Josh Keogh battles elements to win tough Jersey Coastal trail half-marathon

Report by Don Hale

North Wales athlete Josh Keogh won the “Round the Rock” coastal trail half-marathon in Jersey last weekend following a battle against the elements and some tough competition.

This popular annual race, which was delayed from last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, followed a problematic course from the Watersplash at St Ouen, near Les Mielles Nature Reserve, and along the twisting and undulating coastline to St Helier.

Josh, from North Wales Road Runners Club, who was visiting family members on the Island, eventually completed his challenging run in 1 hour 34 minutes and 58 seconds, with Rahul Kini 2nd in 1.35.45, and Polly Arthur 3rd in 1.47.01.

The event recorded 24 hardy finishers, with the last runner coming home in 4.19.39.

Following his half-marathon success, Josh admitted: “It was a fantastic race. The elements were in full force throughout the event and especially around the South-West corner of the island, which were slightly challenging.

“It was a very competitive race with Rahul, who finished second. I just managed to pull away in the last two-miles to take the win.”

*This is a link to the Jersey race results:
https://www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=249876&did=288087

Youngest ever runner Troy Kettle finished 10th in Cybi Coastal Marathon

Report by Don Hale

Teenage endurance athlete Troy Kettle finished a magnificent 10th overall in the highly challenging Cybi Coastal Marathon last weekend.

The North Wales Road Runner completed this gruelling trail course in just 4 hours 1 minute and 56 seconds and is understood to be the youngest ever finisher.

He also beat his more experienced club colleagues Karl Morris and Steve Bozier, despite both having excellent runs.

Troy was one of 144 finishers who took part in this extreme event, which followed a very difficult but partially way marked route along paths, tracks, beaches, and the coastline of the Welsh National and Anglesey Coastal Path.

The entire route passed through magnificent coastline scenery affording fine views of wide bays, sandy beaches, dramatic cliffs, the famous South Stack lighthouse, and the summit of Holyhead Mountain.

Starting from Holyhead, the race included running on a variety of surfaces and additionally involved tackling tricky cliff tops, coupled with numerous hill climbs, and to top it off, there was also a short sharp climb to the top of Holyhead Mountain, and back down to sea level.

It was Troy’s marathon debut in a tough race that also attracted a host of top UK fell and trail runners, with the first nine athletes all dipping under four-hours.

The NWRRC runner narrowly missed this target but excelled in his precise navigation of an acknowledged very difficult course and race.

His proud father, Jonathan Kettle, a top road runner, confirmed: “I am a super proud Dad. It was amazing running by Troy. His first marathon and he ticked off a time of 4.01. He was the youngest ever finisher of a very tough trail race with a heck of a climb at 22-miles.”

Morris and Bozier also ran very well, with Karl eventually finishing in 22nd place in 4.29.31, with Steve just behind in 24th place in 4.33.17.

After the race, Karl admitted: “It was a tough but stunning route. I ran well but I was stung by a wasp and had to take a toilet break.“

Team-mate Steve said: “What a stunning trail marathon to run, not going to lie, that hurt like hell, and I collapsed with cramp after 24 miles – the worst pain ever – but I finished the race. I would recommend it, but it’s not for the faint hearted!”

The first three home included: Joe Baker (Stadium Runners) 3.17.44, with 2nd Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) 3.23.42, and 3rd Ady Pendred (Un) 3.32.15.