Two successes 19 years apart for runner John Ford in gruelling race

John Ford (second left) at the after-race awards with club colleagues Steven Roberts (left) and Kevin Slattery

North Wales veteran runner John Ford was the worthy winner of the very challenging Ras Fawr Llanddoged 12.5k road race.

For John, an experienced endurance athlete with North Wales Road Runners Club, this was the 15th time he had competed in this undulating annual event and the second time he had won it – the last being some 19 years ago!

He now holds the dubious tag of being the oldest ever winner of the race!

Ford also collected the 1st M40 vet prize and the prestigious Arfon Jones Memorial Trophy presented to the 1st NWRRC to finish.

John ran the course in 48 mins 10 secs, nearly two minutes ahead of second-placed athlete Darren Blazier from Abergele (49.52) and Nic Brook from Eryri Harriers, third in 50.08.

John Ford in full flight

Nine runners from NWRRC took part in the Llanrwst area race which raised funds for the local school and five club members finished in the top ten, and consequently won the overall Bob Owen Memorial Trophy team prize.

The results included: Steven Roberts 7th (56.57) and 1st M50, 8th Kevin Slattery (57.07) and 1st M60, 9th Stuart Culverhouse, course PB in (57.25), 10th Leon Davies (57.29), 11th David Spofforth (59.03), 14th Ben Hudson (59.38), 15th Karl Morris – his first race for a while in (59.51) and Rachel Morris, in her first club outing, finished as 10th lady in (89.27).