Sunday 6 March 2016

THE LAST POST!


AFTER MORE THAN THREE YEARS I HAVE DECIDED TO STOP PRODUCING THIS ATHLETICSNORTHWALES BLOG.

 HAVING JUST HAD MY 70TH BIRTHDAY I AM RETIRING AS SECRETARY OF PRESTATYN RUNNING CLUB (after forming the club 33 years ago) , AS CHAIRMAN OF THE NORTH WALES REGIONAL ATHLETICS COUNCIL AND AS A RACE REFEREE/ADJUDICATOR.

 I HOPE TO  FIND A LITTLE MORE TIME TO GET IN SOME RUNNING.

 THANKS TO THOSE OF YOU WHO HELPED KEEP ME INFORMED ABOUT YOUR ACTIVITIES AND  FORWARDED RACE RESULTS TO ME. THANKS, TOO, FOR THE  WORDS OF APPRECIATION.

 I SHALL REMAIN INTERESTED IN WHAT'S GOING ON BUT AM DETERMINED TO PROVE BERNIE JONES WRONG WHEN HE SAID OF ME: "HE'LL NEVER GIVE UP". 

Wrexham Festival

WESTON TAKES TITLE AT THE DOUBLE

Wrexham's Daniel Weston completed a double in the Wrexham Marathon, displaying remarkable consistency as he did so.

 In March, 2015, he won the inaugural race in 2-35.59 and followed it up with victory in the Chester MBNA Marathon in 2-35.11.  This time the Wrexham race incorporated the North Wales championship and Weston took the title in 2-34.05.

 In second place, in 2-38.22, was Russell Bentley (Eryri), who had competed in the Pipe Dream fell race less than 24 hours earlier. His clubmate Andrea Rowlands was the ladies' champion and first in the open race with a time of 3-02.04.

 Wrexham Half was won by Liam Crane (Blackpool and Fylde), in 73 .37, with veteran Vicky Williams first lady home in 89.33.

 The 20-mile race held at the same time was won by Martin Green (NWRR), who is training for next month's London Marathon. While he was winning in Wrexham his wife Carla was winning her class in the Anglesey Half.

Full results can be found on the TDL Events website.

Anglesey Half

VAUGHAN AND OLDROYD GIVE REPEAT SHOW

The Anglesey half-marathon proved to be a repeat of the Rhyl 10-mile race of two weeks ago, with victories for Alun Vaughan (Eryri) and Hannah Oldroyd (Saltaire).

 Vaughan was made to work hard for his title by Bangor student Callum Rowlinson (Sale), coming home 28 seconds clear in 69.43, while Oldroyd, a prolific competitor, had things much more her own way. She crossed the line in 81.27, over 10 minutes clear of runner-up Elliw Haf (Eryri).

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

 

Pipe Dream

BID FOR REPEAT WIN GOES DOWN THE PIPES

A bid by Matthew Roberts to retain his title in the Pipe Dream race at Dolgarrog ended in disappointment when he and a couple of the leading runners went off-course.

 By the time they realised their mistake it was too late and Mark Davies (NWRR) took full advantage to claim victory .

 There was an outstanding run by Eryri's Miranda Grant on her return, as she finished a superb eighth overall, while Sarah Barnwell broke Ellie Salisbury's L50 course record.

 Results: 1 M Davies (NWRR, M40) 38.46, 2 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 39.38, 3 P Jones (Eryri, M40) 39.50, 4 M Roberts (Calder) 38.51, 5 R Bentley (Eryri) 39.52, 6 M Hulley (Pennine, M40) 40.27. M50: 1 I Warhurst (Pennine) 42.23, 2 J Randell (Meirionnydd) 43.04, 3 T Coleman (ua) 44.56. M60: 1 D Weaver (Eryri) 43.14, 2 A Duncan (Bowland) 44.54, 3 D Bowen (Pennine) 47.20. M70: 1 D Williams (Eryri) 52.52, 2 J Morris (Buckley) 54.14, 3 Y Tridimas (Bowland) 54.20.
 Ladies: 1 M Grant (Eryri) 41.00, 2 L Irvine (Eryri) 43 .41, 3 G Brown (NWRR) 44.08, 4 S Richmond (Pennine) 45.06, 5 H Evans (Buckley) 46.55, 6 S Barnwell (Eryri, L50)  48.00. L40: 1 L Emery-Jones (Eryri) 49.16, 2 N Grobben (Pennine) 50.29, 3 A Williams (Buckley) 56.30. L50: 2 A Purves (ua) 50.12, 3 E Salisbury (Eryri) 54.48.

Sunday 28 February 2016

Welsh XC Champs

MEDALS GALORE FOR NORTH WALES IN SWANSEA

An appeal for more North Wales athletes to travel south for the annual Welsh  cross-country championships produced results not only in quantity but also in quality.

 No fewer than 12 competitors came away from Swansea with medals, once again highlighting the depth of young talent in the region at present.

 The turnout from seniors remained disappointing apart from an Eryri ladies' squad, but Rob Samuel  kept the flag flying with a brilliant run, finishing second to the in-form GB international Dewi Griffiths.

 Cari Hughes (Menai) and Mia Roberts (Deeside) completed a " double" by taking gold two weeks after winning the Welsh Schools' titles, the former once again getting the better of the highly-rated Heidi Davies (Brecon).

 Among the North Wales placings were:-
Boys under 11: 1 Math Thomas (Menai) 6.20, 2 Roman Hodgson (Deeside) 6.23, 13  Josef Morgan (Menai) 7.18, 14 Ioan Oldfield (Ysgol Bryn Coch) 7.21.
 Boys under 13: 1 Osian Perrin (Menai) 11.43, 2 Mike Spill (Eryri) 11.46, 4 James Jones (Dee) 11.59, 9 Cai La Trobe Roberts (Menai) 12.39, 14 Eden Potter (Menai) 13.06.
 Boys under 15: 2 Cedol Dafydd (Menai) 14.49, 2 Ethan Ackroyd (Dee) 15.06, 10 Roland Finnie (Menai) 15.26, 16 Tomos Land (Menai) 16.08, 26 Ifan Oldfield (Wrex) 16.38.
 Men under 17: 3 Oliver Barbaresi (Menai) 18.26, 5 Joseph Crutchley (Maldwyn) 19.27, 10 Cai Linton-Davies (Menai) 20.00.
 Men under 20: 1 Iolo Hughes (Menai) 24.06.
 Senior men: 2 Rob Samuel (Eryri) 36.54, 63 Russ Godwin (Colwyn Bay) 45.57, 109 Clive Edgington (Meir) 51.37.

 Girls under 11: 1 Neisha Roberts (Dee) 6.56, 11 Elen Edwards (Dee) 7.53.
 Girls under 13: 2 Orla Davies (Dee) 12.52, 4 Samia Jones (Menai) 13.07, 11 Rheagan Edwards (Dee) 14.02, 16 Ffion Rees Jones (Menai) 14.15, 18 Georgina Parkinson (Menai)  14.19, 19 Abbi Parkinson (Menai) 14.20, 30 Imogen Owen (Dee) 14.57, 31 Alys Rees Jones (Menai) 15.04.
 Girls under 15: 1 Mia Roberts (Dee) 16.13, 7 Laura Sharp (Dee) 17.18, 21 Swyn Edwards (Menai) 18.56, 29 Ellen Oldfield (Wrex) 19.49, 31 Catrin Donnelly (Menai) 19.52, 38 Lucy Hughes (Menai) 21.29.
Women under 20: 1 Cari Hughes (Menai) 20.45, 10 Emily Kearney (Wirral) 23.29, 13 Eabha Roberts (Menai) 23.52, 18 Martha Owen (Dee) 25.01, 34 Caitlin Howell-Wiliams (Menai) 27.57.
 Senior  women: 9 Sarah Kearney (Wirral, 2nd L40) 30.17, 27 Tammy Lewis-Jones (Eryri) 32.23, 36 Helen Blair (Eryri) 33.49, 48 Annie Williams (Eryri) 35.26 (3rd L55), 50 Hazel Berrett (Buckley) 35.50 (2nd L50) ,57 Chris Birch (Abergele) 36.06 (1st L65), 95 Maggie Oliver (Eryri) 44.02 (3rd L65).

Sunday 21 February 2016

Welsh 10-mile champs

VAUGHAN BREEZES TO RHYL WIN

A strong headwind on the return stage along the promenade was the greatest challenge former Welsh marathon champion Alun Vaughan faced in the Rhyl 10-mile race.

 The event incorporated the Welsh championships and Vaughan (Eryri) had a surprisingly comfortable win as few athletes made the journey from South Wales.

 He finished in 55.54, with second-place Marc Brown (Keswick) 46 seconds behind, but as he had entered on the day the national title went to third-placed Adam Bull (Aberdare).

 First woman home in 65.39 was Hannah Oldroyd (Saltaire), who  holds numerous Parkrun records, and in second place was Myra Jones (Valley Striders), who won the Conwy Parkrun just 24 hours earlier. The Welsh title went to Amie Bagnall (Salford), who was fourth overall.

 The first six men were: 1 A Vaughan (Eryri, M35) 55.44 (chip time), 2 M Brown (Keswick 56.30, 3 A Bull (Aberdare) 57.13, 4 S Sayer (Menai)  57.42, 5 D Weston (Wrexham, M35) 58.42, 6 M Evans (Aberdare) 58.53.

 First six ladies: 1 H Oldroyd (Saltaire) 65.39, 2 M Jones (Valley) 66.44, 3 M Clarke (Telford, L40)  67.06, 4 A Bagnall (Salford) 68.07, 5 T Trueman (Lawley, L45) 70.16, 6 H Carter (Sandbach, L40) 71.03.

 Welsh championships:- U23 men: A Bull (Aberdare). S enior men: 1 Bull, 2 Sayer, 3 Weston. M35: 1 Weston, 2 E Land (Aberystwyth) 62.10, 3 H Owen (Les Croupiers) 68.21. M40: 1 M Green (NWRR) 61.41, 2 A Lewis (A berdare) 64.08, 3 D Blazier (Abergele) 64.43. M45: 1 S Roberts (Buckley) 62.19, 2 M Mayers (Abergele) 72.33, 3 M Witty (Deestriders) 74.51. M50: 1 M Pfeiffer (Brecon) 60.07, 2 R Jones (Shrews) 65.10, 3 M Belshaw (Eryri) 66.59. M55: 1 J Jones (Abergele) 73.27, 2 A Jones (Prestatyn) 77.05. M60: 1 K Slattery (NWRR) 68.51, 2 V Pownall (Abergele) 80.25, 3 C Hunt (Wrecsam Tri) 83.08. M65: 1 M Hayton (NWRR) 77.02, 2 R Jardine (Eryri) 1-52.35. M70: I Roberts (Eryri) 1-59.16. M75: 1 D Gardner (NWRR) 80.16, 2 R Harrison-Jones (Prestatyn) 96.36.
 Ladies U23: Bagnall. Senior ladies: 1 Bagnall, 2 C Green (NWRR) 72.46, 3 R Shipley (Abergele) 74.00. L35: 1 S Beck (Prestatyn) 76.10, 2 J Bancroft (Wrexham) 92.06. L40: 1 Green, 2 H Griffith (NWRR) 85.13, 3 D Jones (Abergele) 94.42. L45: 1 S McIndoe (Driders) 1-42.16, 2 B Goodson (Deestriders) 1-49.24. L50: 1 L Goodson (NWRR) 80.22, 2 C Frost (NWRR) 80.25, 3 K Hatton (NWRR) 80.59. L55: 1 S Jones (Cybi) 83.34, 2 S Calvert (Abergele) 96.49. L70: B Jones (Bro Dysyn ni)  1-42.57. L80: S Symonds (Meirionnydd) 2-47.23.

 Full results can be found on the TDL Events website.

Monday 15 February 2016

Welsh Schools' XC

BRILLIANT DAY FOR NORTH WALES YOUNGSTERS

The current batch of young North Wales athletes is probably the strongest for many years, and the strength-in-depth was underlined at the Welsh Schools' cross-country championships in Brecon.

 A fine all-round performance earned Eryri region second place overall behind the always-strong Dyfed squad, and there were  numerous superb individual performances.

 Gold medals went to Deeside AC member Mia Roberts (Brynhyfryd, Ruthin, junior girls), Oliver Barbaresi (Friars, Bangor, middle boys) and Cari Hughes (Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch, senior girls), who claimed the illustrious scalp of GB international Heidi Davies (Llandrindod).

 There were also silver medals for Samia Jones (Syr Hugh Owen, Year 7), Orla Davies (Mold Alun, junior girls), Osian Perrin (Llangefni, junior boys) and Ch ristian Smith (Coleg Cambria, senior boys), and bronze for Joseph Crutchley (Llanidloes, middle boys).

 North Wales athletes who gained top 20 places included:

 Boys Year 7: 11 Louis Lloyd (John Bright) 11.35, 12 Huw Jones (Brynhyfryd) 11.37, 13 Matthew Anthony (Mold Alun) 11.38, 14 Alex Palmer (Darland) 11.39, 17 Ioan Hughes (Moelwyn) 11.44. Team: 3 North East Wales.

 Junior Boys: 2 Osian Perrin (Llangefni) 15.51, 4 Mike Spill (Friars) 15.57, 7 Tomos Land (Dyffryn Conwy) 16.21, 14 James Jones (Argoed) 16.53, 15 Dillon Gill (Welshpool) 16.55, 16 Cai Le Trobe Roberts (Tryfan) 17.10, 20 Lewis Parry (Grango) 17.21. Team: 1 Eryri.

 Middle Boys: 1 Oliver Barbaresi (Friars) 20.05, 3 Joseph Crutchley (Llanidloes) 20.23, 7 Roland Finney (Tryfan) 21.29, 8 Cedol Dafydd (Tryfan) 21.33, 9 Ryan Owen (Dyffryn Nantlle) 21.43. Team: 2 Eryri.

 Senior Boys: 2 Christian Smith (Coleg Cambria) 23.12, 10 Cai Linton (Friars) 24.18, 16 Matthew Pleavin (Coleg Menai) 25.31, 18 Ryan Cain (Syr Hugh Owen) 25.53. Team: 2 Eryri.

Girls Year 7: 2 Samia Jones (Syr Hugh Owen) 11.39, 7 Ellie Small (Hawarden) 12.32, 10 Carys Walcham (Flint) 12.37, 11 Alys Jones (Syr Hugh Owen) 12.46, 12 Eve Scott (Prestatyn) 12.50, 14 Hannah Smith (Mold Alun) 12.58. Team: 3 North East Wales.

 Junior Girls: 1 Mia Roberts (Brynhyfryd) 13.49, 2 Orla Davies (Mold Alun) 14.17, 8 Laura Sharp (Mold Alun) 14.48, 11 Rheagan Edwards (St Richard Gwyn) 15.07, 17 Bethan Davies (Creuddyn) 15.36, 18 Manon Henderson (David Hughes)  15.39. Team: 2 North East Wales.

Middle Girls: 6 Eabha Roberts (Syr Thomas Jones) 18.25, 9 Sophie Paxton (Maelor) 18.49, 10 Holly Roberts (Glan Clwyd) 18.58, 18 Ellie Williams (Morgan Llwyd) 19.56.

Senior Girls: 1 Cari Hughes (Syr Thomas Jones) 18.46, 6 Rhiannon Kamink (Creuddyn) 22.19, 12 Ellis New (Eirias) 24.02, 16 Elen Norris (Friars) 24.28. Team: 1 Eryri.

Village Bakery Half-Marathon

BAILEY MAKES IT A SALFORD DOUBLE

After last year's win by Tarus Elly Joe Bailey made it a "double" for the Salford club  when he won the Village Bakery half-marathon in Wrexham

 A former winner of the Conwy half-marathon, he finished in a nippy 68.24, almost 90 seconds clear of his clubmate Nathan Kilcourse. In thidd place was Joe Rainsford (Heanor).

 The ladies' title and £100 prize went to Hannah Jarvis (Dorking) in 80.33, just two seconds ahead of Jenny Knass (Stockport). 

 The race, which attracted over 1,000 entrants, incorporated the North Wales championships, with the regional titles going to Richard Roberts (Eryri), who was 5th overall, and newcomer Ceri Cook (Buckley).

 Full results can be found on the Cute Fruits Events website.

 North Wales championship winners were :- Senior men: 1 R Roberts (Eryri, M35) 71.00, 2 R Roberts (Cybi) 74.37, 3 M Green (NWRR, M40) 76.26. M35: 1 Roberts, 2 J Loxam (Stockport) 76.46, 3 A Vaughan (Eryri) 77,42. M40: 1 Green, 2 S Stocker (Prestatyn) 88.18, 3 M Cartwright (Wrexham) 1-49.04. M45: 1 S Roberts (Buckley) 79.10, 2 G Nicholls (Prestatyn) 83.01, 3 D Millington (Wrex) 90.37. M50: 1 L Wasnidge (Buckley) 91.15, 2 J Evans (NWRR) 99.57, 3 M Norris (Deestriders) 1-52.08. M55: 1 J Jones (Abergele) 1-34.01, 2 D Wooton (Buckley) 1-44.10. M 60: 1 M Cortvriend (Denbigh) 95.33, 2 C Hunt (Wrecsam Tri)  1-41.39, 3 S Bellis (Buckley) 1-42.04. M75: D Gardner (NWRR) 1-44.08.
 Ladies. U23: A Reid (Prestatyn) 1-53.22. SL: 1 C Cook (Buckley, L45)  91.44, 2 S Dutton (Buckley, L35)  93.40, 3 K Evans (Denbigh, L40) 1-48.47. L35: 1 Dutton, 2 J Bancroft (Wrexham) 2-02.41.  L40: 1 Evans, 2 J Edwards (Prestatyn) 1-55.15. L45: 1 Cook. L50: 1 A Hutchinson (Maldwyn) 1-57.17, 2 A Baty (Wrexham) 2-22.38. L55: 1 D Richards (Prestatyn) 1-50.36, 2 S Roberts (Prestatyn) 2-06.06, 3 D Wade (Prestatyn) 2-28.20. 

Ras Moel y Ci

NEW NAME ON THE SCENE

Michael Corrales (North Wales RR) has chalked up some very useful performances on the road over the past 12 months but he claimed what was probably his best result yet when he finished second to Welsh international Gareth Hughes in Ras Moel y Ci.

 The traditional opener to the fellracing season, held at Tregarth, attracted the usual good field, with Sarah Ridgway finishing an excellent 19th overall to take the women's prize.

 Results: 1 G Hughes (Mercia) 39.05, 2 M Corrales (NWRR) 39.52, 3 O Roberts (Eryri)  40.15, 4 H O'Donnell (Eryri) 42.14, 5 S Davies (Eryri) 42.16, 6 R Roberts (Eryri) 43.04. M40: 1 J Moore (Eryri) 43.26, 2 M Davies (NWRR) 43.55, 3 DW Jones (Eryri) 44.03. M50: 1 D Soles (Pennine) 45.28, 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 47.19, 3 I Edgar (Eryri) 49.42. M60: 1 D Jones (Eryri) 56.21, 2 P "Tan" Jones (Eryri) 58.31, 3 D Owen (Eryri) 70.18. M70: D Williams (Eryri) 57.26, 2 J Morris (Buckley) 64.33.
 Ladies: 1 S Ridgway (Run Snowdonia, L40) 46.16, 2 L Ir vine (Eryri) 50.18, 3 J Charlton (Eryri, L40) 51.19, 4 S Harley (Eryri) 53.10, 5 V Whitehead (Denbigh, L40) 53.31, 6 C Belshaw (Denbigh) 53.55. L50: A Thomas (Eryri) 54.42, 2 M Baugh (Denbigh) 64.02, 3 A Russell (Cybi) 76.52. L60: M Oliver (Eryri) 72.07.

Sunday 14 February 2016

Manchester XC

CLASSY RUN FROM MITCHELL

Several   athletes with North Wales connections had good runs in the Manchester Area Cross-Country League match at Wythenshaw Park, with Welsh international Ian Mitchell (Tipton) coming second.

 Former Bangor student James Wignall (Sale) was 5th and he was followed by Daniel Kashi (Sale, 12th), Callum Rowlinson (Sale, 20th) and Joseph Hudak (East Cheshire, 30th).

Monday 8 February 2016

David recovers

GOOD NEWS FOR DAVID

Though the cross-country League season came to a close on an unusual note with the absence of long-serving secretary David Alun Williams the gloom was lifted with the news that he had returned home from hospital after a five-week stay.

 By coincidence, his discharge came only hours before it was announced at the League's prize giving that he was to receive the Bebbington Shield for Endeavour, for which he himself usually chooses the recipient.

Grand Prix Ex XC League

WEEKEND TO REMEMBER FOR  COLE

Two tough races in 24 hours are a test for anyone but Simon Cole (GOGS) made it a weekend to remember.

 On Saturday he finished  fourth in the final fixture of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country League at Oswestry, and that meant that over the season he finished equal first with Gabe Morris (Shrewsbury).

 The following day he proved the appropriateness of his club's name  - the acronym stands for Great Orme Goats - when he won the Nick Beer 10k in windy conditions in Llandudno.

 Shrewsbury won the Division 1 men's title at Oswestry with Eryri Harriers winning the ladies' competition, and Oswestry finished second in both. GOGS ended a very successful first season in the League, their ladies winning the Division 2 trophy and their men being narrowly pipped by Colwyn Bay.

 The full results of the Oswestry fixture and end-of-season awards are on the North Wales Cross-Country League website, while the Nick Beer 10k results are on the TDL Events site.

Sunday 7 February 2016

BUCS Champs

JENKINSON SHOWS GOOD FORM IN GLOUCESTER


 Eryri Harrier Bronwen Jenkinson, a first-year student at Leeds University, has been in fine form recently, finishing first in   the PECO Cross-Country League fixture in the city two weeks ago. On Sunday she finished  40th in the BUCS championships in Gloucester.

 At the same meeting former Eryri member Daniel Kashi (Sale and Bangor Uni), who finished third in last week's North Wales championships in Corwen, was 98th in 35.02. Among other results were: 202 Simon A nnets (Bangor) 38.12, 269 Oliver Eady (Bangor)  40.44, 303 David Wika Von Czarisowsk (Glyndwr Uni) 42.58.

Alsager 5

JONES GETS ANOTHER CLASS WIN

Wrexham's Bernie Jones extended his winning sequence with another age-group win in the Alsager 5.

 In recent weeks he has won the M55 category in the Welsh Masters' 1,500m championships and Delamere Parkruns, and he transferred his form to the road to clock 30.09 in Alsager.

 The first North Wales finisher, in 15th place overall, was former Abergele Harrier Josh Dixon (Stroud), who clocked 25.45. Emma Crowe (Wrexham) was second L40 in 31.14 and among other North Wales results were: 139 Amie Bagnall (Salford/Prestatyn) 32.03, 156 Matty Smith (Prestatyn) 32.30, 271 Jeff Davies (Meirionnydd) 35.44 (2nd M65).

Sunday 31 January 2016

NW XC Champs

HUGHESES BEAT THE AGE GAP - AND THE FIELD

Brother and sister Iolo and Cari Hughes both opted to run in age-groups above their own at the North Wales Cross-Country Championships at Rhug, Corwen, but they still outshone the opposition, securing very impressive wins.

 Eryri's Rob Samuel stayed with Iolo on the first of the three laps but then the teenager, who qualifies as an under-20, stepped up a gear and moved away

 Cari, who is actually U17, had things even more her own way when she ran against the seniors, finishing over three minutes clear of second-placed Rhian Pierce (Denbigh).

 The Rhug course always presents a challenge but the mud and stiff wind made things even tougher than usual.

 One of the best quality races involved the under-17 men where there is currently a wealth of talent in the region. Joseph Crutchley (Maldwyn) and Oliver Barbaresi (Menai) battled it out shoulder-to-shoulder before the former went on to gain a rare win over his rival by six seconds.

 Results.
 Special Olympics: 1 D Bellis 6.29, 2 J Coles 8.44, 3 N Morris 12.47.
Boys under 11: 1 I Oldfield (Ysgol Bryn Coch) 8.31, 2 G Soley (Menai) 8.35, 3 H Morgan (Menai) 8.39. Teams: Menai 10, Bryn Coch 14, Maldwyn 30.
 Boys under 13: 1 O Perrin (Menai) 11.10, 2 M Spill (Eryri) 11.13, 3 J Jones (Deeside) 11.29. Teams: Menai 10, Deeside 18.
 Boys under 15: 1 E Ackroyd (Dee) 13.09, 2 T Land (Menai) 13.27, 3 D Gill (Maldwyn) 13.35.
 Men under 17: 1 J Crutchley (Maldwyn) 18.23, 2 O Barbaresi (Menai) 18.29, 3 C Smith (Wrexham) 19.03. Team: Menai 12.
 Men under 20: B Harrison (Prestatyn) 37.42.
 Senior men: 1 I Hughes (Menai) 34.08, 2 R Samuel (Eryri) 34.28, 3 D Kashi (Sale) 36.17, 4 T Roberts (Meir) 37.28, 5 L Jones (Dee, M45) 38.12, 6 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 38.30.
 M35: 1 J Salt (Abergele) 46.25, 2 D Davies (Denbigh) 48.14. M40: 1 Brown, 2 P Stinton (Buckley) 41.52, 3 S Stocker (Prest) 44.38. M45: 1 Jones, 2 S Roberts (Buckley) 40.35, 3 G Blackwell (Dee) 41.31. M50: 1 E Campbell (Buckley) 41.42, 2 M Robbins (Wrex) 42.43, 3 H Jones (Mald) 45.07. M55: 1 R Owen (Eryri) 42.22, 2 A Lewis (Eryri) 45.25, 3 D Wootton (Buckley) 55.09.
M60: 1 S Roberts (Osw) 34.16, 2 G Nixon (Prestatyn) 35.32, 3 C Baldwin (Denbigh) 38.28. M65: 1 N Williams (Wrex) 39.49, 2 I Jones (Wrecsam Tri) 40.20, 3 S Hatfield (Prestatyn) 41.41. Teams: 1 Denbigh, 2 Prestatyn.
 M70: 1 D Williams (Eryri) 27.47, 2 A Eg an (Wrex) 29.01, 3 R Frost (Wrex) 32.17. M75: 1 R Harrison-Jones (Prest) 30.50, 2 D Hughes (Prest) 32.04, 3 J Hickman (Prest) 32.12. Team: Prestatyn.

Girls under 11: 1 N Roberts (Dee) 5.25, 2 M Griffiths (Maldwyn) 5.49, 3 G Williams (Bryn Coch) 6.09. Teams: Deeside 10, Bryn Coch 22, Maldwyn 33.
 Girls under 13: 1 S Jones (Menai) 8.12, 2 R Edwards (Dee) 8.34, 3 E Scott (Colwyn Bay) 8.36. Teams: Deeside 11, Menai 16, Maldwyn 30.
 Girls under 15: 1 M Roberts (Dee) 12.01, 2 S Paxton (Wrex) 12.53, 3 B Davies (Colwyn Bay) 13.22. Team: Menai 10.
 Ladies under 17: 1 E Roberts (Menai) 14.51, 2 R Kamink (Colwyn Bay) 15.14, 3 M Owen (Dee) 15.34.
 Ladies under 20: 1 C Hughes (Menai) 19.52, 2 C McShane (Prest) 25.34, 3 A Cheetham (Prest) 27.40.
 Senior ladies: 1 R Pierce (Denbigh) 23.03, 2  A Bagnall (Salford) 23.50, 3 A Muller (West Chesh) 24.10.
 L35: 1 SM Jones (Meir) 34.31. Teams: Buckley 47, Denbigh 54, Prestatyn 71.
 L40: 1 V Whitehead (Den) 25.37, 2 A Reid (Prest) 30.14, 3 D Marshall (Den) 24.14.
L45: 1 T Lewis-Jones (Eryri) 24.23, 2 C Cook (Buck) 24.57, 3 H Blair (Eryri) 25.11.
 L50: 1 T Williams (Den) 25.23, 2 H Berrett (Buck) 26.55, 3 E Salisbury (Eryri) 28.26. L55: 1 A Whitelaw (Wrex) 28.50, 2 S Rodgers (Prest) 29.19, 3 M Baugh (Den) 31.08. L65: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 27.43, 2 M Docking (Wrex) 30.21.
 L70: B Jones (Bro Dys) 35.58. Teams: Eryri 37, Denbigh 66, Prestatyn 81.

Tuesday 26 January 2016

Road awards

DAVIES TOP OF THE PILE FOR FOURTH TIME

In a year in which he gained a GB vest it is hardly surprising that Stckport's Andrew Davies has once again been named as the North Wales Road Runner of the Year.

 It is the fourth consecutive year for the Welshpool athlete to take the title, having topped the rankings at 5k (14.39), 10k (29.49) and half-marathon (66.46), thus gaining just three points.

 He was followed by Russell Bentley (Eryri, 7), Lee Jones (Deeside, 9), Dean Longley (Prestat yn) and Daniel Weston (Wrexham, both on 22, and Paul Wathan (Eryri (26).

 Davies's achievement was matched by that of Wrexham vet Emma Crowe, who took her 9th senior title in 16 years. She topped the 5k (18.34) and 5 mile rankings (29.32) and ranked third at 10 miles and second at half-marathon. She thus had 6 points, ahead of Tracey Llewellyn (Cybi, 12), Lisa Morley (Wrexham, 17), Anest Muller (West Cheshire, 19), and Jay Jennions (Deestriders, 20).

 The masters' rankings are based on age-grade calculations, and, unsurprisingly, Andrew Davies (M35) again came top of the men's list with 90.90%. Second was Lee Jones (M45, 89.77%), third Dave Gardner (NWRR, M75, 84.61%), and fourth Daniel Wes ton (M35, 82.46%).

 Denbigh's Emma Collins (L50) won her first-ever  title with 84.70%, with Emma Crowe just behind on 84.61%. Third was Lisa Morley (L40, 77.14%), fourth Tracey Llewellyn (L35, 76.43%) and fifth Jay Jennions (L35, 75.20%).

Sunday 24 January 2016

Buff Trail Half

SAME AGAIN FOR SAMUEL


 A week after his imperious performance in the mud at Baschurch Rob Samuel was again in untouchable form in winning the Buff Winter Trail half-marathon in Coed y Brenin.

 The Eryri athletes  won in 1-25.06, over four minutes clear of runner-up Adam Newton (Swansea).

 Former Wrexham member Gina Paletta (Cardiff) had an even more emphatic win, clocking 1-37.41, with Shrewsbury Anna Bartlett second in 1-44.30.

 Lower down the field - but in a still highly respectable 246th place and with a time of 2-17.47 - was former Welsh rugby star Shane Williams.

 

Cardiff Cross

HULSON'S BACK!

Charlie Hulson from Rhosesmor had a very satisfactory return to action after injury when he finished third in the Cardiff Cross  Challenge behind fellow Welsh international Dewi Griffiths (Swansea) and Christopher Zabloski (Chichester).

 Iolo Hughes (Menai) finished 14th overall but was first in the U23 international, while his sister Cari won the U20s' race despite being the youngest in the category. Another winner was Deeside's outstanding youngster Mia Roberts in the U15 race.

 In the U15 boys' event Ethan Ackroyd (Deeside) came an excellent 12th, and Tomos Land (Menai) was 28th.

Twin Piers 10k

ROTHERY COASTING BACK TO FORM

Eryri's Brendan Rothery has no peers when it comes to his favourite race.

 In winning the Twin Piers 10k from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay he extended his remarkable record in the race which, since 2008, has  seen him claim two previous victories - the last in 2014 - three second places, twi thirds and one fourth.

 On Saturday he won in 34.23, 36 seconds clear of Cybi's Ryan Roberts, who was 22nd last year.

 Wrexham's Emma Crowe took the ladies' title in 38.16 with fellow veteran Rhian Roxburgh (GOGS) second.

 Results: 1 B Rothery (Eryri, M35) 34.23, 2 R Roberts (Cybi) 34.59, 3 JE Morris (Denbigh) 35.30, 4 M Green (NWRR, M40) 35.59, 5 A Kerr (NWRR) 35.40, 6 D Owen (Eryri, M35) 35.50. U20: 1 S Johnson (Colwyn Bay) 38.04, 2 S Holt (Colwyn Bay) 38.50, 3 T Wilde (Osw) 39.09. M35: 3 R Owen (Cybi) 37.24. M40: 2 DW Jones (Eryri) 37.55, 3  P Jones (Eryri)  38.34. M45: 1 J Bennett (Buxton) 36.02, 2 C Yorke (NWRR) 36.53, 3 M Jones (CB) 39.52. M50: 1 P Thomas (Market Drayton) 37.04, 2 J Randell (Meir) 38.39, 3 M Belshaw (Eryri) 39.28. M55: 1 PMW Jones (ua) 39.31, 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 39.45, 3 L Jones (Abergele) 43.21. M60: 1 N Wainwright (Buxton) 44.07. M65: T Hulme (Wilmslow) 43.50. M70: C Rath bone (Vale Royal) 49.46. M75: D Garner (NWRR)  47.54 (Ranked No 1 in UK, 2016).

 Ladies: 1 E Crowe (Wrex, L40) 38.16, 2 R Roxburgh (GOGS, L40) 39.23, 3 S Evans (ua) 39.29, 4 A  Rowlands (Eryri, L40) 40.31, 5 A Bagnall (Salford) 40.50. U20: AM Williams (ua) 46.39. SL: 3 H Alexander (Mersey Tri) 45.55. L35: 1 S Beck (Prestatyn) 44.41, 2 C Williams (ua)  46.57, 3 J Stubbs-Thrush(NWRR) 47.00. L40: 1 Crowe, 2 Roxburgh, 3 Rowlands. L45: 1 H Blair (Eryri) 44.48, 2 L Griffith (GOGS)  46.57, 3 G Williams (ua) 50.16. L50: 1 CA Frost (NWRR) 47.11, 2 L Peter (ua)  47.17, 3 A Thomas (Eryri) 47.23. L55: 1 S Bradley (Bux ton) 48.00, 2 G Waring (Prestatyn) 48.20, 3 S Jones (Cybi) 48.27. L60: S Newton (Market Drayton) 50.32. L65: C Birch (Abergele) 47.16. L70: B Jones (Bro Dysynni)  57.47.

Sunday 17 January 2016

Four Villages Half

ANOTHER WIN FOR KALLENBERG

Welsh international Michael Kallenberg (Cardiff), who finished second in last year's Snowdonia Marathon, won the Four Villages Half-Marathon in Helsby in 67.06. Ben Fish (Blackburn), a regular winner of the Vyrnwy Half, was second just 49 seconds behind.

 The only other Welshman in the top 10 finishers was Stefan Sayer (Menai), who was 8th in 73.53.

 Among other well-placed North Walians were Derek Weaver (Eryri), who  won the M60 class in 90.08, Dean Allison (NWRR) 91.42, David Ellis (Cybi) 94.12, Richard Hayes (Wrecsam Tri) 94.13, Jay Jennions (Deestriders, 2nd L35) 93.31, Martin Cortvriend (Denbigh, 3rd M60) 95.46, and Eddie Naisby (Prestatyn, t M85) 2-49.00.

Monday 11 January 2016

English Combined E vents

GREAT WEEKEND FOR WALLEY

Wrexham teenager Thomas Walley had a great weekend at the English Combined Events Championship in Sheffield, setting  five pbs on his way to a record points total in the heptathlon - and then had the bonus of meeting local heroine Jessica Ennis-Hill.

 The 17-year-old finished 14th out of 22 in the U20s' competition with 4,028 points.

 His individual results were: 6m 7.81s (pb); LJ 6.05m; SP 10.33m (pb); PV 3.42m; 60mH 9.18s (pb); HJ 1.84m (pb); 1,000m 3m20s (pb).

Saturday 9 January 2016

UK Leaders

NORTH WALIANS LEAD THE FIELD

Two North Wales athletes recorded the fastest times in the UK in two events last year, according to the latest statistics published in Athletics Weekly.

 Andrew Davies (Stockport) from Welshpool recorded the best 10 time in the M35 class, his time of 29.50 coming in the Telford 10k in December.

 The fastest half-marathon in the M75 class - 1-42.13 - was clocked by the remarkable Dave Gardner (North Wales RR) in the Chester Half in May.

 Martin Rees (Les Croupiers) proved in a class of his own in the M55 age-group, topping the 10k rankings with an amazing 33.18 and the half-marathon placings with 73.20

Saturday 2 January 2016

New races

MORE TRAIL RACES

One of the striking changes in the sport over the past couple of years has been the boom in trail races, with many more athletes taking to the hills and forests.

 That trend looks like continuing in 2016, especially with even more races planned.

 With a new running trail marked at Coed Llandegla Clwydian Range Runners, who stage the Dash in the Dark races, are to put on a Dash in the Daylight 10k on February 20.

 A new series of races on estates in North East Wales is scheduled by the Up Hill Down Dale organisation.

 They are at Bryn Kinalt, near Chirk on March 13 (10k and 20k); at Rhug, Corwen, on April 10 (10k and 20k); at Crogen, Llandrillo, near Corwen, on May 8 (14k, 25k and CaniCross); at Coed Llandegla on June 5 (12k and 24k); at Penbedw, Nannerch, on July 2 (10k and 20k); and at Creiri, near Bala on September 11 (8k and 16 k).