Road Runners trio perform well for Wales at Chester Half Marathon

Report by Don Hale

North Wales Road Runners had three athletes selected to represent Wales in the international fixture against England within the Essar Chester Half Marathon – and a further 12 club members in the general race.

It was a fast and furious event which also attracted over 4,000 mixed ability and top club runners, who competed on a challenging course around the city centre and the outskirts.

The race was eventually won by Andrew Heyes (Hallamshire Harriers) with a chip time of 1.05.51, with Scott Overall (Blackheath & Bromley) 2nd in 1.06.27, and Ed Shepherd (Woodford Green) 3rd in 1.06.58.

Martin Green, Richard Eccles and Kay Hatton were the NWRRC members selected for Wales, and they did not disappoint.

Martin led the club team home with another superb run in 48th place overall in 1.17.55. He was followed by Richard, 149th in 1.25.40, and Kay, who also ran extremely well to finish in 807th place overall, the 151st female, and the 7th FV60 athlete in 1.45.35.

A delighted Richard said afterwards: “Chester half, not quite a PB, but it went well for the second vest!”

Wales team manager Bernie Jones later praised the entire squad and said: “A great morning for Wales at the Chester Half Marathon winning two individual titles and a number of medalists’ in the Masters’ Half Marathon International between England and Wales. Well done to all Wales athletes but especially David James and Lee Aherne.”

The other club results included: Stuart Culverhouse 293rd in 1.31.37, with Steve Poupart 790th in 1.44.18, and Steve Roberts 827th in 1.44.25. Veteran Cheryl Frost ran well in 865th place in 1.46.46, and Kelly Alford recorded a great new course PB, finishing six minutes better than last time in 1,238th place in 1.51.35.

She later confirmed: “Chester Half Marathon done in 1.51! A six-minute course pb for me! What a warm and hilly one that was!”

Nicola Wylie, who has only just recovered from a period of ill health, bounced back to finish in 1,227th place in 1.53.14, and Jon Evans ran the two-hour flag again, finishing in 1,732nd place in 1.59.42, whilst Kevin Higgins was 1,780th in 2.00.58.

Cai Roberts was 1,843rd in 2.01.40, with Master veteran Mark Mason 2,125th in 2.07.02, Gwennan Charlton finished in 2,912th place in 2.25.07, with Rachel Morris 3,148th in 2.35.41.

Rachel later confirmed: “A great morning for a run. Still getting over the marathon legs. That was a hard slog. Once again, fabulous marshalls on route, and a goody bag full of chocs and sweets.”
*Llandudno: NWRRC held their special 40th Anniversary gathering at The Neville on Vaughan Street, Llandudno, last Sunday afternoon attended by numerous members past and present. The event included a buffet and drinks in their outdoor garden.

*This is the link to the provisional results from the Chester Half Marathon:
https://ale.niftyentries.com/Results/2023-Essar-Chester-Half-Marathon

Other race results:
*Pont y Bala: Mark Jessett was the 1st finisher at the Pont y Bala parkrun last Saturday and he won his MV age cat in 17.05.
*Berkeley Green Park: Sarah Hudson was the 1st female runner at the Berkeley Green Park parkrun last weekend after finishing 12th, overall, and she also won her VW40 age cat in a fast time of 22.14.
*Prestatyn: David Jones and Gethin Wyn Jones both took part in the Nova Prestatyn parkrun with Dave finishing 13th overall, and he also won his MV50 age cat in 22.22, whilst Gethin Wyn Jones ran home in 23.47 in 26th place.

Josh celebrated his run in the sun at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

There was another good turn-out of mixed ability athletes at the Conwy Parkrun on May 20 where all the entrants were again blessed with warm sunshine and an unusually bone-dry 5k course.

North Wales Road Runner Josh Keogh was the worthy first placed finisher, and he also celebrated his SM30 age category in 17 minutes and 52 seconds.

Josh was just 14-seconds ahead of his nearest rival Aled Hughes, 2nd in 18.06, with Alison Campbell (Sheffield University) 3rd overall, and she was also 1st female finisher, winning her SW30 cat in 18.41.

The other female finishers were Sally Bennett 2nd, and 15th place overall in 21.01, with Vicky Cole (GOG Triathlon), the 3rd female, and 17th overall, despite a great PB of 21.17.

There were 295 finishers in total.

Josh Keogh led a team of nine club members home, and he was followed by Steve Gardner in 5th place and the 1st MV60 cat in 19.35. Youngster Joe Culverhouse ran with his father Stuart again and claimed 29th place and won his JM11-14 age cat in 22.11, whilst Stuart was only one place and one second behind.

Steve Roberts continued his rapid improvement to finish 42nd in 23.16, with Steve Mason 47th in 23.34, with Richard Scamans only one place and six seconds adrift. Master veteran Rob Fryer celebrated his 69th birthday run in 100th place in 26.41, with fellow vet John O’Shea 124th in 27.58.

*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/