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30/07/2026 00:00, In Blog / Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - Latest News /

Charlotte Henrich provided her mum with a very special birthday present as the Welsh record holder booked her place in Saturday lunchtime’s 400m final.

Also securing herself a final place was Ava Lloyd, who will be lining up in the mile on Saturday evening. Unfortunately, Melissa Courney-Bryant just missed out on joining her in the final.

Running in the third semi-final of three, Henrich was drawn in lane five with a blustery wind waiting to give the athletes an added challenge in the home straight.

The Invicta East Kent athlete was out of the blocks quickly with Jamara Patterson, of Grenada, also starting well outside her.

By the time the athletes entered the final bend Henrich appeared to be in the lead and well in contention to book one of the two automatic qualifying places from the heat.

In the home straight, Ella Onojuvwevwo, of Kenya, came through strongly to take the win in 51.47.

But crucially, Henrich was comfortably in second place as she crossed the line, guaranteeing her final spot in 52.13.

After the race, a hugely excited Henrich said:

I’m really happy. It’s crazy to make the final. I want to go and talk to my coach! Say thank you!

Asked about the race itself, she admitted:

“I don’t really know how it went! I was just running and then got to the home straight, saw Ella and she just went away.

“I was just trying to make it through and I don’t really remember it now!”

Asked what her after race plans were, she revealed:

“I’m going to quickly see my family, it’s my mum’s birthday today!”

In the mile semi-finals, Lloyd (Wigan and District Harriers and AC) was drawn on the inside of the second race and was able to ease herself into second place as the field appeared to set off at a slightly faster pace than the first semi-final.

At the end of the first lap, the Welsh athlete looked well placed in fourth and held that position as the field came through the line with 800m remaining.

The pace really started to wind up with 500m to go which saw Lloyd move back a place to fifth in the closely packed leading group of eight athletes.

But entering the final bend, the Great Britain cross country international showed impressive speed and strength.

By the time the athletes were coming down the home straight, the 20-year-old was comfortably in third place, crossing the line in a new personal best 4:31.41. The race was won by Claudia Hollingsworth, of Australia, in 4:31.17.

Asked how it felt to be in the final, a delighted Lloyd said:

“I’m so excited to be honest. I’m super happy to qualify. That was the main aim coming in to today – and to do it pretty much to my plan, I’m really happy.

“I knew I was on the inside so I would have to get out pretty well, otherwise you get swamped especially on the mile start, different to the 1500.

“Then kind of stick in the top six and cover as many moves as I could, which I think I managed to do pretty well.”

Meanwhile, Courtney-Bryant, stepped up to the line at the start of first semi-final looking relaxed and ready for the race ahead.

At the gun, the field set off at a slow pace with all 11 athletes packed closely together. At the end of the first lap, the Welsh record holder was placed smack in the middle of the tightly packed field.

By the time the athletes came back around in front of the main stand on the home straight, Courtney-Bryant (Poole AC) had moved back slightly, possibly to avoid the congestion ahead of her.

With 150m to go and the speed being increased at the head of the race the Welsh team’s joint captain was one place outside the top six qualification places.

With determination and effort etched over her face in the final stages, try as she might, Courtney-Bryant couldn’t reel in the sixth placed runner Simone Plourde, of Canada.

The 2018 1500m bronze medallist, who has had to contend with a series of injuries in recent years including a recent torn calf, crossed the line in seventh place, agonisingly one place outside the qualifying places in 4:39.50. The race was won in 4:33.11 by Teresiah Muthoni Gateri, of Kenya, in 4:33.11.

A clearly disappointed Courtney-Bryant spoke afterwards of how it felt to represent Wales:

“I’m so proud to wear this Welsh kit, the speed suit. I’m actually loving it, all the athletes are wearing the speed suit this year.

“We’re loving this bright red and I’m so proud to represent Wales. It’s just like we have such a good connection in the team. We’ve all been so close. And I’m really proud of everyone out there and what they’ve done this week.

But I’m disappointed with myself, it’s not a reflection of the athlete I am, but unfortunately, it’s the cards I was given and I’ve dealt with a lot of injury. Just over six weeks ago I tore my calf and it was touch and go if I made the start line.”

Courtney Bryant also wanted to pay tribute to Welsh Athletics physiotherapist Adam Rattenberry and her coach Rob Denmark for the work they’d done just to get her to the start line.

“Adam, the physio is amazing. He is like the calmest physio ever and he has given me so much confidence to get to the start line and be healthy. I’ve just walked off that track not in pain. I haven’t torn my calf and that’s a real big win.

“Then to my coach who’s had to adapt the plan about 100 times, coming up with different sessions on the bike. I’ve been killing myself on the bike, pool, the gym absolutely everything. I’ve been working crazy.

“I didn’t want that to be my performance today and I’m really disappointed in that but unfortunately it was just the best I could give.”

RESULTS

Photo Credit - Team Wales