Arwel Lewis wins prestigious Services to Athletics award
Report by Don Hale
Praise was lavished on top all-round athlete Arwel Lewis from Eryri Harriers last week after he was presented with the ‘Services to Athletics’ accolade at the Welsh Athletics awards evening.
This popular veteran still competes regularly for his club in all disciplines, and has represented Wales on the road, cross country, trail and in mountain races.
Kay Hatton, a member of the North Wales Regional Athletics Council, said: “Arwel puts in a huge amount of time as a volunteer for his club, and as a race adjudicator and race organiser.
“He is also fell/trail representative on the NWRAC and WA General Council, Welsh Athletics mountain/trail secretary, and a team manager, in addition to be being the Welsh Ultra representative. This was such a well-deserved award!”
A modest Arwel later acknowledged: “I am very honoured and feel very privileged to have received the Welsh Athletics Services to Athletics award. Being a staunch supporter of Welsh Athletics and all aspects of the sport.
“It is a sport for all, and I am more than willing to give up my spare time to ensure everyone has a great and enjoyable experience in the sport. I am extremely grateful to everyone who have helped me over the years and very appreciative of the many other volunteers who do so much for the sport.”
Ben and Sarah’s wedding anniversary on the run at a ‘Beautifully Brutal’ 60k ultra
Report by Don Hale
North Wales endurance athletes Ben and Sarah Hudson went on the run last Saturday during an unusual way to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary by competing in the ‘Beautifully Brutal’ Pen Llyn Coast to Coast Winter Ultra race.
This extremely tough event followed a highly challenging and undulating course over a distance of some 60km (37.5 miles), and this experienced pair of endurance runners ran together, and despite Sarah suffering from a heavy cold, they both finished well in 10 hours 53 minutes and 41 seconds.
The event attracted a wealth of top international ultra runners, and the NWRRC members eventually shared joint 147th place overall. Ben was also the 91st male and 86th British finisher, with Sarah 54th female and the 87th Brit to complete the course.
After their race, Sarah said: “Did the Pen Llyn Winter ultra yesterday… that was a tough. The event company is called Beautifully Brutal – and it certainly was! We did it in 10 hrs 53 min and 41 seconds.
“Such a stunning route, and the weather was mostly kind apart from the start and finish! A great way to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary together! I had a stinking cold, so it was just really great to finish, but not quite the time we wanted… and it was a bit hard running extremely close to our house at 34 miles. It was definitely a challenge, and we came joint 147th.”
Unfortunate mix-up costs NW runner an extra 5-mile trek!
Three members of North Wales Road Runners competed in the gruelling Newborough Trail 10k race on Sunday, and unfortunately one athlete was misdirected into the adjacent half-marathon race at a late turn point and ended up running an extra 5-miles plus!
Kay Hatton won her VW60 age category in 58.07, with colleague Mike Hayton 2nd VM70 in 73.02, but fellow master veteran runner Rob Fryer faced an extra unplanned 5-mile trek after a mix-up at an
important turn marker, eventually finishing in 97.53.
This was a great shame for Rob, who like Kay, has been in excellent form of late. Kay said he was going well until about 9k, when he was somehow misdirected away from the shorter course.
Festive Fun Run for Conwy Mind at Eirias Events Centre
Report by Don Hale
There will be a Festive Fun Run on Sunday 30th November at 11am for Conwy Mind at Eirias Events Centre in Colwyn Bay.
There are two options at the Mental Elf Festive Fun Run – A 5k Mental Elf, or a 2k Mini Elf. The event organisers have invited everyone to join them for a day of fun and fundraising.
They say you can walk, jog, skip, or run, whilst soaking up the festive spirit and supporting Conwy and Vale of Clwyd Minds: “Together, we can go the extra mile for mental health! The Mini Elf 2k Fun Run, is a new event this year. Mini elves can join in the fun too with a 2km fun run packed full of all the jingling fun. There is also a Free National Trust pass for every participant.
“This year, Mind is partnering with the National Trust. If you take part or volunteer in a local Mental Elf event, you’ll receive a free family access pass to National Trust sites!
“It’s our way of thanking you for supporting mental health and reminding you to look after your wellbeing this winter. We have a limited number of passes available on a first come, first served basis.” Further details from: https://www.facebook.com/events
Fast pace at NW parkruns as the sun shines again
Report by Don Hale
A total of 242 finishers enjoyed the unusually bright sunshine and moderate weather conditions last Saturday morning at the picturesque Conwy 5k course, which again attracted a large number of mixed ability athletes and visitors.
The pace from the leading pack was fast and furious right from the start on Conwy Cob with the first 11 finishers all dipping well under 20 minutes, and just 10 seconds separated the first two men home.
Visitor Robert Foster eventually confirmed his top placing with a fine debut run in just 17 minutes and 22 seconds, narrowly ahead of Cai Curtis-Roberts, second in 17.32, with Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) third with a new course PB in 17.41.
First female finisher was Abbie Robinson (45th overall) in 23.28, with visitor Lucy Ford (Uttoxeter RR) second on debut in 23.37, and a fellow visitor in Rhiannan Evans (Emerson Green RC), took the third spot in 24.05.
There were plenty of representatives from many local running clubs including nine members of North Wales Road Runners, 11from GOG Triathlon, three from Colwyn Bay AC and several from Porth Eirias Runners to name but a few.
NWRRC: Jonathan Kettle led the Road Runners’ team home in fifth place in 18.21, and won his VM50 age cat, with Paddy Walsh 27th in 21.35, and Daniel Hennell 34th and 3rd VM45 with a new PB in 22.24.
Other club members were super vet Sandy Johnston 52nd and 1st VM75 in 24.18, with Richard Scamans 54th in 24.22, Rob Fryer 83rd and 1st VM70 in 26.38, Don Hale 102nd and 2nd VM70 in 27.41, Kevin Higgins 116th on debut in 28.13, and veteran John O’Shea 195th in 33.57.
GOG Triathlon: Daniel Jones finished 2nd VM40 cat and 10th overall, with Paul Garstang the second club finisher in 13th and 1st VM60 in 20.26, with Steven Owen 21st and 2nd VM40 in 21.06. Veteran Liz Evans was 86th and 1st VW70 in 27.02, with fellow vet John D’Albuquerque second VM75 and 198th place in 34.22.
Penrhyn: At Penrhyn Castle parkrun just one second separated three of the top four finishers, and there were only 12 seconds between the first and second men. And amazingly, 19 runners all dipped under 20 minutes.
Tom Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) was first man home in 16.12, with Daniel Kashi (Sale Harriers) second in 16.24, but the third and fourth placed men shared the exact same finishing time of 16.25, Rhodri Owen narrowly adjudged to be third and Adam Jones fourth.
Top female finisher was Jessica Bibby (25th overall) in 21.42, and JW11-14 athlete Annabella Wise took second place with a new PB in 22.24, whilst Charlotte Jones finished third in a PB 22.54. There were 229 finishers in total.
Prestatyn: Mathew Baker was the outstanding first finisher at the Nova Parkrun in 17.25, with Alex Ryder (Prestatyn RC) second in 18.18, and Sam Ashton third in 19.13.
Jess Jaques was the first female (19th overall) in 22.05, and the first three athletes all claimed new PBs, with Kayleigh Williams second in 22.13, and Millie Robinson third in 25.18. NWRRC member Stuart Culverhouse finished 10th and 2nd VM50 overall in 20.31,