NW Masters on top form at Great North International 10k race

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

A strong team of top Welsh veteran athletes competed in the Great North 10k on Sunday amidst a massive entry of over 10,000 elite, club and mixed ability runners in this popular North-East challenge.

The event also included a Masters International Road Race featuring age group teams representing Wales, England, Northern Ireland, and the UK Armed Forces.

At the time of writing the enormous list of results was still awaiting full verification, but several North Wales runners celebrated some amazing results with Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) finishing 7th overall in 32 minutes dead, with Llyr Ap Gruffydd (Eryri Harriers) 35th in 33.42, and Martin Green (NWRRC/Meirionnydd RC) 57th in 34.46, as the 3rd Welsh finisher.

After the event, Martin said: “I was 3rd V50 across the line and as it was a champs race, I won the bronze. England 1st Army 2nd then me. Vest number 13, I think today for Wales v England, and The Armed Forces.

“For once happy with my race, managed to blag 3rd place off gun time, so justified my selection which is always the first aim.”

There were some other memorable Top 100 results too from James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) 65th in 34.59, Jonathan Kettle (NWRRC) 77th in 35.37 and Will Williams (NWRRC) who was 98th in 36.14.

Several other North Wales Road Runners were also selected for this prestigious race, and they included: Carla Green 698th in 44.42, Cheryl Frost 1,294th in 48.32 and Kay Hatton 1,311th in 48.39.

Will Williams later said: “What a fantastic day. It’s always such an honour to wear the red vest and represent my country! It was also doubly special to get to race it with Jonathan Kettle. A great day and motivation for me to run with this legend.

“Best performance for me I think thus far in the vest, but whilst running down the home straight I could see the clock just ticking over into the 36 minutes again, but this course was a bit tougher, and especially the second half, but I gave it everything.”

The race was won by Dean Williamson (Colchester Harriers), with Lewis Hannigan (Kilbarchan AC) 2nd in 30.21, and Kieran Walker 3rd. The1st female was Louise Small in 33.35, with Gemma Steel 2nd in 35.04, and Ellen Leggate 3rd in 35.37.

Good turn-out for annual Ras Gwyl Felin 10k race

Report by Don Hale

The midweek Ras Gwyl Felin 10k attracted over 300 quality and mixed ability athletes to this popular annual event held on a humid but breezy evening.

The first finisher overall was Ifan Dafydd in 32 minutes and 49 seconds, but he was well ahead of rival Llyr Ap Gruffydd (Eryri Harriers) over this undulating but spectacular course in 35.04, with Steffan Sayer (Menai T&F) a close third in 35.22.

Top female was Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in 41.34, with Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers) 2nd in 42.36, and Mali Hughes 3rd in 42.50.

The male age category results included:
*Senior Men: 1st Ifan Dafydd 32.49, 2nd Huw Gwynn (Eryri Harriers) 36.03, 3rd Sam Griffiths 36.27.
*M40-49: 1st Llyr Ap Grufydd (Eryri Harriers) 35.02, 2nd Steffan Sayer (Menai T&F) 35.22, 3rd Iolo Owen (Eryri Harriers) 37.54.
*M50-59: 1st Andrew Goater (Betsi Runaways) 40.52, 2nd Darren Blazier (Abergele Harriers) 41.35, 3rd Stuart Culverhouse (NWRRC) 42.15.
*M60-69: 1st Dylan Hughes (Eryri Harriers) 42.10, 2nd Paul Garstang (GOG Triathlon) 43.10, and 3rd Mike Race (Salford Met) 44.57.

*M70 Plus: 1st Kevin Slattery (NWRRC) 45.56, 2nd Simon Longway 53.02, 3rd Eurwyn Edwards (Eryri Harriers) 54.01. There were 321 finishers in total.

The female age category results included:
*Female Senior: 1st Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) 41.34, 2nd Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers) 42.36, 3rd Mali Hughes 42.50.
*F40-49: 1st Margot Sayer (Eryri Harriers) 44.49, 2nd Megan Hughes (Eryri Harriers) 45.34, 3rd Laura Mckenzie (Betsi Runaways) 47.05.
*F50-59: 1st Carla Green (NWRRC) 45.37, 2nd Lynne Parry 51.21, and 3rd Eleri Jones 51.28.
*F60-69: 1st Wendi Evans (Eryri Harriers) 50.22, 2nd Elen Ap Robert 51.38, 3rd Gwenan Roberts (Bro Dysynni AC) 1.20.08. *F70 plus: 1st Maggie Oliver (Eryri Harriers) 1.20.08.