New Year Liverbird Double Marathon challenge tests Ben and Sarah

Report by Don Hale

North Wales Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson celebrated the New Year in their own unique style by competing in the Liverbird Double Marathon on Merseyside.

Both events, well organised by GB Ultras, included the full marathon distance run on consecutive days, with the first race held on New Year’s Eve, quickly followed by the second on New Year’s Day.

The ultra-enthusiastic pair braved gales, and heavy rain, during their first encounter which followed an out and back lapped course from the Merseyside Police Club at Aigburth, Liverpool, and followed a relatively flat course adjacent to the windswept River Mersey.

Despite the conditions and this gruelling challenge, they were both pleased with their day one results, with Ben finishing 19th overall, and 3rd in his M45-49 age category in 3 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds, with Sarah running home as the 4th female finisher in a very respectable time of 4.04.25, and she also won her F45-49 age cat.

After the first marathon Sarah confirmed: “The marathon went up and down the prom from Otterspool, but it went from fun, to being absolutely horrific every three miles. I was actually the 4th lady in the double marathon. I was not overly pleased with the time, but I was trying to be a little bit sensible with tomorrow in mind.

“We came across the other night, and we go back on Tuesday, so we can celebrate New Year tomorrow night instead… although I’m not sure I will be able to walk let alone celebrate. One down, and one to go! It was great fun if a wee bit breezy. Bring on day 2.”

Sarah also admitted to some fatigue shortly before and after this first marathon, which was not too surprising considering the fact that both husband and wife recently returned from Spain where they took part in the Malaga Marathon, and just before that, they also ran in the extremely tough Eryri Marathon.

On Day 2, Ben and Sarah maintained their excellent form and recorded similar results to New Year’s Eve, with Ben finishing 17th overall in 4 hours 10 minutes and 54 seconds and was 4th this time in his 45-49 age cat, whilst Sarah repeated her top performance to retain 1st place in her F45-49 age cat, and she was the 4th female finisher once again, recording a good time of 4.15.15.

Following the conclusion of the two marathons, Sarah added: “4th lady again for me, and 1st in my age category. Well chuffed with that! It was still cold and windy but not as bad as yesterday, and it stayed dry so I can’t complain!”

Other results

Wirral

Kevin Higgins also ran in two unique Liverbird Double 5k trail races, the first on New Year’s Eve, where he finished well in 28.48, and on New Year’s Day he completed the same distance in the second race in 27.47 and he won his M60 age cat.

Newborough Forest

Four members of NWRRC ran on New Year’s Day at the Newborough Forest Parkrun, with all recording good times.

Will Williams claimed a new course PB of 18.56 in 10th place overall, with Steve Mason 30th in 20.58, whilst Harry Driscoll was 36th in 21.24, and 3rd SM20, and Jamie Tharme finished 62nd on his course debut in 23.46.

Ruthin

Steve Mason ran on Christmas Day at the Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields Parkrun with his dog Coco.

Steve was 65th overall in 25.25, and 3rd VM45, with Coco the lead runner and the first canine finisher!

Top marks for student trio at wet and muddy Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It was another good turnout for the final parkrun of the year at Conwy last Saturday morning where a trio of talented students received full marks for a great tussle, with the first two finishers both claiming new personal best times.

Morgan Kendall (Durham City & Harriers AC), hit top form again, and he was the 1st finisher despite battling with the usual puddle-filled, muddy, and near waterlogged 5k course, and he just managed to hold off a determined challenge from rivals James Smith and Harri Jackson, both from the Menai Track and Field club.

Morgan won his SM20 age cat with a great new PB of just 16 minutes and 16 seconds, with James 2nd despite a PB of 16.49, and Harri 3rd in 17.40. They all shared the same age cat, and it was good to note that another promising junior runner, Jack Woodhouse (Neath Harriers), won his JM10 age cat on his debut with a great run finishing 6th overall in 19.31.

The event proved to be a very fast dash throughout, with the first eight athletes all dipping under 20-minutes, and there were 211 entrants.

Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was the 1st female athlete (7th overall) in 19.46, with Kelly Dicks (Great Western Runners), next home on her course debut in 20.31, and 11th overall, with junior Lexi Dundas 3rd in 20.45, and she also won her JW11-15 age cat, after finishing 15th overall.

North Wales Road Runners entered eight members and claimed three age cat victories with Steve Mason leading the team home in 14th place overall in 20.46, and he won his VM45 age cat. Adam Lemalle was the next man back, and he finished 53rd in 24.22, with Carla Green 70th in 25.34, and she won her VW50 cat.

Veteran Karen Butler ran well in 79th place, and she won her VW65 age cat in 26.00, whilst Martin Green made a welcome return to parkrun with a steady run finishing 96th in 26.46, and Helen Hannam claimed 3rd place in her VW45 cat in 127th place in 28.20.

Another veteran John O’Shea was 149th overall, and 2nd VM65 in 29.52, whilst Rachel Morris celebrated her 100th parkrun in 181st place in 34.21.

After the event, Rachel confirmed: “I set a goal to get to 100-parkruns by the end of this year, and I just about scraped it by doing it on the last one of the year but I need to up my running game now, as next year’s goal is the Fire Lighter Ultra 37.5 miles.”

*Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshals on another challenging day for weather. This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/