Age category victory for Stuart Culverhouse at Abersoch Half Marathon

Report by Don Hale

Five North Wales Road Runners travelled to Abersoch on July 15 for their annual half-marathon event and collected two prestigious podium places.

These included an outright age category victory for Stuart Culverhouse as an MV50 athlete, despite facing very wet and windy conditions.

In a large entry of about 300 runners, Iwan Evans was first NWRRC member home in 20th place overall in 1 hour 31 minutes and 14 seconds, to claim 3rd spot in his MV45 age cat. He was followed by Stuart Culverhouse, 29th in 1.35.53 and 1st MV50.

Nicola Wylie enjoyed another outstanding run as 27th female and 136th place overall in 1.54.14, and she just missed out on a medal after claiming 4th place in her FV55 cat. Helen Hannam finished in 254th place in 2.16.54, with Rachel Morris 280th in 2.30.00.

After the race, Culverhouse said: “It was undulating, windy, and tough. Far from my best half-marathon, but really pleased to pick up the 50-55 age cat win.”

Hannam confirmed the difficult conditions, adding: “That was tough, hilly, windy and sandy, enjoyed it though.”

Martin Green celebrates new 3,000m PB at Trafford – plus a surprise in the post!

Report by Don Hale

Martin Green hit the track running at Trafford, near Manchester, during a rare appearance in a 3,000m race.

In a star-studded encounter of top club athletes, Martin eventually finished 14th overall with a new PB at this venue of 9 mins 41.9 seconds.

After the race, the NWRRC member confirmed: “My first track race in years and 21 seconds off the last one. Having another go in a fortnight so hopefully I can take some seconds off that. Totally different racing than on the road, straight into a raging inferno, and holding on for near death!”

Green also confirmed on Thursday night he has received a special delivery from the London Marathon organisers following his success on the road earlier this year.

He explained: “A nice surprise through the post, a bronze medal from @londonmarathon MV45 age group. In two years, I will be going for a gold one!”

Road Running trio tackle Pentir 4.5k Trail and Obstacle Race

Report by Don Hale

Three Road Runners competed in the midweek Ras Hwyl Pentir 4.5k Trail Race and enjoyed the experience at this slightly unusual but friendly village event.

Described by the organisers as a “fun run on quiet roads and fields from the heart of Pentir,” the race surprisingly attracted 105 finishers, including numerous top club and fell runners, over a short but challenging obstacle-type course.

Jamie Tharme continued his recovery from injury to finish 16th overall in 21 minutes and 1 second, and he was 2nd in his MV40 age cat.

Endurance athletes Ben and Sarah Hudson also ran well with Ben in 18th place, and just six seconds behind Jamie in 21.07, and he claimed 3rd MV40, whilst Sarah finished 35th overall, ninth female in 23.25 and was 4th F40 age cat, missing out on third by a mere two seconds.

Jamie later remarked: “An evening trail run, but what an unusual race that was, with trail and stop and start, and having to open about ten gates, over an odd distance. I was the 12th male and 16th overall, but I enjoyed it though.”

Bright and breezy for surprise ultra-distance walkers at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

It was bright and very breezy at the Conwy Parkrun on July 15 with more than 200 entrants negotiating the scenic, yet puddle-filled and challenging 5k course.

Surprise guests included Antony and Sally Brown, who visited this venue during their epic 6,000-mile trek around the UK coastline to help raise funds for the RNLI, Cornwall Air Ambulance and parkrun.

The couple were also celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary, and Antony, a member of the Newquay and Par Athletics Club, even took part in the parkrun, and finished 54th in 24.05.

The event also attracted the usual mix of quality club and social runners who coped well with the soggy conditions underfoot.

And despite several rivals, the top three finishing places all went to local club runners with Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) finishing 1st in just 17 minutes and 11 seconds to additionally claim top MV40.

NWRRC members Martin Green and Jonathan Kettle took the next two places respectively with all three finishers battling hard for honours. Martin finished 2nd but won his MV45 age cat in 17.43, and Jonathan was 3rd, and 2nd MV45, in 17.50.

A team of 11 Road Runners eventually claimed six podium places, including two first places, three second, and one third.

Steve Gardner finished 8th and 1st MV60 in 20.00, whilst Steve Bozier made a welcome return to parkrun in 14th place in 20.50, with Tony Price Jones in hot pursuit in 17th in 21.04.

Harry Driscoll was second in his SM20 cat in 21.13, and 21st overall, with Steve Mason 23rd in 21.28 and Steve Roberts 34th in 22.44, and 3rd MV55.

Meanwhile, Adam Lemalle finished 55th in 24.07, and veteran Rob Fryer was 97th in 26.42, with master vet Don Hale 112th, and 2nd MV70 in 27.34.

*The 1st female athlete was Hailey Fletcher (Sedburgh School RC) in 21.00, with Vicky Cole (GOG Triathlon) 2nd in 21.41, and Alex Aldous 3rd in 23.15.

*This is the link to the provisional results from the Conwy Parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

Other race results

Pont y Bala

Will Williams and Jamie Tharme made their debuts in the Pont y Bala parkrun, and both performed well. Williams was 2nd overall in 17.49 and won his MV50 age cat, whilst Jamie was 8th and 2nd MV45 in a fast 20.52.

Blackpool

Kelly Marie Alford and Kevin Higgins trotted along the famous Golden Mile as part of the Blackpool Music 10k. Kelly finished 43rd overall, and the 8th female runner in 48.41, with Kevin 63rd in 52.58.