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Writer's pictureDon Hale

Runners beat the weather and tackled the Great Orme in half-marathon race…plus other race results.


*Some members of the NWRRC team (pictured above) that competed in the Conwy half marathon race last Sunday. RESULTS UPDATED:

Runners beat the weather and tackled the Great Orme in half-marathon race…plus other race results.


It was another memorable morning at the Conwy half-marathon last Sunday as 2,513 runners battled against storm-force blustery winds and steady rain as they tackled a challenging and undulating course around Llandudno’s Great Orme and back. The event, well organised by RunWales, was won in spectacular style however, by local North Wales student Morgan Kendall, who was representing Durham City Harriers & AC, and a regular favourite at the nearby Conwy parkrun. Morgan set a fast pace despite the difficult conditions and a tough route, and easily won the race and his M12-20 age cat in a chip time of just 1 hour, 11 minutes and 55 seconds.

*Pictured above – Morgan Kendall crosses the finish line, and (*below) with his gold medal.

Ryan Davies (Wrexham AC) had to settle as the runner-up, but he was over two minutes behind this young champion but won his M35-39 age cat in 1.14.28, with Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon), 3rd in 1.15.25. After the race, a rather surprised but modest Morgan Kendall explained: “Absolutely brutal conditions out there, and amazing to get my first ever half-marathon win at Conwy. Can’t complain with that one! Very much redemption from the GNR in polar opposite conditions. Cheers to those who have sent me messages or supported on the course. Really appreciate it.” The 1st female finisher was Conwy based runner Alison Campbell in 1.22.05, and she also won her F21-34 age cat, with Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers), 2nd in 1.26.15, and she was 2nd in the same age cat as Alison, whilst Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers), claimed the 3rd female place, and the 3rd spot in the same shared age category in 1.27.39. *And I also noted that Alice’s father, Welsh Master athlete, Sandy Johnston made it a family double podium success when he won the master vet MV70 age cat in a remarkable time of 1.45.47 in 464th place. The overall results include the gender position and provisional finishing positions where possible. North Wales Road Runners entered 24-athletes, who beat the weather to celebrate some excellent finishing times. Jonathan Kettle was the first club runner home in 10th place overall in 1.19.25, and he was 2nd in his M45 age cat. Tom Aindow was next in 78th place (83) in 1.29.29, with Will Evans narrowly dipping under the 90-minute mark to finish 85th (91) in 1.29.42.

*Jonathan Kettle (*right). Stuart Culverhouse was in good form again in 165th place (176) in 1.35.42, with Ben Hudson 218th (231) in 1.37.40, whilst Ben’s wife Sarah Fergie Hudson ran well again as the 41st female athlete in 1.44.14 (415), and she was 6th in her F45 age cat. Steve Poupart was back in action in 401st place (448) in 1.45.11, with birthday boy Dave Jones enjoying his day out in 458th place (512) in 1.46.40. Sion Thomas braved a niggling knee injury to finish in 507th place (574) in 1.48.09, and he was followed by Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones, who was another runner in top form, and she was pleased with her performance as the 79th female finisher (635) in 1.49.26 (gun 1.49.49), with the ever-green Cheryl Frost, fresh from her cross-country success, coming home as 96th female finisher (713), and 3rd in her W55 age cat in 1.48.52 (gun 1.51.42). Steve Roberts had a steady run dedicated to his late father and he was 660th (765) in 1.50.46, with Adam Lemalle 761st (901) in 1.56.00, with experienced pacer Jon Evans on time again in 865th place (1051), in 1.58.23, and he was closely followed by Tony Gibson, who made a rare race appearance in 869th place (1056), in 1.58.31.

*Pictured above - Will Evans, who had a good run at the Conwy half-marathon.


Richard Scamans finished 943rd (1167), in 2.01.23, and Kevin Higgins was 957th (1184), in 2.02.41. Meanwhile, Carol Moss was the 307th female finisher (1407), in 2.06.38, whilst newcomer Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennell ran the course together with Sarah the 366th female, and Daniel was 1,177th (1543), in 2.08.19. And it was good to see Helen Hannam back in race action again as the 399th female (1611), in 2.10.52, with master veteran Mark Mason quickly recovering from a recent fall to finish in 1,317th place (1833), in 2.17.31.

*Tony Gibson (*above) made a rare race appearance in the half-marathon race.

Gwennan Charlton continued her rapid race progress as the 545th female (1882), in 2.19.12, and Rachel Morris utilised her recent marathon success to finish well as the 780th female athlete (2241), in 2.34.54. Following this race, Jonathan Kettle confirmed: “That was tough in the wind, but as always an amazing race on such a beautiful route.” Sarah Fergie Hudson added: “A fab morning running Conwy Half Marathon… a wee bit breezy on the Great Orme, but very chuffed with 1:44:14 on that course!” And Helen Hannam agreed and said: “That was tough, horrendous weather, so very happy to get 2.11.”

Other race results: *Clowne: Kelly Alford and her partner Cai Roberts travelled to Derbyshire on Sunday to compete in the Clowne half-marathon, with Kelly finishing 323rd in 1.55.42, and Cai recording 2.01.46 in 391st place overall. *Stamford: Richard Scamans won his VM50 age cat at the rather hilly Stamford parkrun where he finished 19th in 25.08, and said he was the first NWRRC to take part at this venue. *Beacon: Steve Forsyth was another travelling Road Runner who recorded a good time of 20.21, to finish in 11th place at the Beacon parkrun, and he was 2nd in his VM40 age cat. *Betws-y-Coed: Gwennan Charlton ran in the Betws-y-Coed 10k trail race last Saturday and finished 98th overall in a chip time of 1.22.20.



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