Club athletes compete in challenging North Wales half-marathon

Cai Roberts. Kelly-Marie Alford and Vicky Taylor

Report by Don Hale

Believed to be one of the toughest events in the country, some 138 endurance athletes took part in the re-scheduled North Wales Half-Marathon race last Sunday in mixed weather conditions.

This incredible challenge started and finished on the beach close to the Mulberry Marina and crossed back and forth into the Snowdonia National Park.

Set between the mountains and sea near Conwy, this year’s race unfortunately attracted a reduced entry due to previous pandemic restrictions, yet all were treated to some spectacular scenery over a difficult course.

North Wales Road Runners had five members competing and although most found the route very hard, they all claimed to have enjoyed their venture.

According to the provisional results, Steve Roberts was the first club runner home in 37th place in a time of 1 hour 55 minutes and 12 seconds, and he was 3rd in his M55 age cat.

Vicky Taylor, Cai Roberts, and Kelly-Marie Alford ran the race together in support of each other and all ran well and finished in 2 hours 18 mins, plus a few seconds each. Their combined placings were between 87-89th respectively overall.

After the race, Kelly said: “North Wales half marathon done! Wowza, I forgot just how hard that was. I could have done with rain when we were running up Sychnant Pass!”

Helen Hannam (left) and Nicola Wylie

Helen Hannam also ran with some generous support from fellow athlete Nicola Wylie, and they too finished together, with Helen recording a worthy time of 2.21.32 in 95th place.

She also confirmed the extreme difficulty of this, and explained: “Well that was tough! Sand, hills, and trails. I was way out of my comfort zone and pushed myself to the limits. Thank you to Nicky for running with me, and for not letting me stop.

“I’m very proud of both of us, and you helped me to enjoy it! Well done too, to all my running buddies. You all smashed it! And thanks to all the superb marshals for their support.”

*The provisional results sheet indicates that two female runners finished in the top three, with Rachel Hall 1st in 1.28.46, followed by Deio Garton Jones 2nd in 2.35.13, and Sally Ellis 3rd in 1.35.46.
https://www.runwales.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/NWHALF-2021-1.pdf