RUNNING: Fast times and NW championships medals at Llanrug 5k race

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

There was a very good entry for the Llanrug 5k race in midweek with some fast times recorded over a challenging course and the first 17 athletes all dipping under 18 minutes.

This well-organised event was also run in conjunction with the North Wales Regional 5k Championships and overall, it attracted more than 200 elite, club and varied ability runners from across the area and beyond.

Gwion Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) was overall race winner in 16 minutes and 7 seconds, with club colleague John Davies 2nd in 16.44 and Dave Bus Hughes (Eryri Harriers) 3rd in 16.59.

The first three female finishers all represented Eryri Harriers, Anna Drinkwater 1st in 18.27, Elliw Haf Roberts 2nd in 18.50 and Tinka Vinks 3rd in 18.51.

In the main race, NWRRC entered 17 members and claimed five podium places with Jonathan Kettle 5th overall and 1st M50 age cat winner in 17.20, with Will Williams 16th and 3rd M50 in a very good 17.55.

Carla Green was 16th female finisher, 86th overall and 2nd F50 in 21.40, Cheryl Frost was 3rd F50 in 124th place in 23.36, whilst fellow vet Kay Hatton finished 3rd F60 in 24.00.

Some results from the NW Regional Championships included: 1st FU17 – Amber Chauhan (Eryri Harriers) in 20.40; 1st Female Senior overall – Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) 18.27; 1st F35-39 – Elliw Haf Roberts (Eryri Harriers) 18.50; 1st F40-44 – Hannah Thomas (Maldwyn Harriers) 19.32; 1st F45-49 – Megan Hughes (Eryri Harriers) 22.09.

Carla Green (NWRRC) won her F50 age cat in 21.40; with club colleague Hannah Griffith 2nd in 25.09; Margaret Ludden (Buckley RC) was 1st F60-64 in 23.45, with Kay Hatton (NWRRC) 3rd in 24.00 and Susan Ridings (Buckley RC) 1st F65-69 in 28.56.

Male championship results: 1st Male U17 – Noa Dafydd (Betsi Runaways) 18.59; 1st Senior Men overall – Gwion Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) 16.07; 1st M35-39 – Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) 17.30; 1st M40-44 – Ian Edwards (Eryri Harriers) 17.46; 1st M45-49 – William Dunn (Meirionnydd RC) 17.52, 2nd Daniel Hennell (NWRRC) 21.48.

Jonathan Kettle (NWRRC) won his M50-54 with a strong run in 17.20; with club colleague Will Williams 2nd in 17.55. Nick Houghton (Cybi Striders) was 1st M55-59 in 19.48 and Marc Jones (Prestatyn RC) 1st M60-64 in 20.36, with Steve Roberts (NWRRC) 2nd in 23.02. Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) was M65-69 cat winner in 22.25, with Eurwyn Edwards (Eryri Harriers) 1st VM70-74 in 26.29.

Other race results and parkrun round-up

Carla Green from NWRRC was 521st out of 5.729 entants in the Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday and 94th female finisher in a chip time of 1.31.42.

NWRRC’s Kevin Higgins travelled to Port Sunlight on the same day to compete in two races.

He explained: “Double header this morning in Port Sunlight races. First a 5k and then a 10k straight after it. Two great races. Great course and an extra medal for completing in both races. My times were: 5k in 28 minutes 50 seconds, and 59 minutes 33 seconds in the 10k.”

The previous weekend Ben and Sarah Ferguson Hudson took part in the Runcorn Jubilee Bridge Half Marathon race and clubmate Kevin Higgins competed in the associated 10k event.

The Hudson duo used this as a warm-up for some forthcoming ultra-distance races and they both seemed pleased with their results despite some blustery winds and rain at times.

Ben finished in 216th place out of 741 entrants in 1 hour 45 minutes and 5 seconds, whilst Sarah was 367th overall in 1.55.00.

Kevin was 478th out of 886 finishers in the 10k with a chip time of 61.44.

Parkruns

Penrhyn

Chris Turner (Eryri Harriers) was 1st finisher at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun last Saturday, with promising junior athlete Leusa Metcalf 2nd in 18.51 with a new course PB, and she also won her JW15-17 age cat, with Phil Lynes 3rd in 19.09.

Leusa was additionally the 1st female finisher with Samia Jones (Menai T&F) 2nd in 20.48 and Rachel Lewis 3rd on her debut in 21.34.

Colwyn Bay AC pair Josh Mottram and Ian Taylor ran well again. Josh was 23rd in 21.18, and 1st SM18-19, with Ian 40th and 2nd VM55 in 23.17.

Two NWRRC members also ran with Karl Morris making his course debut in 48th place in 23.43, and Elizabeth Driscoll 155th in 31.14 after running with her dog Winston, whilst Laura McKenzie (Betsi Runaways) won her VW45 in 37th place in 22.55. There were 241 entrants this week.

Prestatyn

Tom Carter (Prestatyn RC) claimed a new course PB at the Nova Parkrun with a fine performance in 17.00, with Andrew Walmsley (Chorlton Runners) 2nd with another PB in 17.06 and another home-based club athlete in Steve Hallas took third spot on his debut in 18.43.

First female finisher at Nova was Jackie Lee (12th) in 21.07 and Chloe Jones was 2nd on course debut (13th overall) in 21.18, with Lisa Lines (Prestatyn RC) 3rd in 24.36. Nova attracted 229 runners.

Ruthin

Stuart Culverhouse from NWRRC finished 2nd overall at the Ruthin Parkrun and won his VM50 age cat in 19.53.

Newborough

Sam Gunning recorded a new course PB at the Newborough Forest Parkrun in 17.13, with Milo Horrocks 2nd on debut in 19.43, and another first-timer Thomas Cudmore finished 3rd in 20.19. Jodi Bemand (West Cheshire) was the 1st female (5th overall), with a new course PB 20.32, Harriet Lowe came 2nd (15th) in 23.07 and Alice Strawbridge 3rd (16th) in 23.21. NWRRC veteran Alan Davies finished in
152nd place in 45.43. There were 164 entrants.