Martin Green on form for club and country

Report by Don Hale

Martin Green was one of five North Wales Road Runners in the Chester 10k race last Sunday and as well as representing his club, he also ran for Wales against England in a combined Masters 10k international event.

Once again, he turned in another stunning performance and just missed out on a prestigious podium place, finishing 4th in his MV45 age cat in 24th overall, time 33 minutes and 7 seconds.

The talented athlete ran amidst a quality field of over 3,000 mixed ability entrants, including top international, club and social runners, in a highly competitive event.

The overall race winner was Jonny Mellor in 29.20, with Omar Ahmed (Birchfield Harriers) in close pursuit and finishing 2nd in 29.35, followed by Charlie Hulson (Deeside AAC) 3rd in 30.09.

Martin Green additionally led his club team home with colleagues Richard Eccles 129th in 37.47, and veteran Cheryl Frost on form in 49.03.

Enthusiastic partners Kelly Marie Alford and Cai Roberts also enjoyed good runs in the 10k with Kelly claiming a new course PB despite last week’s hard and hilly slog around the Oulton Park racing circuit, to enjoy a much flatter start around Chester Racecourse.

Kelly admitted to still having tired legs but she still celebrated her best time on this course of 50.36 in 1,100th place, with Cai also finishing well in 1,203rd place in 51.46.

*This is the provisional results list from the Chester 10k: https://ale.niftyentries.com/Results/2023-MBNA-Chester-10K

Conwy Parkrun dodged the snow and ice

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

Conwy Parkrun managed to dodge the snow last weekend, but numbers were down slightly due to a late thaw that still left the threat of ice on this problematic 5k course.

Despite some potential problems, visiting athlete Ian Lawton (Mersey Triathlon) kept up a good pace and was first man home in 19 minutes and 8 seconds, nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest rival Alun Brown (GOG Triathlon), who finished 2nd in 18.24, with Alan Bryson 3rd in 18.57.

The first female finisher was Jackie Lee on her course debut. She was 12th overall in 20.49, with Ellie Leonard 17th and the 2nd female in 21.34. Becky Sleath (Newcastle University) was the 3rd female runner in 21st place overall in 22.02.

North Wales Road Runners only entered eight athletes due to other competing events, yet Will Williams hit top form again and quickly chased down the leaders to finish 4th overall, also winning his MV50 age cat in 19.08.

Jamie Tharme was another runner enjoying a purple patch and he recorded a great new PB, finishing 3rd in his MV45 cat in 13th place in 20.53.

Tony Price Jones returned to parkrun with a positive performance in 27th place in 22.26, and he too claimed 3rd spot in his MV35 cat. Josh Keogh just opted for an easy jog round the course in 22.43, and in 29th place overall, with veteran Rob Fryer 65th, and 3rd in his MV65 cat in 26.04.

Fellow veteran John O’Shea finished 97th in 28.17 and Rachel Morris had a steady run in 142nd place in 33.51, with Steve Mason 158th in 37.02.

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

Other results

*Falkland Islands: Veteran Charlie Owen made the long haul to the Falkland Islands and enjoyed a steady jog in the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse Parkrun last Saturday. He trotted around this windswept 5k course and finished 24th in 37.55, plus 2nd in his MV60 cat.

*Prestatyn: NWRRC’s Stuart Culverhouse and his young son Joe ran in the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn last Saturday, and both won their respective age categories. Stuart finished 10th and was 1st in his MV50 cat in 20.23, whilst Joe won his JM11 cat finishing 20th overall in 24.03.

Entries open for Rohan’s Run – a special 5-mile Charity Dash at Deganwy

Report by Don Hale

Entries are now open for Rohan’s Run, previously known as the Deganwy 5-mile Dash, which will be staged on Friday 2nd June 2023, from Deganwy Promenade with a 7pm start.

This special race in memory of local teenager Rohan Ingley starts and finishes by the race HQ on Deganwy Prom and follows the Conwy Estuary towards Conwy Castle, and then onto the RSPB, before returning along the same route.

The entry fee is just £14 for affiliated runners and £16 for non-affiliated runners with all proceeds donated to Ronald MacDonald House Charities and Young Lives v Cancer. All these charities were chosen by Rohan before he eventually lost his life aged just 17 in August 2018.

There will be trophies available in every age category with bespoke commemorative medals for all finishers. Last year the prizes were presented by the celebrated classical Welsh soloist Sioned Terry.

Further information may be obtained from by email from the NWRRC race director Carla Green or via the entry link below: Greenc72@gmail.com, or via 07921145462.

*Entries are limited to 350 and details are now available on the following link:
https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=5903

*For further background information about Rohan Ingley who was an incredible and inspirational young student, together with details about last year’s successful event, please click on this link:
Don Hale Blog: Rohan’s Run raised over £7,000… https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/rohans-run-raised-over-7000-for.html?spref=tw