Tumultuous weather conditions didn’t deter athletes with a new men’s record set at this year’s Ogi Porthcawl 10K.
More than 5,000 runners signed up to take part in the day’s events – the third fixture of the Run 4 Wales 10K Series.
And it was Omar Ahmed who clinched victory once again – so far securing a clean sweep of the top spot titles across the events.
Despite the race starting out wet and windy before the sun shone down, Birchfield Harriers’ Ahmed managed to set a new course time of 29:08 – shaving 47 seconds of the previous record set by Josh Griffiths in 2019.
He said: “I was feeling good but at the beginning of the race it was windy, it was raining and very wet, so I was a bit scared – but eventually I managed to get warm and I’m so happy to win.”
Welshman Dewi Griffiths, who recently reset his lifetime best at the Great Manchester Run, was hot on his heels securing second place with a time of 29:15 despite recovering from illness.
Griffiths added: “I wanted a bit of an honest race to blow the cobwebs out and see where I was at. I’ve had a turbulent week and have been on antibiotics most of the time but I decided to run on Friday, to give it a go and see what happens. I felt alright out there until Omar kicked in at about 8K and that was it then. But I’ve finished over a minute quicker than I did last year, so I’m happy with that and now looking forward to finishing off the series strong.”
Previous course record holder, and former UK Marathon Champion, Josh Griffiths took third place with 29:48.
In the women’s race it was Les Croupiers RC’s Alaw Evans, who previously came third in the series opener in Newport in April, who claimed gold with a time of 34:50.
She was followed by Aldershot Farnham & District’s Louise Small (35:26) and Deeside AAC’s Eden O’Dea (36:18) in third.
Evans said: “It was really windy and I forgot how many hills there were so I just ran my own race. I got to 7K and saw the leader so thought I’d just keep doing my own thing and I managed to catch up with her. There was really good support all around the course and I had a few local guys in the group around me who were encouraging with all the cheers – it was great all round.”
The fourth edition of the race took place in the popular seaside town on Sunday (7 July) and features a quirky course that takes in views along the sweeping coastline as well as all the fun of the Coney Beach Fairground.
The final event in the Run 4 Wales 10K Series will be the CDF 10K on Sunday 1 September.
Elite men’s results:
1. Omar Ahmed (Birchfield Harriers): 29:08
2. Dewi Griffiths (Swansea Harriers): 29:15
3. Josh Griffiths (Swansea Harriers): 29:48
4. Seyfu Jamaal (London Heathside): 29:51
5. Jack Millar (Bristol & West AC): 30:13
Elite women’s results:
1. Alaw Evans (Les Croupiers RC): 34:50
2. Louise Small (Aldershot, Farnham & District): 35:26
3. Eden O’Dea (Deeside AAC): 36:18
4. Donna Morris (Builth & District RC): 36:29
5. Kate Roberts (Swansea Harriers): 36:41