Road Running duo beat heat in Berlin Marathon

Two members of North Wales Road Runners ran in the world famous Berlin Marathon on Sunday in very hot temperatures, which seemed in stark contrast to the rather wet and windy weather in the UK over the weekend.

Both Mal Preece and Lesley Goodson claimed they were glad to finish, but the pair still recorded some excellent times given the circumstances of competing in this prestigious event, and in those unexpected conditions, along with tens of thousands of global entrants.

Mal finished in 3 hours 48 minutes and 25 seconds, and afterwards said: “This was marathon number 8 at Berlin. A race of two halves. On course for a target pace at halfway, but the wheels fell off in the second half. Just happy to survive and get to the finish line in that heat!”

Lesley, who also ran well in 4 hours 56 minutes added: “Berlin Marathon – not the time that I’d hoped for – but it was always going to be a tough ask in today’s heat. So pleased to have crossed the finish line.”

Steve Gardner strikes gold in British championships

Report by Don Hale

Welsh Master Steve Gardner claimed a prestigious gold medal in the 2000m steeplechase race during the British Masters Track and Field Championships held at the Moorways Stadium, near Derby.

Despite his varied successes on the track, bizarrely, this was the first time he has ever won a gold medal in the British Championships, and this latest impressive result is likely to have smashed another Welsh record!

A delighted Steve confirmed: “I competed in the 2000m steeplechase, winning a gold medal with a time of 7.37.24, with Phil York second and Simon Allen third.

“Whilst I have had some good results previously in Welsh Championships, this is the first time that I have won a gold medal in a British Championship.”

Steve also paid tribute to his coach: “I’ve worked more closely with John Messum, North Wales Endurance Coach recently, which has been instrumental in my performance at Derby.”

Squelchy clockwise loop at the Llyn Alwen Trail race

Report by Don Hale

Dave and Julie Jones from Dalzell Runners (pictured above) competed in the Llyn Alwen Trail and Canicross events last Sunday, with Dave claiming the second spot in his MV50 age cat.

Dave said: “What a difference a day makes! Sunshine greeted us this morning following yesterday’s deluge, for a squelchy clockwise loop of the lake. A lovely little run and well organised by Bespoke fitness. 

“Happy with my result of 54.53 for 12th place and 2nd MV50-59, and Julie also had a great run too coming in at 1.15.17, and she was 62nd out of 79 finishers and 4th FV50-59.”

Parkrunners beat the wind and rain to record some great PB times

Report by Don Hale

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Heavy rain and wind played a key role at most of the NW parkruns last Saturday with many courses reporting flooding and sections of heavy going, yet they still attracted numerous club and mixed ability entrants from far afield.

With the Newborough Forest parkrun cancelled, this probably swelled the numbers at both the nearby Penrhyn Castle and Nant Y Pandy events, with numerous debutants recording some excellent PB times despite the challenging conditions

Penrhyn: There was a very good turn-out of some 243 entrants at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun with Adam Jones the first man home in 16.29, and Rhodri Owen a very close second in 16.31, but the third man’s name remained unknown at the time of writing.

The first female was JW10 athlete Emma-Layla Bentley, who finished fourth overall with a new PB in 16.34. Second was Tilly Edwards (13th) with a new PB in 19.24, and Buffy Boroughs was (19th), with another PB in 20.30.

Other notable Penrhyn results included: Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC) was 5th in 17.40 and won his VM50 age cat. Steve Bozier (NWRRC) finished 16th and enjoyed a great new PB of 20.09, and Clare Bozier was 220th in 36.55.

After his run Steve confirmed: “A proud moment, six years after registering for parkrun, my wife Clare actually ran her first one. A proud husband moment, plus it was my fastest 5k in over a year!”

Veteran Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) won her VW70 age cat in 26.57, and Peter Johnson was 135th in 29.15, whilst identical twins Karen and Amanda Durber finished in 138th/139th places in 29.34, with Dougie Graham 191st with a new PB in 33.17.

Prestatyn: The first three finishers at the Nova parkrun all represented Prestatyn RC, in addition to the first female placing, and the club had five out of the first seven finishers. Tom Carter was the first man home in 17.27, with Alex Ryder second in 19.01 and Daniel Williams took third spot in 19.32.

Lisa Lines was first female finisher (20th) and Sian Jones was second (30th) in 24.36, with Florrie Webb making her debut (41st) in 26.06. And well done to Kevin Edge (Porth Eirias Runners) for a remarkable new PB of 33.08 in 101st place. Stuart Culverhouse (NWRRC) finished sixth, and he won his VM50
age cat in 20.26. There were 155 finishers.

Conwy: The puddles and swamp-like conditions returned to Conwy parkun last Saturday, but if failed to deter a fast finish from the first three finishers with just eight seconds separating them but Danny Hazeldine eventually took the honours with a new PB in 18.55, and James Williams (Lymm Runners) was second in 19.02, and debutant Aiden Thomas third in 19.03, with both hot on the heels of Danny.

Josh Mottram (Colwyn Bay AC) was another runner on fire in fourth place, and he won his SM18-19 age cat again in 19.44. Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) finished sixth, and was first female athlete in 19.49, with Claire Kelly second (28th) in 23.17 and Sophie Allen third (42nd) with a new PB in 24.08.

Josh’s club colleague Ian Taylor was 22nd in 22.54, and NWRRC’s Paddy Walsh took 14th place in 22.08, and master vet Rob Fryer came 83rd and 1st VM70 in 27.17. There were 185 finishers.

Lake District: Hannah Griffiths (NWRRC) and her daughter Tara entered the Fell Foot parkrun at Newby Bridge, and ran together with Hannah finishing 100th in 32.24, and Tara was 98th in 32.21, with both finishing fourth in their respective age categories on their course debuts.

Nant y Pandy: This popular event on Anglesey probably gained a few extra participants due to the cancellation of the Newborough parkrun with lots of visitors and first timers taking part.

Debutant Matthew Jones (Ripley RC) was first in 19.15, with Thomas Price second on his course debut in 19.34, and talented JW11-14 cat athlete Martha Brown claimed the third spot with a great new PB in 19.47.

Second female finisher was Claire Lloyd (17th) with a new PB in 22.47, and Helen Lowery was third (32nd) in 25.53. There were 152 finishers.