Fast times at Village Bakery Half Marathon
Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
The popular Village Bakery Half Marathon attracted a massive entry of more than 1,700 runners at Wrexham and included numerous elite and club athletes, plus many fun and social runners.
On a fast, and relatively flat course, many runners were able to celebrate personal best (PB) times and raised funds for local and national charities.
North Wales Road Runners entered 15 members and collected three prestigious age category awards.
The first club man home again was Jonathan Kettle in 75th place with a new course PB in 1.15.52, followed by Iwan Evans (281) in 1.24.44, and Ben Hudson (545) in 1.35.57.
And it was good to see club chairman Kevin Slattery back in action again and running a half marathon for the first time in many years, and he was pleased to finish 3rd in his M65 age cat with a great time of 1.35.55 (547).
Sarah Hudson also enjoyed another strong performance (677) in 1.40.24, and Cheryl Frost was back to her best finishing (744), with a new PB in 1.44.12 and 3rd W55.
Kay Hatton, meanwhile, gave Cheryl a hard chase, but eventually had to settle for (762nd) place in 1.44.55, but she was delighted to finish 2nd W60.
Kelly Alford narrowly, yet deservedly snatched a new course PB with a determined run (894), with a good time of 1.49.32, and Richard Scamans knocked about seven-minutes off his previous best time (939) in 1.53.10.
Cai Roberts crossed the line (1033) in 1.56.04, and he was followed by a talented group of ladies.
They included Helen Hannam (1184), who ran home in 2.05.25, to claim a new course PB, with Nia Lister (1275), knocking over a minute from her previous time in 2.13.56. In addition, Vicky Taylor ran well (1296), in 2.18.05, with Gwennan Charlton (1316), 2.21.48 and Rachel Morris (1372) in 2.36.51.
*The race winner was Andrew Heyes (Hallamshire Harriers) in 1.05.39, with John Gilbert (Kent AC), 2nd in 1.06.46, and Simon Crawford (Long Eaton RC), 3rd in 1.07.26.
*Sally O’Gorman (Stockport Harriers) was the 1st female finisher in 1.13.43, with Rachel Hodgkinson (Liverpool Harriers) the runner-up during a close finish in 1.15.07, just ahead of 3rd placed Mollie Williams (Stockport Harriers) in 1.15.18.
After the race, Jonathan Kettle from NWRRC, said: “This was my 3rd fastest time in a half marathon and a course PB by 28-seconds. My tank was absolutely empty though at 11-miles but still giving my 100% as always. This is a sport of inspiring, and such supportive and helpful people.”
*This is the link to the provisional results from the Village Bakery Half Marathon: https://runcheshire.niftyentries.com/Results/Village-Bakery-Wrexham-Half-Marathon-2024
Other results
*Ruthin 5k: Karen Butler and Kevin Higgins took part in the Ruthin 5k race last Sunday, and both celebrated with podium places. Karen finished 2nd in her W60 cat, 12th overall in 25.49, and Kevin was 3rd in his M60 age cat, and he was 14th in 26.49.
*Ruthin 10k: Veterans Rob Fryer and Mike Hayton ran in the Ruthin 10k race, and once again they both collected age cat awards and enjoyed podium places. Rob was 53rd in 54.11, and he was 2nd in his M65 cat, whilst Mike also ran well, and he also claimed the 2nd spot in his M70 age cat, finishing 80th overall in 62.49.
*Prestatyn: Sion Thomas ran well at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun last Saturday and he finished 2nd in his VM40 age cat with a very good time of 21.19.
Josh Keogh runner-up at the tough Winter Trail 7-mile race
Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Three North Wales Road Runners were among 443 entrants at the Winter Trail 7-mile race at Coed-y-Brenin, with Josh Keogh claiming a deserved podium place after finishing as the runner-up in a close finish.
Josh ran home in 48 minutes and 8 seconds over this tough and undulating course, whilst his colleagues Adam Lemalle and Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones also ran well and were pleased with their performances in this challenging and very muddy event. Adam finished in 98th place overall in 1.07.09, and Charlotte was 122nd, and the 28th female in 1.09.40.
After the race Josh confirmed: “CYB has everything you could possibly want from a trail race. Big climbs, single track, and breath-taking scenery. Run.cyb, have absolutely nailed it! One of the best races I’ve ever done from entry to finish!”
North Wales athletics coach and club colleague, Jonathan Kettle, added: “Well Done to Josh Keogh for finishing 2nd overall at the Winter Trail Wales 7-mile race this morning. Fantastic running Josh, and also well done to all the other club runners out there today.”
The event was won by Aled Breeze (Maldwyn Harriers) in 47 minutes and 49 seconds, and he was the 1st Male Open age cat winner, with Josh just 19-seconds adrift in 48.08, and he was 2nd in the same age cat, whilst Tony Wood (Denbigh Harriers) finished 3rd in 49.14.
The 1st female finisher was Tinka Vinks (Eryri Harriers) in 55.00, with Lucy Bracegirdle (Eryri Harriers), 2nd in 56.19, and Faye Johnson (Monross Trail Blazers) was 3rd in 56.38.
*This is the link to the provisional race results:
https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=3991#0_10CDBB
Perfect conditions for Will Williams amidst bumper entry at Conwy Parkrun
Report by Don Hale
Conditions were almost perfect at Conwy Parkrun on February 17with a remarkably dry course after several weeks of swamp-like conditions underfoot, with nearly 300 mixed ability club and social runners enjoying this picturesque 5k course.
Boosted by the half-term holidays, organisers welcomed entrants from across the UK, and North Wales Road Runner Will Williams, had to run flat-out to secure 2nd place overall, and he won his VM50 age cat, during another fast-dash event.
Will finished in a good time of 18 minutes and 54 seconds, but he was only 13-seconds ahead of the 3rd placed finisher, visitor Richard Pollitt (Horwich RMI Harriers), who won his VM45 cat in 19.07. The first male finisher was Dave Hughes, who recorded a new course PB of 17.41, and he finished 1st in his VM35 age cat.
The 1st female was Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) in 19.41, (5th overall), and she also won her SW25 age cat, whilst youngster Ella Grundy (Colwyn Bay AC), claimed the 2nd spot, (23rd), and won her JW15 cat in 21.40, with Lindi Clayton 3rd (37th), and she too won her VW40 age cat in 22.51.
The Road Runners entered11 members and claimed two age category victories, two second placings, and two third. Will Williams led the team home, and Harry Driscoll celebrated another good run by finishing 4th in 19.34 and won his SM20 age cat.
Steve Roberts was also back on form in 30th place, and 2nd in his VM55 cat in 22.22. And Karl Morris was just six-seconds behind Steve with a determined run, finishing 33rd in 22.39. Master veteran Barrie Wells was in fine form again with another stunning performance, finishing 60th overall, in 24.35, but surprisingly, he had to settle for 2nd place in his VM70 age cat against the outstanding Sandy Johnston (Les Croupiers), who won the same cat in 24.09.
Sarah Jones was 3rd in her SW30 age cat with a steady run in 76th place in 25.39, and Gethin Wyn Jones continued his recent improvement in fitness finishing 88th in 26.24. And veteran Rob Fryer is gradually getting back to form too with a good run in 103rd place in 27.02.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Driscoll was welcomed back at Conwy Parkrun after her recent Falkland Islands secondment, and she finished 3rd in her VW55 cat finishing 128th in 28.30. Rachel Morris additionally used this event as preparation for her half-marathon race the following day and she was pleased with 200th place in 33.32, whilst Darren Griss was 248th in 36.59.
*Praise was given to the run director and to all the marshals’ and volunteers. This is the link to the provisional results list: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/