Double Team GB boost for Welsh Master Steve Gardner
Report by Don Hale
coastandcountry.blog
Welsh Master and track star Steve Gardner has been selected to represent Great Britain in his MV60 age category at two major international Sprint Duathlon Championships next year following his success at some recent prestigious events.
This week, the NWRRC and GOG Triathlon member confirmed: “It’s been an exceptionally good few weeks lately. I received an email confirming that I have qualified to represent Great Britain – in my age group team for the World Sprint Duathlon Championships in Edmonton Canada in 2027 following my performance at the British Sprint Duathlon Champs at Oulton Park recently.
“And just seven days earlier, after winning the V60 age group at the Scottish Sprint Duathlon Champs at East Fortune race track that performance earned me a place in the GB team for the European Sprint Duathlon Championships in Caceres Spain 2027.
“Dates for both Championships have yet to be confirmed, so I am hoping that I can maintain good health and fitness throughout this year and carry it through to the 2027 season.”
DELAMERE
And well done to NWRRC member Rob Fryer who won his VM70 age cat at the Delamere Forest 10k trail race on Sunday, April 26, in a good time of 57.15, which was about two minutes faster than his time from the previous year.
Landmark 10,000th runner at the new Rhos on Sea parkrun
Report by Don Hale
It was another fun-packed occasion at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning, April 25, in perfect conditions where local athlete Darren Dentith became the 10,000th person to complete this spectacular promenade course in just 23 events.
Backed by another massive attendance with some 439 finishers including a generous assortment of elite, club, social runners and walkers, the celebrations were enhanced by a large group of supporters and participants from the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group.
The outstanding and rapid success of this popular seaside event is all due to the hard work, determination and dedication of a small team of Run Directors and volunteers, who have all helped to develop this amazing parkrun from scratch.
And experienced athletics coach and race organiser John Hatton confirmed: “A great atmosphere at Rhos this morning, and in only 23 events, we had our 10,000th runner. The photo shows Darren Dentith holding a certificate that I produced. And full marks to Sharon Hughes and Richard Peevor, the event directors and others, who have made it such a success. “
Les Croupiers athlete Oliver Williams was the first man home following a fast dash on his course debut in just 16 minutes and 15 seconds, with Sean Truett (Buckley) second in 16.18, and Tom Carter (Prestatyn RC) third on his course debut in 16.47.
The first female was family member and visitor Lucinda Truett (Buckley) in 19.19 (17th overall), with JW11-14 athlete Louis Evans second, with a new course PB in 19.27, and Carla Green (NWRRC) took third place in 21.20, and she also won her VW50 age cat.
North Wales Road Runners entered 17 members with young soccer referee Joe Culverhouse once again leading the team home in 7th place overall with a new course PB in 17.57, and he won his JM15-17 age cat. International track star Steve Gardner was 9th with a new course PB in 18.19, and he won his VW60 cat, whilst Jonathan Kettle was 3rd VM50 cin 22nd place in 19.41.
Stuart Culverhouse finished 22nd in 19.46, with Carla Green 42nd in 21.20, and she shared the exact same time as Mal Preece, 3rd VM60. Sion Thomas was 66th in 22.26, Steve Roberts 74th in 22.53, and Kay Hatton 86th and 1st VW60 with a new CPB in 23.27.
And it was good to see Charlotte Wilton-Jones back at parkrun in 108th place on her course debut in 24.22, and she won her VW35 age cat. Tony Price Jones clocked 25.55 in 147th place, and Tony Gibson claimed a CPB after finishing 151st in 26.02.
Master vet Don Hale also recorded a CPB 26.49, and was 2nd VM70 in 167th place, with Gethin Wyn Jones 191st in 27.56, whilst super-vet Mike Hayton was 205th and 1st VM75 in 28.15. Veteran Len Jackson took 246th place in 29.52, with Helen Hannam 250th in 30.10.
GOG Triathlon had five members running including: (27) Geran Hughes in 20.20; (80) Graeme Tunstall and Steve Owen shared the same time of 23.06; and (240) Angie Hughes produced a CPB 29.28.
Some other local runners included: (19) Josh Mottram (Colwyn Bay) 19.31 and 1st SM18; (29) Gareth Southworth (Eryri Harriers) CPB 20.23; (48) Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay) CPB 21.34; (53) Amelia Anderson 1st SW20-24 in 21.50; (55) Laura McKenzie (Betsi Runaways) 21.59; (56) Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 1st VM65 in 22.03; (59); Darren Dentith 59th in 22.12 – and he was the 10,000th runner at Rhos.
CONWY
Plenty of visitors to boost the numbers at the Conwy Parkrun last Saturday, April 25,with Louis Szymanskithe first finisher on his debut in 16.26, and Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) second in 17.54, with Patrick McDonell (Les Croupiers) third on his debut in 19.14.
First female was Abbie Robinson (13th overall) with a new PB in 21.53, whist Annie Gould Magee was second with a CPB 22.28, and Mia Williams third in 22.57.
Paul Aubert (NWRRC) finished 15th in 21.59; and some other notable local runners included: Porth Eirias Runners: (23) Barry Palmer 23.31; (75) Kevin Baines CPB 28.12; (79) and Alan Hackett CPB 28.31.
PENRHYN
Matthew Edwin Roberts was first finisher at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun in a very good time of 16.40 on a challenging four lap course with Rhodri Williams (Cybi Striders) second in 18.07, and Mike Wallbank (Team Runners) was third on course debut in 19.01.
The first three female finishers were all youngsters, and JW11-14 athlete Fiona Horne was first in 21.24, with fellow junior Megan Gowers runner-up in 23.00, and JW15-17 Abbey Warren Drake third in 23.59. There were 219 finishers
PRESTATYN
There were nearly 300 entrants at the Nova pPrkrun at Prestatyn with Mathew Baker first overall in 17.38, with visitor Chris Hamilton (Ballymena & Antrim AC) second on debut in 18.01 and Alex Ryder (Prestatyn RC) a close third in 18.08.
Bronwyn Dawson (Helsby RC) was top female with a CPB 20.18, with Prestatyn RCs Lisa Lines second in 21.07, and Cathy Hamilton (Pace RC) third on debut in 22.57.
Prestatyn RC entered 14 members with Jonah Armstrong (49), first finisher in 24.52, with Mike Robinson (58) next in 25.16, and Mark Dakeyne (92) in 27.33. There were 287 finishers..