A Towy Valley schoolboy has left the competition for dead after being named Carmarthenshire Young Sportsman of the Year.

Dewi Griffiths, a pupil at Ysgol Tre-gib, scooped first place at a glittering awards ceremony to celebrate the county's finest athletes at the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli, on Wednesday.

The 15-year-old Carmarthen Harrier, from Llanfynydd, has had an outstanding season at cross country, road running and the 3000m, picking up national recognition thanks to some stunning performances throughout the year.

In 2006, Dewi became the under-15 Welsh and UK cross country champion, the Welsh under-17 3000m champion and also won the under-15 London Mini Marathon.

Even though he has a hectic athletics schedule, Dewi has managed to stay up to date with his schoolwork and has somehow combined classes and sport to great effect.

Community councillor Roslyn Mary Betts, of Gwernogle, nominated the flying schoolboy for the prestigious award after hearing of his commitment, drive and modesty.

"On the morning of the 2006 inter-county cross country championships in Nottinghamshire, Dewi was up at 3am after spending three days on a geography field trip in north Wales - not ideal preparation," said Cllr Betts.

"At 12.21pm, after a 230-mile coach journey, Dewi took part with 300 other under-15 athletes from 42 counties thrroughout the UK in the top cross country event of the season.

"Fifteen minutes later, despite a disastrous start that saw him in 100th place, Dewi was the 2006 Welsh champion crossing the line at the end of the 4500m event in 15m 2sec. It was a tremendous performance and a thoroughly deserved success by a modest and unassuming athlete who triumphed through sheer grit and determination."

Wales snooker legend Terry Griffiths and the late Carwyn James were inducted into the Carmarthen-shire Sporting Hall of Fame.