Local quartet ran well in the Berlin Marathon
Report by Don Hale. Conwy photographs by Michael (Pat) Finnie
A quartet of local runners took part in the famous Berlin Marathon on September 27 – and they all celebrated following good performances.
This prestigious televised event is one of the major World Marathon Championships and attracts many of the top global athletes who compete for record finishing times and bumper pay rewards.
The local runners, however, simply ran just for fun, and to share the amazing experiences, and this year included Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) who dipped well under the three-hour mark with an excellent time of 2 hours 54 minutes and 33 seconds.
Will Evans (NWRRC) was also pleased with his result in 3.08.27. And plaudits also went to Will’s daughter and club colleague Molly Evans, who recorded 4.11.04, with Nia Lister additionally running well in 4.47.28.
OTHER ROAD RESULTS
*Shrewsbury: Ultra-distance couple Ben and Sarah Hudson (NWRRC) took part in the Shrewsbury half-marathon on September 27 following their appearance at the Rhos parkrun the previous day. In a well-attended event, Ben finished 308th in a chip time of 1.43.27, and Sarah was 658th, 108th female finisher and 6th in her F45 age cat in 1.56.35
*Aintree: Kevin Higgins (NWRRC) completed the Aintree 10k in 58.05, and was 5th VM60.
URBAN NIGHT RACES
Event organiser Gwen Charlton confirmed the start of the popular local night race series and said: “The first of our Urban Night
Races kicks off on Thursday 8th October, and we’re starting on our home ground in Llandudno! Hope to see lots of you there! It’s cheap to enter, with options to run solo, as a team or alongside a junior. Enter here:
https://pre-entries.co.uk/…/r/Cid3vRzXQzu3zml8waXgqQ
NORTH WALES PARKRUN RESULTS – SEPTEMBER 27
LLANDRILLO-YN-RHOS
There was a keen battle for top placings at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun a week last Saturday with James Yarwood and his twin buggy facing stiff competition from youngsters Finley Potter and Ebin Jones.
James (Wrexham AAC) eventually claimed top spot in 17.02, but was pressed all the way around this picturesque 5k course by JM11-14 athlete Finlay in 17.21, and JM15-17 Eben (Warriors Pentathlon & AC) in 18.11. And quite amazingly, the first 10
finishers all dipped under 19 minutes!
First female finisher was Samia Jones (Menai T&F) on her debut (11th overall) in 19.24, followed by Elise 0’Neale with a new CPB in 20.55, and Amelia Anderson in 21.10. There were 359 finishers.
This event once again attracted numerous mixed ability, and social runners and walkers, in addition to a welcome large contingent from the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group, together with representatives from several other local cancer organisations.
North Wales Road Runners had nine members involved: Ben Hudson finished 34th and 2nd VM45 in 21.38, and Sarah Hudson was 75th in 24.20. Richard Scamans was 37th and 3rd VM50 in 21.51, and Jenny Appleton placed 67th and 2nd VW55 cat with a CPB 24.04. Karen Butler won her VW65 age cat in 80th place in 24.44; and master vet Don Hale was top VM70 cat in 27.23 in 143rd. Gethin Wyn Jones was 213th after running with his baby buggy in 30.07; Karen’s husband and veteran Sean Butler clocked a CPB in 30.27 in 217th and Helen Hannam ran as a guide with Barry Dickenson in 283/284th
places in 34.40.
Colwyn Bay AAC had three runners: Rebecca Downs 40th in 22.14; Chris Spillane 68th in 24.05, and JM11-14 athlete Lukas Pusnovas 119th in 26.17. GOG Triathlon entered six members with Graeme Tunstall 12th in 19.44; Steve Owen 18th in 20.18; and Andy Jones 31st in 21.21. Porth Eirias Runners also had six runners, and their first three were Barry Palmer 63rd in 23.57; Kevin Baines 141st in 27.19; and Tal Michael 154th in 27.37.
Some additional local runners of note were; Daniel Huws (NW parkrunners) 57th with CPB 23.30; James Yarwood’s JM10 son Hugo, 60th in 23.41; Andrew Roberts (NW parkrunners) 64th in 23.58 and Jonathan Kettle 69th in 24.05.
CONWY
Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC) was first finisher at Conwy Parkrun in 18.51 with Gareth Huffen second following a CPB 19.01; and Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) third and first female finisher in 19.24. The other ladies were Alice Horsfield second in 22.16, and debutant Kimberley Morris third in 24.14. There were 192 finishers.
NWRRC: Steve Bozier 6th overall and 1st VM45 in 20.05, while Rob Fryer was a tail walker in 59.19.
GOG Triathlon had six entries: John and Michelle Farrell 33/34th in 24.17; and Joshua White 37th in 24.38. Colwyn Bay AAC: All members of the Charlton family with two JM11-14 runners in Edward 50th in 26.09, Daniel 78th in 28.49, and JM10 youngster Hugh 113th in 31.02.
Other local runners included: Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 21st in 22.26; Karl Morris (Eryri Harriers) 25th in 23.35; whilst Bethan Wyn Roberts and Amanda Durber ran the course together in 81/82nd places in 29.00; and Pam Grant and Carol
Wildgoose (Halifax Harriers), also ran together in 122/123rd places in 31.37.
PRESTATYN
Ian Lawton (Mersey Tri) won the Nova Parkrun in 17.18, Aaron Dodwell was second in 18.12, with Evan Lewis was a close third
in a CPB in 18.17. Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) was first female in 21.49, with Lily Johnson (Quays RC) second on her debut in 24.01, and Katie Baker (Prestatyn RC) took the third spot with a CPB 24.18. *There were 267 finishers.
Prestatyn RC entered 21 members and their top three were: 4th Alex Ryder in 18.18; Dafydd Montgomery 14th in 20.39; and Eve Manifold 21st in 21.49. Plaudits also to Neil Davidson in 61st place and 2nd VM65 in 25.26; plus, Grahame Shone 2nd VM75 and 139th in 30.45 and Stephen Hatfield 261st and 1st VM80 56.27.