Father and son secure top placings in Welsh 2-mile championships

North Wales Road Runners followed up their team success and excellent podium placings in the British Masters one-mile race with a further two gold and two silver podium positions in the Welsh Athletics two-mile virtual championships held last weekend.

In another high-quality virtual event, some 11 club runners accepted the challenge of competing in a unique time-trial type dash on a course of their own choosing, and subject to strict pandemic restrictions.

The star-billing of the race was confirmed by the fact the first 19 runners dipped under 11-minutes, and there was just 13 seconds separating the top-three finishers.

The overall event was won by Richard Jones (Lliswerry Runners), 1st M45 cat winner in 10 mins 16 secs, with (Colwyn Bay AC) youngster James Smith taking 2nd place and he was 1st U17m cat in 10.20; with Daniel James (Run4all RC), 3rd, and the 1st M40 winner in 10.29. Donna Morris was the 1st female athlete, 38th overall, and 1st W35 age cat winner in 11.54.

One of the most pleasing local club results however, in this speedy two-mile dash included father and son, Jonathan and Troy Kettle, who shared generous plaudits taking silver and gold age placings respectively.

Jonathan was just 3 seconds short of a top-three position, finishing 4th overall in an entry of some 293 Welsh club runners, and he claimed 2nd place and the silver spot in his M45 age category, recording a brilliant time of just 10 mins 32 seconds.

Troy was the next NWRRC club runner home in 29th place overall, and he also won a gold podium placing in his U20m age category in 11.26.

Club chairman Kevin Slattery was another NWRRC athlete who again struck gold his M65 age category, despite suffering online technical problems, but deservedly claimed the top spot, recording an incredible time of 13.59, with colleague Don Hale placing silver in 14.44, in the same age group, finishing 137th overall. And unfortunately, Kay Hatton narrowly missed out on a top-three age category position, registering 4th F55 in 14.48.

The full NWRRC results included: 4th Jonathan Kettle, 2nd M45, 10.32; 29th Troy Kettle, 1st U20m, 11.32; Steve Bozier 60th, 5th M40, 12.29. Stuart Culverhouse was 72nd and 11th M45 in 12.51; Dave Spofforth 85th and 10th M35 runner 13.09; Steve Roberts 104th, and 6th M55, in 13.49. Kevin Slattery 1st M65 age cat winner in 13.59; with Don Hale 2nd M65 and 137th overall in 14.44. Kay Hatton 139th and 4th F55 cat in 14.48; with Helen Hannam 7th F45, and 163rd overall in 15.39; and Kelly Alford, 176th overall and 8th F35 cat, in 16.25.

*Mia Morris joined her Colwyn Bay AC colleagues James Smith (2nd overall), and Oliver Howson in the two-mile race. Mia had a great run finishing in 156th place, and was 7th U15 girl’s cat, in 15.24; with Oliver just one-second behind in 158th spot in 15.25.

*Link to previous British Masters one-mile championships: https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2021/03/north-wales-runners-claim-podium-places.html