North Wales Road Runners put in the hard yards as they tackle various marathon challenges

Report by Don Hale

Marathon mania recently returned to the streets of Manchester and elsewhere in the UK again as tens of thousands of runners celebrated their long winter training slog in style by completing numerous and very personal 26.2-mile journeys.

The events, which helped raise many millions of pounds for various charities, always attract a wide variety of entrants ranging from top international stars to first time social runners and brought mass crowds out to cheer on their heroes.

The Manchester race was eventually won by Lithuanian athlete Ignas Brasevicius in just 2 hours 16 minutes and 27 seconds, with Naomi Mitchell taking the plaudits as the 1st female finisher in 2.31.27.

North Wales Road Runners welcomed back various marathon challenges and entered seven members at Manchester, with two others competing at the Boston Marathon in the UK, and one more at the Newport Marathon, several claiming new PBs.

Stuart Culverhouse was the first NWRRC club member home at Manchester with a superb time of 3.40.55 (5,443), followed by Jamie Tharme (6,156) in 3.45.16.

Cheryl Frost (7,750) had another good run in 3.55.05 and celebrated a new marathon PB, with Kelly-Marie Alford (12,155) in 4.26.27 for a two-second PB. Samantha Williams ran well (12,810) in 4.31.51, with Cai Roberts (13,925) in 4.43.25, whilst marathon debutant Gwennan Charlton was (16,735) in 5.25.07.

Gwennan later remarked: “I did my first ever marathon today at Manchester. Really enjoyable but very tough!”

And after the race, Cheryl Frost, also confirmed: “I did alright in Manchester and I’m happy considering my recent form. Pleased with a sub-4 and a 22-minute PB in 3.55.05.”

*Boston Marathon: Sarah Hudson and her husband Ben competed in the Boston (UK) Marathon on Sunday and quite amazingly finished within a few seconds of each other.

Sarah was absolutely delighted with her run and claimed a 15-minute marathon PB, running home in 3 hours 36 minutes and 8 seconds, with Ben just five seconds ahead in 3.36.03.
She later admitted: “I nearly caught Ben. I can’t believe it and I was sobbing when I finished. I’m over the moon and I can apply for a good for age entry for London and will see if I can qualify for Boston USA!”

*Newport: Iwan Evans remained in Wales and ran in the Newport Marathon last Sunday. He enjoyed another positive performance finishing in 3.13.48.

Other race results:

*Rhyl: Four NWRRC members competed in the Rhyl 10k on Sunday on a new and revised course from Abergele and along the promenade. Will Williams finished 5th out of 282 entrants and won his MV50 age cat in 37 minutes and 33 seconds. He was followed by Steve Gardner in 11th place in 39.18, and 1st MV60 in 39.18. Mal Preece continued his good form and finished 3rd in the same age cat as Steve in 71st place in 43.19, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 95th in 50.40.

*Falkland Islands: Elizabeth Driscoll returned to action during the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse parkrun on the Falkland Islands last Saturday and won her VW55 age cat with a steady performance watched by some unusual spectators. Elizabeth was one of 37 starters who completed this challenging course and ran home in 10th place overall in 26.08. Afterwards she said: “Enjoyed my
favourite Parkrun again. A lovely run after a few days of snow earlier in the week, and we even saw some penguins too. All in all, a great first week back.”

Five age cat wins for Road Runners at sunny Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

North Wales Road Runners entered 14 members at the April 15 Conwy Parkrun and claimed six podium places, including five age category wins, amidst another great turn-out of some 283 mixed ability runners from all parts of the UK

Visiting athlete Sam Lewis Jones (Parc Bryn Bach RC) set a hot pace and claimed a new PB on such a bright, sunny, and warm morning, and finished a minute and a half ahead of his 2nd placed NWRRC rival Steve Forsyth in 17.02, with Steve running home in 18.32 on his return to Conwy.

Aiden Myles (UK Parkrun Tourists) finished 3rd and he was just two-seconds adrift of Steve in a fast finish.

The first female athlete was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers), 7th overall, in 18.32, with Hailey Fletcher (Sedburgh School RC) 2nd female in 10th place with a great new PB of 20.11, and Emily Hanlon amazingly shared the exact same time despite claiming the 3rd spot in 11th place overall.

Steve Forsyth led the NWRRC team back and won his MV40 age cat in 18.32, with Harry Driscoll enjoying a good outing in 8th place in 19.38, and he topped his SM20 cat in 19.38. Steve Mason was another age cat winner finishing in 12th place overall, and was 1st MV45 in 20.25.

Club newcomer Dave Jones was 49th in 22.25, and Jamie Tharme finished 70th in 24.51. Veteran Rob Fryer was 87th in 25.29, with Karen Butler 95th in 25.59, and she also won her FV60 age cat.

Another newcomer Barrie Wells was 98th in 26.07, with veteran Len Jackson showing some good form again to finish 113th in 26.48, with fellow vet John O’Shea 125th in 27.36.

Master veteran Don Hale continued his gradual comeback from injury and won his MV70 age cat finishing 134th in 28.07 with his fastest parkrun this year.

Dave Spofforth ran the course with his young son Ben. The youngster finished 3rd JM10 in 28.38 in 141st place, with Dave 146th in 28.52. And Rachel Morris continued her London Marathon preparations with a steady run in 213rd place in 33.16.

*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/

Cold, wet and windy at Chester Spring 5-mile midweek race

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Bryan Dale

Nine Road Runners braved cold, wet and windy conditions during the recent Chester Spring 5-mile and remarkably claimed four podium places.

Despite the challenging conditions, including some partially flooded country lanes, the event still
attracted some 465 quality club runners over a fast and flat course.

Martin Green led the NWRRC team home in 19th place and was 2nd in his MV45 age cat. The results confirm the relevant gun and chip times for each athlete and Martin ran extremely well again in 27 minutes and 32 seconds (27.31).

Richard Eccles enjoyed another competitive race finishing 63rd and he was 3rd in his MV55 cat in (31.41/31.39), with Mal Preece 129th and winning his MV60 age cat in (35.35/35.30). Karl Morris swapped the fells for the road and was 132nd in (35.46/35.35).

Nicola Wylie was on form again in 178th and 3rd FV55 in (38.34/38.30), with Helen Hannam 267th in (42.48/42.36), whilst Mark Mason was 286th in (44.06/44.00). Kevin Higgins claimed 298th (45.17/45.10), and Rachel Morris finished strong in 354th in 52.47/52.31.

*The race was won by Ed Shepherd (Woodford Green AC) in 25.08, with Nathan Williams (Vale Royal AC) 2nd in 25.40, and Arun Dwight (Vale Royal AC) 3rd in 25.50. The Ladies race was won by Tracy Rogers (Buckley RC), 41st in 30.03, with Amie Bagnall (Cheshire Dragons) 2nd in 44th in 30.12 and Nicola Reece (Wilmslow RC) 3rd and 55th overall in 30.50.