Pontypool runner has year of success (From Free Press Series)

Pontypool runner has year of success

2:20pm Wednesday 16th January 2013 in Sport

LAST year proved to be a success for a 19-year-old runner from Pontypool.

Chris Carpanini, pictured, attained a place in the 2012 Welsh squad and set new personal bests in all distances on the road, as well as achieving creditable places in the senior and under-20s cross-country championships.

He represented Wales in both the under 20s and senior squads and is currently the Newport Park Run 5k record holder, being the first athlete to go under 16 minutes on the multi terrain course.

2012 was brought to a very exciting end with Mr Carpanini, who is a member of Newport Harriers, competing in the Boxing Day 5-mile road race in Glyn Neath and the Nos Galan 5k road race in Mountain Ash on New Year’s Eve.

The Boxing Day run was in the worst weather conditions of driving rain and wind but Mr Carpanini finished third, only five seconds behind the second placed runner, beating his personal best by 13 seconds.

Although he was the star of the day his dad Mark, 48, did not let the side down. He finished 45th out of 180 runners who took part and the joint time of father and son was the second fastest in the history of the race, which saw them lift the father and son trophy on the day.

New Year’s Eve at Mountain Ash was a very strongly contested elite race with athletes coming from as far afield as America to compete.

Mr Carpanini did well to finish 7th.

The end to the 2012 season was very positive and Mr Carpanini is hoping for a very successful 2013, which will start, with the indoor 3k Welsh championships in Cardiff, a title he has previously held.