Beat the clock scare for North Wales duo at Pulford

Report by Don Hale

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A North Wales ultra-distance couple took part last Sunday in what they described as ‘the most terrifying 10k race they have ever run!’

NWRRC members Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the Pulford 10k race on Sunday, which has a very challenging cut-off time of just 50-minutes. Ben eventually finished in 375th place in 43 minutes and 19 seconds, whilst Sarah was under extreme pressure to beat the clock but successfully ran home in 48.53.

Sarah later explained: “I came 443rd out of 462. It’s a rapid race, and there were 399 guys who finished and only 63 women! I can officially say that was the most terrifying 10k race I have ever run, with a 50-minute time cut off.

“It always used to be for sub 45 runners and they have opened it wider. We got places after the Village Bakery was cancelled, but I was dubious that I could do it, but they let me enter as my PB is 44:30 so I guess they assumed I would be safe.

“Thank you Pulford 10k for giving me the fear and getting me back under 50 minutes. I literally felt like a small child being chased the whole way, but I did it! And I wasn’t last! I have not run that fast in a while!

“They let everyone finish to be fair, and gave them medals, but on the whole, everyone was so rapid… never been at a race with so many super serious runners. I was not lying when I said, I was terrified!”

The previous day Ben and Sarah made their course debuts in the Alderford Lake Parkrun as a warm-up for their Pulford 10k race the next day, and both won their respective V45 age categories.

Ben finished in 8th place overall in 23.04, and Sarah also ran well in 28th place and 6th female in 26.30.

Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF XC championships

Report by Don Hale

Road Runner Karen Butler won a prestigious silver medal last Saturday at the British Masters Cross Country Championships at Bangor.

After her race, the NWRRC veteran athlete confirmed: “BMAF x/c champs today in Bangor. Silver in my age group. Brilliant sunshine and a great 6k course, which suited me as there were lots of long up hills. Chuffed with the result!”

Bright and beautiful for parkrunners at Rhos – plus NW round-up of results

Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie

It was another bright and beautiful Saturday morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun, which again attracted numerous first timers and visitors, with many recording some excellent finishing times along this picturesque promenade route.

Armon Williams was first finisher overall with an outstanding performance and a new course PB in just 17 minutes and 15 seconds, with Jeremy Pena second in 18.14, and JM15-17 athlete Eban Jones third with a new course PB in 18.28.

The ladies results confirmed out of the first ten finishers all recorded new course PBs, with international athlete and top coach Rhian Roxburgh (GOG Triathlon) leading her rivals home in 8th place overall, with a new PB in 19.37, and she also won her VW50 age cat

She was very closely followed by her talented club colleague Vicky Cole in 10th place in 19.39, who won her VW45 cat, and Cheryl Frost (NWRRC) was next with a new PB in 22.21, and won her VW60 age cat. There were 387 finishers including a large party of runners from Blackburn.

NWRRC entered six members at the Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun and they celebrated five new course PBs. 

Mal Preece led the team home in 11th place and 1st VM60 in a new course PB 19.50. He was followed by Cheryl Frost in 42nd position and 1st VW60 in a new PB 22.21.
Steve Mason continued his spectacular recovery to finish 64th with a new PB in 23.18, and Kay Hatton – just off the plane from her holiday – was 2nd VW60 with a new PB 23.34. Master vet Don Hale also claimed a new course PB 27.02, and was 2nd VM70 in 152nd place. Elizabeth Driscoll and her dog Winston clocked 60.06.

GOG Triathlon entered 11 members with Simon Cole 9th overall with his wife and club colleague Vicky Cole 11th in 29.39,
whilst Geran Hughes was 16th in 20.19.

Porth Eirias Runners had four members involved, with Barry Palmer 76th in a course PB 23.59, Pedro Gaspar 97th in 24.51, Zara Parry 246th in 31.39 (PB) and tail walker Kevin Edge was 371st in 48.46.

CONWY

Plenty of visitors at Conwy Parkrun on Saturday, where six out of the first 10 finishers were all first timers, including debutant Sam Fernhart who was first in 17.02, Lloyd Owen second with a new PB 19.32 and Thomas Sylvester (Dragon RC Sale) third on course debut in 20.06. 

Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was first female finisher (15th overall) in 22.06, and Emma Farquhar (Liverpool Running Bugs) was second on her debut in 22.32, with Carla Green (NWRRC) third in 23.00.

NWRRC entered four members and each won their respective age categories. Paul Aubert was the club’s first finisher in 12th place overall with a new course PB 21.25, and won his VM45 cat; with Carla Green 26th and 1st VW50 in 23.00. Super vet
Sandy Johnston made a welcome return after injury and took 56th place and 1st VM75 in 25.44; whilst master vet Rob Fryer won his VM70 cat in 63rd place in 26.30.

 

PENRHYN

Visitor Dawn Ramsey was second overall on her course debut in 18.29, with Iolo Owen third in 18.41. And with Dawn also being first female finisher, JW11-14 athlete Fiona Horne took the second spot with a new course PB 20.54, and Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) was third in 22.31. There were 219 finishers.

Will Williams (NWRRC) and 2nd VM50 in 19.39; and there were six runners involved from Cybi Striders, Ifan Rowlands their first finisher in fourth overall in 18.44, and Ellie Evans top female in 22.31.
 

PRESTATYN

There was a good turn-out of 241 athletes at the Nova Parkrun where Mathew Baker topped the field in 17.15, with teenager Jack Richards second with a new course PB 19.10, and Sam Ashton third in 19.39.

Erin Williams was leading female in 23.49, with Millie Robinson (Prestatyn RC) a very close second in 23.50, and Lucy Lloyd third with a new course PB 24.15. 

Prestatyn RC entered 18 members, first finisher Daniel Williams fourth overall, in 19.49, with Dafydd Montgomery 8th in 20.21 and Jonathon Puleston-Jones 10th and third club finisher in 20.25.