Chaston Family Dynasty Continues in Wales . . . Thanks to Emily and Thomas

Steeplechaser Justin Chaston, who was born in Cardiff in 1968, went on to represent Great Britain at three Olympic Games and Wales at the Commonwealth Games.

Before the end of his career, the Belgrave Harrier moved to the States where he settled in Colorado and raised a family.

So it was fitting, as the championships returned to the capital for the first time in 14 years that Welsh Commonwealth Games hopeful Thomas Chaston and his sister Emily both claimed gold. 

The weather refused to offer a warm welcome to the transatlantic visitors, but the rain sweeping across Llandaff Fields on a stiff wind wasn’t enough to deter the siblings, who had made the trip especially to compete at the championships.

Thomas Chaston using his steeplechase skills to soar to victory in Cardiff.

Emily was the first to claim gold as she eventually shook off the spirited challenge of Kayley Price (Newport Harriers) who had been vying for the lead until the final stages of the 7,760m course.

In sodden conditions, which made the ground extremely muddy and slippery underfoot, especially on the hills, Chaston moved away in the last 300m to break the tape in 27:15.

Price claimed silver in 27:20, while the in-form Eden O’Dea (Deeside AAC), who had also challenged at the front for much of the race, was third in 27:31.

Chaston, who like her father and brother specialises in the steeplechase, said after the race: “That was hard! 

“It went out at a pretty comfortable pace, but the girls picked it up each lap, and all the mud was crazy - like nothing I've ever seen before. 

“And the log jump in there was a little bit of a surprise, but with my steeplechase background, it was okay.”

Thomas Chaston takes the tape to win the senior men's title.

Chaston, who is due to graduate from the University of Utah in the spring, said she had targeted the Welsh championships after completing her college season in the States.

“After I was done competing in the NCAA, I had some injuries that I needed to heal up, so I just did a fun road half marathon in the fall, just to prepare for this. These championships were what I was really focused on.”

Chaston was delighted to be competing in the land of her father. “He was a three time Olympian for Great Britain and ran steeplechase in 96, 2000 and 2004.

“So it's just been so great to learn from him and to go to these events with him too. It's like he kind of gets to relive it again, he really enjoys it.

“We love coming over here. My grandparents are from Wales, and then some of my family lives in London now, so we get to stay with them when we come here,” added Chaston, who like her brother - and their father before them - runs for Belgrave Harriers.

Thomas and Emily Chaston after their respective wins in the men's and women's senior races.

As well as competing at the Atlanta, Sydney and Athens Olympics, Chaston Senior represented GB at the 1995 World Championships in Gothenburg.  

The previous year, he had pulled on the red vest of Wales at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, Canada, where he finished seventh in the final.

Chaston was also a three-time British 3,000m steeplechase champion, claiming the title in 1994, 1996 and 2004.

Commenting on winning a Welsh title ahead of her brother, who finished second in these championships last year, Emily said: “I hope he takes the win as well, but he's in great shape right now, and he's in a great mindset. I think he's going to do amazing today.”

And so it proved as her brother was equally sure-footed in the treacherous mud to claim the senior men’s title in the next race of a busy championship schedule which saw more than 1,100 athletes take part.

Chaston, who like his sister positioned himself towards the extreme left of the start line to avoid the worst of the early jostling for position, was in the leading group throughout alongside the likes of Great Britain international Dafydd Jones (Swansea Harriers).

But on the penultimate lap of the 10,230m race, Chaston made a decisive break and never looked back as he continued to extend his lead before crossing the line in 31:30.

Jones finished second in 32:16, while Luca Messanger-Jones (Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds) was third in 32:43.

Emily Chaston starts her celebration as she approaches the winning tape.

Chaston, who is hoping to represent Wales in the steeplechase at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games later this year, said of the race: “It was messy! 

“When the hill on the backside of the course is the easiest part of the race, that tells you that the rest of it is just brutal. I had to just keep my composure and really just grind.” 

Commenting on his sister pipping him to a being the first to pick up a Welsh title, the Colorado-based athlete said: “It's great. We don't have any family rivalry like that. It's all love. So I'm really proud of her. She did amazing.”

Like his sister, Chaston was delighted to be running in Cardiff. “We love Wales so much. We've been coming here forever, and obviously half of my family lives here, so it's very special to come home and run in proper weather!”

On his Commonwealth Games ambitions, Chaston said: “We’ll run a few track races in the winter and then gear up for steeplechase outdoors and look to try to make the Commonwealth Games for steeple.

“Things are going well right now. I don't like to talk too much about the future. I like to just get through each week, because injury can pop up anytime. So I try to just go week by week and try to stack weeks of mileage.

“I'm gonna go back to London, and then I'll be there for a few days, and then, I'm gonna go out to Boston, and run a 5,000 in a couple weeks.”

When asked whether she also had ambitions to represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games, Emily said: “I'm not sure. I need to do more research. My brother has his eyes on the Commonwealth Games, so I'll just kind of see what I can do with school and with work, but I'd love to do more racing.

“I work part time at a hospital, and I go to school at the University of Utah, but I'm graduating this spring, so after that I don't know what I’m going to do.”

A full report and results from the 121st Welsh Cross Country Championships can be found on the Welsh Athletics website.