Triathlon sprint success for veteran Kevin and GOG

Report by Don Hale

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Master veteran Kevin Slattery,chairman of North Wales Road Runners, won his VM70 age category at the prestigious Llandudno Open Sprint Triathlon Championships staged recently from the town’s promenade.

Despite very warm and blustery conditions, which included a tough swim, bike, and a 5k run, with the swim slightly reduced due to the challenging conditions – and a cycle race twice around the Great Orme – Kevin eventually triumphed to huge acclaim after completing his two-lap run in a very good time!

Following his event, he modestly confirmed: “It was a well-managed event in good conditions, although windy in places, and great support from spectators. 

“It included a 500m swim (reduced from 750 because of the wind) 14.06; twice around the Great Orme on the bike 46.38; and a 5K run in 24.06. My overall time with transitions was 1 hour 30 minutes and 54 seconds. My overall position was 87/165, and I finished first in my M70 age category.”

This event also proved to be a great success for many members of GOG Triathlon, who collected numerous top awards and medals. A summary of their top results included:

Ladies: F40: 1st Vicky Cole 1.17.11, and 3rd Emer Sandham 1.18.39. F50: 1st Rhian Roxburgh, 1.08.15; and 2nd Tracey Hazeldine 1.21.41. F70: Kate Tyrer 2nd in 1.21.41
Male: GOG Triathlon members: Open 30: Andrew Jones 2nd in 1.05.17; Open 40: 1st Grant Little 1.05.17; Open 50: This was a hat-trick of honours for the club with 1st Steven Alport 1.07.27; 2nd Gareth Bowyer in 1.09.54; and 3rd Simon Roxburgh in 1.13.09.

A close finish at the blustery midweek Felinheli 10k

Report by Don Hale

It was very warm and windy for the challenging Felinheli 10k race in midweek, with three members of Meirionnydd RC finishing within the top four places overall.

Tomos Roberts and team-mate Daniel Kashi actually shared the exact same finishing chip times of 32 minutes and 21 seconds in a very close-run contest, with Ifan Dafydd claiming fourth place in 33.41; whilst in between the club rivals, was the promising youngster Noa Vaughan, third in 32.53.

In addition, there some excellent performances by many of the top ten finishers including Steffan Sayer (Menai T&F) in sixth place in 34.57, and from Ian Edwards (Eryri Harriers) eighth in 36.05, and fell runner Michael Corralles (Dark Peak FR) tenth in 36.44.

Elliw Roberts (Eryri Harriers) was the first female finisher in 42.25, with Mared Llywelyn (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners) second in 42.54, and Mali Hughes third in 43.37, with two members of Cybi Striders in hot pursuit including Emma Alofs, who was fourth in 43.49, and Llio Jones in fifth place 43.52. There were 351 finishers.

North Wales Road Runners only had eight members involved, probably due to this race being just a few days after the tough Nova Coast half marathon, yet they still recorded two superb age category victories and one second place, with exciting junior Joe Culverhouse 18th and 1st male jinior in 38.25. whilst master vet and NWRRC chairman Kevin Slattery won his MV70 cat in 77th in 45.52.
Other club results included: Jonathan Kettle (15th and 2nd M50) in 37.49; Will Evans (38th) in 42.06; Stuart Culverhouse (49th) in 43.15; Adam Lemalle (76th) in 45.51; Steve Roberts (126th) in 49.32; Hannah Griffith (217th) in 55.57; and Nia Lister (251st) in 58.26.

PARKRUN NEWS

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie, and others

It was very warm and very breezy for hundreds of runners and walkers at all North Wales parkruns last weekend, and the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k event attracted another bumper attendance, where James Yarwood once again finished first in 17.47,
accompanied by his young twins in a child buggy!

The Wrexham AAC runner was chased all the way though by young Joe Culverhouse (NWRRC), who won his JM15-17 age cat with a determined effort in 18.19, with Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) first female, and in third place overall in 18.30.

Abbie Robinson was second female in 21.30, with Bethan Parry third with a new course PB in 22.23. There were 468 finishers at Rhos.

North Wales Road Runners had eight members running with Steve Bozier leading the team home in 14th place and 2nd VM45 in 20.08. Stuart Culverhouse was 18th and 1st VM50 in 20.23, Paul Aubert was 37th on his course debut in 21.30, with James Jones 40th in 21.35.

Steve Mason was 63rd in 23.20, but master vet Don Hale struggled to find his form, settling for 202nd place and 3rd VM70 in 27.57. Meanwhile, Nia Lister was 242nd in 28.48, and Gethin Wyn Jones ran with his child buggy, finishing 348th in 34.14.

GOG Triathlon had John Farrell leading their trio home in 116th place in 25.18, with Connor Thomas 121st in 25.28, and Wendy Trelease 142nd with a CPB 26.08.

Some other local runners included: Youngster Charlie Sheen (44th) in 21.51; Gareth Southworth (45th) in 21.57; Darren Dentith (53rd) in 22.59; Ian Taylor (55th) in 23.09 and Chris Spillane (59th) in 23.17.

CONWY

Fell runner Josh Keogh (NWRRC) was first home at the revised Conwy Parkrun course in 17.23, and Dafydd Bryden took second spot with a CPB, Luke Samuel coming third with another CPB 19.54.

Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was top female in 20.17 (5th overall), and Bronte Lloyd (Clayton le Moors) finished second in 21.51, with Mia Williams third in 22,18. There were 225 finishers.

North Wales Road Runners entered five members including Keogh, plus Richard Scamans, 21st in 23.10, and second VM50, Kay Hatton won her VW60 cat in 45th place in 25.13, and master vet Rob Fryer returned after injury in 93rd place and 3rd VM70 in 29.01. Super-vet Mike Hayton was 109th and 2nd VM75 in 30.13.

GOG Triathlon had seven members running and Jose Eduardo Vega Perez was the club’s first finisher in 19th place in 22.50; with super-vet Liz Evans second (50th overall) in 25.43, and she won her VW75 age cat; with Simon Blain 59th in 26.49.

PENRHYN

Seven of the first 10 female finishers, and five out of the same number of top male placings at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun were all visitors, but Sam Gunning managed to hold off quite a few rivals as the first overall finisher with a new PB and a good time in 16.27, with debutant Ryan Allen second in 18.32 and Daniel Clifford third in 19.03.

The first three females were all debutants with Paz Torres (Spa Striders) first in 21.13, Samantha Mullender second in 21.58, and Meredith Norman (NDAC Jets) third in 22.34.

NWRRC member Will Wiliams finished 5th overall, and won his VM50 age cat in 19.38.
There were 217 finishers.