ANDY Davies was crowned Welsh 10km road champion in Llandudno on Sunday.

The 38-year-old from Newtown overcame difficult conditions in howling winds around the Great Orme to take victory with a time of 32.36.

The Stockport Harrier Athletics Club star used the race as part of his preparations for the the marathon at the Commonwealth Games to be held in Australia later in the year.

The Nick Beer 10km Road Race is one of the highlights of the Welsh athletics calendar with the event attracting athletes from across Britain.

More than 700 descended on Llandudno on Sunday and took on the scenic course on a bitterly cold day.

Davies said: “I’m really happy to win the Nick Beer 10km. It was a good indication to see where I’m at currently.

“It was extremely windy the far side of the Orme in Llandudno and uphill which made running very difficult but it was good fun in the second half downhill with the wind behind.

“I was happy with my time considering the conditions which will hopefully stand me in good stead at the Llanelli Half Marathon this weekend.”

Davies will step up his preparations for the Gold Coast with a training camp in Spain as the popular long distance runner leaves no stone unturned in his preparations.

Davies has carried his outstanding 2017 form into the new year having won the Wolverhampton Turkey Trot just before Christmas having also ended 17th in the Firenze Marathon in Florence.

Davies was crowned Montgomeryshire sports personality of the year at the annual sports awards last month.