New Golden Welsh record for Steve Gardner at the Masters finals

Report by Don Hale

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North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner, who has represented Team GB at various track championships at home and abroad, claimed a great new PB, set a new Welsh record and struck gold in the 800m race at the Masters Inter-Area T&F championships
at Yate.

This time competing for Welsh Masters Athletics, veteran Steve was one of nine top Welsh athletes who won their respective age categories at this prestigious event, and he also smashed the current Welsh MV60 cat, subject to ratification, after finishing second in his race in 2 minutes 15.34 seconds – only just behind World record holder Rob McHarg of Scotland.

After his successful run, Steve confirmed: “There were many great performances from this meeting by fellow Welsh representatives, and other area teams. From a personal perspective, the meeting was a fantastic success I finished 2nd in the 800m improving my PB from 2:19:14 to 2:15:34 (94.62% age grade).”

He also paid tribute to fellow North Wales based colleague Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) who made his WMAL team and track debut in the 1500m race where he finished in a highly credible fourth place.

Road Runners enjoyed sun-drenched relay races on the prom

Report by Don Hale

Members of North Wales Road Runners enjoyed a very warm and sun-drenched evening of annual summer relay races last Tuesday night (August 12) on Llandudno promenade.

The event included six teams of mixed ability male and female athletes, with each member running one of three varied distances out and back along courses packed with visitors.

The club championship was eventually won by Team 3, followed by Team 1, and then Team 5.

The teams and finishing times in order of merit were as follows: Team 3 – Gwen Charlton 5.14, Molly Evans 12.16, and Mal Preece 26.57. Team 1: Don Hale 5.23, Tony Gibson 13.11, and Will Evans 27.04. Team 5: Kevin Higgins 5.23, Richard Scamans 11.59, and Adam Lemalle 27.13. Team 2: Helen Hannam 4.55, Jenny Appleton 12.14, and Steve Bozier 27.33. Team 4: Rob Fryer 5.24, Kay Hatton 12.45, and Stuart Culverhouse 27.45. And Team 6: Hannah Griffith 5.00, Kevin Slattery 11.19, and Steve Roberts 28.52.

After the races the club members attended the ROAB club in town for a fish and chip supper, where plaudits were given to event organisers John Hatton, Carla Green, Elizabeth Driscoll, and other club volunteers.

Results round-up from North Wales parkruns

Report by Don Hale

Fell and mountain runner Josh Keogh was first finisher on his course debut at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday with a superb time of just 16 minutes and 37 seconds.

This event again attracted a host of top and talented club runners including visitor Robin Stacey (York Acorn), who was second in 17.18, and teenage debutant Oliver Woodman (Ivanhoe Runners), third in 17.28, with James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy, this week pushed down into 4th place in 17.28.

The first four runners all ran under 18 minutes, and indeed the first 22 finishers all dipped all 20 minutes. The ladies also claimed some excellent times with first-timer Francesca Monticelli the first female finisher in 19.33, and Annabelle Corlett was second in 20.07, with fellow debutant Bethan Parry third with a new course PB in 22,07. There were 467 finishers

NWRRC entered seven members with Benjamin Brummit 50th on his debut in 22.14, and Jenny Appleton was 96th in 24.26, and won her VW55 age cat, whilst Karen Butler was 109th and 1st VW65 with a new PB 24.57. Master vet Don Hale was 189th and 3rd VM70 in 27.44, with Elizabeth Driscoll 234th in 29.26. Hannah Griffith placed 235th in 29.27, and it was good to see Sean Butler back in action again on his course debut in 362nd place in 35.33.

Additional local runners of note included: Gwyn Williams (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners) 31st with a new PB 20.22; Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 55th in 22.30; Andrew Roberts (NW parkrunners) CPB 22.47; Dave Munday 62nd CPB 23.04; Martin Cortvriend (Prestatyn RC) 71st and 1st VM70 23.42,amd Morgan Kendall (Meirionnydd RC) 73rd in 23.47.

CONWY

Travelling athlete and teenager Tim Perry (Northern Isle of Man AC) was first finisher at Conwy Parkrun with a new course PB of 17.55, yet shared the exact same time with fellow JM15-17 athlete Joe Culverhouse (NWRRC), who also claimed a CPB, whilst first-timer Craig Eden was third on his debut in 18.50.

Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was first female once again in 19.50, followed by Katie Freestone (North Derbyshire RC) on her debut in 22.58 and Mia Williams in 23.01. There were 204 finishers.

NWRRC entered five members with Joe Culverhouse leading the team home in second overall, his dad Stuart Culverhouse 14th and 2nd VM50 in 20.45. Richard Scamans took 28th place and was 3rd VM50 in 23.14, whilst master vet Rob Fryer was 1st VM70 in 85th place in 27.51, and Nia Lister was 129th in 31.59.

GOG Triathlon had ten runners with Tom Simpson 29th and 1st VM40 in 23.17; John Farrell 32nd and 2nd VM60 in 23.40, Neil Vicars-Harris won his VM55 cat in 35th place in 23.55; and Michelle Farrell was 38th and 1st VW45 in 24.03, whilst evergreen super-vet Liz Evans won her VW75 section in 56th place in 25.40.

PRESTATYN

Teenager Jack Richards won the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn with an impressive display in 19.00, followed by veteran Jonny Roberts in 19.26 and Robert Grima (Prestatyn RC), who celebrated a CPB of 20.11.

The first female was Jess Jaques with a new course CPB 20.43, with Kamaal Richardson second in 23.16, and JW11-14 athlete Freya Roberts-Howie third in 23.37.

Prestatyn RC entered 20 members and their top three were Robert Grima 3rd and 1st SM30 in 20.11, Marc Jones 11th and 1st VM60 in 21.45; and Judah Eastwell was 2nd VM40 cat in 22.07. Michael Davis finished 180th and 1st VM75 in 31.35; and Linda Friar place 257th and 2nd VW60 in 38.23. There were 322 finishers.

PENRHYN

There was a good turnout of some 323 entrants at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun and the first three finishers all celebrated new course PBs, including Andrew Douse (Cybi Striders) in 17.54, with teenager Christopher Finch (Striders of Croydon AC) second in 18.19, and JM 11-14 athlete Alexander Gunn (Yaxley Runners & Joggers) third in 18.23.

First female was Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in 19.44, and Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) was second in 20.19, with JW11-14 athlete Fiona Horne third in 20.55.

Two North Wales Road Runners in Sandy Johnston and Kevin Higgins also enjoyed good runs. Alice’s father Sandy won his VM75 age cat in 85th place in 25.50; and Kevin completed his 65th birthday week with his fourth run in that period, clocking 28.32, knocking over a minute from his previous best time.