Eight podium places for Road Runners at Caernarfon 10k

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runners entered 17 members for the Caernarfon 10k race last Sunday and claimed eight podium places including two prestigious age category wins.

In warm but very breezy conditions, Jonathan Kettle led the team home in 22nd place overall but said his legs felt heavy and it just wasn’t his day. Jonathan and Carla Green also had a dual role, as they were both additionally representing the North Wales Regional team.

Despite Jonathan’s protestations, he still competed well and ran home in 36 minutes and 9 seconds and finished 2nd in his VM50 age cat.

Iwan Evans also had a good run, 34th in 39.41 and 3rd VM45, whilst Carla Green was the 13th female finisher, and 2nd VW50 in 41.38.

Sion Thomas was 57th in 43.02, Steve Bozier 61st in 43.54 and Ben Hudson 69th in 44.59.

Richard Scamans was pleased with 74th place in 45.27 and Dave Jones was 81st in 46.19

Super-vet Sandy Johnston won his VM75 age with another superb performance, finishing in 85th place overall in 46.55, and Sarah Ferguson Hudson used the race as preparation for her ultra training and recorded a positive time of 48.22 as the 27th female.

Kay Hatton won her VW60 age cat as the 30th female in 49.16, whilst Phillip Moss claimed 3rd MV65 in 50.21 in 111th place. And Master vet Rob Fryer was 2nd VM70 in 135th clocking 52.55, with Hannah Griffith 49th female in 52.39.

Carol Moss took 2nd VW60 in 53.40 as 51st female, with master vet Mike Hayton enjoying a steady outing in 173rd place in 61.37, whilst Rachel Morris was the 137th female in 71.14. *There were 345 finishers.

Dozens of runners pay tribute to John Dalzell at special 5k social

Report by Don Hale

Dozens of supporters from North Wales Road Running Club, Dalzell Runners and from numerous other local running groups and individuals took part in a non-competitive 5k run last Saturday night in memory of their colleague and friend John Dalzell, who tragically lost his life 12 months ago.

Event organisers Jonathan Kettle and Tony Price-Jones, plus several others, staged a pleasant social run in his honour, with most runners wearing a special yellow t-shirt and shared their own personal memories of this popular athlete before later raising a glass to John at the Llandudno Bay Hotel.

Jonathan and Tony are both athletic coaches and members of NWRRC, and John previously attended their weekly training sessions near the ATS unit by Llandudno promenade.

Following John’s sudden loss, the pair decided to change the name of their group to acknowledge his contribution to the local running fraternity.

Last year Jonathan confirmed: “After the tragic news of the passing of one of our amazing runners and friends John Dalzell, Tony and I have decided to change the name of the group on a permanent basis from Criw Colwyn to Dalzell Runners in a mark of respect to our friend.

“I know this is not a big thing but a little mark of respect to an amazing person who will be sadly missed but never forgotten. Rest in peace Mr Dalzell.”

A special run which was held a few weeks later, was well supported, and Jonathan recently decided to organise another similar tribute run, adding: “In memory of the amazing John Dalzell, who we all know lost his life on the 17th of August 2023. This year’s run will be an easy social 5km led by myself and Tony to remember our friend and take some time out to talk about our memories of John.”

The event later attracted over 40 runners and numerous friends and relatives.

Good performance by Llyr in Australia during World Sprint Duathlon

Report by Don Hale

Welsh Master and GB international athlete Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts celebrated an outstanding performance last Friday in the World Sprint Duathlon championships in Australia – and just missed out on a top podium place.

The experienced North Wales Road Runner, who has been training hard all year – despite some unexpected health problems – hit top-gear despite the challenging conditions and terrain.

On Friday, he recorded some excellent times during his run-bike-run event, which attracted dozens of world class elite athletes to Townsville, a coastal city in North-East Queensland.

Staged towards the end of the winter season in Australia, the weather proved to be unusually warm for this championship race, but Llyr still recorded a fast time of just 18 minutes for his initial 5k run, followed by a 20k bike ride, and then a short 2.5k dash to the finish line.

After his race Llyr confirmed: “I finished 10th in the World Champs for my VM50-54 age this morning! I was really happy with my race! Just two minutes, or so, separated me from a podium position! I’ll take that, as the last two months have been difficult with training and some minor health issues.

“I ran 18 minutes for the first run, 31 minutes for the bike, then 9.40 for the 2nd run. It was tough and the run had a challenging upward section along a boardwalk, that was a stinger on the legs.

“The bike was quick – 40 kmph – virtually all the way around as it was draft legal, i.e., you could stay on someone’s wheel! The heat took its toll though on a few, but I didn’t feel that until the end.”

Bumpy, fast, and very warm at Conwy Parkrun for many visitors

Report by Don Hale

It was another super-busy, fast, and very warm Conwy parkrun last Saturday with many entrants travelling from far and wide just to enjoy the splendours of this picturesque 5k course.

Steve Mason led home a team of 17 North Wales Road Runners, with many taking it steady due to other competing fixtures over the weekend.

Steve finished in a good 15th place in 21.39, with Adam Lemalle 18th in 21.46 and Benjamin Brummitt was 35th in 22.37 and 3rd SM30.

Master vet Barrie Wells recorded an excellent time of 24.43, and won his VM70 cat in 77th place, with Karen Butler 85th in 25.08, with a new course PB, and 1st VM65.

Vet Tony Gibson finished in 87th place in 25.27 and was 3rd VM65. Master vet Rob Fryer claimed 2nd VM70 cat in 26.29, in 111th place, and Tony Price-Jones finished 130th in 27.37.

Veteran Len Jackson was 164th in 29.23, and he ran in the same parkrun with his two sons, Owen and Daniel, with the latter finishing well in 2nd place overall in 19.05, whilst Owen was 95th in 25.41.

Fellow vet John O’Shea was 169th in 29.31, with Richard Scamans 171st in 29.36. Nia Lister finished in 243rd place in 32.59, with Daniel Hennell sharing the exact same time. Elizabeth Driscoll was 261st in 34.01, with Hannah Griffith 263rd in 34.02 and Gwen Charlton was 295th in 35.57, with Rachel Morris 304th in 37.05.

Other race results:

*Leeds: Kevin Higgins finally completed the 12th and final run of his unique series of races by running in the Leeds 10k race last Sunday. He said it was a very undulating course and more like a trail run but seemed pleased with his efforts in 60.11.
*Hemel Hempstead: Stuart Culverhouse finished 7th overall in the Gadebridge Park Parkrun, near Hemel Hempstead on Saturday and was 2nd VM50 in 20.55.