Martin Green on top form at Wrexham 10k

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runner Martin Green was on top form again during the recent Helena Tipping 10k race at Wrexham.

Ever-consistent Green finished 2nd in his MV45 age category, and in 35th place overall, out of nearly 800 quality athletes.

This ever-popular race attracted numerous elite and international standard athletes with the event eventually won by Jonny Mellor in 29.17, with Abdulqani Sharif 2nd in 21.31, and Kadar Omar (Birchfield Harriers AC) 3rd in 29.46. The first seven runners all dipped under 31-minutes!

The 1st female was Lily Partridge in 33.02, with Emily Kearney (Warrior Pentathlon) 2nd in 34.03, and Louise Small (Aldershot Farnham & District AC) 3rd in 34.23. There were 784 finishers.

Martin Green, also representing the North Wales regional team, recorded a superb chip time of 33 minutes and 24 seconds and led home a strong team of 10 club members, who all performed well in humid conditions over a fast and relatively flat course.

Jonathan Kettle also ran very well in 55th spot in 34.53, with ‘Mr Consistent’ Will Williams 100th in 36.42, and Jon Doe 193rd in 41.03.

Jon Evans made a rare race appearance in club colours, and he enjoyed a positive performance in 252nd place in 43.37, whilst Jamie Tharme continued his battle from injury and recorded an excellent time of 45.29 in 289th place.

Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton continued their exciting tussle for honours, with Cheryl finishing 326th in 47.29, but unfortunately, she just missed out on a podium spot after finishing 4th in her FV55 cat, whilst Kay was just seven-seconds adrift in 330th place in 47.36, and she was 3rd in her FV60 age cat.

Kelly Marie Alford was on fire again and continued with her excellent form to finish in 332nd place overall in 47.53, whilst Cai Roberts took 370th place in 49.44, Guest runner Mandy Owen finished 521st in 59.49.

*This is the provisional results list from the Helena Tipping 10k:
https://runcheshire.niftyentries.com/Results/Helena-Tipping-Wrexham-10K12

Perfect night to ‘Race the Highland Train’ at Caernarfon for 300 runners

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It proved to be another exciting dash from start to finish as nearly 300 mixed ability runners attempted to Race the Highland train from Dinas station to Caernarfon.

On a warm and almost perfect evening Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) was the first athlete home in a fast time of just 14 minutes and 51 seconds over this interesting 5k course, with Ifan Dafydd (Eryri Harriers) 2nd in 14.55, and John Higgs 3rd in 15.02.

The 1st female runner was Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers), who finished 19th place in 17.42.

Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was 2nd female, and she also won her FV35-44 age cat in 18.06 in 25th place overall, closely followed by her club colleague Tinka Vinks, who was 3rd, and finished in 27th place overall in 18.14. *The race was well organised by Eryri Harriers and attracted 290 finishers.

North Wales Road Runners entered nine members for this unusual downhill race, with Steve Bozier leading the team in 34th place in 18.40. He was followed by Ben Hudson 50th in 19.46, and endurance athlete Karl Morris, 62nd in 20.20.

Sarah Ferguson Hudson claimed 2nd FV35-44 in 20.25, and Cai Roberts was 103rd in 22.05, with Kelly Marie Alford 113th in 22.27. Hannah Griffith came 154th in 24.07, Vicky Taylor was 220th in 27.20 and Rachel Morris celebrated a great result to dip under the 30-minute mark, finishing 238th in 29.15.
This is the link to the provisional results from Race the Train:
https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=3958

Splash down at Conwy Parkrun as student Harry takes honours

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

Entries were well-down at the Conwy Parkrun on July 22, which perhaps was not too surprising given the horribly wet weather, combined with a gusty wind, and a near waterlogged 5k course.

Just 156 mixed ability runners braved the event which incredibly registered talented local student Harry Jackson (Manchester Metropolitan University AC) for his first victory at Conwy following 27 previous attempts including a second and third placing.

Harry was the first male finisher in an amazing time – given the challenging conditions – of just 17 minutes and 22 seconds. He was followed by visiting club runner William Richardson (Irvine RC) on his debut in 17.48, and Grant Little in 18.44.

The 1st female home was Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) who returned after injury to claim the top spot in 22nd place overall, and the 1st SW30 age cat winner in 22.05. Michelle Farrell (GOG Triathlon) finished 33rd overall in 23.02, and she won her VW40 cat, whilst Katy Nelson was the 3rd female athlete, 39th overall, and she won her VW35 cat in 24.06.

Steve Gardner was the first NWRRC member back in 6th place overall, and he also won his MV60 age cat in 19.30, with Steve Mason also winning his MV45 cat in 19.33 in 7th place overall. Jon Doe set a new course PB of 19.38 after a tremendous run, finishing 9th, and he was 2nd in his MV45 cat.

Karl Morris continued his good form in 26th place, with a fast time of 22.36, with veteran Rob Fryer 74th in 27.40, and he was 3rd in his MV65 cat, whilst master veteran Mike Hayton claimed the 3rd spot in his MV70 cat in 83rd place.

Helen Hannam finished 101st in 30.02, and she finished 2nd in her VW45 cat, with Rachel Morris enjoying a steady run in 117th place in 32.18.

*Thanks were expressed to the run director Gwyn Williams and all the volunteers and marshals on such a horribly wet and windy day.
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/