Dyfed primary school pupils and spectators once again turned out in their numbers last week at one of the most popular sporting events currently being held in Dyfed and West Wales in front of a packed house in Nantyci.

A total of over 1,400 runners from 75 Dyfed primary schools across Carmarthen-shire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion competed in the annual cross country championships at the United Counties Showground.

Now in its 31st year, the races were organised by Hedydd Davies. The likes of Gold Coast Commonwealth Games bound Caryl Jones, Caryl Granville and Josh Griffiths, along with Dewi Griffiths all began their careers and had first taste of experience at these local school events and the future generation were looking to be inspired and follow in their footsteps.

The first race saw a glimpse of the Year 3 athletes who were competing for their school for the first time and went up the age groups to Year 4 and Year 5 before the Year 6 pupils took part for the final time.

Conditions for the races were dry with a strong wind but the underfoot elements were affected, due to heavy rain in the overnight period. There was a grand stand finish in front of the stand, where school friends and parents encouraged them through the line. The Year 3 boys and Year 4 boys categories saw the most entry number with big totals of 236 and 213 finishers respectively.

The championships were sponsored by the Masonic Province of West Wales and McDonalds Carmarthen. Awards to the first ten in each race, first three teams and the winning county were presented on completion of the competition by the following: Clr. Irfon Jones (chairman of Carmarthenshire County Council); Clr. Phil Grice (Carmarthen Town Sheriff); Ron Mounsey (McDonalds); David Harris (West Wales Freemasons); Steve Jones (Welsh Athletics); Clr. Glynog Davies (Carmarthenshire County Council cabinet member for education) and Clr. Peter Hughes-Griffiths (Carmarthenshire County Council cabinet member for leisure).

As in previous years, there were team awards up for grabs with three to score from each school. There were four different school winners: Ysgol Y Dderwen, Ysgol Dewi Sant, Ysgol Griffith Jones and Ysgol Aberaeron.

Ysgol Y Dderwen, Carmarthen, were rewarded with good performances to be announced as the championship 2018 winners, winning a total of five age groups in the process. Carmarthenshire dominated all eight age groups as the top three members in each race won an additional trophy in the county award.

Year 3 girls: 1. Esme Lynock (Rhys Pritchard); 2. Gwennan Jones (Y Dderwen); 3. Meadow Norris (Comins Coch).

Year 3 boys: 1. Rhys James (Y Dderwen); 2. William Jones (Llandovery College); 3. Josh Morris (Carreg Hirfaen).

Year 4 girls: 1. Ophelia Jenkins (Tavernspite); 2. Mabli Collier (Pontyberem); 3. Martha Morgan (Teilo Sant).

Year 4 boys: 1. Steffan Thomas (Teilo Sant); 2. Iwan Brazier (Y Ddwylan); 3. Sam Griffiths (Llangynnwr).

Year 5 girls: 1. Martha Brandy-Phillips (Aberaeron); 2. Anna Joyce (Penllwyn); 3. Casi Gregson (Carreg Hirfaen).

Year 5 boys: 1. Macsen Toogood (Teilo Sant); 2. Rowan Dixon (Milford Haven); 3. William Harries (Hook).

Year 6 girls: 1. Erin Morgan (Y Dderwen); 2. Frances Mackie (Y Castell); 3. Eleanor White (Y Garn)

Year 6 boys: 1. Ifan Bowen (Y Dderwen); 2. Finlay Tarling (Aberaeron); 3. Iwan Thomas (Parc Y Tywyn)