The parkrun record-holder runs 15:59, while Osian Perrin claims men’s title in a sprint finish

Charlotte Arter and Osian Perrin claimed Cardiff Sunset 5km victories on Friday (September 18) as road racing returned in Wales.

GB international Arter’s victory was a clear sign that the Cardiff-based athlete has not lost fitness through the lockdown period as she raced for the first time in six months.

After edging away from training partner Clara Evans around halfway, Arter dipped just under the 16-minute mark with 15:59 in her first race since her Podium 5km victory in March.

READ MORE: Charlotte Arter ‏improves parkrun record in Cardiff

Evans was next to finish in 16:25, less than a week after a 72:21 half-marathon best in Antrim, with another Cardiff athlete, Lucy Marland, in third with a PB of 16:54.

Alaw Beynon-Thomas of Les Croupiers RC was fourth in 17:06, with Kate Roberts of Swansea Harriers fifth in 17:19.

“It was great fun to return to racing this evening at the Cardiff Sunset 5km,” said Arter, who improved her own women’s parkrun record in Cardiff in February, clocking 15:49 on the 5km Blackweir course, and then ran 15:53 at the Podium 5km.

“It had been six months since my last race so it felt good to be back racing. I’m very grateful to Welsh Athletics for organising such a fun and safe return to road racing in Wales, hopefully the first of more in the next couple of months.”

Triathlete Perrin made the trip from Anglesey count with a well-judged race that saw him claim a victory over a more experienced Matty Edwards of Cardiff AC.

The youngster from the Menai Track & Field Club was hoping to target his recent 14:30 PB but realised early on that a victory would be more likely with a wisely judged effort.

The pair turned on to the finish straight alongside each other but it was 17-year-old Perrin that had more left in the tank, edging ahead for a narrow victory over the Belmont University alumni Edwards, with both finishing in 14:35.

Swansea Harrier Guy Smith was the third athlete home in 14:46, with Newport Harrier Abed Teweldebrhan fourth in 14:47 and Daniel Hamilton of San Domenico RC fifth in 14:49.

“It was really nice to race again and especially on home turf in Wales,” said Perrin.

“The race was really tactical, really slow for the first 4km around 15 minute pace, and for the last kilometre I wasn’t sure how everyone’s kick would be so I just decided to go for it and see who would stick with me. I was ecstatic to take my first race win of the season.”

Full results can be found here.

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