Monday 27 July 2015

Push Up The Pincyn

WILLIAMS QUICKEST OFF THE GRID

Mark Williams (F1), who is based in Kuala Lumpur, had another successful foray into the woods of his native Vale of Clwyd when he chalked up his third win in the Push Up The Pincyn multi-terrain race from Clawddnewydd.

 Because of a clash with a British qualifying fell-race numbers were down on the usual but Williams, who usually has a battle with Buckley's Jez Brown, this time had to face his clubmate Andy Pritchard.

 Results: 1 M Williams (F1, M40) 47.52, A Pritchard (Buckley, M40) 50.10, 3 G Porter Jones (Eryri, M40) 50.41, 4 J Bowyer (ua, M40) 51.42, 5 N Coppack (Clwydian, M40) 52.20, 6 R Watson (Colwyn Bay) 52.42. M50: N Dalleywater (ua) 54.51. M60: K Hughes (Wrecsam Tri) 66.40. M70: P Roberts (Buckley) 65.48. Ladies: 1 C Belshaw (Denbigh) 57.55, 2 H Evans (Buckley) 63.05, 3 H Turner (Eryri) 65.26. L40: A Kenney (ua) 84.03.

Sunday 26 July 2015

North Wales Half

MISERABLE CONDITIONS AFFECT TIMES

The wet and windy conditions along the seafront and on Conwy Mountain seriously affected  the finishing times in the North Wales Half-Marathon, but the  standard of entries was also way below last year.

 The race was won by Luke Beresford (Ripley) in 80.52, a time which would have placed him only 28th last year.

 The first woman was Denbigh Harriers' evergreen L50 Emma Collins.

 The full results can be found on the TDL Events website.

British Fell Champion

HAT-TRICK GIVES SPJ THE TITLE

Since turning 60 in November Eryri's Stephen P Jones has  totally dominated his age-group and so it was no great surprise when he took the M60 title in the British fell-racing championship.

 After  victories in the Moelwyn and Dunsdeer races he clinched it with one race left by claiming his third win in the 7.2k LLingmell Dash race at Wasdale in the Lake District.

Thursday 23 July 2015

Race The Train

BENTLEY CRUISES TO ANOTHER WIN

 Four days after finishing as the first local in the Snowdon race Russ Bentley did it again,  though the gradient was much gentler this time.

 In winning the Race the Train 5k to Caernarfon he became only the second person to break 15 minutes, whilst behind him there were some fine performances from several young athletes.

 Results : 1 R Bentley (Eryri) 14.55, 2 C Evans (ua) 15.44, 3  O Roberts (Eryri) 15.48, 4 P Wathan (Eryri) 15.52, 5 R Cain (Menai, U18) 15.55, 6 R Owen (Eryri, U16) 16.10. U16: 2 I James (Colwyn Bay) 16.25, 3 S Jones (Menai) 16.38. M40: 1 J Parkinson (Eryri) 16.18, 2 D Owen (Eryri) 16.38, 3 D Charyssbes (Ealing) 16.43. M50: 1 A Roberts (ua) 18.27, 2 A Lewis (Eryri) 18.48, 3 P Cain (ua) 19.30. M60: 1 S Longman (ua) 21.54, 2 D Morris (ua) 27.12. M65: 1 G Shone (A bergele) 20.20.57, 2 G Hughes (Prestatyn) 21.08. M70: 1 B Robbins (Eryri) 21.44, 2 D Williams (Eryri) 23.55. M75: D Hughes (Prestatyn) 25.49. Ladies: 1 G Brown (NWRR) 19.09, 2 L Hughes (ua) 19.17, 3 T Llewellyn (Cybi, L35) 19.32, 4 R Kamink (Colwyn Bay, U18) 19.37, 5 C Pollock (ua, L35) 20.04, 6  H Jones (Betsi's Runaways)  20.15. U16: 1 C Vaughan (Colwyn Bay) 21.39, 2 E Hampton (Ysgol Brynrefail) 25.40, 3 C Matthew (Ysgol Cybi) 26.47. L18: 2 L Cain (Ysgol Syr Huw Owen) 23.12, 3 L35: 3 M Duggan (ua) 20.57. L45: 1 H McArthur (Colwyn Bay) 20.24, 2 A Mynott (ua) 20.57, 3 E Wood (Eryri) 22.13. L55: 1 D Holmes (ua) 24.53, 2 S Thomas (ua) 28.08, 3 R Williams (ua) 32.05. L60: S Longman (ua) 32.13.

Monday 20 July 2015

Gold for Malone

EUROPEAN GOLD

Deeside's in-form sprinter Shannon Malone  played a key part in the success of the GB and Northern Ireland team at the European championships in Sweden.

 The U20 4 x 100 metres quartet won their heat and qualified for the final by coming third, but then everything clocked for them.

 Malone had a cracking opening leg and with all the handovers working like clockwork the quartet came home first in 44.18, the fourth fastest time ever recorded by a GB junior team.

Hughes PB

PB FOR IOLO - AND SILVER FOR SISTER CARI

Menai's Iolo Hughes travelled to Birmingham at the weekend for the BMC Grand Prix meeting and came away with a new pb of 4-18.77 for the mile, finishing 11th overall.

 Meanwhile his sister Cari took silver for Wales in the U17 1,500 metres at the British Schools' international in Grangemouth, with a time of 4-32.38.

 At the same meeting Lauren Williams (Maldwyn) also came second in the  300m hurdles in a pb of 44.10.

Sunday 19 July 2015

Snowdon Race

MANY HAPPY RETURNS FOR EMANUELE

Emanuele Manzi, a six-time winner of the Italian mountain-running championship, had waited a long time for his victory in the International Snowdon  Race.

 The 37-year-old, whose uncle Fabio Ciaponi won the race in 1994, was second in both 2001 and 2003, but he came back to win in style.

 He and two fellow Italians led from the start and touched the turnaround point at the summit  almost together before Manzi pulled away to win. His time of 70.18 was the slowest in the race's 40-year history, possibly due to the strong wind which buffeted runners on the ascent.

 First local finisher, in eighth place overall, was Beddgelert-based Russell Bentley in 74.47, with his Eryri Harrier clubmate Richard Roberts the first member of the Wales team  five places behind in 75.59.

 The women's race was won by Sarah McCormack (Republic of Ireland), who was also first in 2014 when bad weather led to the course being shortened.

 First welsh woman  home was Katie Beecher (Les Croupiers), with Andrew Rowland (Eryri) from Mochdre, the first North Walian.

 The Snowdon Super Cup, held earlier in the day and involving an uphill run to the summit, was won by young English runner Max Nicholls, with Emmie Collinge (Vegetarian Cycling AC), finishing sixth overall and setting a new ladies' record for the climb.

 In 11th place overall was prolific racer Rob Grantham (Pensby), who, three hours later, ran in the main race, clocking a highly creditable 1-27.25.

 The full results are on the TDL Events website.

Druid race

NEWCOMER SPRINGS A SURPRISE

Kliver James, a new name on the local scene, surprised the regular competitors by claiming an impressive win in the Druid fell-race from Llanferres.

 Results : 1 K James (ua, M40) 32.39, 2 K Steinegger (Ambleside) 33.45, 3 I Houston (Wrecsam Tri, M45) 34.03, 4 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 34.09, 5 S Skates (Clwydian, M40) 35.10, 6 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 35.44. M45: 2 N Ashcroft (Ambleside) 36.41, 3 J Williams (Wrecsam Tri) 38.16. M50: 1 V Belshaw (Denbigh) 38.13, 2 D Boothroyd (Buckley) 40.52, 3 P Gillard (Helsby) 43.21. M55: J Jenkin (Tattenhall) 41.00. M60: S Bellis (Buckley) 43.06. M65: N Griffiths (Spectrum) 53.00. U23: J Romero-Edwards (Buckley) 44.37.
 Ladies: 1 A Robinson (Tattenhall) 41.40, 2 S Fourie (Chester Tri, L40) 43.08, 3 B Sutcliffe (Chester Tri) 43.11, 4 C Belshaw (Denbigh) 43.44, 5 A Lewis (Pensby, L40) 44.08, 6 K Lightfoot (Tattenhall, L40) 45.53. L45: K Frankland (Tattenhall) 49.45. L50: K Stott (Tattenhall) 48.33.

Parkruns

ANOTHER NW PARKRUN PLANNED


After the success of the two North Wales Parkruns at Conwy and Deganwy another is now scheduled.

 Deeside AC are involved in the event which will be held at Wepre Park, Connah's Quay, every Saturday from September.

Thursday 16 July 2015

T al y Fan race

ANOTHER RECORD FOR GRANTHAM

There's just no stopping flying policeman Rob Grantham these days.

 The veteran, who is in the form of his life, se t a new M40 record in winning the Tal y Fan race from Rowen after a close battle with fellow-vet Jez Brown and Tim Budd.

 Eryri's Derek Weaver took a minute off the M60 record and Sarah Ridgway sliced an amazing eight minutes off the previous best in the L40 class.

 Results: 1 R Grantham (Pensby, M40) 69.36, 2 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 70.58, 3 T Budd (Glossopdale) 71.42, 4 H O'Donnell (Eryri) 72.12, 5 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 73.57, 6 M Davies (NWRR, M40) 74.16. M50: 1 R Owen (Eryri) 80.30, 2 A Lewis (Eryri) 81.45, 3 M Belshaw (Eryri) 82.23. M60: 1 D Weaver (Eryri) 81.51, 2 C Wilcox (Clwydian) 85.53, 3 A French (Wrexham) 91.35. M70: 1 G Fielding (Eryri) 1-45.37, 2 E Davies (Eryri) 1-47.30.
 Ladies: 1 S Ridgway (Run Snowdonia, L40) 79.37, 2 G Brown (NWRR) 89.41, 3 R Metcalfe (Eryri, L40) 91.52, 4 L Jones (Wrexham, L50) 1-43.18, 5 J Collister (ua) 1-46.37.

Tuesday 14 July 2015

Trainers wanted

CAN YOU HELP?

Most of us, especially those of us of a certain age, have at least one pair of trainers that we no longer wear but are reluctant to throw out.

 We are very fortunate compared with athletes in many Third World countries where trainers of any kind would be appreciated.

 Former headmaster Bob Munden-Jones from Rhuddlan has for many years arranged for sports equipment, kit and other items to be delivered to Gambia and I  told him I would appeal to North Wales athletes to donate unwanted trainers, so long as they are not falling to pieces.

 If you and your clubmates can help please get in touch with me on gareth_anwen@talktalk.net or on 01745 - 888078 and I shall arrange to collect them, perhaps at a  forthcoming race.

Sunday 12 July 2015

Chirk Castle Half

ANOTHER WIN FOR SAYER

Two weeks after his win in the Rhyl half-marathon Menai's Stefan Sayer chalked up another victory over the distance in the inaugural Chirk Castle Half.

 The course was  considerably tougher than the Rhyl prom but he was only about a minute down, and he finished  almost three minutes clear of runner-up Gareth Williams.

 Results : 1 S Sayer (Menai) 75.51, 2 G Williams 78.33, 3 D Weston (Wrexham, M35) 79.30, 4 R Grantham (Chester Tri, M40) 80.08, 5 T Power (Telford, M55) 81.02, 6 G Stephens (M35) 81.31. Ladies: 1 B Sutcliffe (Chester Tri, L35) 94.53, 2 A Davies (Ellesmere Port) 96.08, 3 V Williams (ua, L35)  1-40.49.

Thursday 9 July 2015

Snowdon Race

PARADE OF EX-CHAMPS IN LLANBERIS



 
A parade of former winners and a return the High Street for the start of the race are just two of the many aspects that will make this a year to remember at the 40th Tyn Lon Volvo International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa on the 18th of July. 

Anticipation of the 2015 event is as high as ever with 600 runners getting ready for what promises to be one for the best ever races at this monument in International mountain running. With the race hitting 40 years you would expect a few celebrations, however Stephen Edwards and the race committee are finalising preparations for what will be a day to remember for Llanberis and Wales, with a festival atmosphere guaranteed in the north Wales village. 

The race is considered as one of the greatest in the world of mountain running, and attracts some of the best racers in Europe. However, the event has grown over the last four decades to be one on the bucket-list of mere mortals across the world, as just completing the race from Llanberis to the summit of Snowdon and back is something thousands aspire to, but only hundreds achieve, year-on-year - and this year that extra 3/4 mile of high street tarmac might just come into play as the race pans out over 10.5 arduous miles on the slopes of the highest peak in England and Wales. 

Speaking about the festivities planned for this year's race, Edwards comments:

"This is going to be a very interesting and exciting few days in Llanberis. Since the days when I was on the committee as a 13-year old, I always marvelled at the Snowdon Race and it is now an honour to be able to say that I am the organiser of the race and have been part of history, especially this year as its 40th anniversary. My intention from the first race I organised back in 2009 was to aim for the 40th and organise a full week of activities, to bring the carnival feel back to Llanberis and I think we have done that for 2015."
 

"Perhaps the most exciting aspect is the reconstruction of the 1976 start, where the main race this year will start in the centre of the Llanberis village, which is been welcomed by the residents and especially the local businesses. Past runners such Dave Francis (the first ever race winner in 1976), Kenny Stuart (race record holder), Joan Glass (first ever women's winner), Bridget Hogge, Mark Kinch, Neil Wilkinson, Colin Jones (first ever Welsh men's winner) and Tim Davies (3-time winner) to name a few, along with past committee members and the race founder Ken Jones and the field of 600 runners - all will be paraded behind the local Batala samba band from the field to the start line in the village".

The race will be preceded once again this year by the Snowdon Super Cup / Cwpan yr Wyddfa - an invitational, uphill-only, race to the summit of Snowdon, starting at 10.30am on race day and this year featuring some top GB athletes in the men's and women's races.

In the main race, the men's event looks to be wide open. Wales' men's team contains seasoned international Richard Roberts, and he is joined by relative new faces to the Welsh vest Hugh Aggleton, Harry Jones and local runner Gareth Hughes. Scotland's Kyle Greig returns after a strong showing in 2014, as does Ireland's James Kevan, 8th in last year's shortened race. The English team will as ever be a strong collective with Tom Adams featuring.

Not running in an international vest this year, but a potential winner, is England's Rob Hope who is in fine form this year. The 4-time British Fell Running Champion will be running for Salomon GB and having placed third in 2013 will be looking to go at least one better in 2015. Equally hopeful of a good finish will be the evergreen Ian Holmes, a multiple race winner. Holmsey will also be part of that pre-race parade and will competitive as ever. 

2014 women's champion Sarah McCormack returns again this year, hoping to be able to run to the summit in 2015 after last year's race to the Clogwyn station. She heads-up the Irish challenge, who have provided winners in the last two years, with Sarah Mulligan taking the win in 2013. England's third placer in 2014 Lindsey Brindle is in fine form after winning the recent Twilight race on the mountain, and will be looking to improve on that performance in 2015, along with Yorkshire runner Katie Walshaw, who herself has been in great form recently.

Wales' womens team contains Andrea Rowlands, who is another athlete who could feature prominently on a mountain in a race that she knows very well. Andrea is joined by Hannah Jarvis and Katie Beecher in the Welsh ladies team. 

The Super Cup race will once again include some of the UK's top mountain running talent. 2013 Super Cup winner Olivia Walwyn returns in the women's race and will be up against 2015 revelation Emmie Collinge. The Englishwoman has swept all before her in Italy this year, winning top class uphill events, against world class opposition. In the men's race GB international Rob Samuel will look to go a few places better after his 5th place finish in 2013, as he returns from injury. Local man Alun Vaughan is also on the start sheet and along with Rob will take on the likes of top English talent Martin Cox, and young Max Nicholls, fresh from his 5th place run at the European Mountain Running Championships.

Evidence of the general popularity has once again been visible as the 700 places available online went on sale on the 1st of March. Within 3 days all but a few had gone and Stephen Edwards was able to close entries and begin the 2015 race preparations:

"As ever, we have been inundated with entries, and even since the closing date I have had numerous requests for entries for the race, even though the event is full. Little could the organisers of that inaugural race in 1976 have realised what this event would become some 40 years later. Snowdon is now recognised as the UK's busiest mountain and that is part of the attraction for those runners who get that 'Tour de France feeling' as they ascend the crowds of people cheering on the slopes come race day.

Edwards is keen to point out that the event is now much more than just a race, with major sponsors, attractions and a sense of festival which almost brings Llanberis to a stand-still on its traditional third-weekend of July race date and the 40th celebrations continue in the week leading up to the race:

"We as a voluntary organisation have also put hours of work into organising the community aspect to this international event. The week pre-race will include a pool competition, darts nights, bingo, whist drive and also a new DMM Llanberis 5km, along the popular kids' races on the Thursday night. We also have a 40th race exhibition of historic images until Sept 1st in the First Hydro Electric Mountain, the building where the registration takes place. Add to this the Hwyl i Bawb kids races on the morning of the race at 11am and the traditional junior mountain races also starting straight after the main race from the high street, and the entertainment and sport is endless.
 

For further race information visit www.snowdonrace.co.uk

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Borders League

2015-16 FIXTURES

At the AGM of the Borders Road-Running League the following fixtures were agreed for the 2015-16 season:

October 11: Ellesmere Port (Capenhurst)
November 8: Wallasey (Birkenhead Park)
cember 6: Cybi (Rhosneigr racetrack)
January 24: Abergele (Pensarn)
March 20: Tattenhall
April 17: Buckley (Mold)
April 27 Deestriders (Shotton)

Monday 6 July 2015

Welsh Schools' champs

SCHOOLS' CHAMPS OWE MUCH TO PARKIN

Veteran throws coach John Parkin should be glowing with pride as he scans the results of the Welsh Schools' track and field championships, held in Cardiff.

 Several of the North Wales medal winners were his charges, among them being Nathan Thomason, who achieved a hat-trick of  victories, and Nicholas Young and Amber Simpson, both of whom came away with a gold and silver .

 Another local throws coach, Ian Robinson of Wrexham, also has good reason to be delighted as Deeside athlete Sabrina Fortune also won two golds and one bronze..

 Among top three placings from North Wales were:-

Junior Girls: 100m 2 Moli Jones (Creuddyn) 12.94; 200m 2 M Jones 27.42; 800m 2 Mia Roberts (Brynhyfryd) 2-24 .98; LJ 2 Eve Butler (Eirias) 5.11.
Middle Girls: 300m 3 Siriol Jones (Glan Clwyd) 43.86; 800m 2 Cari Hughes (Syr Thomas Jones) 2-12.36; 300mH 2 Charlotte Meikle (Haward e n)  49.42; LJ 1 Chloe Hughes (Flint) 5.60; TJ 2 Bethany Marriot - Holmes (Maelor Penley) 10.79; SP 3 Alamma  Parry (Syr Thomas Jones) 10.15; DT 1 Amber Simpson (Flint) 34.13JT 1 Tia Williams (Flint)  32.72; HT 2 Simpson 52.25.
 Senior Girls: 100m 3 Vicky Gittins (Welshpool) 13.49; 200 2 Chloe Roberts (Eirias) 29.58; 400m 3 Grace Lovett (Eirias)  67.89; 800m 2 Abi Backshall (Dyffryn Conwy) 2-29.09; HJ 2 Bethany Bull (Eirias) 1.45; TJ 1 Sophie Richards (Coleg Menai) 10.34; SP 1 Sabrina Fortune (Coleg Cambria) 10.87; DT 1 Fortune 36.08; HT 3 Fortune 25.23. 4 x 100 relay 2 Eryri 54.02.

 Junior Boys: 100m 3 Eben van der Schyll (Bryn Elian) 12.37;   300m 2 Sam Jones (Maelor Penley) 38.42; 1,500m 3 Harri Hughes (Prestatyn) 4-31.70; LJ 1 Sam Earl Jones (Eirias) 5.85; TJ 1 Sion Jones (Brynhyfryd) 11.93; JT 2 George Gill (Dyfrryn Nantlle) 38.13.
 Middle Boys: 400m 3 James Norbury (Mold Alun) 52.02; 800m 3 Iolo James (Creuddyn) 2-01.41; 1,500m 3 Cai Linton (Friars) 4-16.46; 3,000m 2 Joseph Crutchley (Llanidloes)  9-09.09, 3 Oliver Barbaresi (Friars)  9-16.21; 400mH 3 Will Clayton (Glan Clwyd) 67.09. TJ 3 Aaron Lewis (Botwnnoh) 12.32; SP 1 Nicholas Young (Brynhyf ryd) 13.21, 2 Gethin Jones (Brynrefail) 12.45; DT 2 Young 35.67.
 Senior Boys: 200m 3 Shane Hughes (Ruabon) 22.72; 800m 3 Mathew Harding (Rydal) 1-57.71; LJ 3 Tom Casey (Dyffryn Conwy) 6.42; TJ 1 Thomas Whalley (Coleg Cambria) 3.60; PV 3 Whalley 3.60; SP 1 Nathan Thomason (Eirias) 14.67, 2 Spencer Dowell (Eirias) 11.63; DT 1 Thomason 43.81; HT 1 Thomason 54.39, 3 Shaun Livett (David Hughes) 49.71.  4 x 100 relay 2 Eryri 47 .54.

Moel Siabod

ROBERTS WINS EASILY BUT JONES STEALS THE SHOW

Mathew Roberts was a comfortable winner of the Moel Siabod race, finishing  almost three minutes clear of runner-up Martin Cliffe, but it was super-vet Steve P Jones who was the outstanding performer on the day.

 The 60-year-old, enjoying a new lease of life since entering his new age-group, finished fifth overall.

 Results (all Eryri unless stated): 1 M Roberts (Calder) 51.55, 2 M Cliffe (ua, M40) 54.49, 3 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 56.27, 5 S Harlow (U23) 57.02, 5 SP Jones (M60) 57.44, 6 P Jones (M40) 58.30. M50: 1 N Craine (ua) 60.29, 2 R Owen 62.12, 3 M Belshaw 63.39. M60: 2 D Weaver 61.35, 3 D Whiteside-Thomas 69.34. M70: 1 B Robbins 77.34, 2 E Davies 80.55.Ladies: 1 L Jeska (L40)  59.02, 2 S Ridgway (Run Snowdonia, L40) 61.05, 3 B Plenty (York Knavesmire) 62.22, 4 A Keates (ua, L50) 63.08, 5 M Hughes 67.37, 6 J Cliffe (ua, L40) 71.03. L50: 2 L Jones (Wrex) 80.14, 3 D Jansen (GVAC) 2-13.25. L60: 1 M Oliver 88.36.

Fairy Freckled Cow

ANUDDER WIN FOR SPILL

A week after being the first British finisher in the Mounting Running Youth Cup in Bulgaria Eryri teenager John Spill turned in another sparkling performance closer to home.

 He set a new record in winning the 11k Fairy Freckled Cow trail race around Llyn Alwen, beating off a challenge from veteran Lee Jones.

 The race, which had 118 finishers, began in excellent  conditions before the heavens opened.

 Results: 1 J Spill (Eryri) 38.33, 2 L Jones (Deeside, M40) 39.36, 3 JE Morris (Denbigh) 40.40, 4 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 41.17, 5 M Roberts (ua) 42.14, 6 S Roberts (Buckley, M40) 43.16. M50: 1 M Robbins (Wrex) 45.43, 2 A Lewis (Eryri) 46.32, 3 J Jones (Helsby) 47.34. M60: 1 M Cortvriend (Denbigh) 51.07, 2 F Jones (Denbigh) 51.16, 3 C Baldwin (Denbigh) 54.48. M70: 1 D Gardner (NWRR) 56.09, 2 A Hodkiss (Telford) 67.53, 3 G Mount (ua) 69.39. M80: E Naisby (Prestatyn) 76.22. Ladies: 1 T Llewellyn (Cybi) 49.25, 2 A Muller (West Cheshire) 49.37, 3 C Stamper-Clark (Delamere, L40) 51.10, 4  H McArthur (Colwyn Bay, L40) 51.47, 5 S Beck (Prestatyn) 53.04, 6 K Lightfoot (Tattenhall, L40) 53.22. L50: 1 H Berett (Buckley) 54.37, 2 D Richards (Prestatyn) 61.38, 3 S Jones (ua) 62.08. L60: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 55.50, 2 S Levinson (Denby Dale) 76.25.

Deeside Off-Road (2)

GRANTHAM LOSES OUT AGAIN

With Prestatyn's Dean Longley missing through injury Rob Grantham must have thought he had a good chance of winning the second race in Deestriders' Off-Road Grand Prix Series but instead he again had to settle for second place.

 This time it was his fellow member of Chester Tri Club Tom Williams who took the honours  after a close battle over the two-lap course, while Sarah Roberts (Pensby)  claimed her second series win.

 Results: 1 T Williams (Chester Tri) 25.18, 2 R Grantham (Chester Tri, M40) 25.32, 3 M Davies (West Chesh, M35) 27.23, 4 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 27.39, 5 P Stinton (Buckley, M40) 27.41. JM: B Harrison (Prestatyn) 32.59. M35: 2 J O'Hara (Helsby) 27.52, 3 J Bradshaw (Buckley) 29.07. M45: 1 G Nicholls (Prestatyn) 29.18, 2 D Millington (Wrexham) 29.26, 3 J Hayes (ua) 29.42. M50: 1 M Robbins (Wrex) 28.32, 2 K Challinor (Deeside) 31.21, 3 K Begley (Chester Tri) 32.46. M55: 1 T Devoy (Wirral) 29.28, 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 29.57, 3 D Jones (Denbigh) 32.02. M60: 1 S Bellis (Buckley) 31.26, 2 D Roderick (Deeside) 34.14, 3 C Hunt (Wrecsam Tri) 35.49. M65: 1 M Whiteside (Tattenhall) 35.47, 2 G Hughes (Prestatyn) 35.59, 3 S Hatfield (Prestatyn) 36.11. M70: 1 B Beattie (West Chesh) 39.31, 2 J Thomas (Buckley) 46.10.
 Ladies: 1 S Roberts (Pensby) 28.57, 2 H Davies (Wrecsam Tri, L45) 29.31, 3 A Muller (West Chesh) 31.20, 4 L Morley (Wrexham, L40) 31.28, 5 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 31.29, 6 M Peffers (Deeside, L45) 32.25. L35: 1 L Partridge (Pensby) 33.09, 2 H Williams (Chester Tri) 34.18, 3 K Dawson (Prestatyn) 38.25. L40: 2 V Whitehead (Denbigh) 34.04, 3 K Evans (Denbigh) 38.12. L45:  3 J McHugh (Chester Tri) 32.43. L50: 1 J Rogers (Chester Tri) 23.46, 2 G Davies (Prestatyn) 38.29. L55: M Baugh (Denbigh) 43.57. L60: M Docking (Wrexham) 38.10.

Sunday 5 July 2015

British Champs

PEAKE PULLS OUT - BUT BRONZE FOR WARBURTON

Pole vaulter Sally Peake was forced to withdraw from the British championships in Birmingham through injury and the title went to Holly Bradshaw, who beat her last week in the Welsh championships in Cardiff.

 Caernarfon's Gareth Warburton continued his comeback by picking up a bronze medal in the 800m. In his heat he was fourth in 1-49.79 and his medal-winning time in the final was slightly slower at 1-50.41.

 Former Deeside AC athlete Owen Smith (Cardiff) was fifth in his 400m heat in 47.68, less than a second behind winner Nigel Levine and then went out in the semis after  coming fifth again in 48.45.

 Teenager Adele Nicoll (Birchfield) from Welshpool  followed up her fourth place in the shot by coming eighth in the discus, and in the hammer Osian Jones (Liverpool Harriers) was still some way off Shaun Pickering's Welsh record, finishing ninth with a best throw of 63.23.

 Georgina Outten (Birchfield, ex-Colwyn Bay) returned from injury in the 1,500m, coming 15th in her heat in 4-31.29, while fellow Welsh international Ffion Price from Llandrindod was seventh in her heat in a time of 4-22.9. In the final she finished 12th in 4-31.24.

Southport Half

AGE-GROUP WIN FOR COLLINS

 Denbigh Harrier Emma Collins won the L45-54 age-group in the Southport half-marathon and was 163rd overall in 1-37.21.

 First North Walian home in the big field was Sean McCormack (Abergele), who was 44th in 1-27.19, and he was followed by Russell Williams (Cybi) 1-29.29, Russ Cheetham (Prestatyn) 1-36.44, Jon Evans (NWRR) 1-43.28 and Andrew Parry (Buckley) 1-52.07.

Friday 3 July 2015

Island Games (3)

TWO GOLDS FOR YNYS MON

The Island Games' athletics programme ended on a high note for Ynys Mon who captured two gold medals.

 Mikaela Harrison, who is based in Wakefield and studying in Loughborough, followed up her third place in the 400 metres flat by winning  the 400m hurdles in 64.30.

 Iolo Hughes completed the same " double". Having failed to repeat his victory in the 5,000m in Bermuda two years ago by coming third this time, he made amends by winning the 1,500m in a new personal best of 3-54.95.

 He finished less than a second ahead of Elliott Dorey (Jersey), who won the 5,000m. Previous winners of both events were Keith Gerrard (Isle of Man) and Lee Merrien (Guernsey), both renowned at national level.

 The Ynys Mon men narrowly missed out on further medals, coming fourth in the men's 4 x 100 relay.

Thursday 2 July 2015

Felinheli 10k

ERYRI CLUB OUTING?

As usual, the annual Felinheli 10k was almost the equivalent of a club training session for Eryri Harriers, who provided a large proportion of the 300-strong field.

 Rob Samuel, who has dominated the race in recent years, had to settle for third place this time behind clubmates Matthew Roberts and Russell Bentley. The club's recent recruit Elliw Haf took the ladies' title.

 Results (all Eryri unless stated): 1 M Roberts 32.33, 2 R Bentley 32.51, 3 R Samuel 33.23, 4 G Owen 34.10, 5 S Spill (JM) 34.28, 6 R Roberts (Cybi) 35.23. JM: 2 G Parry Stead 39.28, 3 G Jones ( ua) 40.23. M40: 1 J Ford (NWRR) 37.02, 2 I Rowlands (Cybi)  38.09, 3 C Jones 38.40. M50: 1 N Craine 39.40, 2 A Lewis 40.59, 3 JA Pozzi 41.35. M60: 1 K Slattery (NWRR) 42.44, 2 E Edwards 45.28, 3 GJ Williams (ua) 50.53. M70: 1 D Gardner (NWRR) 49.08, 2 B Robbins 50.14, 3 D Williams 53.58.
 Ladies: 1 E Haf 43.36, 2 N Gwynn (ua) 44.21, 3 G Brown (NWRR) 44.26, 4 L Beetlestone 44.37, 5 M Hughes 44.51, 6 C Pollock (ua) 45.26. JL: 1 L Jones 52.36.  L40: 1 H Blair 47.14, 2 M Jones (ua) 47.40, 3 M Perrin (ua) 47.47. L50: 1 K Hatton (NWRR) 49.46, 2 S Jones (Cybi) 50.44, 3 K Wills (ua) 55.18. L60: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 47.50, 2 V Edwards (ua) 50.18, 3 M Oliver 57.31.

Welsh record

IRISH VEST FOR JADE

 Wrexham hammer-thrower Jade Williams broke the Welsh under-15 record in the Tailteann Games in Dublin last week with a massive throw of 53.45 and was rewarded with a place in the Irish Schools' U17 team for the Schools' International in Scotland.

 The 14-year-old, who is also a member of the  hercock club, finished fourth in the Tailte ann Games last year with a throw of almost six metres less than last week.

 Last month she set a new club record of 44.21 metres.

Wednesday 1 July 2015

Island Games (2)

TWO MORE BRONZES FOR YNYS MON

Ynys Mon athletes have picked up two more bronze medals at the Island Games - and could be in line for their first gold.

 In the men's  discus all-rounder Connor Laverty finished third with a best throw of 43.33m. Like the shot, the event was won by GB international Zane Duquemin.

 Angleey's other third place came in the women's 400m, where Mikaela Harrison  finished strongly in 58.33.

 Iolo Hughes, hoping to improve on his 5,000m bronze, was the fastest qualifier for the  1,500m final by some distance, with a time of 4-01.79.