Road Running trio win five medals and claim new records at NW Track & Field champs

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Three Road Runners took to the outdoor track on May 11 at Deeside for the North Wales Regional Track & Field Championships and set some new PBs, won five prestigious medals, and smashed a couple of Welsh records!

Veteran Steve Gardner hit top form in the 3000m race for Senior Men, claiming 7th place overall within a quality field and won a gold medal after 1st VM60 with a superb time of 11 minutes and 2 seconds.

His father Dave Gardner also excelled in the shot put and javelin events, scooping two gold medals in his VM80 age cat in both, with some exceptional throws, which are now new Welsh bests

Dave’s throws in the shot included 6.01, 6.26. 6.31, and a PB with his final throw of 7.06. And in the javelin, his similar excellent throws were 14.17, 13.18, 14.03, and once again, he recorded a final PB and winning throw of 15.38.

After the event, Steve Gardner confirmed: “A lovely sunny day for the championships yesterday, and some good results from NWRRC members. I only did the 3000m. My dad did the shot put and the javelin, winning both, and I think some new VM80 records in both events.”

And Michael Finnie followed up his indoor sprint success last January with two very good performances to win silver medals in the VM60-69 100m and 200m events, despite a long time-lag between the two races.

In the Senior Men’s 100m, he finished 6th and was 1st VM65 age cat in 17.78 seconds, and he also finished 6th and placed 1st MV65 in the 200m in 38.78 seconds.

Michael later said: “It was very hot and windy. The wind was against us down the straight. My 100m was slow, but I was pleased with my 200m time. The medals were given out in 10-year gaps, so I won silver in both! It was a great atmosphere, and I really enjoyed the crowd.”

Ten Road Runners hit peak form at tough Snowdonia Half Marathon

Report by Don Hale

Ten North Wales Road Runners competed in the gruelling Snowdonia Half Marathon race on May 12, but were pleased with their results despite a hot and humid day.

Stuart Culverhouse was the first NWRRC athlete home in 41st place overall with an impressive chip time of 1.47.38, but veteran Kevin Slattery was perhaps the pick of the team after winning his MV65 age cat with a superb performance in 70th place in 1.53.36. *And as a note of interest, Kevin’s son Ian Slattery, who was visiting, also ran well, placing 23rd in 1.42.58.

Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones was delighted to finish 15th female and 5th F35-39 age cat in 1.58.34, with Steve Roberts 103rd in 2.00.20 and Dave Jones 132nd in 2.05.03.

After the race Culverhouse confirmed: “What a tough race in hot/muggy conditions but there can’t be many half marathons in such stunning surroundings.”
And Jones added: “Snowdonia Half Marathon result for me today, 2:05:03. That was a proper tough day at the office out there today. Hills of Doom and far too much heat. The scenery though was spectacular, and a good turnout from NWRRC.”

Adam Lemalle was 146th in 2.07.41 and Cai Roberts 156th in 2.08.20. Meanwhile, Helen Hannam was 78th female in 2.29.17, while Hannah Griffith ran this challenging course with her sister Siwan Kalatzi, and they both finished together, Hannah 87th female in 2.30.33, and Nia Lister was 136th female in 2.45.01.

*The event was well organised by RunWales and 1st overall was Daniel Sortys (Yelo Runners), in 1.25.10, with Lloyd Williams (Cybi Striders) 2nd in 1.27.12, and John Higgs was 3rd in 1.28.52. *The 1st female finisher was Lorna Young (Marsh Lane Harriers) in 1.31.48.

Conwy Parkrun commemorated International Nurses Day and NHS

Report by Don Hale

It was another bumper turn-out at the Conwy Parkrun on May 11, this time to commemorate International Nurses Day and in support of the NHS.

Just short of 300 club and social athletes enjoyed the humid conditions on a bone-hard 5k course to record some outstanding finishing times.

North Wales Road Runner Will Williams led home a team of 12 other club members, to finish 2nd overall in 18 minutes and 30 seconds and 1st VM50.

Young soccer player Joe Culverhouse set a hot pace throughout, and finished 17th, with a new PB of 21.59, to win his JM11-14 age cat, with his father Stuart Culverhouse 27th in 22.51.

Carla Green was 3rd female finisher and 1st VW50 with a determined run in 28th place in 22.54, and Richard Scamans was 51st in 24.31. Meanwhile, Steve Bozier returned to parkrun after a break and celebrated 64th place and 3rd VM45 in 25.22.

Another returnee, James Singleton, finished 72nd in 25.56, whilst veteran Rob Fryer took 3rd VM65 cat and 96th overall n 27.03.

Gethin Wyn Jones positioned 106th in 27.54, and master vet Don Hale continued his recovery program in 123rd place in 28.37, and was 3rd VM70-74 and shared the exact same time with club colleague Vicky Taylor, who finished 4th VW45, and just one place adrift.

Elizabeth Driscoll and Hannah Griffith also shared the same times – Elizabeth 185th in 31.37, with Hannah just one place behind.

*The first finisher overall remained unknown at the time of writing, but Will Williams (NWRRC) was 2nd in 18.30, and 1st VM50, with Jack Kelbrick 3rd in 18.59 and 1st SM30 cat. There were 293 finishers.

The 1st female finisher was course debutant Ellen Downs (Westerlands Cross-Country Club), who was 4th overall in 19.03, and 1st SW25-29.

Local athlete Amelia Anderson (Tristars Conwy Junior Triathlon Club) was 2nd (26th overall), with a new PB of 22.48, and she won her SW20 cat, with Carla Green (NWRRC) 3rd (28th), in 22.50, and 1st VW50 cat.
*Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls

Other parkrun results

Sutton Manor

Steve Mason was the 1st finisher overall on his course debut at the Sutton Manor Colliery Parkrun, and he also won his VM45 age cat in 21.38, finishing some 19 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Penrhyn

Harry Driscoll and Sandy Johnston took part in the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun, with Harry 16th and 2nd SM20 in 19.44, whilst master veteran Sandy was 1st VM70 in 23.37 finishing in 37th place.

Newent Park

Ben and Sarah Ferguson travelled to the Newent Park Oarkrun in Gloucestershire, which was Sarah’s former home patch.

And despite running just a week after their marvellous ultra-distance 50-mile plus run, Ben finished 4th overall in 23.20, and won his VM45 age cat, with Sarah also on good form in 13th place, 2nd female finisher and 1st VW45 cat in 25.24.

Prestatyn

Veteran Karen Butler put in a great performance at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn and
recorded a new PB of 25.20. She finished 35th overall and 2nd VW65.