Josh celebrates top-three finish and national title

North Wales Road Runner Josh Keogh celebrated a great performance in last weekend’s Welsh Athletics one-mile virtual championships, finishing second overall, with two other club runners claiming podium positions in their respective age groups.

Staged as an unusual out-and-back race, and held over three days amidst very difficult weather conditions, the race proved to be a very close encounter, as Josh finished just 14 seconds behind the eventual winner Alex Jackson (U20M) from Cardiff AC, who ran home in an incredible time of just 4 mins 39 seconds.

Josh though, added the Welsh Senior Man title to his excellent top-three placing, recording a great time of 4.53, and secured 2nd spot by a mere 5 seconds ahead of 3rd placed rival Nic Brook from Eryri Harriers, who was 1st M45.

This prestigious race, held under strict Covid-19 restrictions, attracted 336 quality entrants for the first of a series of new one-to-three-mile virtual challenge events, and included eight NWRRC athletes.

Additional podium club winners were Steve Bozier, who overcame gale-force winds and heavy rain to finish 34th overall, and was 3rd in his M40 age cat in 5.40; whilst veteran Don Hale claimed his second Welsh title within a few weeks, by adding the M65 one-mile title to his recent 10k victory.

Don finished 146th overall in 7.02, and was 15 seconds ahead of second-placed Malc Gonnella, from Fairwater Runners in 7.17.

Other results involved Stuart Culverhouse, who was the third club runner home in 58th place in 5.59, with James Jones 70th in 6.06, Steve Roberts recorded 6.33, whilst Gethin Wyn-Jones continued his return to form finishing in 130th place in 6.53.

For the ladies, Helen Hannam finished well in 146th position in 7.39, with Kelly Alford 214th in 8.21. *And Mia Morris, the teenage daughter of club runners, Rachel and Karl Morris, ran very well in 149th place in 7.05, as the 8th U15 girl.