Fast Times in Armagh ahead of Welsh 5k

Amanda Pritchard, running a 3k road race for the first time ahead of her 5k debut in the Welsh Championships next week, finished a very strong 4^th into a gale force wind which knocked down the gantry on the last lap.  Chloe Rodham and Claire Conway also had good runs in the wind, which died down before the 8.45pm start of the mens race.

On a fast, flat 5 lap course Matt Shone proved that although putting in the mileage for his Marathon debut in London, he still has speed in his legs.  Finishing 11^th in a very strong field, he knocked 31 seconds off his pb set when winning the Welsh 5k Championships last year.  Not far behind there was a fierce battle amongst the rest of the welsh team with 19 year old Craig Peters, now running for Wales also running a 17 second pb ahead of Marc Hobbs, Steve Davies, Chris Moss and Ian Mitchell all 1 second apart behind.

It was good to see Steve Davies and Chris Moss running 5k pb’s while there was a return to form for Ian Mitchell who has been out for almost a year with injury. Both Steve and Chris stayed back in the pack on the early laps, unsure of how to pace a 5k but there was plenty of speed left at the finish as they both pipped Ian on the line.  There is much more to come from both of them, possibly in the Welsh 5k Championships on Sunday, 2^nd March.

Behind the Welsh team there were personal bests for Swansea Harriers who took a large team over again this year.  It paid off as they won the team title.

Results – Mens 5k