Running news: Lesley Goodson’s amazing ultra-distance debut
All reports by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Veteran North Wales Road Runner Lesley Goodson made a successful debut in a very challenging ultra-distance event last Saturday during the Pen Llyn Coast to Coast Winter Ultra race.
Lesley covered an incredible distance of over 60kms in an overall time of 10 hours, 2 minutes, and 14 seconds, to finish a highly respectable 106th, and she was 5th in her VW50 age cat.
Afterwards, Lesley modestly explained just how tough this race really was: “This was my first attempt at an ultra-distance. It was very muddy and slippery, and my legs are shot now, but wow! What a day. Pen Llyn Coast to Coast Ultra. Almost 38-miles and 5,000 ft of elevation.
“My first attempt at the ultra-distance, and the sun gods came out to play, and the views were stunning, but underfoot, the rain over the past few days made for some interesting terrain. Very boggy and ankle deep in mud at times with slippery descents. What’s not to like?
“Unsurprisingly, I was in the pain locker from about 30-miles, but pushed on through and tbh, running was easier than walking. Finally finished and cried!
“Thanks to Anthony Paul Davies for your unwavering support and encouragement, carrying most of the kit and believing in me. And thanks also to Rhian Roxburgh and Triroxtraining for getting me to the start line, and in a position to take on the challenge.”
Road Running duo celebrate team success at international cross-country race in Glasgow
Two veteran North Wales Road Runners formed part of the Welsh Masters athletics team that competed well at the British and Irish Masters Cross-Country International staged at Tollcross Park, Glasgow on Saturday.
Martin Green ran in Race 4 for athletes aged between M35-49, and he finished in 78th place in 29 minutes and 21 seconds and was 27th overall in his individual M45 age category.
And his club colleague Will Williams made his Welsh Masters XC debut and ran in Race 3 for athletes between M50-64. He was very pleased with his overall performance, finishing 45th in 30.09, and 25th M50.
After the race, Green said: “It was a very high standard as usual, but a lovely day and the course was in good shape.”
And an emotional Williams added: “Four years in the making. A huge honour to make my Welsh Masters debut today. I never dreamt this was even possible. I have so many people to thank for this journey and too many to list, but I hope you know who you are?
“Today taught me there are levels to this sport even at master’s level but I’m also super-proud of how I ran, and I held my own within a field of top British MV50 runners, and I now know I have what it takes to step-up to those levels. So, this is not a one off but the start of my new masters journey.”
The event also attracted many hundreds of top club and elite athletes entered in a selection of varied races over different routes and distances.
The talented squad included several other local runners, who are all mentioned within the provisional results list, and included Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers), GOG Triathlon members Simon Cole, and club veterans Liz Evans and Ann d’Alberquerque, along with master veteran Gareth Hughes, and veteran Gordon Jones from Prestatyn, together with many other worthy local club athletes, who all performed well.
The team did exceptionally well under the guidance of team manager Bernie Jones and his supporters.
Bernie later said: “Ifan Lloyd was the star Welsh performer with a fantastic run to finish second in the M60 category. Not only did Ifan win individual silver medal but he also helped his team mates to silver in the team race.
“Gordon Jones (Prestatyn RC), set the day off well with an excellent 4th place in the M65 category which took place in the opening race, and master vet Neil Owen (Run Free Fell) ran well to finish in sixth place.”
Elizabeth Driscoll 7th in Falkland Islands Half-Marathon
North Wales Road Runner Elizabeth Driscoll took part in the Falkland Islands Stone Half-Marathon last weekend, and ran well to finish in 7th place overall, despite a potential injury problem, and a subsequent lack of training.
Elizabeth, who is an RAF flight controller, is currently working on secondment in the Falklands and has previously competed in some parkruns, a marathon, and several other running events during her stay.
She later admitted: “I hardly had any training as my Achilles has been niggling again, so very pleased to finish in 1 hour 58 minutes and 18 seconds. It was a beautiful sunny day and almost no wind (unheard of down here). Summer is on its way!”
Other race results
Dublin
Kevin Higgins travelled overseas this week to compete in the Dublin 10k race, and to chalk up a unique club milestone.
Kevin later confirmed: “Ran in the Raheny 10k in Dublin on Sunday in 55.03, and it was my 450th race for North Wales Road Running Club. And to make my day, I finished 3rd in my MV60 age cat, and this was where I first started racing about 48 years ago when I was about 14 years old and lived in Dublin.”
Llangollen
Three NWRRC members travelled to the Old Railway Trail Parkrun at Llangollen last Saturday, and they all performed well, recording two age category wins and one second placing.
Cheryl Frost finished as the 3rd female athlete, and 2nd VW55 in 13th place overall in a fast time of 22.51.
Kay Hatton gave chase and finished 15th in 23.30, and won her VW60 age cat as the 4th female, whilst master veteran Mike Hayton also won his VM70 age cat in 35th place in 28.01.
After the event Kay said: “A new one for Cheryl and me today. A nice course on the old railway route, but muddy and lots of leaves on the course today. We all enjoyed it though.”
Five age cat wins for Road Runners at another puddle-filled Conwy Parkrun
Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery
A dozen Road Runners took part in another puddle-filled parkrun event at Conwy last Saturday.
Despite the awful conditions underfoot, they still managed to win five respective age categories, plus one second placing, and one third.
During an unusually bright and sunny morning, Steve Mason led the NWRRC team home with a determined performance over this near waterlogged 5k course in 4th place overall in 19 minutes and 32 seconds and won his VM45 age cat.
Will Evans then celebrated a new course PB, but finished just six-seconds, and one place behind Steve, but won his VM40 in 19.38, with Harry Driscoll 9th in 20.07 and 1st SM20.
Master veteran Don Hale knocked another 30-seconds off last week’s improving time to finish in 63rd place in 25.11, and he too won his VM70 cat, with Richard Scamans hot on Don’s heels in 65th place in 25.15.
Karen Butler continued her steady progress in 80th place, and won her VW65 cat in 25.51, with veteran Rob Fryer 90th in 26.41. Ceri Jones finished in 104th place, and 3rd VW40 cat in 27.25, with Nia Lister 107th in a great new PB of 27.27.
And it was good to see Gethin Wyn Jones back at parkrun after a long break, finishing 116th in 27.42, with veteran John O’Shea 125th in 28.09, and master vet Mark Mason despite a fall during his run, battled his way round to finish in 134th place, and 2nd VW70 in 28.57.
*The 1st athlete back at Conwy parkrun overall was Aled Hughes in 17.59, and he won his VM35 age cat, with Adam Robilo the 2nd finisher, and the victor of his SM25 cat on his course debut in 18.17, with Osian Griffiths 3rd, and 1st SM30 in 18.29.
*Ffion Evans was the 1st female runner home in 16th place overall, with a new course PB of 21.04, and she also won her SW25 age cat, with Mia Maric 31st on her debut in 23.11, whilst GOG Triathlete Lizzie Irvine ran well to finish as the 3rd female finisher in 23.13, and won her VW35 cat.