NWRRC runners claim Welsh podium places in British Masters virtual mile race

*Peter Armstrong celebrated his return to NWRRC with a Welsh victory in the M70 age category of the BMAF one-mile championships last weekend

North Wales runners won Welsh podium placings in British Masters virtual mile race: Report by Don Hale. Most photographs by Steve Jeffery.

Several North Wales athletes shone in the cold winter sunshine last weekend during the prestigious British Masters one-mile championships, with two club runners claiming Welsh podium placings amongst a highly talented field.
This virtual race was one of two major time-trial events staged over the same few days, which unfortunately clashed with the rival Welsh Athletics (WA) two-mile challenge series.
Staged under Covid-19 restrictions and BMAF rules, it still attracted a massive turn-out of some 1,560 competitors nationwide, including many of the UK’s top club runners.
The quality of entrants was both obvious and outstanding, with the first seventy athletes dipping under five-minutes, and a further four hundred plus members finishing between 5-6 minutes.
The overall race winner was Tom Merson from Exmouth Harriers, who completed his own run in a remarkable time of 4.21; with the first female athlete, Elizabeth Davies, finishing in 5.01.
And the top-end senior races once again highlighted the infinite quality at this higher age grouping, which was confirmed by the overall M70 race winner Ron Cattle, from Midland Masters, who recorded a superb finishing time of 5.54. In addition, David Bedwell, the overall M65 champion from Bristol and West, celebrated his deserved victory in just 5.34.

*Steve Bozier produced another good performance on Llandudno promenade in the virtual BMAF one-mile race.

North Wales Road Runners had five senior entrants, but marathon man and charity fundraiser Steve Bozier, had to curb his usual endurance efforts for a brief out and back dash along Llandudno promenade, before recording an excellent time of just 5 mins 47 seconds to finish in 388^th place overall. His colleague Stuart Culverhouse also ran well and finished just 9 seconds adrift in 472nd position in 5.56. 

   *Stuart Culverhouse enjoyed another good run

The main plaudits though went to NWRRC senior newcomer Peter Armstrong, who has just returned to the club after a 20-year absence. He finished 908^th overall, but was the 1^st Welsh veteran in his M70 masters age category, winning a virtual podium pace in a great time of 7 mins 5 secs. 

* M70 age cat winner Peter Armstrong (pictured in red top) at Conwy Parkrun.

Fellow senior Don Hale additionally enjoyed a good outing in 935th spot in 7.12, to secure another virtual podium position, as the 3^rd Welsh athlete in his M65 masters age cat. 

Meanwhile, Helen Hannam, the only female representative in this race from NWRRC, continued her rapid progress, despite facing a tough task in the F45 section, and recorded a promising 7.45 dash result in 1064th place overall.

*Don Hale 3rd place in the M65 Welsh age category

*Helen Hannam - ran well but faced a tough test in the F45 age cat section

**Link to latest Welsh Athletics 2-mile virtual race: DonHaleBlog: Father and son win top placings in Welsh 2-mile vi... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2021/03/father-and-son-win-top-placings-in.html?spref=tw