Martin gets Green light for Cheshire Elite Marathon

                                         *Martin Green set for elite marathon action

Martin gets Green light for Cheshire Elite Marathon

Reports by Don Hale

North Wales marathon runner Martin Green will be competing in his first ‘live’ marathon race for over six months this weekend during the Cheshire Elite Marathon events.

This particular run, formerly part of the Wrexham Elite Marathon, was first devised last Spring when it became clear that some large city marathons and half marathons may not happen due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The 7.59 lap race is open to male athletes capable of running 2:40 or quicker for a marathon and female athletes capable of running a sub 3:00 hour marathon, or the elite half-marathon equivalent (1:15 men and 1:30 women).

Martin, who has previously won many prestigious road and marathon titles, easily met the elite criteria, and has been training hard for this race throughout lockdown, said he is really looking forward to this weekend’s race.

He confirmed: ‘I am running in the former Wrexham Elite Marathon on Sunday, although it’s now been moved across the border to Pulford, Cheshire, where I think it’s running alongside a half-marathon too. I can’t wait, and it’s been six-months to the day since my last, but the weather looks pretty much perfect, so no excuses.’

The race will also incorporate a new and officially measured (World Athletics accredited) fast course in Pulford, and includes flat, and well-maintained roads, in a predominantly rural area.

The event has been planned in preparation for a return to COVID-19 safe road running and goes ahead due to final approval of UKA, Welsh Athletics, and the local authority.

The marathon and half marathon will start on Old Lane Pulford with runners expected to set off in waves depending upon their predicted finish times, unless the situation allows for a return to normal race starts.

The half marathon will finish along Wrexham Road and the full marathon will finish on Straight Mile, approximately 200 metres from the junction with Wrexham Road. The race is also fully supported with a road closure, and the most up to date integrated chip-timing, with free to download photographs, course nutrition, and free designated parking.

 

Virtual London Marathon charity debut for Helen

 

Fellow North Wales Road Runner Helen Hannam will be making her marathon debut this Sunday in the virtual London Marathon. Helen has also been steadily building up the miles and will be running to help raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Helen explained: ‘I am fundraising for this charity as my step-dad died from cancer, and that was how I first got into running, when my mother and I did Race 4 Life the year after he passed away.

‘I am running this time to Abergele and back through Mochdre Junction and Deganwy before finishing on North Shore prom. I will have several ladies from NWRRC in support and many have offered to run with me for part of the journey, so I will only be on my own for a mile or so, here and there.

‘I have been totally overwhelmed by all the support I have received so far, and I am planning to run at an average 11 minute-mile pace to finish under 5-hours. I am quite looking forward to it now.’

*If you are able to donate anything towards Helen’s fundraising quest for CANCER RESEARCH UK, please click on this link: https://www.facebook.com/donate/881884025990892/

                                    *Helen Hannam ready to make her marathon debut this weekend

Mia completes 5k charity dash

 

Teenager NWRRC runner Mia Morris took part in the Hare & the Tortoise 5k virtual charity race earlier this week, which helped to raise funds for local charities in the Stoke and Stafford region, with some associated with former Manchester United star Lou Macari and the House of Bread fundraising centre. Mia ran well despite enduring a long day back at school, on a course close to her home in Conwy. She completed her run in 27 mins 19 secs.

                                *Mia Morris competed in a 5k charity race this week

 

Ultra-distance stars prepare for new challenges

 

Ultra-distance athlete Josie Davies has set herself a unique double-date in the next month or so, and will be taking part in the Wales Coastal Path 870-mile challenge, which is a virtual walk/run event, in addition to the 50-mile GB Ultra-Appalachian Trail Challenge.

                                           *Josie Davies

 

Several multi-distance events for Llinos

 

And another ultra-endurance star is GOG member Llinos Davies, who is also taking on the Wales Coastal Path challenge alongside colleagues Ceri Hughes, Megan New, and a few other local runners and cyclists.

She explained: ‘We started this Welsh Coastal Path virtual challenge in January. It is 870 miles in total, and whatever distance we have run or walked, we just log it, and it clocks it against the map of Wales, showing where we would have got to. And since 9th January, I have logged almost 700 miles.

Llinos added however, that she has missed the company of others during this pandemic period and faced cancellation to her expected races in the Harlech Triathlon, and Gold rush events, but managed to run the virtual Kidsgrove 10k race earlier this year.

And in stark contrast to her triathlon events and ultra-runs Llinos will also be running in the RNLI May Bank Holiday one-mile event together with other club athletes. 

At present her precise route is still undecided and she says it could be along the prom at Llandudno, or from Llandudno to Conwy. In addition to this run, Llinos is additionally planning a cycle ride from Llandudno RNLI to Beaumaris RNLI the week prior to her run.

And her ambitions for the rest of the year don’t end there, for she already pencilled in the Tour de Mon Mawr 103-mile bike ride during August, and the Tough Mudder race in September, plus the Eyri Marathon in October.

                                 *Llinos Davies busy tackling several multi-distance events.