Outstanding win for Josh Keogh at Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

North Wales Road Runner Josh Keogh was the outstanding winner of the Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon last Sunday, finishing almost two minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

The popular all-round athlete, who combines road races with fell running, trail, and endurance events, set a hot pace throughout despite a blustery headwind, and he proved a worthy champion of this challenging race, which also proved an ideal warm-up for the forthcoming London (full) Marathon.

Starting from the athletics track at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, this event attracted some 425 mixed ability finishers from across the UK, over a new and testing course, that became a race of two halves due to a strong and persistent sea breeze.

Josh also won his M21-24 age cat in a fast chip time of just 1 hour 35 minutes and 14 seconds, with Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field) finishing 2nd in 1.37.11, and Sean Warburton (Salford Harriers) 3rd in 1.37.57.

The 1st female athlete was Olivia Ashton (Deestriders RC) in 1.49.52 in 14th place overall, with Tinka Vinks (Breda, Netherlands) 2nd in 1.51.07, in 19th place, and 3rd was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers), 1.54.47 in 28th place.

NWRRC entered 12 members and claimed six podium places including five exceptional first-place age category victories.

Josh Keogh led the team home with club newcomer Rob Evans next in 9th place overall in 1.46.53, and he also won his M35 age cat.

Iwan Evans finished 24th in 1.52.21, and Stuart Culverhouse ran well to win his MV50 cat in 37th place in 1.58.41. Ben Hudson gave chase but eventually had to settle for 41st place in 2.02.15, with Ben’s wife Sarah Ferguson Hudson winning her FV40 age cat as the 6th female, in 63rd place overall, in 2.07.22.

Jamie Tharme made a successful return from injury to finish in 65th place in 2.08.22, with Mal Preece 85th in 2.15.44; and Nicola Wylie celebrated another fine run by winning her FV55 cat in 2.20.22, with Cheryl Frost in close pursuit and claiming the 2nd spot in the same age cat as Nicola, finishing in 117th place overall in 2.21.04.

And it was good to see Helen Hannam back in competitive action amidst her heavy marathon training, and she was thrilled by her time of 2.37.29 in 206th place, and Gwennan Charlton also enjoyed her run in 331st place in 3.02.55.

*This is the link to the provisional results from the Metric Marathon:
https://www.runwales.com/files/user_uploaded/results/535/Colwyn%20Bay%20Metric%20Marathon%20Results%202023.pdf

Kettle steams home to honours at Knighton 20-miler

NWRRC member Jonathan Kettle enjoyed a great result for both his club and the North Wales regional team in the Knighton 20-mile race to claim a prestigious podium place.

Jonathan was part of the talented regional team managed by Paul Brooks for the Inter-Counties match in Staffordshire.

He turned in an excellent performance, steaming home in 16th place overall, with an incredible chip time of 2 hours 4 minutes and 2 seconds to claim 3rd place in his MV45 age category. Afterwards he confirmed: “It was such an honour running for North Wales.”

Perfect conditions for boosted numbers at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

259 mixed ability entrants from all parts of the country helped to boost the numbers this week at Conwy Parkrun in near perfect conditions.

In stark contrast to last week’s icy course, this time runners were treated to dazzling sunshine and a warm breeze, but local club numbers remained down due to several competing fixtures.

The numbers however, also included 63 first time runners, 23 new PBs, and a large contingent from Manchester and the Midlands for the Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon the next day.

The Road Runners only had six members involved but still claimed four podium places including two age category wins and two second spots. Stuart Culverhouse led the team home in 20th place in 22.39, and he was 2nd in his MV50 age cat.

Cheryl Frost was the 3rd female finisher in 39th place overall and she won her VW55 cat in 23.42, with Richard Scamans 51st in 24.20, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 65th in 25.55.

Master veterans Mark Mason and Don Hale both collected podium places with Mark 85th, and the winner of his MV70 cat in 27.20, whilst Don was still struggling for fitness after recovering from injury and jogged around to finish 2nd in the same cat as Mark, in 156th place in 31.32.

*The 1st parkrun finisher was Adam Jones in 17.15, with Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) 2nd in 18.00, but Tomos Land gave Simon quite a race, and eventually finished 3rd in 18.01. GOG Triathlete Lizzie Irvine was the 1st female finisher, and 23rd overall, in 22.45, with club colleague Hayley Turner the 2nd female in 25th place in 22.54, and Cheryl Frost (NWRRC) 3rd in 23.42, and in 39th place overall.

*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

*Prestatyn: NWRRC members Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton took part in the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun on Saturday.

Kay was the 2nd female finisher, winning her VW60 age cat in 10th place overall with a great new course PB of 23.29, whilst master veteran Mike was 35th in 28.53 and 3rd MV70.