Double date for NW ultra-distance athletes in Shrewsbury
Report by Don Hale
North Wales based ultra-distance husband and wife athletes Ben and Sarah Hudson were on track for success in the Charles Darwin Day celebratory half-marathon in Shrewsbury last Friday, both recording excellent finishing times and places.
Ben was second overall in 1 hour 40 minutes and 51 seconds, whilst Sarah finished seventh in 1.54.49, and was the second female.
Overall winner, and first lady was Jo Pugh in 1.36.33.
The following day, on Saturday morning, the pair made their course debuts in the Shrewsbury Quarry Parkrun amongst nearly 600 entrants. Ben finished 86th overall in 22.41, with Sarah 2nd FV45 in 199th overall place in 25.38.
North Wales duo galloped around Aintree 10k
Welsh Masters veterans’ Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton (pictured above) celebrated prestigious podium places at the Aintree 10k race on Sunday amongst over 600 entrants.
Cheryl was 1st F60 in 88th place overall as the 13th female in 46.26, whilst 2nd F60 Kay finished 121st as the 21st female finisher in 48.27
Fast time for Harry at Tatton Park 10k
Meirionnydd RC athlete Harry Driscoll enjoyed a great run in the Tatton Park 10k last Saturday finishing in 10th place overall out of 982 entrants, and was 6th in his Senior Men’s age cat in a fast time of 36.24.
PARKRUNS
Report by Don Hale
There was another bumper attendance at the Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun last Saturday morning with 454 entrants tacking the rather sandy 5k promenade course.
Iain Burgess was first man home in a new PB 17 minutes and 49 seconds, but visiting rival Jordan Roberts made an impressive debut in 17.58. with Lewis Hall third in a PB 18.24.
And there was a very good run by Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) in 7th place, winning his VM50 cat with a great new PB 18.46.
Alex Aldous was first female finisher (22nd overall) in 20.33, with Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) second with a new PB of 21.19; whilst Abbie Robinson was third (PB) in 21.33.
North Wales Road Runners entered 11 members with Will Evans leading their team home in 16th place and 2nd VM45 in 19.43, Stuart Culverhouse finished 18th and third VM50 in 20.14, with Richard Scamans 57th in 23.24, and James Jones 97th in 25.40. Meanwhile, Mal Preece made his Rhos debut in 120th place in 26.29.
Master veterans Rob Fryer and Don Hale took the first and second spots in their VM70 age cat, with Rob 139th place in 26.59, and Don 157th in 27.38; whilst the evergreen super vet Mike Hayton won his VM75 with a new course PB in 29.03.
Elizabeth Driscoll also celebrated a new course PB in 277th place 32.04 after running around with her dog Winston, and Gethin Wyn Jones ran with his child buggy and was 296th with a new PB in 32.57. Congratulations also went to VM65 athlete John O’Shea, who commemorated his 100th parkrun in style after finishing 318th in 33.41.
Partially-sighted NW runner Daniel Owens was another PB setter ollowing his run out with guide Eleanor Ashcroft, and the pair finished together in 25.42.
CONWY
Visitor Edward John (Steel City Striders) was first man home at the Conwy Parkrun with an impressive debut time of 19.22, and PJ McGough finished second in 20.28 (PB). Gareth Bowyer (GOG Triathlon) claimed the third place in 20.47.
Top female was Elen Jones (5th overall) in 21.58, Mia Williams was second in 22.30, with Sophie Rowson (Steel City Striders) third on her course debut in 24.06.
Some other local runners results included: Barrie Wells 31st and 1st VM70 in 26.09; Amanda Durber 42nd in 28.06; Sean Gavin 44th in 28.29 and John Stallard 46th in 28.42. There were 96 finishers in total.
PRESTATYN
Stockport Harrier Joshua Hourihan was first finisher on course debut at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in 17.22, but local soccer player and referee Aaron Dodwell made him work hard all the way, claiming a new course PB in 17.42, with Alex Ryder (Prestatyn RC) third in 18.31.
First female was Lisa Lines (8th overall) from Prestatyn RC with a new PB of 21.12, followed by her club colleague Jenna Bagnall in 24.12, and debutant Sam Cooke in 24.22. There were 180 finishers including 21 members from the host club.
PENRHYN CASTLE
Aidan Thomas was the first finisher at Penrhyn in 18.15, but shared the exact same time as Andrew Douse in second place, with Isaac Wass third on his course debut in 18.35.
Visitor Abi Langton was first female on her course debut in 21.10, with Jessica Bibby second in 22.08, and Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) third in 22.53. There were 170 finishers.