Harry has qualified to run for Team Wales at the London Mini Marathon.
A Monmouth schoolboy has qualified to run for Team Wales at the Virgin Money Giving London Mini Marathon in April.
Harry, a pupil at Monmouth School for Boys, secured a place in the Under-13 boys’ team after shining at a blustery Welsh Athletics’ Welsh Cross Country Championships in Pembrey on Saturday 22nd February.
The 13-year-old, who represents Newport Harriers, was runner-up in the Under-13 Boys’ race in 11 minutes 18 secs, just behind the winner – his age-old rival from Carmarthen Harriers.
Despite missing out on the championship crown, Harry, from Year 8, was in the top-six and has qualified for the Mini Marathon on 26th April which serves as the official British Athletics three-mile road championships for athletes aged between 11 and 17.
The Mini Marathon is run over the last three miles of the London Marathon course on the same day as the main event with the same iconic finish.
The races for the under-15 and under-17 sections were also used by Team Wales as trials for the Mini Marathon and attracted large fields of the best cross-country runners.
Fellow Monmouth School for Boys’ student Henry, 13, competing as a junior under-15, came a very creditable 17th in a field of experienced, older runners.
In demanding conditions, Henry, from Year 9, who also represents Newport Harriers, was among the best junior under-15s which bodes well for next year when he will be running as a senior under-15.
Dr Huw Evans, the Head of Mathematics at Monmouth School for Boys, was 28th overall in the men’s race – and won a gold medal for his age category – in a field which involved 170 senior men.
Henry came a creditable 17th in a field of experienced runners.
