The separate Men's and Women's Championship races proved popular with the athletes and some good racing took place on the 5 lap course around Bridgend Town Centre on Saturday.

The high quality men's field competing ensured that the pack was always going to be large, with Steve Davies, Simon Jones, Adam Bitchell, Rowan Axe, Chris Discombe, Dewi Griffiths, David Mountford and Ieuan Thomas all hanging on to the fast pace set by Simon Jones.

As they started to drop off one by one, it was Simon who led through the first 3 laps, and in doing so picked up all the primes. With just a lap remaining it was down to a 3-men leading group made up by Steve Davies, Simon Jones and Adam Bitchell.

However, Steve Davies's superior track speed ensured he was not going to be beaten on the day and he crossed the line in a course record of 14:41, just 2 seconds clear of Simon Jones. Adam Bitchell, still with heavy legs after winning the BUCS 5000m the previous weekend held on for 3rd and won a very strong Under 20 championships.

With 3rd, 4th, 8th and 9th, Cardiff won the team prize ahead of Swansea, who lost Marc Hobbs on the 3rd lap.

Andrea Whitcombe showed her class by winning the Women's Championships and proving she is back to fitness after the birth of her first child 7 months ago.

The former winner of the National Cross Country Championships and World Cross Country Championship runner sat in the pack for 4 laps as Alaw Beynon-Thomas, closely followed by Elinor Kirk, Charlotte Arter and Natasha Cockram, led the group. However, with a lap to go, Andrea put in a spurt that none could follow and won by 6 seconds from an in-form Elinor Kirk. Alaw was awarded the 3 primes and also a personal best for her hard work.

16 year old Ffion Price, the World Junior Mountain Running Champion, won the Under 17 title in 17:54 and is one to watch for the future.
Swansea won the team title with Andrea Whitcombe, Elinor Kirk and Carol Glover in 12th place.