North Wales Road Runner Jonathan Kettle wins half marathon in Cyprus

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runner Jonathan Kettle claimed an incredible victory at the Pervolia Half Marathon in Cyprus last Sunday with a superb performance in 1 hour 16 minutes and 28 seconds.

This was his first-ever international win, and he also won his respective VM45 age category and topped the podium at this prestigious sun-drenched event.

Afterwards, Jonathan, who is also a highly respected athletics coach, was obviously thrilled by his efforts, and particularly with this victory, and confirmed: “I did the 27th international race – the Pervolia Half-Marathon in Cyprus and won it! I finished first, and this was the only position that I really wanted today!

“This was my first international race win, and what a fantastic race! It was a flat route, but very warm, with amazing views of the mountains and sea.”

His friend and coaching colleague Tony Price Jones, who works with Jonathan and their squad at Dalzell’s Runners, and with many other local club members, added: “Well done to our coach Mr Jonathan Kettle who won his first international half-marathon this morning. You are running so well, and it keeps me pushing, well done mate!”

Other results

*Prestatyn: Ben and Sarah Hudson continued with their travels and made their debuts at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun last Saturday, where they both won their respective age cats. Ben finished 9th overall in 21.44, and 1st MV45, whilst Sarah was 16th, as the 4th female finisher in 23.12, and 1st VW45at.

Glittering awards for Road Runners at annual presentation night

Report by Don Hale

There was a good turn-out of North Wales Road Runners and guests at the annual prize presentation and dinner held at Maesdu Golf Club last Saturday night.

And following a good meal and some entertainment, there was a glittering display of silverware on offer for members old and new as the MC and club chairman Kevin Slattery, read out all the eagerly awaited results, which included: –

Club handicap race winners (female), Helen Hannam, and (male) winner Steve Roberts. (Male), Group C – 3rd Rob Fryer, runner-up Cai Roberts, and winner – Mark Mason. Group B – 3rd Kevin Higgins, runner-up Sion Thomas, and winner Ben Hudson. Group A – 3rd Jonathan Kettle, runner-up Iwan Evans, and winner Martin Green.
(Female), Group B – 3rd Kelly Marie Alford, runner-up Rachel Morris, and winner Helen Hannam. Group A – 3rd Kay Hatton, runner-up Nicola Wylie, and winner Sarah Ferguson Hudson. Rob Fryer award (male): Best parkrun percentage: Winners: Martin Green, and (female) Carla Green.
Lake Vyrnwy (Nick Beer award), first NWRRC member home – Jonathan Kettle. (Male) vet over 60, runner-up Kevin Higgins, winner Don Hale. (Male) vet 40-60, runner-up Martin Green, winner Jonathan Kettle. (Female) vet of the year – runner-up Kay Hatton, and winner Sarah Ferguson Hudson.
Dave Gardner award for overall points – Sarah Ferguson Hudson. (Male) runner of the year – runner-up Jonathan Kettle, winner Martin Green. (Female) runner of the year – runner-up Kay Hatton, winner Sarah Ferguson Hudson. Most Improved (male), winner – Will Williams, and most improved (female), Kelly Marie Alford. Nick Beer award – winner Don Hale.

*Praise was also deservedly given to the club’s hard-working results and championship points co-ordinator Martin Green.
 

Tributes paid to popular photographer Steve Jeffery at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

There were mixed emotions at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday as nearly 300 mixed ability social and club runners paid tribute, including a minute’s spontaneous applause, to the popular and well-known photographer Steve Jeffery, who tragically lost his life last Wednesday.

Steve was a founding member of North Wales Road Runners, and at Abergele Harriers, and was a regular supporter at Conwy, and at numerous other local parkruns, plus a variety of sporting events throughout the region.

There was a notable feeling of shock and sadness amongst the packed ranks as parkrun officials John Hatton and Bethan Wyn Roberts, and Steve’s friend John Humphries, spoke to the gathered runners at the start of the parkrun and confirmed the sudden and unexpected loss of Steve, who usually attended events with his pet dog Bonnie, and willingly posted all his treasured pictures online, and free of charge!

After the run, John Hatton said: “A great tribute to Steve Jeffrey at Conwy Parkrun this morning, with Steve’s partner and Bonnie his dog. Thank you to all club runners in their club vests this morning as a tribute to Steve.”

North Wales Road Runners paid their own personal tribute to Steve by wearing club colours and entered a remarkable 22 members, with three runners finishing in the top-ten and claiming three age category victories.
Josh Keogh led a strong club team home in 5th place overall, and he won his SM30 age cat in 18 minutes and 44 seconds. He was closely followed by Will Williams, just one place and seven-seconds behind, but won his VM50 cat, and Harry Driscoll ran well in 11th place, and 3rd SM20 in 19.40.

Four other club runners packed well, with each member finishing within a few seconds of each other in a final dash.

Dave Jones led the group back in 34th place in 22.23, followed by Jamie Tharme 40th and 3rd VM45 in 22.46, with Steve Roberts 42nd and 2nd VM55 in 22.50, whilst Tony Price Jones was only four-seconds adrift in 43rd place in 22.54.

Adam Lemalle placed 49th in 23.13, with Karl Morris 52nd in 23.24, and a recovering Martin Green 53rd in 23.33.

Kelly Marie Alford, meanwhile, continued her rapid progress with a third parkrun PB on the trot and she knocked almost a minute off her previous time, finishing 67th overall, thanks to her latest PB of 24.44 as the 7th female, and 2nd VW40.

Veteran Karen Butler was 2nd in her VW65 cat in 80th place in 25.35, with master vet Don Hale winning his VM70 cat in 25.55 in 87th place. Ceri Jones was 107th in 27.23, and Rob Fryer was back in action again, and he enjoyed a steady run in 27.43 to finish in 113th place.

Another master vet, Mark Mason, claimed 2nd VM70 in 118th place overall in 27.51, and Hannah Griffith was 143rd in 29.08, with veteran John O’Shea 144th in 29.11. Gwennan Charlton took 169th place in 30.38, with Nia Lister 179th in 31.16; whilst Rachel Morris continued her marathon build-up in 197th place in 32.42. And the injured Steve Mason, and his dog Coco, walked the course as the sweeper in 287th place in 52.38.

Tributes paid by trio from different athletic clubs

Report by Don Hale

Three runners from different local athletic clubs paid their own personal tribute to the former athlete and photographer Steve Jeffery.

They included brothers John and David Jones, together with Paul Quentin.

The trio initially intended to run at Conwy last Saturday to celebrate Paul’s 100th parkrun, but they also wanted to honour the memory of a beloved friend and a former colleague, who Dave said: “Had been sadly taken from the running community this week.”

Paul won his age group during an emotional run, but confirmed, that although he is no longer a member of Abergele Harriers, he was when Steve Jeffery founded the club, and ran with him for many years. And he even wore one of the old club shirts on Saturday from Steve’s era as a mark of respect.