Ben Reynolds Shows Roar Talent And Determination To Become Welsh Track Champion

By Owen Morgan

A roar of delight at the end of a closely contested 800m illustrated just how much it means to win a Welsh athletics title.

As the 105th edition of the Welsh Athletics Championships neared its finale, Ben Reynolds made his move as he entered the home straight of the men’s two-lap final.

Guest athlete Christian Byron, of Birchfield Harriers, was leading the field as the race entered its closing stages.

But Reynolds, hunting down his first senior title, was in no mood to pass up the opportunity of winning Welsh gold in style on his home track.

Timing his finish to perfection, Reynolds swept past Byron in the final few strides allowing him to celebrate – arms outstretched – as he crossed the line in 1:54.40 before bellowing his delight at victory.

The University of Oregon student’s reaction summed up two days of hotly contested competition involving almost 1,000 athletes chasing Welsh titles in appropriately high temperatures.