Ben and Sarah beat ‘The Wall’ and the weather to complete 70-mile challenge

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runners couple Ben and Sarah Hudson beat ‘The Wall’ and the weather last weekend to complete a gruelling 70-mile ultra-marathon challenge from Carlisle to Gateshead, which covered some of the most scenic, but difficult courses in the country.

This dynamic duo, who are certainly no strangers to ultra events, began their efforts in the early hours of Saturday morning and eventually finished some 16 hours later.

The NWRRC pair ran together throughout the event, which included a tough journey via several notable north-eastern landmarks including Lanercost Priory, Walltown Quarry, The Sill, Hexham, and Newburn, before eventually crossing the finish line at Gateshead.

The organisers claimed it was the UK’s most iconic ultra-marathon and challenged entrants to conquer 70 stunning miles through historic Hadrian’s Wall country in a continuous, fully supported, and way-marked journey.

It also included some 3,460ft of elevation, but the experienced couple coped very well, and eventually, Sarah was the 38th female, and Ben the 266th male, amongst a massive quality entry of some 797 finishers, with another 10% or so forced to drop out at various points along the route.

After their event, Sarah confirmed: “We did it, 70 miles, in 16hrs and 52 minutes. It was very tough terrain, and even tougher weather conditions, but what a totally amazing experience.

“Coming into Newcastle and running (well crawling), over the bridge to Gateshead, and the finish line was awesome! My feet are not overly impressed with me though!”

Trio hit the Salomon Trail Half Marathon

Three NWRRC members took to the trails last Saturday and braved wet and windy conditions in the tough and challenging Salomon Trail Half Marathon.

Adam Lemalle was the first trio member home in 2.07.42 and he was the 21st M40 runner, with Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones finishing well in 2.08.38, and 15th FSen, and Vicky Taylor was the 12th F40 athlete in 2.59.59.

Good performances for the Road Runners at Colshaw 10k

Report by Don Hale

Seven Road Runners travelled to the leafy lanes in Cheshire last Sunday to compete in the Colshaw Hall 10k near Knutsford with most members pleased with some excellent results.

Newcomer Benjamin Brummit made his club debut and finished very well in 143rd place in 40.59, out of a massive field of nearly 700 runners. He was followed by James Jones, 165th in 41.47, with Sion Thomas 176th in 42.17.

Veteran athlete Kevin Higgins ran in his 4th consecutive 10k race during his unique series, and he too was pleased with his time of 51.22, his best for over two years, and Cai Roberts and Kelly Marie Alford ran the course together and finished 400th in 52.15, with Vicky Taylor 522nd in 58.45, despite competing in the Salomon Trail the previous day. There were 683 finishers overall.

Mixed bag of weather for over 200 entrants at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

Over 200 at Conwy Parkrun faced a mixed bag of weather last Saturday morning with cool, wet, and windy conditions, which made a mockery of the claim that it’s supposedly summer!

North Wales Road Runners Stuart Culverhouse and his young son Joe Culverhouse, however, celebrated a family double with both winning their respective age categories.

Stuart, who led home a team of 11, was 1st NWRRC man home in 12th place overall in 20.54, and he won his VM50 cat, whilst Joe finished 28th, and 1st JM11, in 22.34.

Sandwiched in-between was Steve Roberts, who braved a running vest but finished 2nd in his VM55 cat in 22.10, with Martin Green jogging around the 5k course in 23.12.

Master veteran Barrie Wells hit good form to record an excellent 24.21 to win his VM70 age cat in 51st place, and Hannah Griffith continued her purple patch of form to record another good time of 25.26 in 69th place to win her VW50 cat.

Additional master vets Don Hale and Rob Fryer enjoyed good runs with Don knocking another minute off his previous time to finish in 76th place in 25.45, and 2nd VM70, with Rob hot on his heels in 26.40 in 94th place, and 3rd VM70, whilst veteran Len Jackson won his VM65 cat with a positive run in 107th overall in 27.56.

Another master vet, Mark Mason, looked more like his old self with a steady run in 123rd place in 28.34, and 4th VM70, and Gwen Charlton, fresh from her ultra-marathon challenge of last week, enjoyed an easy recovery run in 135th place in 29.40, and 3rd VW35.

*The first runner back at Conwy Parkrun remained unknown at the time of writing, but Dowan Kwon (Southville RC), took the 2nd spot, and he won his SM30 cat in 19.04, with Vicki Cronin (Trafford AC), 3rd on her debut in 19.13, and she won her SW30 cat, and claimed the 1st female finisher tag. The 2nd and 3rd female finishers were also debutants, with Emily Grandfield (Whitchurch Whippets), the runner-up in 18th place overall, in 21.54, to win her SW25 cat, with Annie Hamilton (Liverpool RC), 3rd in 22.52, and she won her SW20 age cat. There were 227 finishers in total.
*Praise was given to the run director Mark Jessett, and the to all the volunteers and marshalls. This is a link to the provisional results.
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/