NWRRC quartet tackle 8-mile challenge for South Snowdonia Search & Rescue Team
Report by Don Hale. Photo by John Hatton
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
North Wales Road Runners entered a quartet of hardy athletes in the SSART Trawsfynydd Multi-Terrain 8-mile race amongst an entry of 232 finishers who helped to raise essential funds for the South Snowdonia Search & Rescue team.
Described as a beautiful multi-terrain race starting from the Magnox Power Station and then around Trawsfynydd Lake in the Eryri/Snowdonia National Park, the course was claimed to be fast, with just one challenging hill over a mixed tarmac and trail route.
The NWRRC team performed well despite very blustery conditions, combined at times with hail showers, but Cheryl Frost led her group home in 68th place, as the 9th female athlete, with an excellent chip time of just 1 hour 12 minutes and 41 seconds, to deservedly claim the 3rd spot in her FV50-59 age cat.
Kay Hatton remained in close pursuit, and had a strong finish in 70th place, and won her FV60-69 cat, as the 10th female in 1.12.53.
Nia Lister was 166th overall and 65th female in 1.28.24, whilst master veteran Mike Hayton put in a determined run to finish 195th place and 4th MV70 in 1.36.20, as well as 109th male athlete.
The overall race winner was Ben Porter (Cerist Triathlon Club), in 51.49, who won his MU40 age cat, with Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field) 2nd in 52.16, and Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon Club) finished 3rd in 55.10. The latter two athletes were also 2nd and 3rd respectively in the same age cat as Ben.
The first female athlete was Fiona Corrick (18th) in 1.02.17, and 1st FU40, with Amanda Bailey 2nd (28th), and 1st FV50-59 in 1.05.06 and Margot Sayer 3rd (31st), in 1.06.08 and 1st FV40-49.
All proceeds received were in aid of the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team. This important team is run entirely by volunteers, who are on call-out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help those in need in the local area.
The team is a charity, dependent on donations from the public, and the proceeds of this race will provide vital funds.
*This is a link to the provisional results: https://sssart.niftyentries.com/Results/North-Wales-SSSART-Trawsfynydd-Multi-Terrain-8-Miler#
Other club race results
Brighton
Tom Aindow ran in the Brighton Marathon and recorded his second fastest time of 3 hrs 27 minutes, despite suffering a slight injury.
After his race, he confirmed: “Ankle problems from pretty early on, and so hobbling by the end. Still a lovely day, amazing crowds, and another marathon done!”
Berlin
Jon Evans (pictured) enjoyed a good run in the Berlin Half Marathon, clocking 1.58.07.
Afterwards he commented: “Stress tests of lungs and pins. All good this morning at Berlin. Great city, great race and 100% recommended. Thanks to my support crew (@kaz_hulme), and of course @rhianroxburgh, without who, it would be a shambles.”
Wantage, Oxfordshire
Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the White Horse Half Marathon in Oxfordshire, as one of their last races before the London Marathon, but like so many other runners their efforts were hampered by Storm Kathleen.
Sarah confirmed: “We did the White Horse Half in Grove, Wantage, as a last long run before London… a great course and event which could have been quick without the gale force winds. Ben did 1:37:08 and I did 1:49:36 Not really the times we wanted to but was just glad to get in the miles in those conditions!”
Parkrunners competed against gale force winds from Storm Kathleen
Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
It was wild and extremely windy at Conwy Parkrun on April 6 as nearly 300 mixed ability athletes braved Storm Kathleen on this blustery riverside 5k course.
Once again, this popular event attracted a host of visiting runners from across the UK, but they all faced a swamp-like, waterlogged course, following several days of heavy and unrelenting rain, combined with 40-mph plus head and side winds!
North Wales Road Runners entered 11 members and Jonathan Kettle led the team home with an amazing performance considering the atrocious conditions underfoot to finish in 3rd place overall, and 1st VM45 in just 18 minutes and 19 seconds.
Will Williams won his VM50 cat in 6th place in 19.02, with Steve Mason 10th in 19.45 and 3rd VM45.
Sion Thomas, meanwhile, had another consistent run in 39th place in 22.26, and Jamie Tharme was 42nd in 22.34.
Master veteran Sandy Johnston turned in another excellent performance in 67th place, and he also won his VM70 cat in 24.36, with fellow master vet Don Hale 90th in 26.17 and 2nd VM70.
In addition, veteran Rob Fryer claimed 2nd spot in his VM65 cat in 97th place in 26.41, and Barrie Wells was 138th in 28.23, and his 3rd place in the VM70 ensured the club secured all three top placings in this tough master vet section again.
Nia Lister was the only female club representative at Conwy and she enjoyed her result finishing in 149th place in 28.49 and 3rd VW35 age cat, whilst veteran John O’Shea was 193rd in 31.27.
The first three male finishers at Conwy Parkrun included course debutant Robert Parker in 17.54, with James Perry (Macclesfield Harriers & AC) 2nd with a new PB in 18.12, and Jonathan Kettle (NWRRC) finished 3rd in 18.19.
Emily Hanlon was first female finisher on her debut in 20.58 (18th overall), with junior athlete Bethan Buckley (Keighley & Craven AC) the 2nd female, (20th), in 21.09, and Jo Buckley (Bingley Harriers) positioned 3rd (21st) in 21.20.
*Praise was given to the run director Anthony Howe, and to all his hardworking team of volunteers and marshals at Conwy in very trying weather conditions. This is the link to the provisional results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/
Other Parkrun results
Blackpool
Martin and Carla Green took part in the breezy Blackpool Parkrun at Stanley Park.
Martin took 3rd place in 19.21, and he won his VM45 age cat, whilst Carla was the first female finisher in 15th place overall in 22.12, and 1st VW50.
Prestatyn
Stuart Culverhouse ran with his young son Joe at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun, supported by several family members.
Stuart finished 7th in 20.25, and was 2nd VM50, Joe also second in his JM11-14 cat, and 26th overall in 24.17.
Bala
Adam Lemalle finished 10th overall in the Pont y Bala Parkrun with a good time of 21.51 and he was 3rd in his VM40 age cat.
Dunstable
Richard Scamans went on his travels again last weekend and ran in the Dunstable Downs Parkrun, which he admitted was, ‘very hilly, muddy, and run around boggy fields.’
Despite his problems, Richard still ran very well and finished 10th overall, and was 2nd VM50 in 26.15.