Runners return to live action

North Wales Road Runners are finally beginning to enjoy a few “live” races as some of the Covid-19 restrictions begin to be eased for certain outdoor sports.

And last weekend, Kay Hatton took advantage of a short break in the Lake District to take part in the Keswick based Lakeland Trail 10k.

She completed the undulating course in 52 mins 41 secs and claimed the 2nd FV50 category prize.

Afterwards Kay said: “It was good to be racing again, and in beautiful countryside. It was run very much on a time trial basis with 5-starters released at minute intervals.”

Kay is just one of several club athletes who have competed recently in fell, trail, and road races in England, with some restrictions being lifted, whilst Wales currently remains more cautious.

Rolling starts, time trials, social distancing, hand-gels, and a host of other safety precautions have since become part of an essential new racing package.

Last Tuesday night also marked a brief return to “live” action for many members during a special 5k time club time-trial staged on the Conwy Parkrun course.

Held under strict supervision, and well organised, with numerous safety precautions in place, about 17 runners tried to match or better their personal best times in very breezy conditions, with a strong headwind hampering their efforts on the return leg.

With staggered starts based on previous Parkrun PBs, Charlie Owen was the surprise runner on the night, when he won the race in 27 mins 52 secs to claim a new PB, and a prestigious club title by improving his 5k time by about 3 mins 30 secs.

Richard Eccles was the second man home with a great new PB of 18.17, followed very closely by Gethin Wyn Jones, who narrowly pipped Steve Bozier to third spot in a dramatic sprint finish, despite Steve chipping 22 seconds of his previous parkrun PB. Gethin finished in 19.37, with Steve recording 19.29.

For the ladies, Helen Hannam produced another impressive big finish as the first female runner, recording a fast time of 24.06 for another PB by some 8 seconds.

She was closely followed home by Hannah Griffith 24.00, and Sarah Ferguson-Hudson in 23.24. Amazingly, only 47-seconds separated all three female athletes.

Other results, not necessarily in order of finishing, included: Rachel Morris 32.48, her daughter Mia Morris finished in 24.47; John Doe 20.26, Stuart Culverhouse 20.43, Richard Scamans 20.39, Troy Kettle 20.21, Ben Hudson 21.10, Steve Poupart 21.41, David Spofforth 20.24, and Kay Hatton finished with tired legs in 24.45, following her weekend trail race.

*Praise was given to race organiser Martin Green, and supporters Natasha Kettle, Liz Driscoll, Kevin Slattery, and Tony Price-Jones.