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Volunteers and entrants wanted for Welsh Masters T&F championships at Yate on Sunday 21st July 2024. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The Welsh Masters Athletics Track & Field championships will be held on Sunday 21st July 2024 as part of the Avon/Yate AC Masters Open Championships, and potential entrants are advised to register as soon as possible due to the expected demand for places. It will be staged at the Yate outdoor sports complex and is being organised by the Yate & District AC. And Chris Pruski from WMAL is also appealing for at least three more people to make themselves available on the day to help out with a variety of voluntary tasks. He confirmed: “I am appealing for volunteers for our WMAL champs on 21st July, without much success so far. We need at least three people, but the more the better. Activities include admin registration, medal organising, presentations and setting up signage etc.” Chris added that special temp credit rewards will also be available for any willing volunteers, with details available on this link: https://tempotimecredits.org/sign-up/?invite=dvhsugr2 The Avon/Yate & District AC Masters Open, will also be celebrating 50 years of the Avon Athletic Association. This Masters Open Meeting will be held on Sunday 21st July at Yate Outdoor Sports Complex, BS37 7LB. They say they are pleased to be incorporating both the Avon County and Welsh Masters 2024 Track & Field Championships into the Open Meeting events. Avon County and Welsh Masters medal winners will be identified from the Meeting results and all entries are via this portal. If you are an Avon eligible athlete (http://www.avon-aa.org.uk/eligible.html) it would be helpful if you could inform the organisers in advance - sagrant@blueyonder.co.uk. *Welsh Masters are making their own arrangements. All athletes must be 35 or over on the date of the competition. Any entries from athletes aged under 35 will be rejected and we look forward to welcoming you to Masters athletics when the time comes.  ENTER THE CHAMPIONSHIPS ASAP. *Entries are on-line only via Roster Athletics. You will need to create or sign in to an account with Roster Athletics to enter.  This link to enter confirms all the details about this event: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=24741 Meeting fee £5 plus entry fee of £5 per event. No entries on the day. NO REFUNDS after the closing date. Entries close at midnight on Friday the 12th July 2024. NO LATE ENTRIES WILL BE ALLOWED. Licence Number - OUT24/351 The provisional timetable is listed below. Final event group allocation will be according to age group or seeding where appropriate and timings are subject to change. The 2023 final timetable has been adopted for Field events, but may be modified to reflect the mix of entries. Individual time conflicts will be avoided as much as possible. Hurdle settings and implement weights will operate in 10 years ranges from 35 (V35, V45, V55 etc. up V75) except where hurdles or implements weights require an intermediate age category. Photo-finish and EDM will be in operation. Results on Power of Ten. Competitors in the horizontal jumps and throwing events will be allowed a minimum of 4 trials. TRACK & FIELD - all times indicate the start of the warm-up ie.access to cage/run-up, and competition following on. 11.25 300m Hurdles (W50+, M60+) 10.00 Hammer (V35 men upwards) 11.45 400m Hurdles (W35-49, M35-59) 11.00 High Jump ( V35 women upwards) 12.00 1500m V35 men upwards 11.00 Long Jump (V35 men upwards) 12.20 1500m V35 women upwards 11.30 Hammer (V35 women upwards) 12.30 100m V35 men upwards 13.30 Discus (all competitors - likely to be two concurrent pools) 12.50 100m V35 women upwards 13.30 High Jump (V35 Men upwards) 13.00 400m All competitors 13.30 Triple Jump (all competitors) Track Interval 15.00 Long jump (V35 women upwards) 14:00 80m hurdles W40+, M70+ 15.00 Javelin (V35 women upwards) 14.15 3000m V35 men upwards 15.30 Shot (Final A - likley to be lighter weights) 14.35 100m hurdles W35-39, M50 - V69 16.30 Shot (Final B - likley to be heavier weights) 14.45 110m hurdles men V35-49 16.30 Javelin (V35 men upwards) 14.55 3000m V35 women upwards 15.15 200m V35 men upwards 15.35 200m V35 women upwards 15.55 800m V35 men upwards 16.00 800m V35 women upwards 16.10 5000m V35 men upwards 16.55 5000m V35 women upwards. The Final programme will be published after entries close. UKA Rules including any WMA Competition and Technical rules additions and exceptions will be applied. There will be a qualified massage professional present on the day to help with any niggles! Suggested donation £TBD. Please make an appointment in advance if you can: krobbins0075@gmail.com Avon AA is organising two additional Open Meetings for all ages at the SGS WISE campus in North Bristol: Tuesday 25th June: https://www.entrycentral.com/festival/3657 Tuesday 27th August: https://www.entrycentral.com/festival/3466

*Some of the NWRRC team (above) at the Snowdonia half-marathon (l-r) Hannah Griffith, Adam Lemalle, Kevin Slattery, Dave Jones, Stuart Culverhouse, Steve Roberts, Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones, and Cai Roberts. Ten Road Runners hit peak form despite the heat at the tough Snowdonia half-marathon... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Ten members of North Wales Road Runners competed in the gruelling Snowdonia half-marathon race on Sunday but were pleased with their results despite a rather hot, and humid day. Stuart Culverhouse was the first NWRRC athlete home in 41st place overall with an impressive chip time of 1.47.38, but the club chairman and top veteran athlete Kevin Slattery was perhaps the pick of the team after winning his MV65 age cat with a superb performance in 70th place in 1.53.36. *And as a note of interest, Kevin’s son Ian Slattery, who was visiting, also ran well, and he finished 23rd in 1.42.58. *NWRRC chairman Kevin Slattery (*above left), who won his MV65 age cat. Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones was delighted to finish as the 15th female and she was 5th in her F35-39 age cat in 1.58.34, with Steve Roberts 103rd in 2.00.20, whilst Dave Jones finished 132nd in 2.05.03. After the race Stuart Culverhouse confirmed: “What a tough race in hot/muggy conditions but there can't be many half marathons in such stunning surroundings.” And Dave Jones added: “Snowdonia half-marathon result for me today, 2:05:03. That was a proper tough day at the office out there today. Hills of Doom and far too much heat. The scenery though was spectacular, and a good turn out from NWRRC.” *Pictured above - Steve Roberts and Adam Lemalle. Adam Lemalle finished in 146th place in 2.07.41, and Cai Roberts was 156th in 2.08.20. Meanwhile, Helen Hannam was the 78th female in 2.29.17, and Hannah Griffith ran this challenging course with her sister Siwan Kalatzi, and they both finished together, with Hannah the 87th female in 2.30.33, and Nia Lister also finished well as the 136th female in 2.45.01. *Pictured left - Helen Hannam. The event was well organised by RunWales, and the1st finisher overall was Daniel Sortys (Yelo Runners), in 1.25.10, with Lloyd Williams (Cybi Striders), 2nd in 1.27.12, and John Higgs was 3rd in 1.28.52. The 1st female finisher was Lorna Young (Marsh Lane Harriers), in 1.31.48. *This is the link to the provisional results from the Snowdonia half-marathon: https://www.runwales.com/files/user_uploaded/results/535/Overall%20Results%20Snowdonia%20Half.pdf

*Pictured above - Nurses, NHS medical professionals, and parkrunners, wore blue for International Nurses Day at Conwy last Saturday. Outstanding performances at Conwy parkrun on a bone-hard course to commemorate International Nurses Day and the NHS... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was another bumper turn-out at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, this time to commemorate International Nurses Day, and in support of the NHS, as just short of 300 club and social athletes enjoyed the humid conditions on a bone-hard 5k course to record some outstanding finishing times. *Picture left - Will Williams. North Wales Road Runner Will Williams led home a team of twelve other club members, to finish in 2nd place overall in 18 minutes and 30 seconds, to win his VM50 age cat. And young soccer player Joe Culverhouse, who has just finished playing for his local junior team, set a hot pace throughout, and finished 17th, with a new PB of 21.59, to win his JM11-14 age cat, with his father Stuart Culverhouse coming home next in 27th place in 22.51. Carla Green was the 3rd female finisher, and she also won her VW50 cat with a determined run in 28th place in 22.54, and Richard Scamans was 51st in 24.31. Meanwhile, Steve Bozier returned to parkrun after a break and celebrated 64th place in 25.22, and 3rd spot in his VM45 cat. Another returnee, James Singleton, finished in 72nd place in 25.56, whilst veteran Rob Fryer ran well again, and he was 3rd in his VM65 cat in 96th place overall n 27.03. Gethin Wyn Jones also enjoyed his run in the sun to finish 106th in 27.54, and master vet Don Hale continued with his recovery program in 123rd place in 28.37, and he was 3rd in his VM70-74 age cat and shared the exact same time with his club colleague Vicky Taylor, who finished 4th in her VW45 cat, and just one place adrift. Elizabeth Driscoll and Hannah Griffith also shared the same times with colleague Hannah Griffith, with Elizabeth 185th in 31.37, with Hannah just one place behind. (Above), A good mix of nurses, volunteers and runners at Conwy last Saturday. *The first finisher overall remained unknown at the time of writing at Conwy parkrun, but Will Williams (NWRRC) was 2nd in 18.30, and he won his VM50 age cat, with Jack Kelbrick 3rd in 18.59, and he won his SM30 cat. There were 293 finishers. The 1st female finisher was course debutant Ellen Downs (Westerlands cross-country club), who was 4th overall in 19.03, and she won her SW25-29 age cat. Local athlete Amelia Anderson (Tristars Conwy Junior Triathlon Club) was 2nd (26th overall), with a new PB of 22.48, and she won her SW20 cat, with Carla Green (NWRRC) 3rd (28th), in 22.50, and she also won her VW50 cat. *Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls. This is the link to the provisional results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/ Other parkrun results: *Sutton Manor: Steve Mason was the 1st finisher overall on his course debut at the Sutton Manor Colliery parkrun, and he also won his VM45 age cat in 21.38, finishing some 19-seconds ahead of his nearest rival. *Sandy Johnston (*pictured right). *Penrhyn: Harry Driscoll and Sandy Johnston took part in the Penrhyn Castle parkrun, with Harry finishing well in 16th place in 19.44, and he was 2nd in his SM20 age cat, whilst master veteran Sandy Johnston won his VM70 cat in 23.37 finishing in 37th place. *Newent Park: Ben and Sarah Ferguson travelled to the Newent Park parkrun in Gloucestershire, which was Sarah’s former home patch. And despite running just a week after their marvellous ultra-distance 50-mile plus run, Ben finished 4th overall in 23.20, and won his VM45 age cat, with Sarah also on good form in 13th place, and she was the 2nd female finisher, and she also won her VW45 cat in 25.24. After the event, Sarah confirmed: “Newent parkrun for us this morning, felt better than I thought after last week’s ultra, but was pipped at the post by a young whipper snapper. 2nd lady! Ben was 4th. The course at Newent gets so muddy but it dried out OK. It’s more cross-country than a parkrun but good fun!” *Prestatyn: Veteran Karen Butler put in a great performance at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn and recorded a new PB of 25.20. She finished 35th overall and she claimed the 2nd spot in her VW65 age cat.

*The NWRRC trio (above) who won a total of five medals at the Regional champs. Pictured (l-r): Steve Gardner, Dave Gardner, and Michael Finnie. Road Running trio won five medals, new PBs, and broke some records at NW Track & Field champs. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Three Road Runners took to the track last Saturday at Deeside for the North Wales Regional Track & Field Championships and set some new PBs, won five prestigious medals, and also smashed a couple of Welsh records! Veteran Steve Gardner hit top form in the 3000m race for Senior Men, and he finished in 7th place overall within a quality field and won a gold medal after finishing 1st in his VM60 age cat with a superb new PB time of 11 minutes and 2 seconds. His father Dave Gardner also excelled in the shot put and javelin events and won two gold medals in his VM80 age cat in both events, with some exceptional throws, which are now new Welsh records! Dave’s throws in the shot included 6.01, 6.26. 6.31, and his PB in the final throw of 7.06. And in the javelin, his similar excellent throws were 14.17, 13.18, 14.03, and once again, he recorded a final PB and winning throw of 15.38. After the event, Steve Gardner confirmed: “A lovely sunny day for the championships yesterday, and some good results from NWRRC members. I only did the 3000m. My Dad did the shot put and the javelin, winning both, and I think some new VM80 records in both events.” *Pictured above - father and son - Steve and Dave Gardner at Deeside. And Michel Finnie (*pictured right), followed up his indoor sprint success from last January with two very good performances to win two silver medals in the 60-69 age cats in the 100m and 200m events, despite a long time-lag between the two races. In the Senior Men’s 100m event, he finished 6th, and won his VM65 age cat in a time of 17.78 seconds, and he also finished 6th, and won his MV65 cat in the 200m race in 38.78 seconds, setting new outdoor PBs in both events. Michael later said: “It was very hot and windy. The wind was against us down the straight. My 100m was slow, but I was pleased with my 200m time. The medals were given out in 10-year gaps, so I won silver in both! It was a great atmosphere, and I really enjoyed the crowd.” *This is the link to the provisional results from the NW Track & Field championships last Saturday at Deeside:https://wales.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nwrac/competitor/

*Swansea Harrier Alan Davies (above) crosses the finish line at the recent Cardiff 5k - Race for Victory - event to set a new record. (Photo courtesy of Paul Stillman Sports Photography). an cross-country league earlier this year, (Photo courtesy of Byron J Williams). https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Subject to official confirmation, Welsh Master Alan Davies of Swansea Harriers is another top veteran who may well have smashed the VM70 category World Record for 5k. Running in the Cardiff 5k – Race for Victory - on Sunday 5th May 2024, 71-year-old legend Alan clocked a chip time of 18:01. This is a notable improvement on the 18:17 that he recorded at the Tri Hard Harriers 5k On the Bay in Swansea in August last year. Alan also holds the joint 5k M65 Welsh Masters Record at 18:04. Like fine wine, he is improving with age! *Pictured above - Swansea Harrier Alan Davies - competing in the West Glamorgan cross-country league earlier this year, (Photo courtesy of Byron J Williams).

*Pictured above and below - a delighted David Gibson at London. Welsh Master vet David Gibson wins TLC London Marathon age cat and set the fastest UK time. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Just a couple of weeks before his 72nd birthday, Tri Hard Harrier, and Welsh Master - David Gibson won the VM70 category at the TCS London Marathon held on 21st April, beating 198 other category participants. With a personal best time of 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 31 seconds this is understood to be the fastest male 70-74 time in the UK, and the third fastest in the world this year to date! The 2024 TCS London Marathon was also the 2024 Welsh Road Marathon Championship race. David had an operation at the beginning of January, and so he missed four weeks of training. Having had his training program cut from 16 weeks to 11, his aims were to finish, enjoy it, and to record a respectable time. Having achieved all that, he was somewhat surprised to be the category winner and produce a UK leading time.

*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson at the start of the ultra-marathon race. Report by Don Hale Ben and Sarah’s tough day out tackling the Pennine Barrier 50-mile ultra race... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson took to the hills last Saturday for a rather unusual day-out in the Yorkshire Dales, by competing in the extremely tough 50-mile Pennine Barrier ultra-marathon race, which attracted over 600-top runners. Described by the organisers GB Ultras, as a fantastic event, despite including some 2,593m of ascent, and fusing together some of the finest trails in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this was most certainly a race for the most hardy and experienced athletes.Ben and Sarah put in a tremendous performance, and ran together throughout the day, with Ben eventually becoming the 276th male athlete from 460 finishers, and Sarah the 72nd female athlete from 141 finishers. The race started at the beautiful village of Malham with trails taking in Malham Cove, the Dry Valley of Watlowes, Malham Tarn, Fountains Fell, Janet’s Foss, and the wonderful Yorkshire 3 peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside, and Ingleborough.It followed a stunning, but highly challenging route, backed by excellent support from the GB Ultra’s team, to ensure all runners had a race to remember! *Some spectacular scenery along the route of the Pennine Barrier 50-mile race. After the race, an exhausted but delighted Sarah confirmed: “That was epic! The Pennine Barrier 50-miler – although I ran 52.12 miles - after a minor navigational error (which involved running a mile downhill in the wrong direction, and then having to climb back up). "Thank you to all the amazing volunteers/organisers for being out all day and staying so positive in those conditions. You guys rock! I finished in 14 hrs and 54 minutes. “It was super-tough, and with some rather challenging weather conditions, so now we will have to go back, and do the mountains again, so that we can actually see what they look like! “I managed to stack it running down Whernside and have the cuts and bruises to show for it, but we survived and had the most amazing experience. “Tough terrain and conditions, but an amazing event! So pleased to finish under 15-hours, and before it went dark! Mountain ultras are brutal! Got lost/fell over/awful weather but we survived!”

*Harry Driscoll (*above), was the first NWRRC member back at Conwy. Splash and dash for visiting entrants at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A series of downpours over the previous 24-hours prior to last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, quickly returned this 5k riverside course to its near usual puddle-filled state, but this popular splash and dash event failed to deter a host of top club athletes and tourist runners from recording some excellent results. North Wales Road Runners entered twelve members and collected four age victories and five other top-three placings with young Harry Driscoll leading the team home in 11th place in 19.36, and he was 3rd in his SM20 cat. Steve Mason finished 33rd overall, and he too claimed 3rd place in his VM45 cat in 21.43, with Steve Roberts improving again in 45th place, and he was 2nd in his VM55 cat in 22.51. *Pictured right - Steve Mason. And veteran athlete Cheryl Frost enjoyed a great result to win her VW55 cat, finishing 54th in 23.22, whilst master veteran Sandy Johnston recorded his best parkrun time since October last year, to win his VM70 age cat in 60th place in 23.47. Kay Hatton was another veteran athlete in top-form, and she won her VW60 cat finishing 68th overall in 24.13, with Hannah Griffith 109th in 25.55, and Rob Fryer was pleased with his time of 27.23, following his return to parkrun in 148th place, and he also won his VM65 cat. Ceri Jones was 156th in 27.52, and master veteran Barrie Wells claimed 3rd place in his VM70 cat, finishing 165th overall in 28.13, with John O’Shea also claiming the 3rd spot in his VM65 cat finishing 187th in 29.27, with Elizabeth Driscoll 306th in 46.34. *The first finisher at Conwy parkrun was visitor Robin Stacey (York Acorn), who won his SM30 age cat in just 17.41, with Lloyd Williams (Cybi Striders), 2nd in 17.47, and Helen Warburton (Gosforth Harriers), 3rd overall, and she also claimed the first female spot, and won her SW25-29 age cat on her debut in 17.51. And additional praise to Simon Cole(GOG Triathlon), in 4th place in 18.10. *And with Helen taking the 1st female place, Lucy Brain finished 2nd (13th overall), on her debut in 19.53, and she won her VW40 cat, whilst Vicky Cole (GOG Triathlon), took the 3rd female place (29th), with a new course PB of 21.15. There were 316 finishers. *Credit was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls. This is the link to the provisional results at Conwy. https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/ Other parkrun results: *Prestatyn: Martin and Carla Green celebrated a family double, and recorded new PBs at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn, with Martin the 1st finisher overall, with a course PB of 17.24, to win his VM45 age cat, whilst Carla also claimed a new PB, as the 1st female finisher (10th overall) in 20.31, and well done also to Karen Butler who ensured the Road Runners claimed a unique hat-trick of age cat results, following a very good performance to finish 51st on her Nova debut in 25.27, to win her VW65 cat. *Pictured above - Carla and Martin Green at Conwy parkrun. *Penrhyn: Will Evans and his daughter Molly took part in the Penrhyn Castle parkrun with Will finishing 7th with a new PB of 19.47 and he was 3rd in his VM40 age cat, whilst Molly made both her club and course debut, and she ran very well to win her SW18 cat in 66th place in 27.13. Stuart Culverhouse and his young son Joe also enjoyed their outing with Stuart finishing 12th in 20.38, and he was 2nd in his VM50 cat, with Joe winning his JM11-14 cat in 24th place, with a new PB in 22.39. *Liverpool: Kevin Higgins took time out from a friend’s stag party celebrations to run in the Princes Park parkrun in Liverpool, which he completed in 30.20, finishing 426th out of 618 runners in 30.34.

*Will Evans (above), was the first NWRRC member back at Conwy. Fast times at Conwy parkrun despite hard, dry, and bumpy conditions...plus reports from runners at Nova parkrun. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was hard, dry, and very bumpy, at Conwy parkrun last Saturday as some 239 mixed ability entrants from varied parts of the UK recorded new personal best times (PBs), over this picturesque but challenging 5k course. North Wales Road Runners entered ten members, with Will Evans finishing 4th, and he won his VM40 age cat in 20.01, but he was only three-seconds ahead of his talented young club colleague Harry Driscoll, following a lively final dash. Harry though claimed the second spot in his SM20-24 age seemed satisfied with 5th place overall. *Pictured above - Jamie Tharme. Jamie Tharme was 3rd in his VM45 cat in 32nd place in 22.33, with promising youngster Joe Culverhouse 34th, and he won his JM11-14 cat in 22.41. Richard Scamans enjoyed a positive run and he finished 44th in 23.49, and it was also good to see Gethin Wyn Jones continuing his fitness battle in 79th place in 26.22. Pictured above - Richard Scamans. Master veteran Barrie Wells won his VM70 age cat in 26.37 after finishing 85th, whilst fellow master, Mark Mason was 3rd in the same age cat, following another good run in 109th place in 28.13. Nia Lister was the club’s only female entrant at Conwy, but she celebrated after a good performance of 28.48 in 120th place, with veteran John O’Shea132nd, and 3rd in his VM65 age cat in 29.39. The first finisher overall at Conwy was SM20 winner, Harri Jackson (Menai T&F), in 18.37, with VM45 cat winner James Williams (Lymm Runners), 2nd in 19.15, and VM35 cat winner Oliver Seddon 3rd with a new PB of 19.43. And it was good to note a rare parkrun appearance by RunWales boss Chris Yorke who finished 6th overall in 20.09. *The first female finisher was SW25 cat winner, Elin Jones, with a new course PB of 21.00, with rival Bethan Joneswinning her VW35 age cat with a similar PB in 21.46, whilst another highly promising young local athlete Rosie Parsleywon her JW11-14 cat with an excellent run in 23.54. *Praise was given to the Conwy run director Gwyn Williams, and to all his hardworking crew of volunteers and marshalls. This is a link to the provisional results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/ Debuts and PBs for six Road Runners at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun. Six Road Runners travelled to the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn last weekend and recorded some impressive results, with several members also making their course debuts. Carla Green was the 1st female finisher (11th overall), with a new PB of 20.58, and she also won her VW50 age cat. Karl Morris was 21st on his debut in 22.59, and he was 2nd in his VM40 cat, with another debutant, Hannah Griffith,claiming 2nd place in her VW50 cat in 49th place in 26.13. Elizabeth Driscoll was the final debutant in 89th place in 29.05, and she was another 2nd placed finisher, this time in her VW55 cat, whilst Gwennan Charlton set a new PB of 29.50 in 101st place, with Rachel Morris 166th in 35.41. *Carla Green (above), enjoyed a good result at the Nova parkrun.

*The NWRRC team at the Goldrush trail races (above l-r): Tony Price Jones, Will Williams, Stuart Culverhouse, Jonathan Kettle, Steve Poupart, Adam Lemalle, Dave Jones, Philip Moss and Vicky Taylor. Road Runners dug deep to win podium places at the tough Goldrush Trail races...plus other race results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Ten North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC) had to dig deep last weekend to complete the tough Goldrush 8.5-mile trail and/or the Goldrush Canicross race last Saturday afternoon at Coed y Brenin to win five prestigious podium placings! This popular, and well organised event attracted a wealth of experienced competitors from far afield, with entries generally sold out many months in advance. Race officials claimed that it includes some of the best trails and singletrack that Coed y Brenin has to offer, and the event also incorporated one of the best Canicross (runners racing with their dog) races on the calendar. Canicross participants competed on the same route as the trail runners but started 30-minutes later. This year it attracted about 50 canine entrants, with another 150 plus, tackling the earlier main race. Jonathan Kettle led the NWRRC team home in 6th place overall with another fine display in 1.03.36, and he was 2nd in his M40 cat. And, then Jack-of-all-trades - Will Williams – celebrated another great run in 1.08.07, winning his M50 age cat in 11th place. Stuart Culverhouse was also a happy man with his time of 1.13.34 in 23rd place and winning the 3rd spot in his M50 cat. ​ *Pictured right - Jonathan Kettle. Adam Lemalle was another athlete in top-form, and he finished 32nd in 1.17.21, with Steve Poupart 51st in 1.23.05. And club newcomer and veteran athlete Philip Moss celebrated an exceptional performance to win 2nd place in his M60 age cat after finishing 59th overall in 1.25.26. Dave Jones managed to shake-of his injury woes to finish 66th in 1.27.35, with Tony Price Jones 71st in 1.28.29, whilst a determined Vicky Taylor recorded a highly creditable 132nd place in 1.54.34. Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones stole the show however with a great new PB following her Goldrush Canicross race running alongside her ever-so-cute dog Mollie, with the pair ran home in 12th place overall, and Charlotte was the 3rd female finisher, and she was 2nd in her FSen age cat in 1.17.00. *Charlotte is pictured (above), with her canine partner Mollie. After the race Charlotte confirmed: “3rd place today, and massive congratulations to Mollie for completing the Goldrush 8.5 mile, Canicross Trail Race. She was amazing, and a new course PB for me, thanks to Mollie!” Other race reactions: Jonathan Kettle added: “Well done to everyone who ran at the Gold-Rush race. What a fantastic turnout in a trail race by the club, and I think I speak for everyone by saying it was very tough but so much fun. And a massive well done for finishing 3rd lady in the Canicross race. Dave Jones said: “It was a very tough trail race today in 1.27.29 for 66th place. Happy with that coming back from resting a foot injury for 3 weeks.” And Will Williams, (*pictured above), who ran on Friday night at the Mid Cheshire elite 5k, in addition to the Goldrush Trail Race explained: “What a weekend of racing and contrasts. On Friday evening, I competed at my favourite 5k road race, the Mid-Cheshire 5k. Hugely disappointed though, with how I ran and the time. I didn’t take much away except negative thoughts, but reminded myself where I was 4 years ago, and it’s just a matter of time, and I will be back hitting the times I want again! “Roll on 24hrs, and the Gold Rush Trail Race at Coed y Brenin. 8m plus, and a change of trail with 1,394ft of elevation. No goals, no pace, no time target, no need to look at the watch, so just run hard to enjoy and run free with no expectation. Absolutely loved it, and the best I’ve ran this year, 11th overall, and 1st in age cat. Will definitely be running a lot more trail races this year.” *The Goldrush race was won by Harry Woodford in 1.00.28, with former NWRRC member Josh Keogh 2nd in 1.01.57, with Evan Davies 3rd in 1.02.37. The 1st female finisher was Annie Conway in 1.11.02, with Elly Blackwell (Meirionnydd RC), 2nd in 1.16.49, and Amanda Bailey (Wrexham AAC), 3rd in 1.17.27. *This is the link to the provisional Goldrush race results: https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4003#0_A8C302 Other race results: *Cheshire: Will Williams competed in the Friday night in the elite Mid Cheshire 5k race and recorded a superb time of just 17.57. *Bala: Mal Preece made his course debut in the Pont y Bala parkrun on Saturday and enjoyed a great run finishing 2nd overall, and he also won his M60-64 age cat with a fast time of 20.36.

Builth & District Running Club are presenting – An Evening with Adharanand Finnon...supporting the Bracken Trust Charity! Please join us for a fascinating talk from leading running author, podcast creator, writer, and runner Adharanand Finnon Friday 24th May. Come and listen to his experiences, his journey, and his running life at the Jubilee Hall, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells (LD2 3TF). The author of RUNNING WITH THE KENYANS. Doors open at 6.30pm, talk to start at 7pm. Food, bar, and live music on site. For full information on Adharanand - https://www.adharanandfinn.com/ *Everybody welcome - please bring your friends. https://www.entrycentral.com/adharanandfinn?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR01g2v8ehvOmJro4PToOOpswNkMhFsQ_UY3V3lQ05M_mflW0F-PT46YTW4_aem_Aady1DN9WYEPRLTv_Qalpdk71GFtC9qHP6WihzuSqkLS8ywqUs3b5g7QJbSLO7_vzCjeAtKV_R87zLP3fG3_vfA9

*North Wales Road runner Mal Preece (above) at the London Marathon. Mixed emotions but a great experience for athletes at the London Marathon...plus other results and updates... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Seven North Wales Road Runners competed in the televised London Marathon last Sunday amongst a mass participation of some 50,000 runners, who raised tens of thousands of pounds for various worthy charities, with many athletes recalling mixed emotions and personal best times! Mal Preece was the first NWRRC member home with an excellent time of 3 hours and 20 minutes, and he celebrated following a great new PB time. Afterwards he confirmed: “Very pleased with a new six-minute PB. I ran my first marathon back in 2011 at Chester, and to date I’ve knocked 20 minutes off that time. Looking to chip away my latest PB again next year with GFA time. My goal was to get my qualifying time for Berlin next year, which I achieved.” *Pictured (above) Ben and Sarah Hudson. Will Evans was also on top form to record 3.27, but later admitted just how hard this race, stating: “Wow! That was a long way, and it nearly broke me, but happy to go under 3.30.” Ben and Sarah Hudson enjoyed the occasion but also faced mixed emotions, with Ben claiming a new PB by finishing in 3.31, and Sarah recording 3.47, but she too spoke of the exhausting challenge of this popular event and confirmed: “It was not my day today, but I left it all out there. What an experience! It didn’t quite go according to any of my plans, and I was totally broken half-way around. “No excuses, but just so proud to finish in 3.47, and even more proud of Ben and his new PB. Thank you so much for all words of support and sponsorship…means so much. And here’s to Berlin and another crack at our sub 3.30 mission!” Samantha Williams was thrilled with her time of 4.40, which was her second fastest marathon time, and Kelly Marie Alford and her partner Cai Roberts ran well whilst running for charity in their telly-tubby fancy dress costumes, finishing in 4.51. *There were additional plaudits to other local charity fundraisers including Conwy parkrunner Elaine Heyes who completed the London Marathon in 4.55, and also to Josie Davies, and Mandy Owen. Other race results: *Wrexham: Sion Thomas ran in the Wrexham 10k last Sunday and finished 74th out of 782 entrants with a good time of 44.15. *Caernarfon: Gwennan Charlton competed in the Moel Smytho Orienteering event last weekend at Rhosgadfan, near Caernarfon, which included a 3.6k challenging course and she finished in 33.29. News snippets: International selection: There were international call-ups this month by Welsh Masters for three NWRRC members, including Will Williams, and husband and wife duo Martin and Carla Green, for two varied distance events. This formidable trio have been selected to represent Wales at the forthcoming Masters’ international 10k race at Birmingham on Sunday 5th May, and then in the Masters’ International half-marathon race in Manchester on Sunday 26th May. Deganwy Dash proves to be as popular as ever. Race full: Entries for the popular 5-mile Deganwy Dash, now known as Rohan’s Run, in memory of student Rohan Ingley, have now closed, as the 350-entry limit has now been reached. This event on Friday 31st May, will help to raise thousands of pounds for children’s cancer charities, and follows the Conwy Estuary pathway, including a very picturesque route from Deganwy Quay to the RSPB reserve via the Cob and back.