NWRRC athletes braved the heatwave at Aldi Chester 10k

Report by Don Hale

Several North Wales athletes turned out at the Aldi Chester 10k road race last Sunday despite a heatwave, and social distancing restrictions, plus a massive turnout of nearly 3,000 runners.

Newcomer Jamie Tharme was the first club man home in 50 minutes 51 seconds in 430th place from 1,633 male runners.

He was followed by Cai Roberts in 55.49 in 676th place, with local soccer referee Charlie Owen, a highly creditable 1,225th in 77.34.

Kelly-Marie Alford led the ladies back home with another good run as 137th female out of 1,165 finishers in 55.06.

And Vicky Taylor was another runner in fine form and following on from last week’s fell race, finishing as 239th female in 58.54, with Mandy Owen 301st female in 60.49.

Afterwards, Kelly confirmed: “Chester 10k done. OMG, it was way too hot out there. My leg held out for the race, and I ran it in 55.06, so close to dipping under 55.”

Mandy also commented on the extreme heat and said: “What a scorcher! And it was amazing to see those hosepipes. What a welcome cool down at 8k. I think it was the only time I looked happy. Thank you to the Parkgate Road residents – you were absolute stars!”

*The event attracted a star-studded field with Daniel Jarvis (Bedford and County AC) 1st overall in 30.37, with Dougie Musson (Notts AC) 2nd in 30.51, and Samuel Moakes (Sutton in Ashfield Harriers) 3rd in 31.19. The first lady was Sonia Samuels (Sale Harriers) in 34.45.

The results link is also available:
https://ale.niftyentries.com/Results/ALDI-Chester-10K-2021?

Pat Finney masters the peaks in Welsh 1000 half event

North Wales runner Pat Finney enjoyed great success in the Welsh 1000 half event last Saturday which involved negotiating a tough series of climbs over several peaks.

Afterwards he explained: “My time was 3 hours 54 minutes and 54 seconds. I was hoping to get under 4 hours, so I was really pleased to get that time in the extreme heat. I felt strong up to about 8k. I think I believed it was just about 2k to go, and that I could do it sub one-hour, then it’s push, push all the way. No relaxing. I was fortunate enough to meet and chat with Josh Naylor. I came 2nd in my age cat and 9th in my race.”