Tough challenge for runners at testing Conwy Fell Race

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Five North Wales Road Runners Club members braved the tough challenge of the Conwy Fell Race on February 3 in cold, misty, and drizzly conditions which tested stamina to the limits.

Amidst a quality field of 106 finishers, mainly of experienced fell runners from clubs across the country, they all battled well despite the testing conditions.

Adam Lemalle was the first NWRRC man home in 71st place in 71 minutes and 15 seconds, with Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones 2nd in 87th place overall in 85.46.

She was closely followed by Nicola Wylie in 94th place in 89.45, with Nia Lister 104th in 123.38, and Helen Hannam 105th in 130.05.

After the event, they all revealed mixed emotions following their efforts, with most runners making their debuts at this highly competitive, gruelling, and perhaps specialised event.

Lemalle admitted: “It was brutal, and I’ll be having nightmares about those climbs tonight.”

Hannam also claimed it was brutal, but with a true fell running attitude, she remained determined to finish, and confirmed: “I came last. I moaned and I cried a lot! I wanted to quit but I didn’t, thanks to the amazing, and very tolerant tail runner.”

Lister asked: “Who said it was going to be fun? Sliding on my bum down a mountain so I can climb back up it!” And Nicola Wylie said: “That was some experience. I was 3rd in my age cat. It was very hard, but somehow, I enjoyed it!”

GOG Triathlon members confirmed: “Saturday saw the Conwy Fell Race take place in some of the most challenging conditions we’ve seen for many a year. With a combination of poor visibility, very greasy rock, and plenty of mud, making it slippery underfoot, athletes were pushed to their limits.

“However, this did not deter the three GOG squad athletes of Dan Wellings (60.08), Andy Jones (64.11) and Lizzie Irvine (77.22) from delivering excellent performances.”

And one member of the Conwy Trail Crew added: “Fantastic Saturday outing with awesome people and good vibes. Short fast fell races are completely out of my comfort zone, but leaving the comfort zone is the only way we grow. I loved it!

“Final descent to the caravan site was one long muddy slide before the steep final ascent to finish! Thank you to the race organiser for this fun race and big well done to everyone including these beautiful humans!”

*The race winner was Math Roberts (CVFR) M40 in 42.17, with Joe Gomes (Run Free Fell Runners) M40, 2nd in 44.06, and Gavin Roberts (CVFR) MO, 3rd in 44.30.

It was a very close contest for the ladies with three members from Eryri Harriers in contention, and the 1st first female finisher was Kasia Osipowicz (Eryri), FO, (18th overall) in 58.21, with Efa Baines (Eryri), FU23 (20th overall) in 59.09, and Nia Albiston (Eryri), F40, (22nd overall), who finished 3rd in 59.50.

*This is the link to the provisional results from the Conwy fell race:
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=876955247773168&id=100063761011983

Road Runners claimed top three places at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photo by Steve Jeffery

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

A hat-trick of North Wales Road Runners celebrated after claiming the first three places at the February 3 Conwy Parkrun, which included another bumper attendance of nearly 300-entrants, despite the blustery and damp conditions.

Josh Keogh and Jonathan Kettle battled for glory throughout this challenging 5k dash amidst a route that was splattered with mud, deep puddles, along a narrow out and back course, and led home a strong team of 18 club members.

Josh eventually finished 1st, but he was only 22-seconds ahead of his cub rival Jonathan, who had just returned to Conwy following his amazing half-marathon win in Cyprus.

Josh also won his SM30 age cat in just 17 minutes and 28 seconds, with Jonathan 1st VM45 in 17.50, and Will Williams finished 3rd overall and 1st VM50 in 18.42.

Jamie Tharme took 15th place in 21.55, and 3rd VM45, and Steve Mason was 18th in 21.55.

Endurance athlete Karl Morris was 27th in 22.59, and 2nd VM40, whilst Kelly Marie Alford added another deserved PB to her recent career best, taking another 18-seconds off the week before’s previous fastest to finish in 45th place, as the 6th female, in 24.26, and 2nd VW40.

Sion Thomas was 53rd and 3rd VW40 in 24.55, with Carla Green jogging around in 67th place in 25.42, and winning her VW50 age cat.

Master veteran Don Hale finished 2nd VM70 and 71st overall in 25.53, with Gethin Wyn Jones 79th in 26.18, and vet Rob Fryer confirmed his steady recovery programme to finish 87th in 26.44.

Sarah Jones enjoyed a steady run in 97th place in 27.03, with Daniel Hennel 100th in 27.10, and Hannah Griffith 113th in 27.39, and she was 3rd VM50.

Meanwhile, Nia Lister also took things easy in 164th place in 30.30, with Vicky Taylor 184th in 31.23, and Rachel Morris continued her marathon training build-up to finish 217th in 33.46.

Other results

*Manchester: Kelly Marie Alford and her partner Cai Roberts took part in the breezy Manchester Winter Warmer 10k race, Kelly was 2nd F40 and 49th place overall in a chip time of 50.12, whilst Cai was 77th in 53.18.
*Cardiff: Lesley Goodson made her debut at the Cardiff Parkrun and claimed 3rd VW55 in 25.28. Afterwards, she confirmed: “It was a lovely run along the river and very busy. I was 293rd out of a field of 931 parkrunners, the 50th female, and 3rd in my age category.”
*Newborough: Richard Scamans and his dog Freddie enjoyed their debut in the Newborough Forest Parkrun, finishing 20th in 23.02, and 1st VM50 age cat.

After the run Richard confirmed: “Another amazing PB for the Fredster, running two-minutes faster than his previous PB, and he was the 3rd dog home! And a kipper for dragging me out at 7.45am!“

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