North Wales Road Runners claim 11 medals at the Rhyl 10-mile championships

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

http://www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

The Road Runners claimed 11 prestigious North Wales Championship medals at the recent Rhyl 10-mile race – five gold, three silver and three bronze.

In a late switch to a new venue at Abergele for the Rhyl event due to extensive renovation and flood protection workings further down the promenade, this race attracted an excellent entry of 271 club and social runners, who enjoyed a cold but sunny run along a flat and fast course.

This particular event also included an associated and inclusive 5-mile race, involving a further 183 finishers, which was run at the same time, with both races well organised by RunWales, and well supported by a generous number of volunteers and marshals.

The outstanding winner of the 10-mile race was Andrew Davies (Mercia Fell Runners), who set a new course record with a blistering performance to win his M40 age cat in a superb chip time of 50 minutes and 28 seconds. He was followed by Tony Jervis (Swindon) in 55.39, and he won his M45 cat, whilst Jonathan Kettle (NWRRC) ran home in 3rd place overall with another good display in 57.10, and he finished 2nd M45.

The 1st female finisher was Ruth Jones (Helpstow Harriers AC), 19th overall in 1.05.27, and she also won her W40 age cat. Tinka Vinks (Eryri Harriers) was in close pursuit, and she finished just 11 seconds adrift in 20th place in 1.05.38, but she won her F21 cat, with Lynne Callaghan (Trentham RC), 3rd female, 24th overall, in 1.07.05 and 1st F45.

The Road Runners had 15 members in the Rhyl 10-mile race, and three others in the five-mile, with both events run together.

In the 5-mile event, Mal Preece was first club runner home in 35.12 in 15th place, and he won his age cat, and master veteran Don Hale recorded his best distance time since 2019 and claimed a new course record in 54th place in 41.50, finishing 3rd M70.

And it was also good to see veteran Len Jackson back in race action again with a positive run in 84th place and 3rd M65 in 46.10.

In the 10-mile race Jonathan Kettle led the team home in 3rd place overall in 57.10, and 2nd M45, with Steve Mason 11th and 3rd M45 in 1.03.25, with Iwan Evans 15th in 1.04.18. Stuart Culverhouse was 3rd M50 in 27th place in 1.08.29.

Ben Hudson was 36th in 1.11.36, followed by his wife Sarah Ferguson Hudson, (57th), who was 11th female finisher in 1.15.56, and 3rd F45 with a new course PB.

Steve Roberts continued his recent impressive form to finish 61st overall and 3rd in age cat in 1.16.43, with veteran Cheryl Frost 71st, 15th female finisher and 1st F55 in 1.18.20, with Kay Hatton hot on her heels in 1.19.17, and 1st F60 cat (75th).

It was also encouraging to see Nicola Wylie back in business after a short break last year to finish 2nd F55 (94th), and 22nd female in 1.22.48.

Meanwhile, Sarah Jones was pleased with another good display, and claimed a new PB finishing as the 25th female (101st), in 1.23.08, with Daniel Hennell 114th, with a similar new PB in 1.24.51.

Helen Hannam was 58th female (173rd), in 1.34.53. Nia Lister, also continues to improve as the 88th female (231st) in 1.46.36, whilst Rachel Morris added some more miles to her marathon build-up, finishing as the 111th female finisher (259th) in 2.00.10.

Many NWRRC members also won medals in the North Wales 10-mile championships: Gold: F45 Sarah Ferguson Hudson, F55 Cheryl Frost, F60 Kay Hatton, M45 Steve Mason, and M50 Stuart Culverhouse. Silver: F55 Nicola Wylie, F40 Rachel Morris, and M55 Steve Roberts. Bronze: M45 Iwan Evans, F21-34 Sarah Jones, and F35 Nia Lister.

Other results

Conwy

Unfortunately, the Conwy Parkrun was cancelled on February 24 at the last minute following a course check that revealed extensive ice on the bridge and Cob.

Liverpool

Kevin Higgins won his M60 age cat following a good performance in the 10k race at Croxteth Park, Liverpool. On a very muddy course, Kevin finished 65th overall from an entry of nearly 200 runners and he recorded a good time of 54.13.

Clumber Park

Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts finished 3rd and won his respective age cat at the Clumber Park Parkrun with a great time of 18.39.

Kelsterton

Will Williams and Jamie Tharme made their debuts in the latest Borders League race at Kelsterton last weekend, whilst competing for their second claim club Cybi Striders. Will ran the 7k course in 26.34, with Jamie finishing in 30.53.

Talented teenage student Oshi Adey completes 100k track challenge for charity

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

A talented teenage student from Colwyn Bay raised thousands of pounds for charity by completing a gruelling 100k ultra-marathon challenge around the Eirias Park athletics track.
Oshi Adey, 18, who is currently at Warwick University studying politics, philosophy, and economics, received numerous deserved plaudits, and earned huge respect from fellow members of the local running community for his brave and determined effort on February 17.

He began his extraordinary fundraising challenge for the Kitchen Table Charities Trust (KTCT), at 7am, and included running 250 laps of the track for nearly 10 hours, pushing him close to his mental and physical limits.

Fortunately, Oshi was well-supported by family, friends, and members of many local running groups, plus some individuals, who joined him at times for several laps around the 400m track and provided welcome support and encouragement.

The initial idea to fundraise for a very good cause probably came about following the example set by his grandfather, John Humphrys, the well-known journalist, and former BBC newscaster, foreign correspondent, and ex-Mastermind host, who set-up the Kitchen Table Charities Trust (KTCT).

This organisation provides grants to support tiny charities, or projects in dirt-poor villages, mostly in sub-Saharan African countries like Tanzania, and they also help to build and run schools and clinics and provide clean water.

Oshi decided to launch a GoFundMe page to tell everyone about his ambition to complete this 100k ultra-charity attempt, and set a limited target of just £2,000, confirming his age, and his plan to run this distance, which is the equivalent of 2.37 consecutive marathons around a 400m track in his hometown.

And, at the time of writing, his page showed that £2,510 has been raised, with an extra bonus noted that his grandfather has also agreed to match the final sum with a private contribution.

Oshi however, remains very modest about his amazing fundraising efforts for this very worthy cause, and told of his unique experience: “Having completed a marathon in my training, this ultra-run was comfortable up until the half-way point. I chose to complete the 100km around the athletics track at Eirias Park, at Colwyn Bay, to increase the mental side of the challenge.

“The monotony of the 400m course however, started to take its toll on me about the 70km mark, where mentally I was feeling low, but having support from other runners including members of the Black Cloak Runners, the GOG Triathlon club, and many others, who all came down to support me, which made a massive difference.

“I’d say the toughest part of this challenge was my mental strength rather than physical! And all in all, it was an incredible day. I’m happy with what I achieved.” And then he mischievously added: “Now this challenge is over, I’m looking for my next. I think a 100-miler is calling my name!”

Oshi’s 100k ultra-run finally ended at 5.30pm, and Helen Hannam, a friend and supporter of the young runner, said he sometimes ran clockwise for 10k, then he turned around, and ran anti-clockwise for another 10k, so that he wasn’t going in the same direction all the time.

Helen confirmed: “He ran 250 laps of the Erias track in 9 hours 58 minutes. An amazing guy! He had many local runners supporting him throughout the day, and I ran with him, and a large group for the last 5k. He ran at a brilliant pace, and I couldn’t keep up!”

Oshi’s mother Catherine Humphrys, explained that her son had only taken up running during the first period of lockdown as a way to help clear his head, and said, that although he always prefers to ‘run solo,’ sometimes he also attends the Conwy Parkrun during home visits.

And she proudly confirmed: “He has raised over £2k so far, and his grandfather – my dad – has pledged to match his donations. My father John Humphrys, set-up this charity after years of working in Africa as a foreign correspondent for the BBC.

“It’s an incredible set-up because they have no paid staff, no offices etc, so 100% of the money raised goes directly to the people who need it. Oshi’s efforts will be able to fund something incredible and it will make a huge difference to the lives of great many people.”

*Further donations however, remain very welcome, and this is the relevant link: https://gofund.me/f1e1c939