Course record smashed at tough Snowdonia Half Marathon
Report by Don Hale
coastandcountry.blog
Numerous North Wales athletes were among the top finishers at the tough Snowdonia Half Marathon race on Sunday, which attracted nearly 700 elite and experienced distance runners to the region.
This gruelling race – well organised by RunWales – was eventually won by Joseph Moores (Salford Harriers), who smashed the course record by an amazing three-minutes in just 1 hour 14 minutes and 33 seconds, followed by Ed Slaughter (Porthcawl Runners) in 1.21.09, and Chris Pownall (Cybi Striders) in 1.25.05.
Bethan Hague from Rhos on Sea was the first female finisher in 1.35.04, and she won her F35-39 age cat, with Margot Saher (Eryri Harriers) and Bethan Hughes battling it out for second and third places. Margot won her F50-54 cat, and eventually finished in second place in a narrow but definitive gun time of 1.44.46 and Bethan clocked 1.44.51.
Other notable local athletes within the top 50 finishers included: Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) 5th overall in 1.29.11; Michael Corralles 13th in 1.32.20; Aidan Thomas (Bangor University) 17th in 1.34.55; Darren Blazier (Abergele Harriers) 21st in 1.35.50; Henry Hague (Black Cloak Runners) 40th and 3rd M40 in 1.40.11, with Stuart Culverhouse (NWRRC) 45th in 1.43.23 and Paul Lewley (Dee Striders) 46th in 1.42.39.
Sayer wins Llangollen 10k Trail Race
North Wales athlete Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field) won the Llangollen 10k Trail Race at the weekend with a dazzling display over a picturesque but challenging course.
He led home a varied, but talented field of fell and trail runners with Richard Johnson (Altrincham & District AC) second in 40.46, and Jordan Atlee third in 44.52.
First female finisher was Seren Cashen in 6th place overall, and she was nearly two-minutes ahead of her nearest rival in Catrin Lederie in 48.04 (14th) and Lesley Hayes (Ramsbottom RC) in 48.32. There were 261 finishers.
And with many other local athletes tied up with other road fixtures, it was good to note super-vet Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) won her FV70-79 age cat in a good time of 58.03. finishing 69th overall, and she was one of three GOG Triathlon members competing with colleagues Debbie Irwin 175th in 1.10.44, and Kate Rose 192nd in 1.14.08.
Cheryl on top form for Wales at Bideford 10k
North Wales Road Runner and international athlete Cheryl Frost put in a very determined performance at the Bideford 10k last Sunday as part of the talented Welsh Master Masters team, finishing in the top 10 within her veteran age category.
Cheryl recorded an excellent chip time of 46.00 and a gun time of 46.18 at this Masters International fixture against England, and she finished 8th in her recent FV60 age cat. After her race, she confirmed: “It was rather windy and a cheeky steep hill at mile 2.”
Age cat victory for Kay Hatton
North Wales Road Runner Kay Hatton won her VW60 age cat at the Heaton Park Half Marathon on a very challenging lapped route in North Manchester.
The talented veteran athlete finished in 46th place overall and 7th female in 1.51.50.
And after her run, Kay said: “They call this race brutal, as at is four-laps of a very hilly course.”
Numbers boost for Conwy and other NW parkruns
Report by Don Hale
The postponement due to varied reasons of four North Wales parkruns last weekend provided a boost to the numbers at Conwy Parkrun, and a few other local events last Saturday morning, plus the improved weather conditions.
Iain Burgess was the outstanding first finisher at Conwy with a new course PB in 18.09, and Robert Evans (NWRRC) was next in 18.46, with James Williams (Lymm Runners) third in 19.04.
The ladies event was also a close fought contest with Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) eventually claiming the top spot (5th overall) with a new PB 19.16, with Emma Price Jones (Riverside Runners) second (7th) on her course debut in 19.20, and Elin Jones third (13th) in 20.53. And well done to Amelia Anderson, who recorded a CPB in 16th place overall in 21.24. There were 268 finishers.
North Wales Road Runners entered five with newcomer Robert Evans their first man home in 18.46, followed by Paul Aubert, 20th and 3rd VM45 in 21.49, with master vet Don Hale recording a PB on the revised and bumpy course in 27.21, and he was 2nd VM70. Super vet Mike Hayton won his VM75 cat in 28.26 in 122nd place.
GOG Triathlon had six members involved with Steve Owen 10th in 20.31; and Jose Eduardo Vega Perez second (21st) in 21.49; Andy Brazier 25th in 22.22; Michelle Farrell 39th and 2nd VW40 in 23.21; Paul Sanders 53rd in 24.16; with Wendy Trelease 98th and second VW50 in 27.12.
Porth Eirias Runners (PER) had five runners with Jasper McQueen their first club man back in 17th place and 2nd VM50 in 21.31; Alan Hackett 113th with a new PB 28.01; Elwyn Evans 125th in 28.28; Paula Crutchley 196th in 31.51 and Julie Shaw 204th on course debut in 32.51.
Some other local runners included: – (19th) Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AAC) CPB 21.48; (34) Romeo Ciotec 22.56; (73/74) Dave Spofforth and his daughter Elowen in 25.39; (102) Gwyn Williams (Colwyn Bay AAC) 27.27; (110) Bethan Wyn Roberts in 27.56, Amanda Durber (111) in 27.58 and (114) John Stallard 28.01.
Pwllheli
North Wales runners Ben Hudson and Dougie Graham took part in the Hafan Pwllheli Parkun last Saturday as volunteers and tail walkers on the sandy beach course. The pair worked the route together in 71.25.
There were only 70 entrants at Pwllheli including 24 visitors, and first finisher overall was Connor Middleton (Shrewsbury RC) on his debut in 21.13, with Richard Harrison (Wilmslow RC) second on debut in 23.32, and Hannah Giblin third and the first female finisher in 24.14. The second female was Sophie Lyon (10th) and third Susan Harrison (Wilmslow RC) in 12th place.
Greenfield Valley
Marcus Wilton Jones (Colwyn Bay AAC) ran well at the Greenfield Valley Parkun, finishing 7th overall on his course debut in 21.14 and 2nd VM35 age cat. There were 61 finishers.
Prestatyn
James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was first across the line at the Nova Parkrun with a very good time of 17.44, with teenager Jack Richards second in 18.57 and Jonah Armstrong (Prestatyn RC) third in 19.02.
Jess Jaques was first female with a new PB in 21.34 (15), with Michelle Meredith-Roberts second (38) in 24.25, and Kelly Smart third (46) on her debut in 24.35.
Two NWRRC members also ran: Tony Price Jones in 74th place in 26.35, with Nia Lister 83rd and 2nd VW35 in 27.57. There were 268 finishers.
Penrhyn
Russell Bentley (Kent AC) won the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun with a fast time of 16.04, but second placed Tomos Roberts made the winner work hard, and was just five-seconds and one place adrift, with the third placed man’s identity still unknown.
Tilly Edwards was first female finisher (12th overall) in 19.06, and JW10 athlete Eliana Gracie (29) was second on debut in 21.51, with Zoe Jones third with a CPB 21.53. There were 297 finishers.