North Wales Road Runners defeated elements to win championship medals at Rhyl 10-mile

Report by Don Hale. Photos by John Hatton and Mick Hall

NWRRC members defeated the elements and claimed medals galore last Saturday in the highly prestigious North Wales Championships held within the Rhyl 10-mile race.

Tackling rain, sleet, snow, and freezing temperatures, runners scooped five podium places including two age category wins, one second and two third placings, in addition to winning four gold and four silver medals in the North Wales Championship age categories.

Josh Keogh was the first North Wales Road Runner home, finishing 3rd overall and 3rd in his SM21.34 age cat in 56 minutes 47 seconds, with Jonathan Kettle 8th, but winning his MV50-55 cat in 58.28.

Stuart Culverhouse was another in fine form and secured 34th place and 3rd in his MV50-54 cat in 1.07.59, with Jamie Tharme 47th in 1.11.08.

Steve Poupart and Steve Roberts finished neck and neck in 51st and 52nd places and shared the exact same time of 1.11.36.

Kevin Slattery celebrated a great run as a master veteran athlete, finishing 56th overall and winning his MV65-69 age cat in 1.12.18, with Gethin Wyn Jones 86th in 1.16.39. Meanwhile, Kay Hatton turned in another superb run in 99th place overall and the 13th female athlete, whilst claiming 2nd place in her W55-59 age cat in 1.18.10.

Hannah Griffith also enjoyed a good performance in 152nd place and 36th female in 1.28.44, with veteran Len Jackson 185th in 1.35.04, and Susan Smith 204th and 90th female in 1.42.58.

Gwennan Charlton was 252nd and 90th female runner in 1.42.58, and master super vet Mike Hayton ran well and finished in 254th place and 3rd MV70-74 cat in 1.43.26.

*The 10-mile race was won by Scott Nixon (Cardiff AC) in 54.18, with Adam Jones (Llanberis) 2nd in 54.40, and Josh Keogh (NWRRC) 3rd in 56.47. The event attracted 309 runners.

*North Wales championships results – GOLD and 1st places: Jonathan Kettle MV45-49, Stuart Culverhouse M50-55, Kevin Slattery MV65-69, and Kay Hatton F55.59. SILVER and 2nd places: Josh Keogh SM, Jamie Tharme M40-45, Steve Roberts M55-59, and Mike Hayton MV70-74.

These are the provisional results for the Rhyl 10-mile race:
https://www.runwales.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/10Mile-Overall-Results.pdf

Llyr finished fourth in Rhyl 5-mile race

North Wales Road Runner Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts enjoyed a fantastic run despite the weather in the Rhyl 5-mile race on Saturday finishing 4th overall and 1st in his M45-49 age cat in 29 minutes 29 seconds.

Club colleague Cheryl Frost won her W55-59 cat, finishing 21st overall and 4th female athlete in 37.36.

And Zoe Roberts took part in her first race for a couple of years and was pleased to finish 75th overall, 5th in her W45-49 age cat and 34th female in 58.25

*The race was won by Marc Johnson (Wrexham) in 28.56, with James Jones (Chester Triathlon) 2nd in 29.15, and Rhys Bowden (Weaverham) 3rd in 29.20. There were 78 finishers.

These are the provisional results for the Rhyl 5-mile race:
https://www.runwales.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/5Mile-Overall-Results.pdf