Matt Clowes revised the course record at the Caerphilly 10k on Sunday (20 May) running a strong 30:33 on the hilly course.

Nearly 2,000 runners took to the streets of Caerphilly for the 2018 Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k.

The race had moved from a regular June date, but still enjoyed scorching temperatures as the runners weaved their way around an undulating loop of the medieval town.

Matt Clowes of Cardiff AAC had been billed as a pre-race favourite, joined by defending champion Abed Teweldebrhan of Newport Harriers and course record holder Owain Jones of Bristol & West AC.

At the 3k mark, the course team reported that Clowes already had a lead of around 60 metres and at 8:56 was on record to smash the previous best of 31:04, and perhaps dip under the elusive 30-minute barrier.

Similarly, the 5km mark was passed just seconds under 15 minutes but the route’s main climb was still to come.

Clowes was indeed the first runner to appear charging downhill towards the finish on Crescent Road, stopping the clock in 30:33 and recording a new course record.

“This is a great event and I was happy to run that,” said the modest Cardiff AAC man. “The hill near the end was really tough but that time here is fine. I live 20 minutes down the road so to come here and get this done is ideal.”

After losing a bet with his other half that he could run under 2:15 at the London Marathon this year it’s good to see the Welshman back on form.

Next home was Teweldebrhan, unable to retain his title but still happy to finish on the podium as the runner-up. Phil Matthews held off Owain Jones to finish third in the white and green of Swansea Harriers.

Racing at the Sharpe end

The ladies race saw Helen Sharpe of Fife AC live up to her pre-race favourite promise, winning in 37:04.

Cardiff AAC’s Lucy Marland had shared the pre-race favourite tag and stormed home in second place with a customary smile on her face. Claire Jacobs of Cardiff club Les Croupiers was the third lady back.

Sharpe spoke kindly of the event saying: “It was very warm but the crowds were great and I really enjoyed it. I was pleased to win here, it had a big race feel.”

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Matt Clowes will have the course record of 31:04 on his mind as he contests the Bryn Meadows Caerphilly 10k on Sunday (May 18).

The race will form part of his preparations for the JCP Swansea Half Marathon in June and ultimately a second shot at the marathon distance in Frankfurt this October.

The previous best mark in Caerphilly was set by Owain Jones of Bristol and West in 2016. He was also the winner in 2015 and will line up alongside Clowes at the 2018 race.

Last year’s winner Abed Teweldebrhan will also return. The Newport Harrier was third at the ABP Newport Wales 10k in April and at the Welsh 5km championships earlier this month.

2018 Welsh Cross Country champion James Hunt and runner-up Phil Matthews will also race. The former was sixth at the UK Inter-Counties Cross Country Championships in February and the latter was Welsh Half Marathon Champion in 2013.

Cardiff AAC’s Lucy Marland was third in Newport last month, and along with Bristol and West’s Helen Sharpe, will be chasing a first Caerphilly title in the women’s race. Lauren Cooper of Parc Bryn Bach Runners will look to trouble the joint race favourites.

The race will be started at 10am by the inaugural winner from 2013, Rob Bugden. Corporal Bugden suffered life changing injuries in a parachute accident whilst in California with the RAF in 2016.

The course takes athletes on a relatively undulating loop of the town, starting and finishing in the shadow of the imposing medieval castle.

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