Three podium places for Road Runners at Chester Half Marathon

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

There was a good turnout of North Wales Road Runners at the Essar Chester Half Marathon race last Sunday morning.

All competed well, and celebrated with three age cat podium places despite the hot and challenging conditions.

Martin Green looked back to his old self again and led home a team of 15 members, to additionally win his MV45 age cat with a superb chip time of 1 hour 15 minutes and 10 seconds, finishing well in 13th place overall, out of nearly 6,000 entrants.

He was one of three NWRRC members who celebrated podium positions, with Martin’s wife Carla Green finishing 3rd in her FV50 cat as the 20th female, whilst veteran Rob Fryer also took the 3rd spot overall, and the 2nd chip place result in his MV65-69.

Jonathan Kettle said he struggled throughout, but he finished well in 47th place in 1.21.15, and Carla Green had an excellent run in 237th in 1.32.40. Stuart Culverhouse was 295th in 1.34.09, and James Jones 543rd in 1.39.42.

Steve Roberts claimed 714th position in 1.42.43, with Cheryl Frost 1154th, (151st female), in 1.49.56, and Kay Hatton narrowly missed out on honours after finishing 4th FV60 in 1.51.26 in 1278th (179th female).

Nicola Wylie continued her steady progress in 1.56.18 in 1838th, (313th female), and Kelly Marie Alford did well to dip under the two-hour mark in those conditions finishing 2093rd, (392nd female), in 1.58.28, with Jon Evans on time again as a pace setter in 1.59.46 in 2210th place.

Cai Roberts finished in 2435th place in 2.02.49, with veteran Rob Fryer 2714th in 2.05.42, and newcomer Molly Evans ran well to record 2.07.29 in 2652nd place, with Nia Lister 3465th in 2.18.48.

Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts wins Southport Sprint Duathlon

Report by Don Hale

North Wales Road Runner Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts was proud winner of the Southport Sprint Duathlon event on Sunday with a determined display following his success at two 5k runs and a tough 20k bike ride.

This win came as something of a shock to the experienced GB and Welsh International athlete, as he only confirmed his attendance at the last minute after suffering from an illness all week.

In his first 5k race run he admitted he “wasn’t feeling it,” but persevered, and eventually finished strong in 19 mins 33 secs. He then battled for honours in the 20k plus bike ride, and said he finally caught the race leader after about 4k.

His final Duathlon Sprint event involved another hard 5k race, but he dug in well, and finished quicker than his first run in 19.13, to win the competition in style.

After the event, he said: “Southport Duathlon winner, and the winner of my age group. I’ll take that after being ill all week. That was a hard second run, and the longest I’ve done. It was really sunny and hot! There was nobody close, so it was a case of turning the legs to get home.”

Road Runners compete well at Great Orme fell race

Report by Don Hale

Eleven members of North Wales Road Runners competed in the gruelling Great Orme fell race, which attracted 150 hardy athletes, and is part of a challenging midweek series of similar events.

Jonathan Kettle led the team home in 17th place overall in 36 minutes and 35 seconds, with Steve Mason close on his heels and finishing 19th in 37.13.

Veteran Kevin Slattery followed up his excellent performance in the Snowdonia Half Marathon with another good result in 46th place in 41.42, and Adam Lemalle was pleased with both his run and time – 69th in 43.41.

Steve Bozier continued to rebuild his fitness and was 89th in 47.06, with Richard Scamans 115th in 51.07, whilst Nicola Wylie was 120th in 52.13. and Elizabeth Driscoll returned back to form with another good run in 122nd place in 53.13. Nia Lister was 147th in 64.26, Helen Hannam 148th in 64.59, and Gwennan Charlton 49th in 66.17.

After the race, Jonathan Kettle confirmed: “It was a very tough race with two summits of the Great Orme with 1300ft of elevation over 4 miles. Absolutely perfect weather and although it was such a tough race, it was also so enjoyable.”

Perfect weather for 400 plus runners as Conwy Parkrun celebrates 400th event

Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It was a perfect morning at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday morning with warm, bright sunshine, for over 400 athletes, walkers, and volunteers as they commemorated their 400th event.

Blessed with unusually good weather, very little wind, and with an atmospheric touch of mist in the distance surrounding the iconic Conwy Castle, people from all parts of the country boosted the number of local entrants to this regular run, with everyone determined to enjoy and celebrate this special occasion.

The event also helped to raise awareness of mental health issues and included a brief presentation by Conwy Mind at the start, who highlighted examples of their good work, and mentioned the many services available for people in need, backed by support from members of the Feel Mind Group.

John Hatton from North Wales Road Runners, who has both run and volunteered as an MC at Conwy since the start of these parkruns, worked hard to promote this occasion during several preceding days, and eventually was also able to celebrate after achieving this memorable milestone.

Following the event, a delighted John confirmed: “I would just like to thank everyone who ran the 400th Conwy Parkrun this morning. With the 400th in mind, my objective was to get 400 participants. It was a fantastic morning, and we finally achieved a finishing total of 402. 

“It was a great atmosphere, the weather really was on good behaviour, however I did sweep the first stretch of puddles on Friday afternoon. Out of interest, the RSPB cafe manager came to see me, he thanked me for a record number of customers ever on a Saturday morning. Once again thank you for making this a very special Parkrun.”

NWRRC entered 15 members and collected four age cat wins, despite many runners taking it easy in preparation for the Chester Half Marathon the following day.

Will Evans was first clubman home in 9th place overall in 20.02 and 1st VM40.

Adam Lemalle came 18th and 3rd VM40 in 21.34. Dave Jones produced his fastest parkrun this year in 23rd place and 3rd VM50 in 22.06, whilst youngster Joe Culverhouse continues to impress, and he easily won his JM11-14 cat in 27th place in 22.18. And Jamie Tharme recovered from his recent injury to put in a determined performance, finishing 38th in 23.00, and 2nd VM45.

Master veteran Sandy Johnston won his VM70 age cat in an excellent time of just 23.04 in 40th place overall. Steve Poupart was just one second and one place behind, and 3rd in his own VM45 cat.

Richard Scamans finished 60th in 23.57, and Martin Green and Tony Price Jones ran together and jogged around the course, with Martin 65th in 24.07, and Tony was just one second and one place adrift.

Carla Green was another taking it steady for another race, and she ran back with Stuart Culverhouse.

Carla won her VW50 cat in 24.11 in 69th place, with Stuart again just one second and one place behind.

Another master veteran in Mark Mason finished 3rd VM70 in 144th place in 27.38, with fellow vets Rob Fryer and John O’Shea 162nd in 28.20, and 196th in 29.56, respectively.

Other parkrun results

Prestatyn

Mal Preece finished 9th overall and 2nd MV60 at the Nova Parkrun in Prestatyn in 22.24.

Penrhyn

Three Road Runners took part in the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun where Will Williams finished 3rd overall and 1st VM50 in 18.37, whilst Elizabeth Driscoll and Hannah Griffith ran together, Elizabeth topped her VW55 cat on her course debut in 26.52 in 55th place, whilst Hannah shared the exact same time, and was 2nd VW50.

Sharpham

Ben Hudson finished 14th in the Sharpham Estate Parkrun, near Dartmouth, last Saturday, with a time of 23.12, and he was 3rd VM45.