Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships 2019 attracts the crowds to a brand new venue

For sporty primary school children, teachers, volunteers and parents across the county of Pembrokeshire, all roads led to a new venue for the 2019 staging of the popular Pembrokeshire Primary Schools Cross Country Championships.

Having been held at Oakwood Theme Park in recent years, the event made a move over to Carew Airfield in Sargeston on Thursday 17th October.

In its 29th year, it was organised by members of the local Pembrokeshire Harriers athletics club in partnership with Sport Pembrokeshire.

This was the second schools event held for primary school children in the Dyfed District so far this winter, following the Carmarthenshire Primary Schools Championships which took place at the United Counties Showground in Nantyci on Thursday 19th September.

Races were open to anyone in Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 at primary school age. The course was split into two – year 3 and 4 ran 1 small and 1 big lap totalling a 1000 metres whilst the year 5 and 6 children completed 2 big laps making a course of 1500 metres with the route ideal for families and friends to spectate and support from behind the fences as well as on the bank overlooking the finish.

All eight races saw more than 130 cross the finish, with the biggest turnout coming in the year 3 and year 4 categories (180 in the year boys)

Organiser Pete Freeman has been involved in the very first race in 1990. The race originally was held at Haverfordwest Racecourse then Haverfordwest Rugby Club before moving in recent years to the fantastic facilities available at Oakwood Theme Park in Narberth.

It was the Year 3 children, who got their first taste of competition, got the action underway at 2pm. They were followed by the Year 4, Year 5 and Year 6 age groups for both boys and girls.

Approximately 30 schools were represented and between the eight races, a total number of 1,235 children finished and crossed the line in another bumper and successful championships, making it one of the biggest turnouts since it began!

Runners were in good company, led at the front and back as “hares” by middle distance athletes at Pembrokeshire Harriers and pupils of Haverfordwest High School, Ysgol Y Preseli and Ysgol Harri Tudur -Ffion Ouseley, James Price, Cian Harries, Eliza Martin, William Harries, Iori Humphreys, Jessica Morris, Ella Wintle and Lucy Wintle as well as Gracie Griffiths helping with presentations. Each and every one did a fantastic job, encouraging all the athletes around the route.

Medals and awards were presented to the top ten individuals at the presentation area on completion of the races with trophies up for grabs for all the team winners (3 athletes in a school to score).

Finishing in the top three of the team element in their respective races were Milford Haven, Tavernspite, Cleddau Reach, Templeton, Gelli Aur, Prendergast, Sundersfoot, Fenton, St Teilo’s, Caer Elen, Goodwick, Tenby Church VC and Redhill.

Reflecting on the day’s races, Matt Freeman, Active Young People Manager for Sport Pembrokeshire added: “The Primary School Cross Country is established as the flagship schools’ event of the Sport Pembrokeshire calendar and Thursday saw a great afternoon of racing for the pupils of Pembrokeshire. The event, run in partnership with Pembrokeshire Harriers was a great chance for children to represent their respective schools supported on by their parents, staff and peers on a testing cross country course staged at Carew Airfield.”

“From a Sports Development perspective, our attendance was vital as we have a chance to speak to the children and parents about athletics opportunities as a whole in the county.”

Dyfed has now seen over 2,200 pupils enjoy cross country running in the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire counties in the space of a month at two fixtures.

Number of Finishers / Nifer Wedi Gorffen

Year 3 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 3: 173

Year 3 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 3: 157

Year 4 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 4: 180

Year 4 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 4: 159

Year 5 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 5: 151

Year 5 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 5: 142

Year 6 Boys / Bechgyn Blwyddyn 6: 136

Year 6 Girls / Merched Blwyddyn 6: 137