Nick Beer 10k charity success as runners tackled the Orme in bright sunshine

Report by Don Hale

Over 500 mixed ability runners enjoyed bright sunshine and some spectacular scenery around the Great Orme in Llandudno last Sunday for the ever-popular Nick Beer 10k race.

The large crowds of tourists and supporters on the promenade were treated to a feast of entertainment as the mass ranks quickly dashed past the pier and began the challenging ascent and later descent of the Orme prior to returning to the start via Church Walks.

The event also welcomed a special 1k fun run for children and parents on the prom with proceeds donated towards St David’s Hospice.

And the 10k race that followed the junior race also raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities including Shine, Ty Gobaith, St John’s Ambulance and St David’s Hospice.

James Yarwood (Abergele Harriers) was the overall 10k race winner coming home in just 33 minutes and 52 seconds, but he was made to work hard all the way around by rival Benjamin Makin (Blackburn Harriers) in 33.59, with Prestatyn’s Andrew Bromley in close pursuit in 34.28.

The Ladies race was easily won by Eleesha Charnley (Cybi Striders) with a magnificent run in 36.31, with Amie Bagnall (Cheshire Dragons) 2nd in 39.48, and Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers) 3rd in 39.57.

North Wales Road Runners had only two entrants in the 10k, due to other competing fixtures, and the club helping to support the new race organisers Always Aim High with dozens of race marshals and volunteers, yet both members celebrated prestigious podium places.

Steve Gardner and Mal Preece are both newcomers, but Steve won his MV60 age cat in a fast time of 41.03 in 38th place, and Mal also finished well in 67th place and claimed the 3rd spot in the same age cat as Steve in 43.55.

*These are the provisional results for the Nick Beer 10k race:
https://my.raceresult.com/230972/results

Family double age cat wins for Martin and Carla at Wrexham Half-Marathon

Report by Don Hale

Nine Road Runners tackled the Village Bakery Half Marathon at Wrexham last Sunday and husband and wife duo Martin and Carla Green celebrated a unique double with both athletes winning their respective age categories.

The race unfortunately clashed with the Nick Beer 10k race this year, but it didn’t deter an excellent entry of nine club members on this popular and fast course.

Martin Green finished 28th out of 1,348 runners in a superb time of 1 hour 11 minutes and 33 seconds, and he was 1st in his MV45 age cat. Martin’s wife Carla Green also ran very well and finished as the 9th female athlete in 193rd place overall in 1.23.55, and she too won her VW50 cat.

Josh Keogh enjoyed another good show in 39th place in 1.13.00, and Jonathan Kettle was 77th in 1.16.19.

Richard Eccles finished in 207th place in 1.24.54, and he was 4th in his MV55 cat. Meanwhile Ben and Sarah Hudson were satisfied with their performances. Ben recorded a good time of 1.34.25 in 420th place, with Sarah 507th in 1.38.34.

And partners Kelly Alford and Cai Roberts enjoyed positive results with Kelly 784th in 1.49.22, and Cai 878th in 1.54.40.

*The race was won by David Devine (Liverpool Harriers) in 1.07.30, with Harry Jones 2nd in 1.07.30, and Matthew Collins (Oswestry Olympians) 3rd in 1.08.02. The first female was Rachel Hodgkinson (Liverpool Harriers) in 1.16.32.

Newcomer Alastair records new PB and takes the plaudits at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery

Road Runners newcomer Alastair Canaway was the first man home at the Conwy Parkrun last Saturday as the club celebrated four age category wins and six podium placings in another fast and furious encounter.

The NWRRC athlete continued his recent impressive form including success in London to secure a narrow victory and he additionally won his MV35 age cat with a new course PB of 18 minutes and 1 second.

This event again attracted plenty of club and social runners from across the UK, and yet, despite a fierce encounter for honours, Alastair just managed to stay ahead of the chasing pack, with Aled Hughes 2nd in 18.24, and Alison Campbell (Sheffield University) 3rd, and the 1st Lady with a great PB of 18.32.

With Alison claiming the top female place, Hayley Cooke (Cheltenham & County) took the 2nd spot in 19.19, with Hayley-Louise MacGugan (Widnes RC) 3rd in 23.06.

NWRRC entered 10 seniors and one junior member and were delighted to record some excellent results despite numerous competing fixtures during another busy weekend.

Stuart Culverhouse finished 11th overall and won his MV50 cat in 21.04, and Jamie Tharme was 2nd in his VM45 cat with a new course PB of 21.28 in 15th place.

Josh Keogh and Martin Green ran together with Josh 21st in 23.01, and he was just one second and one place ahead of his club colleague. Veteran athlete Rob Fryer finished in 35th place and won his MV65 age cat in 24.15, and Mark Mason topped his MV70 cat in 78th place in 26.58.

Len Jackson returned to parkrun with another excellent performance and was hot on Mark’s heels in 81st place in 27.08, with Dave Spofforth and his son Ben running together again in 83rd and 84th places. Ben also claimed the 3rd spot in his JM10 cat in 27.22, with John O’Shea 97th in 28.16.

*Praise was given to the race director, and to all the volunteers and marshals, who made this event such a success. This is the link to the provisional results:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

Other results

Oswestry

Two experienced Road Runners travelled to the Marches School at Oswestry last Saturday for the final North Wales cross-country senior league fixture of the season.

Kay Hatton and Cheryl Frost kept the flag flying for the club with solid performances over an impressive course of about 5k. Kay finished 51st overall in 23.40, and she was 5th in her original W55 age cat. Cheryl ran home in 24.40 in 59th place, and she came 7th in the same age cat as Kay.

Holyrood

Gethin Wyn Jones ran at the Holyrood parkrun and finished in 255th place in 27.07.

Erddig

Steve Mason enjoyed another good result on his travels with a fine run at the Erddig Parkrun on Saturday, where he finished 3rd overall, and won his MV45 age cat on his debut in 18.48.