Mixed emotions for Road Runners at the London Marathon – but it’s an amazing performance from Martin Green

Report by Don Hale

There were mixed emotions for several members of the North Wales Road Runners team which tackled the varied challenges of the ever-popular London Marathon last Sunday (April 23) as heavy rain and damp conditions caused a few problems for the 49,000 mixed ability entrants.

Cramp and fatigue unfortunately played a role in the performances of several key athletes, and yet most still enjoyed the occasion, and the tremendous atmosphere and support provided by tens of thousands of supporters who cheered on the runners around some of London’s most famous landmarks.

Martin Green celebrated his hard preparatory work for this race with a tremendous run finishing in 152nd place in 2 hours 30 minutes and 43 seconds, and he also claimed the 3rd spot in his MV45 age category, leading home a team of nine fellow club runners.

Despite braving the changing weather conditions many athletes still gained some personal best (PB) times and remain hopeful of ‘good for age’ results for potential future marathons in the capital.

Josh Keogh was another North Wales athlete on top form, and he too had an excellent run finishing 836th in 2.43.21. Mal Preece claimed a superb new PB of 3.28.45 (8,203), and Charlotte-Rose Wilton-Jones was another runner on fire, and she too recorded a marathon PB of 3.37.02 (10,475).

Steve Mason, however, was a key member of the team who suffered badly from cramp and lost a lot of time whilst trying to tackle his ongoing problems. Despite all this, Steve still recorded a very good result finishing in 3.43.16 (12,284).

Helen Hannam was another PB winner (30,368) in 4.41.29, and Kelly-Marie Alford successfully survived her marathon challenge, and even wore a charity costume, as part of her impressive fundraising plan. Despite running in the Manchester Marathon last week, Kelly still ran home in 5.21.31 (39,642).

And Rachel Morris successfully overcame a host of problems during her London Marathon preparations, including a broken leg, to eventually triumph, with a great time of 5.27.38 (40,686), with Cai Roberts – another Manchester marathoner – finishing well in 5.40.40 (42,628).

*After the race several NWRRC runners gave their personal impressions about this unique race.

Mal Preece confirmed: “I was on for sub 3:15 at 20 miles but died at 20 with a 1:05 final 10k. Still a massive new PB time of 3.28.45. The bonus is I’ve managed to get a GFA time for next year. What a fabulous experience the crowds were awesome.”

And Steve Mason told of some of his problems with cramp, saying: “I hated it. I had to walk the last part of the race after suffering the worst cramp I’ve ever had in my life. I was about ten minutes slower and had to spend some time in the St John’s Ambulance tent with cramp.”

Helen Hannam said: “My PB smashed. It was so emotional, what an amazing experience.”

Kelly-Marie Alford added: “That was so hard. I really did not enjoy it! I still had the Manchester Marathon in my legs.”

Rachel Morris, though, earned the top plaudits for her bravery and determination to complete her marathon challenge. She explained: “I got my London place in 2020 through the ballot then covid hit. Once we could train again, I ended up breaking my leg whilst training, and have suffered injury after injury.

“I wasn’t hopeful today, and thought I’d get about 7-hours, but I completely surprised myself and got 5.23. I ran in my dad’s club’s top that he ran in when he ran the London Marathon. I really enjoyed the whole day. The crowd was so supportive and it’s true what they say about them carrying you through.”

Other race results:

*Magaluf, Spain: Kevin Higgins finished in 2 hours 11 minutes and 28 seconds in the Maguluf half-marathon race last Sunday. Afterwards Kevin said: “Very hot conditions but I was happy with my time.”
*London Docks: Steve Mason ran in the Victoria Dock parkrun last weekend amidst more than 700 athletes in preparation for his London Marathon race and finished in 186th place in 24.25.
*Coed y Brenin: Lesley Goodson took part in the Goldrush Trail race last Saturday over a 14k plus course and completed her run in 1 hour 32 minutes.

Jonathan Kettle back to his best at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

North Wales Road Runner Jonathan Kettle recovered from injury and soon claimed the top spot at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday, April 22, finishing more than a minute ahead of his nearest rivals.

Jonathan shook off a recent knee problem to quickly set a fast pace over a hard, dry, but challenging 5k course, and recorded an excellent time of just 17 minutes and 47 seconds.

He easily won his MV45 age category, but he was chased all the way by visiting athlete Gethin Owen, who set a new PB in 19.05, with Andy Jones (GOG Triathlon) a mere 17-seconds adrift, despite another new PB of 19.19. There were 238 finishers including many visiting club and social runners.

The 1st female finisher was SW20 athlete Ffion Roberts in 27th place overall in 22.33, with Lianne Stevenson in close pursuit in 29th place, and the 1st SW25 runner in 22,51, whilst veteran NWRRC member Kay Hatton finished as the 3rd female, and she was also the 1st VW60 cat winner in 37th place overall in 23.13.

The Road Runners entered 17 members and claimed 10 podium placings including eight age cat wins. Jonathan Kettle led the club team home with Tony Price-Jones next in 21st place in 21.53, and 1st MV35.

Youngster Joe Culverhouse ran with his father Stuart, and he was another deserved winner of his JM11 cat in 34th place in 23.03, with Stuart one place and two seconds behind.

Steve Roberts continued his recovery from injury in 36th place in 23.12, and talented veteran duo Kay Hatton and Cheryl Frost enjoyed another cat and mouse encounter, with Kay finishing 37th in 23.23, and won her MV60 age cat. Cheryl also performing well and finished just one place behind, but won her VW55 age cat in 23.23.

Richard Scamans finished in 47th place in 23.59, and Gethin Wyn Jones was back on form and turned in another determined display to claim the 55th spot in 24.47, with veteran runner Barrie Wells winning his MV65 age cat in 24.51 in 59th place. Sion Thomas was 68th overall in 25.27, whilst veteran Rob Fryer was 78th and 2nd MV65 cat in 26.13.

Dave Spofforth ran with his son Ben, and the fast-improving junior finished in 84th place and won his JM10 age cat in 26.22 and shared the exact same time as his father. Master vets Mark Mason and Don Hale claimed the first and second places in their respective MV70 age category, with Mark 93rd in 26.50, and Don 132nd in 28.17.

*Praise was given again 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/