NORTH WALES RUNNERS CLAIM AGE CATEGORY WINS

                                                                       Stuart Culverhouse

Two North Wales runners claim age category wins

North Wales Road Runners claimed several age-related podium places in last weekend’s Kidsgrove virtual 10k and 5k races, which attracted over 500 athletes, despite an extended spell of icy weather and extensive Covid-19 restrictions.

Stuart Culverhouse and Kevin Slattery both won their individual age categories in the 10k challenge, with Stuart having a fine run to finish 7^th overall and 1^st M45 cat winner in 42 mins 43 secs, and Kevin completing a fantastic performance to win his M65 cat in 17^th place overall in 45.21. In addition, charity fundraiser Llinos Davies from GOG Triathlon finished in 163^rd place overall and was the 7^th F60 runner in 68.19. The overall race was won by Scott Zikmanis from Newcastle (Staffs), 1^st M40 cat runner in 36.25.

      

                        Kevin Slattery

 

Exciting family finishes in 5k race

 

It was an exciting finish, and an extraordinary family battle for some talented runners in the Kidsgrove virtual 5k race, with Nic Brook from Eryri Harriers claiming overall race victory from rival Jonathan Kettle of NWRRC by just 4 seconds. 

Nic ran home in 17 mins 32 secs, with Jonathan recording 17.36. The runners also finished as 1^st and 2^nd in their respective M45 age category.

Nic’s partner Gemma Moore, a former NWRCC runner was the 1^st female athlete and 1^st M35 cat winner in 5^th place overall in 19.53, whilst Jonathan’s son Troy Kettle, finished 6^th overall, and was also the 2^nd senior man, just 4 seconds adrift in 19.57.

Tony Price-Jones was 21^st in 22.47, with Charlotte-Rose Wilton-Jones 52^nd overall and 28^th female in 26.17. Helen Hannam was 56^th overall and 31^st female in 27.13, and she was just 3 seconds ahead of her training partner Mia Morris, from Colwyn Bay in 27.16. And Natasha Kettle made a welcome return to running in a semi-competitive outing and finished 175^th in 36.06. NWRRC also won the team prize with Jonathan and Troy Kettle with Tony Price-Jones.

*Other local runners included: Janine Butterworth from Criw Colwyn, who finished in 24^th place and was 2^nd female runner in 23.06. Rachel Cook from GOG Triathlon, who was 26^th and 1^st F-Sen in 23.26, and her club colleagues Hayley Price-Jones finished in 53^rd spot in 26.25, and Miklos Bird 79^th in 29.29. Sharon Hughes from Conwy Parkrun was 161^st in 34.41.

                                                                        Jonathan Kettle

           Tony Price-Jones

Steve wins Hereford Couriers virtual 10k

 

North Wales athlete Steve Bozier was finally confirmed this week as the overall winner of the Hereford Couriers virtual 10k race, held the previous weekend, and again delayed due to bad weather.

Steve put in a great performance to claim the top prize in this challenge, which attracted 74 quality competitors. His time of 41 mins 20 secs also won 1^st place in his MV40 age category, and was just 22 seconds ahead of the 2^nd placed runner and 1^st lady, Joanna Eddy.

                                                         Steve Bozier won the Hereford virtual 10k