Athletics: Colwyn Bay ladies shine

Oct 27 2011

AN excellent performance from Colwyn Bay Athletic Club's ladies team in their host event saw them climb to second in the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country league.

Isabel Redfern led the team home in ninth on a new course at St David's College, near Llandudno.

But it was the performance of teenager Georgia Garner just two places further back which was the most impressive, the under-17 athlete finishing 11th despite running way above her age group on a very gruelling course with a lot of climbing.

Helen MacArthur was next in 17th, with Mary Dowell-Jones in 24th, A very strong Colwyn Bay turnout ensured the home team finished third on the day in the women's team competition - but moved up to second behind Eryri Harriers after two fixtures  so far.

Colwyn Bay won the under-17 boys team competition, with Nathan Jones finishing second – just losing out to Gwynant Jones of Maelgwyn after they were shoulder to shoulder for most of the race. Nathan had won the first race at Bangor earlier in the month, meaning he and his rival are neck and neck at the top of the individual title race with three meetings to go.

Helping Nathan secure the team win for the Bay were Tom Harding in fourth and Jake Griffiths in sixth.

The men's team moved up to fourth in the league after also enjoying a strong turnout at the college – an alternative to the club's normal host venue at Eirias Park, where re-development work is currently underway.

Steve Eardley led the team home in 25th, with Darren Doyle-Howson 50th and Russell Godwin 55th.

Colwyn Bay also dominated the junior league races at St David's College earlier in the day.

The third fixture in the North Wales cross-country league is at Deeside on Saturday, November 12.