In loving memory of John Dalzell – a lookback to April 2022

Report by Don Hale (from April 2022)

North Wales Road Runner John Dalzell was celebrating last weekend after completing a gruelling 53-mile international challenge race in an amazing new personal best time, whilst also helping to raise vital funds for the Welsh Air Ambulance appeal.

The experienced endurance athlete was the first Welshman to finish among a top-quality international field of 450 starters – with only 315 finishers – during the Highland Fling Ultra Marathon in Scotland.

John was 116th overall and completed this extremely tough course, with 7,187 ft of elevation, in just 11 hours 47 minutes and 52 seconds, knocking a massive 37 minutes of his PB.

The race attracted athletes from more than 20 countries to Scotland’s biggest ultra-marathon race, which started at Milngavie and continued along the West Highland Way to Tyndrum for a spectacular red-carpet finish.

After the race John confirmed: “Had a really good day. Sub-12-hour was the target, and I went in the 10-12-hour wave, which took me 16-miles to settle, and letting people pass me by keeping to 10-11 miles a minute pace.

“Conic Hill felt easier this time, but I had to wait at Balamaha (19.8) so lost time there and started blowing up. The 30/34-mile feed station was a welcome site, and at the last feed station at 41-miles I had 9:03 on my watch. 12 miles in 3 hours easy-ish, and so happy to finish. Pleased with my time!

“Thanks to everyone who sponsored me to help keep Wales Air Ambulance in the sky, and secondly, it was exactly how I remember it from four-years ago (painful), but it’s still the best race I’ve done. Granddad was a countryman, and I hope I have done him proud today. I also bagged myself a 37-minute PB…so not sure if I’ve got these ultra’s out of my system yet.”