AN excellent nights racing in good conditions saw a thrilling end to the Brecon AC/Brecon Rotary Club 3,4,5 mile series at Llanfrynach.
A newcomer to the 2016 series Phil Matthews, a M35 from Swansea Harriers, opened up a huge lead of two minutes over Builth’s Tim Iveson to win this five mile race in a very impressive 26 minutes 31 seconds.
Tim has been Mr Consistency, always in the top three and here he had a comfortable 20 second margin over Matthew Evans of Aberdare. In fourth place was Sam Lewis-Jones of Parc Bryn Bach (29.44) followed by Neil Jones of Cwm Ogwr (30.00) in fifth.
Barney Goodrich was the leading M40 in 30.32 while the first U20 was once again Tom Wood of Christ College who placed eigth overall in 31.38 just ahead of another notable performance by first M50 Phil Kendrick who was ninth in 31.42.
Katie Roby was once again an impressive winner of the ladies award recording a time of 32.35, 16 seconds ahead of Lauren Cooper of Parc Bryn Bach. Beth Wood again made it a family double in the U20 section, on this occasion recording a time of 39.53.
There was another excellent turnout of 122 which unusually was slightly up on the four mile turnout.
Earlier in the evening the 1.5 mile fun run was won for the third time in 2016 by Lloyd Jones, followed by Jack Organ and Patrick Morgan. Lili Jones was the first girl in fourth overall. Aderyn Carter and Isabel Brassington took the second and third places.
After refreshments in Llanfrynach village hall the presentation of the series awards took place.
Nick Morrell and Mike Evans of Brecon Rotary Club were in attendance and Nick gave a very supportive speech in which he stated that the rotarians would sponsor the series for the next two years. Nick then assisted in presenting the awards.
Series prizes for 2016 went to: U20F: First - Beth Wood, Second - Molly Smith; U20M: First - Tom Wood, Second - Craig Whittall, Third - Matthew Dempsey; SF: First -Katie Roby, Second - Emma Matthews, Third - Aimee Ferguson; SM: First - Tim Iveson, Second - Sam Lewis-Jones, Third - Tom Mullaney; F35: First - Kelly Morgan, Second - Wendy Price, Third - Emma Bald; M35: First - Paul Davies, Second - Robert King, Third - Gary Bartram; F40: First- Naomi Law, Second - Catie Gilbert, Third - Jill Williams; M40: First -Barney Goodrich, Second - Dale Williams, Third - Tim Shepherd; F45: First - Bev Tucker, Second - Julie Smith, Third - Lucy Jardine; M45: First - Dean Thomas, Second - Ashley Howarth, Third - Brian Morgan; F50: First - Jo Lord, Second - Bethan Jones, Third - Claire Jones; M50: First - Mark Dunscombe, Second - Paul Tucker, Third - Barry Griffiths; F55: First - Kate Hovers, Second - Tina Lavelle, Third - Caroline Frampton; M55: First - Graham Mack, Second - Adrian Taylor, Third - John Price; F60: First - Sue Richards, Second -Jenny Stephens; M60: First - Marc Sims, Second - Bob Smith, Third - David Rees.
There were also cash prizes for the first three males and females from across the whole spectrum of ages and these are probably the most sought after, reflecting both ability and strength across the three races.
This year, the mens series winner was Builth’s Tim Iveson with a combined time of 67.01, ahead of Parc Bryn Bach’s Sam Lewis Jones (70.29) and Brecon’s Barney Goodrich (72.00). The ladies series winner was Brecon’s Katie Roby (77.50), ahead of Builth’s Emma Matthews (80.50) and Aberdare’s Kelly Morgan (81.14).
Press secrretary Derek Osbourne said: "There were many many compliments about the friendly nature of the series and the organisation. A massive thanks to the volunteers who marshal and judge and provide refreshments and the results service. Many thanks to all of the sponsors large and small and to everyone who ran and supported the events again."