice but today was a bit windy and hot, but that didn’t stop me.”
In the women’s race it was ABP Newport 10K victor, Hannah Iwin, who took the title in 33:16.
The Great Britain & Northern Ireland International propelled herself to the top spot after previously claiming third place in Cardiff Bay last year, racing past the Wales Millennium Centre, Senedd and barrage. This marks her second win in this year’s Run 4 Wales 10K series.
Irwin said: “It was a really good event. I did it last year so I had an idea about what it was like but it was very windy, so there was a bit of a battle with that. Today was quite warm too, so I’m really pleased to take the win. The support was really good around the course. There was a lot of running on my own but there were spectators at all points so it made for a good atmosphere. I really enjoyed it.”
Alaw Evans, who took the top spot in last year’s CDF 10K and came third at Newport, took second place in 34:58. She was followed by Emily Carrol with a time of 36:20.
In the wheelchair race it was serial winner Richie Powell who took the title with 33:41. But he also felt the effects of the weather on performance.
He said: “The last couple of weeks have been warmish but nothing like today. It’s not ideal as I haven’t been used to it, but it was the same for everybody and the course was great. It was a fantastic race and had a fantastic turnout. The crowd were amazing all the way around and I’ll be back next year.”
The Brecon Carreg Cardiff Bay 10K was the second event in the 2024 Run 4 Wales 10K Series, following the ABP Newport 10K which took place at the end of April. Next up will be the Ogi Porthcawl 10K on Sunday 7 July, followed by the CDF 10K on Sunday 1 September.
Men’s Race Results:
Omar Ahmed – 28:47
Kadar Omar – 28:47
Dewi Griffiths – 28:53
Ciaran Lewis – 31:20
Dan Hamilton – 31:24
Women’s Race Results:
Hannah Irwin – 33:16
Alaw Evans – 34:58
Emily Carroll – 36:20
Louise Flynn – 36:30
Donna Morris – 37:46
Wheelchair Race Result:
Richie Powell – 33:41
Ron Price – 37:44
Les Hampton – 46:40
