Good performances despite delayed start at Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runners entered seven club members in the popular Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon, which was hit by some unexpected problems.

The start was delayed for about 40-minutes due to heavy traffic and parking issues.

Despite this unfortunate hold-up, all the competitors still managed to perform well, and enjoyed the muggy conditions, with a pleasant breeze around the picturesque lake and relatively flat course.

Jonathan Kettle was the first NWRRC man home in 1 hour 18 minutes and 18 seconds to finish in 27th place overall.

Stuart Culverhouse was 153rd in 1.32,12, with his second-best time, and Ben Hudson was 176th in 1.34.18.

Ben’s wife Sarah Ferguson Hudson was 37th female, 214th overall, in 1.39.00, and just missed out on an age cat placing in 4th spot, but was pleased to get within 40-seconds of a new course PB.

Kelly Marie Alford and her partner Cai Roberts ran well together. Kelly was 199th female athlete and 641st overall, in 2.07.49, with Cai 642nd in 2.07.55, Vicky Taylor was 352nd female, 881st overall, in 2.29.40.

Other race results

*Beaumaris: Gwennan Charlton took part in the undulating Beaumaris RunFest half marathon and she enjoyed a strong finish in 19th place in 2.30.33.

*Penrhyn: Martin Green took time out to recover from the previous week’s spectacular win at the Caernarfon Half Marathon with a steady run-out at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun, where he finished 5th overall and won his MV45 age cat in just 17 minutes and 26 seconds.

Mark runs socks off to win 5k charity trail race in Kent

Report by Don Hale

Road Runner Mark Jessett took part in a most unusual race last week where he quite literally ran his socks off – in addition to all his other clothing – as it was all part of a unique and very naked 5k fundraising event for the Naturist Foundation at Brocken Hurst, near Orpington, in Kent.

Mark, a MV35 member of NWRRC, and one of the regular run directors at Conwy Parkrun, was the first male runner home out of 130 completely naked entrants, winning the race in style in a fast time of 18 minutes and 50 seconds, despite the very hot weather with temperatures hovering around 27 degrees.

After his run, Mark said: “A rather rare running appearance for me these days. The event was organised by the Naturist Foundation, and it was basically a trail course through the trees with a short section on the road.”

Many of the competitors were said to have never visited a naturist site before, prior to this race, but the opportunity proved to be extremely popular, and perhaps the very warm conditions may have helped to boost the number of entrants.

Whatever the reasons, the runners were said to have quickly and enthusiastically adapted to this exceptional fun event, and as they were all completely naked, and in stark contrast to normal races where a number is pinned to their vests, they had to have their race numbers scrawled across their bare chests and arms with bright lipstick to help identify them at the finish.

Runners were only allowed to wear socks and shoes, if necessary, due to some rough parts of the course, and were lined-up in accordance with their age and estimated abilities, with the faster runners at the front, followed by slower runners, social joggers, and even walkers.

The event, along with other unusual supporting fundraising activities, was watched by plenty of other equally naked spectators, and was expected to both raise the profile of the Naturist foundation, and raise thousands of pounds for this organisation, and for other charities.

Carla Green back to her best at Conwy Parkrun dash

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

Experienced GOG Triathlete Simon Cole took on the challenge against some very fast young students at Conwy Parkrun on September 16 and just managed to edge ahead of Harri Jackson and Jack Rigal in a sprint finish to claim top spot in 16 minutes 58 seconds.

Harri, who is now representing Menai Track and Field, had been the victor for the past couple of weeks, but still won his SM20 age cat, although this time, he had to settle for 2nd place overall, and was just 12-seconds adrift of the MV40 cat winner, Simon in 17.11, with Rigal 3rd and also 2nd SM20 athlete, despite claiming a new course PB in 18.13. The first seven finishers all ran under 20-minutes.

Carla Green (NWRRC) was back to her best as first female athlete home, in 17th place overall, in a superb time of 21.15, and she also won her VW50 age cat, with Lizzie Irvine (GOG Triathlon) in 32nd, and the 2nd female finisher in 23.11, and 1st VW35.

Promising junior runner Ella Grundy (Colwyn Bay AC) shared the exact same time as Lizzie, but was handed 33rd place overall, and 3rd spot in 23.11, but won her JW15-17 age cat.

North Wales Road Runners had 10 entrants and claimed three age category wins, one second, and one third place overall.

Steve Mason led the team home in 5th place, and was 2nd MV45 in 19.30, with Carla Green 17th and 1st female finisher in 21.25 and 1st VW50.

Mal Preece was 21st, and won his MV60 in 21.59, with Karl Morris 25th in 22.21, Adam Lemalle 36th place in 23.24 and 3rd MV35 and Stuart Culverhouse 38th in 23.29.

Will Evans had a steady jog around in 92nd place in 27.03, whilst master veteran Don Hale crossed the line 93rd in 27.23 and won his MV70 age cat.

Meanwhile, Rachel Morris was back in top form again after the Great North Run, finishing 149th place in 31.00, with Sue Smith also enjoying her return to parkrun with another positive performance in 173rd place in 33.45.

*There were 223 finishers, including a good mix of club and social runners, with many participants coming from all parts of the UK, and some even from as far as Australia.

*Praise was given to the run director at Conwy, and to all the volunteers and marshals for their dedicated service: This is the link to the provisional results:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/