Team prizes and notable North Wales results at BMAF cross country champs in Corwen

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

The recent British Masters Athletics National Cross-Country Championships at Rhug Farm, near Corwen, included exceptional performances by many North Wales runners.

The event attracted 97 top club and elite athletes in the Veteran Men’s up to M60 age cat event, and a further 94 runners competed in the combined Women’s and Male Masters aged 65-plus race.

North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner finished 52nd overall in the Male Open event, was 10th in his MV60 cat and covered the approximate 8k course in 35.37.

After his race, Steve confirmed: “I was very pleased with my performance today, finishing 10th MV60 and the 4th placed scorer in the Welsh team, which finished in 3rd place.”

And North Wales clubs also grabbed some prestigious podium team places, with Wrexham 2nd in the M35-44 cat team, which included Gareth Chaloner, Glyn Wise, and Richard Westwood; whilst Steven Gadd, Glen Price, and Owen Conry, celebrated by winning 3rd team placing for Denbigh at M45-54.

There were also plaudits to several Welsh Masters in the race, including Huw Evans 4th overall, and the 1st M50 cat winner in 31.10, with Mike Whyatt (Eryri) 1st M60 in 32.43, and Ifan Lloyd, 3rd M60 in 30th place.

Some other fine local performances: Tony Wood (Denbigh) 33rd in 33.59, Thomas Carter (Prestatyn) 43rd in 34.45, and a hat-trick of other Denbigh runners with Steve Gadd 64th in 37.06, Dafydd Evans 65th in 37.23, and Glen Price 67th in 37.39. Ben Thomas (Prestatyn) finished 82nd in 40.45, with Owen Conry (Denbigh) 84th in 40.56, and Glyn Griffiths (Eryri) 91st in 46.15.

In the Women’s and M65 plus race, run over about 7k, several Welsh age cat teams enjoyed success with Prestatyn runners finishing 3rd in the M65 cat, and included Martin Corvriend, Mark Dakeyne and Michael Davis.

And in the W35-44 section, Prestatyn members Helen Ashworth, Sophie Johnson and Mandy Cartwright won the overall team prize; and in the W45-54 cat, Denbigh claimed the 2nd team prize, which included Joanne Henderson, Melina Morris and Lee Evans, whilst Prestatyn claimed the 3rd team prize, with Allison Reid, Susan Hughes and Glenda Roberts.

In addition, there were some other notable individual veteran ladies, and master vet performances, with a brief selection that includes: Joanne Henderson (Denbigh) 9th in 27.16 and 2nd W45 cat, but a special mention goes to Ann d’Albuquerque (GOG TC), 2nd W75 in 84th place in 44.02, despite falling twice, and she also retained a silver medal placing that she has held since 2020.

There was also praise for Emyr Davies (Rhedw) winning his M80 cat in 60th place in 46.08, with Don Williams (Eryri) 76th, and 2nd M80 in 39.43, and Martin Corvriend (Prestatyn), 53rd overall and 4th M70 in 33.51.

*A full list of the provisional results can be found via this link:
https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-xc/event/

Other results

Jamie enjoys the sights in the Rome Marathon

Jamie Tharme competed in the recent Rome Marathon, finishing well in 3 hours and 52 minutes.

After the race he said: “Rome Marathon, nice and chilled taking in the sights, but that extra 1.5km was the hardest few miles of my life. It was tough in that heat too, but the views were spectacular.”

Carla back in race action

Carla Green made a welcome return to racing after a long absence and performed well to finish in 114th overall in 42.57 in the Nantwich 10k, and she also claimed the 2nd spot in her FV50 age cat.

Double test for Will

Will Williams ran in the latest Borders League race at Hoylake on the Wirral, but seemed disappointed with his result despite running the 7.5k course in 28.55, and appeared fatigued after his brave efforts.

And the previous day, Will visited the Quarry Parkrun at Shrewsbury and finished 12th in 18.26, and 2nd VM50. Afterwards he confirmed: “I went to the Shrewsbury Parkrun with my son in law and granddaughter, and it involved a couple of spicy hills on this one!”

John Hatton performs clean sweep at waterlogged Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

Over 200 mixed ability runners took part in March 16th’s Conwy Parkrun, but once again had to contend with very muddy and waterlogged conditions underfoot, with the start area only improved late on due to volunteer John Hatton sweeping out some of the large puddles.

John’s determined action with a stiff brush improved the safety of this popular event, and for the second time in recent weeks, only the innovative actions of willing individuals meant this popular run could begin on time.

Despite the challenging conditions, this run attracted several top juniors, and senior athletes, who ran hard to record new course PB’s, and ensured a fast pace was maintained from the off.

Youngster Alfie Shiland (Colwyn Bay AC) was 2nd in just 17 minutes and 36 seconds, and he also won his JW11-14 age cat, with Alastair Canaway (NWRRC) 3rd overall and 1st VM35 in 17.43.

Fourth spot went to 1st female athlete, Alison Campbell, who won her SW30 age cat in 17.47, with junior Catrin Evans (9th), as the 2nd female on her debut in 20.34, and she won her JW11-14, and Ella Grundy (Colwyn Bay), (15th overall), won her JW15-17 section in 3rd place in 21.38.

North Wales Road Runners entered 12 members and collected three age cat victories, in addition to one second place, and two thirds.

Alastair Canaway was first club runner to finish, followed by Sion Thomas, who celebrated a new course PB of 21.23, in 12th place overall, and 3rd VM40.

Adam Lemalle also claimed a new PB, finishing 16th in 21.41, with Karl Morris hot on his heels, and he was just one place and seven seconds behind in 21.48.

Kay Hatton won her VW60 age cat with another impressive display, and she finished 35th overall in 23.53, and master veteran Barrie Wells was 1st MV70 cat, finishing 37th overall in 24.07, and fellow master vet Don Hale was 56th and 2nd MV70 in 25.30.

Veteran Rob Fryer was 72nd in 26.47, whilst Stuart Culverhouse and his young daughter Sophia ran together and finished 94th in 28.30. Nia Lister was 96th in 28.34, and recovering master vet Mark Mason, finished 104th and 3rd VM70 in 29.01.

John O’Shea was another club veteran pleased to finish 117th, following a recent back injury in 30.00, with Rachel Morris enjoying a steady run in 162nd place in 34.16.

*Praise was given to the run director Mark Jessett, and to all the marshall’s and volunteers, and especially to John Hatton for sweeping out some of the puddles from the early part of the course.

*This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy Parkrun:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/