Husband and wife hit top form for Wales in Manchester Half Marathon
Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
North Wales Road Runners Martin Green and Carla Green both celebrated excellent performances representing Wales at the Masters Half Marathon international race versus England last Sunday.
The event was incorporated within the prestigious Great Manchester Run, which along with the 10k race attracted over 30,000 runners.
The talented couple, who have only recently returned to major competition action following a period of ill health, both recorded incredible results, each finishing in 1st place for Wales in their respective age categories.
Martin crossed the line in 65.50 and finished 4th overall in his M45-49 cat, but was the 1st Welsh runner home in that particular category, whilst Carla was also 1st Welsh athlete at W50-54, and 6th overall in her age cat in 90.07.
Martin however, modestly played down his efforts, claiming: “I didn’t have a great run, but Carla did! The opportunity to represent your country, and doing the thing you love, will always be the ultimate privilege. I will be better for the next one for that there is no doubt.”
Welsh team manager Bernie Jones said it had been a great day for Welsh athletes.
He paid particular tribute to the outstanding results of the Greens, and later told them: “Unbelievable performances by you and Carla. So delighted for you both to be back in a Welsh vest after everything you’ve been through.
“I know how much it means to both of you. I also know that there’s much more to come but the most important thing is that you’re fit and healthy. Well done to you both.”
Kevin Higgins from NWRRC also enjoyed his run in the alternative Great Manchester 10k and was pleased with his excellent finishing time of 52.27.
The full Welsh Athletics results for the half-marathon race will be published on my sports blog later this week.
Another tough challenge for Ben and Sarah in the Lake District
Report by Don Hale
Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the Whinlatter Half Marathon last Sunday, just a day after their sterling efforts in the Keswick Parkrun, and only a short time since their gruelling 50-mile ultra-distance race.
The event had a reputation for being very tough, and so it proved to be for this dynamic couple, with Sarah later confirming: “We managed to register this morning for the Whinlatter Half Marathon. Eight weeks ago, we ran the super hilly Whinlatter Forest Park run, and after the 5k, I’m pretty sure I declared that I never ever wanted to do it again.
“Fast forward to this weekend… and in true Dory style…when we overheard a fellow Keswick Park runner mention a trail half marathon in the above mentioned Whinlatter Forest, with 800m of ascent and entries on the day, what do you think we found ourselves doing 24 hrs later?
“Totally brutal but so stunning… pretty sure it’s my slowest half marathon ever but I loved it! Ben smashed it in 2.05.04, and I did 2.27.59. It was so hard, but it was so well organised by Wold Deer Events. I don’t think there will be any age cat wins or anything, as there were some amazing trail runners there but so glad we went for it!”
Depleted numbers at Conwy Parkrun with many local athletes on their travels
Report by Don Hale
Due to the Bank Holiday weekend, the number of North Wales Road Runners entered at Conwy Parkrun were somewhat depleted last Saturday, with many members opting to go on their travels to compete as visitors, at a variety of other parkruns around the UK.
The results, however, still remained impressive despite a hot day, and mixed weather over the preceding days, which all contributed towards the usual array of challenges over this picturesque out-and-back 5k course, from the RSPB Nature Reserve.
There were just seven NWRRC entrants among near 300-finishers, with Will Williams winning his VM50 age cat following an impressive run in 18 minutes and 22 seconds in 4th place overall, and Steve Mason was also on good form in 9th and 1st VM45 in 19.35.
Harry Driscoll enjoyed another fine performance to finish 13th in 19.53, and was 2nd in his SM20 cat. Adam Lemalle finished 3rd VM40 in 28th place in 21.27, and Tony Price Jones made a rare appearance, but ran well in 23.30, to claim 54th place.
Master veteran Mark Mason won his VM70 cat with a solid run in 137th place in 27.25, and it was good to see vet Len Jackson back at parkrun, and finishing well in 179th in 29.13, also 4th VM65.
The first finisher overall was Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) in a very fast 16.48, to win his VM40 cat, with promising youngster Isaac Moran 2nd overall on his debut in 17.40, and 1st JM15-17, whilst another GOG Triathlete, Aled Hughes, was just three-seconds adrift in a very close finish to take 3rd place, despite a new PB of 17.43, but topped his VM35 cat.
The first three female finishers at Conwy were all debutants, with Becca Gibson (14th overall), claiming the top-spot in 20.38, and won her VW35, with Heidi O’Brien (19th), the 2nd female in 21.35, and 1st SW30, and Vickie Hallam (33rd), finished 3rd overall and 1st VW45 in 21.40.
Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls. This is a link to the provisional results from Conwy Parkrun:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/
Other parkrun results
Prestatyn: A quartet of NWRRC members travelled to the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn where they all gained top three placings in their respective age cats, and all recorded new course PB times! Dave Jones finished 12th in 21.50, and 2nd VM50, with both he and Richard Scamans running their fastest 5k parkrun times this year. Richard celebrated 19th place in 22.58, and 3rd VM50.
And for the ladies, Elizabeth Driscoll continued her rapid improvement to finish 50th overall and won her VW55 age cat in 26.04, whilst running with colleague Hannah Griffith, who was just one second and one place behind, and 2nd VW50.
Keswick: NWRRC’s Ben and Sarah Ferguson returned to one of their favourites – the Keswick Railway Path Parkrun in the Lake District. Ben finished 56th in 22.05, and Sarah was 70th overall and 1st VW45 in 23.00.
Wepre: NWRRC’s Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton took part in the challenging Wepre Parkrun, where Kay was 4th female finisher and 1st VW60 in 27.26, with master vet Mike, 62nd, and 3rd VM70 cat in 32.57.
Bala: Jamie Tharme was a tourist at the Pont y Bala Parkrun at Lower Tryweryn and seemed back to his best finishing 14th overall in 21.39, and 2nd VM45.
Penrhyn: Master vet and club tourist Sandy Johnston ran at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun and won his VM70 age cat after taking 41st place in 23.16.