Great day out for GOG members at Conwy Half Marathon

Reports by Simon Roxburgh and Don Hale

GOG Triathlon club enjoyed a great day out at the Conwy Half Marathon with 22 athletes involved and claimed several PB times and a deserved age cat podium place.

Dan Wellings was the first GOG runner back finishing 31st overall with an impressive PB of 1:24:58 and he finished 5th in his age group.

Other results included: Mark Davies 1:29:04; Paul Garstang 1:32:57 and 3rd in his age cat; Chris Beardmore 1:36:31; Andy Jones 1:37:28; Rob Price 1:38:31, and a great new PB by 4 mins! Steven Owen 1:39:33; Chris Morris 1:39:45; Paul Algieri 1:41:47; Tom Simpson 1:43:28; Lizzie Irvine was the first female GOG home with 1:45:59; Nicola Tomlinson 1:54:01; Phil Tracey 1:56:11; Paul Martin 1:57:47; Tony Phelan 2:04:26; Scott Garner 2:04:26; Tom Bancroft 2:05:53; Paula Stevens 2:07:27; Katie Harvey 2:08:50; Natasha Carson 2:11:59; Wayne Roberts 2:19:52; and Melissa Everley 2:36:52.

*The event was won by Dave Barratt (Salford Harriers) in a fast time of just 1 hour 10 minutes and 41 seconds, with Adam Jones (Eryri Harriers) 2nd in 1.13.09, and Michael Young (West Cheshire) taking 3rd place in 1.14.17.

For the ladies, Anna Bracegirdle (Salford Harriers) ensured it was a race double for the Salford club in 1.15.54, and Dutch athlete Tinka Vinks (Breda), celebrated her overseas venture to claim 2nd place in 1.28.02, with Katie Latham (Nantwich RC) 3rd in 1.29.04.

Other GOG race results:

Harlech Aquathon, Penmaenmawr Fell Race and Winter Penllyn Ultra

GOG Triathlon members were dominant at the Harlech Aquathon event, which included a 400m pool swim, and a 5km run, and celebrated with some amazing wins all round!

The overall results included: Andy Jones 28:03 and in 1st place overall; Gemma Moore 29:06 the 1st lady overall; Malcolm Jones 38:17 and 1st in age; Nadine Phillips 42:17 and 1st in age; and Deborah Robinson 49:15 1st in her age cat.

*The Penmaenmawr Fell Race was held last Saturday and included a challenging 11-mile course with nearly 2,000ft of ascent. GOG Neil Vicars-Harris completed the race in 1:39:27 and finished 6th in his age cat.

*On the same day, Mark Hemsley ran the Winter Penllyn Ultra. A 37.5-mile adventure with 5,000ft of elevation gain, starting and finishing in Pwllheli, Mark finished in 21st place overall.

Podium places for GOG athletes at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

GOG Triathlon runners packed well at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday despite preparations for the Conwy Half Marathon the following day – and claimed four podium places including three second place finishes.

Many of the parkrun finishing times however, probably reflected the preparation needed for this tough challenge around the Great Orme just 24 hours later and included tackling the usual rather soggy and puddle-filled 5k course.

Lizzie Irvine led a team of seven GOGs members home with another superb display as the 5th female runner, in 32nd place overall in 23 minutes and 18 seconds to finish 3rd in her VW35 age cat. Gareth Jones finished 50th in 24.38, with Sarah Gallacher 53rd, and 2nd in her VW40 age cat in 25.06.

John Farrell ran well in 60th place in 25.23 with Clare Parsley 69th and 2nd in her VW45 cat in 26.06, whilst master veteran Alan Benn was back to his best in 98th place and 2nd in his MV75 cat in 27.58, and Ashley Tomlinson was 131st in 29.55.

*The race was won by SM30 NWRRC member Josh Keogh in 17.14, with teenager Alex Moseley (Doncaster AC), finishing in 2nd place overall, and he also won his SM18 age cat with a PB 17.19, and Road Runner Steve Mason claimed 3rd place with another positive display in 18.50 to win his MV45 cat.

The 1st female runner was Chloe Hawkins (Uttoxeter RR) on her debut in 17.14, with Belinda Brennan (Bramhall Runners) 2nd in 22.28, and her club colleague Aeronwy Craig 3rd in 22.42. There were 237 finishers, and praise was given to the race director Sharon Hughes and her excellent team of volunteers and marshals.

*This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy Parkrun:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/