XC rankings

HULSON RANKED NUMBER ONE

After a brilliant winter, which culminated in his being the leading GB finisher at the World Championships in China, Charlie Hulson (Sale) has ben ranked Number 1 senior man in Athletics Weekly.

 The Flintshire man's performance in China was said to be the deciding factor even though he was beaten by some of the other leading contenders at other meetings.

 Welsh champion Dewi Griffiths is ranked at Number 3, with fellow Welsh international Andrew Davies (Stockport), the Northern champion, 19th over all but top of the M35 list.

 Among the top Masters are the Telford pair of Paul Ward (2nd M45) and Claire Martin (L40), both of whom won their classes at the BMAF championships in Ruthin.

Change of club

ROBERTS SWITCHES ALLEGIANCE

Matthew Roberts, one of the region's top mountain runners and no slouch on the road either, has transferred from Eryri Harriers to Calder Valley.

 In the Rivington Pike race at the weekend he  finished second, 19 seconds behind English international Rob Hope (Pudsey and Bramley).

New club

NEW GWYNEDD CLUB

A new running club, Llamwyr Llyn Striders, based in the Pwllheli area, has now affiliated to Welsh Athletics.

Salford 10k

ROAD WIN FOR JESKA

Eryri's recent recruit, who has already put in useful performances for her club on the country and fells, transferred her good form to the road when she won the Salford 10k on Good Friday. In a very good quality field she was 86th overall in 36.30.

 In the same race Prestatyn's Amie Bagnall, representing her first-claim club Salford, set a pb of 43.35.

Parkruns successes

YOUNGSTERS AGAIN SHINE IN PARKRUNS

The two North Wales Parkruns are proving happy experiences for several of the region's youngsters.

 After coming fourth the previous week Menai's 13-year-old Osian Perrin had another good run  at Conwy, finishing fifth in a field of over 230. First home was Tom Adams in 17.12, with regular Parkrunner Paul Wathan (Eryri) three seconds behind and Colwyn Bay teenager Michael Parry third in 17.56. First female home, in a pb of 21.06, was Rhiannon Kamink, also of Colwyn Bay AC.

 Meanwhile at Penrhyn Castle, a rather tougher course, 16-year-old Ryan Cain (Menai) led the field in 17.58 and the first female, in sixth place overall, was Deeside AC's 13-year-old Mia Roberts. Her time was a remarkable 20.01.

 After finishing second at Conwy Paul Wathan dashed to Llandudno and came third in the Easter 5k on the prom. His time there was 17.09.

 That race was won by yet another talented youngster, Eryri teenager Owen Roberts, in 16.47, with John Edward Morris (Denbigh) 17 seconds back.

 Rachel Olivant (Derby) was first lady home in 18.56, with another Colwyn Bay teenager, Holly Roberts, second in 1943 and Paul Wathan's partner Gemma Morgans third in 19.55.

 One of the other outstanding performances in Llandudno came from super-vet Dave Gardner (NWRR), who won the M75 class in a superb 23.19.

XC rankings

BARBARESI RANKED SIXTH

The scintillating form of Menai's under-15 Oliver Barbaresi over the past winter has earned him sixth place in Athletics Weekly's rankings for the cross-country season.

 Last year he was not ranked at all but his performances in the Welsh championships, which he won, and the Cross Challenge caught the eye.

 In the same age-group Wrexham's Matthew Willis was placed fourth - one place higher than in the U13 class in 2013.

 Oliver's Menai clubmate Cari Hughes, who was ranked 9th U15 in 2014, is in the same position this time in the U17 category. One place above her is Brecon's hitherto unranked Heidi Davies.

Joe Brown Series (1)

 WOMEN BEAT THE COLD - AND RECORDS

The bitterly cold weather reduced the size of the normal field for the opening race in the Joe Brown Tuesday night series at Moel Tryfan, near Caernarfon.

 However, it clearly did not affect the ladies, three of whom set new course records.

 Caitlin Rice (Glossopdale), who  holds the record for the Aber Dash, which takes place next Tuesday, was first lady home and she was followed by Lauren Jeska. She set a new L40 best, and teenager Bronwen Jenkinson set a new U18 record.

 Results (all Eryri unless stated): 1 J Bacon 18.38, 2 R Grantham (Chester Tri, M40) 18.49, 3 J Parkinson (M40) 19.24, 4 J McGeachern (ua) 19.33, 5 C Jackson (Denbigh) 20.14, 6 S Jones (Menai, U16) 20.21. U18: 1 S Williams 20.52, 2 M Finnie 21.00. M40: 3 I Rowlands (cybi) 21.16. M50: 1 A Lewis 22.05, 2 D Weaver 22.41, 3 E Jones (Cybi) 25.09. M60: P "Tan" Jones 26.16, 2 D Jones 27.06, 3 N Bradley (Meir) 27.32. M70: D Williams 28.04.
 Ladies: 1 C Rice (Glossopdale) 20.41, 2 L Jeska (L40) 21.39, 3 B Jenkinson (U18) 22.51, 4 L Beetlestone 23.28, 5 L Grantham (Chester Tri) 23.54, 6 L Emery-Jones 23.58. U16: D Jones 26.49. L40: 2 T Lewis-Jones 24.13, 3 M Perrin (ua) 27.48. L50: 1 E Salisbury 28.09, 2 S Norris (Eryri Orienteers) 28.59, 3 S Jones (Cybi) 30.28. L60: M Oliver 31.43.