A new women’s course record was set in the 2025 Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K.
Following on from their success in the Barry Island 10K last month, Omar Ahmed and Natasha Wilson were once again crowned the victors in this event which was host to the third fixture of the 2025 Run 4 Wales 10K Series.
Set in the picturesque seaside town, the Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K uses a relatively flat route and takes in the famous Trecco Bay and newly renovated Harbour area.
Natasha Wilson (nee Cockram) from Micky Morris Racing Team claimed the women’s title this year and set the new record with a time of 33:05. The title was previously set by Lily Partridge in 2023 who ran the race in a time of 33:57.
Cardiff Athletics’ Nia Clatworthy came in second (35:48) with Tamara Beach from Cornwall Athletic Club taking third position (35:55).
Wilson, who is the second fastest Welsh marathoner in history with a best of 2:26:14 and also third fastest at Half Marathon with a time of 70:04, said: “It’s so nice to be back in Wales. Last year I missed the whole year so I’m really happy to be back racing in front of the home crowd. This wasn’t as brutal as the Barry Island 10K last month although it was as windy, if not windier, but the hills weren’t as bad.
“I was quite surprised to be running a lot of this on my own as I thought Nia would give me a bit of a race but I left her pretty much from the start line. I also got left behind a little bit, I could see Mike Roderick – who is normally around where I want to be – about 200m in front, so I did a lot of sprinting to catch up with him and hold on to him for as long as I could.”
She added: “The atmosphere today was so good – Barry was good, but Porthcawl was even better. The Welsh crowds are always incredible and the amount of times I hear my name being called by people I don’t even know is really, really nice.”
Birchfield Harriers’ Omar Ahmed was crowned the men’s winner with a time of 29:25, but it wasn’t enough to beat his course record from last year which he ran in 29:08.
Ahmed has a near clean-sheet of wins at R4W races and has won all the races that form the 2025 R4W 10K Series in previous years. He was indeed the winner here 12 months ago, finishing ahead of Dewi Griffiths in second and Josh Griffiths in third. Both the Swansea Harriers club members claimed the second and third spots again this year – Dewi with a time of 29:50 and Josh in 30:43.
Ahmed said: “I feel alright, I ran 3000m yesterday, so my legs were still good. Today it was quite windy but I went to work with Dewi on the first kilometre, but after that he dropped and I carried on, so I’m so happy to win the race.
“I always like to run in front and if someone is near I like to work with them but if there’s nobody with me, I’ll just go for it.”
He added: “It’s a beautiful course with amazing crowds – it always is in Wales – and I’m just so happy to win the race, it’s been another amazing event.”
Ahmed now has his sights set on the final 10K in the R4W 10K Series – the Brecon Carreg CDF 10K taking place on Sunday 7 September.
New father, Dewi Griffiths, took second place. He said: “I’m pretty happy, it was pretty windy out there today but I’m happy with my performance and now it’s something to build on for the autumn.
“An autumn marathon is the aim – I’m not sure where or when just yet – but we’ve just had a baby, who’s 10 weeks old today, so I’m now hopefully getting back into the routine of training and it’s good to be back.”
Those who are feeling inspired can take part in the 2026 Brecon Carreg Porthcawl 10K on Sunday 5 July with a special early bird offer for the first 500 to sign up.
Results:
Women:
- Natasha Wilson (Micky Morris Racing Team): 33:05
- Nia Clatworthy (Cardiff Athletics): 35:48
- Tamara Beach (Cornwall Athletic Club): 35:55
- Alaw Evans (Les Croupiers RC): 36:16
- Deborah Bruce (Bristol & West AC): 36:38
Men:
- Omar Ahmed (Birchfield Harriers): 29:25
- Dewi Griffiths (Swansea Harriers): 29:50
- Josh Griffiths (Swansea Harriers): 30:43
- Lloyd Sheppard Brown (Cardiff Athletics): 30:55
- Adam Bull (Pontypridd Roadents): 31:26