Rohan’s relay boost for Children’s Cancer Charities

Rohan’s relay boost for Children’s Cancer Charities

Report by Don Hale. Photographs by Steve Jeffery.

Athletes and supporters of North Wales Road Runners had fun in the sun last Sunday as they competed in a special 5-mile relay challenge on Llandudno promenade in aid of CLIC Sargent, and Leukaemia in Children charities.

Some twenty-six runners took part in this unique fundraising event in memory of an extraordinary young student, Rohan Ingley, and included five teams of four, plus a guide, each completing 1.25 miles (2k), and one team of five “virtual” runners each running a mile.

The weather too proved a hit for all the runners, and a host of supporters and sponsors, with the relay bathed throughout in bright, and very warm sunshine. 

The race, organised by club officials John Hatton and Carla Green, with essential timekeeper Liz Driscoll, proved to be a real fun occasion, with many runners recording PB’s over this unusual sprint distance. 

The winning team was Team 1, who completed the 5-mile challenge in a total of 31mins 1 second. In 2nd place was Team 5, in 34.46; and in 3rd place was Team 3 in 35.00.

* The winning relay team pictured above (l-r) Kevin Slattery, Gethin Wyn Jones, Darren Dentith and Chris Spillane

Team 5 actually had the two fastest relay runners with Steve Bozier topping the results in the 1.25-mile race in 7 mins 11 secs, and team-mate Stuart Culverhouse clocking 7.24, which was also the exact same time as rivals Chris Spillane and John Dalzell.

Teenagers Freddie Spillane and Mia Morris produced some amazing performances with Freddie recording 7.47, and Mia 8.39. Mia was additionally the fastest female runner on the day, with Sarah Ferguson Hudson claiming the fastest female time in the virtual mile challenge of 6.49.

*Pictured (above) promising teenager Mia Morris ran the fastest female time in the 1.25 mile relay leg, and (below) Stuart Culverhouse, who ran the second fastest male time.

Competition was also fierce in the M65 plus veteran’s section of the relay. Kevin Slattery was the first man home in a very fast time of 8.10, with Don Hale and Peter Armstrong sharing the same finishing time of 8.55. New club veteran runners Ian Turner and Gilbert Gillan also ran extremely well, with Ian finishing in 10.41, and Gilbert just four seconds adrift in 10.45. And Mike Hayton, also celebrated a return to live action in 11 mins dead. In addition, it was great to note the return of partially sighted runner Daniel Owens and his guide Carla Green, who both ran home in 9.27.

*Helen Hannam (above) and (below) partially sighted runner Daniel Owens with his guide Carla Green both ran well together in the relay challenge on the prom

*A strong veteran's entry in the charity relay with Kevin Slattery (above) and Gilbert Gillan (pictured below)

*Another fine run from Lesley Goodson (below) in the relay

OVERALL RESULTS: In relay running order:

 

1st Team 1: Total 31.01: Kevin Slattery 8.10, Darren Dentith 7.43, Gethin Wyn Jones 7.43, and Chris Spillane 7.24.

2nd Team 5: Total 34.36: Steve Bozier 7.11, Stuart Culverhouse 7.24, Gilbert Gillan 10.45, Don Hale 8.55.

3rd Team 3: Total 35.00: Lesley Goodson 9.20, Freddie Spillane 7.47, Vicky Taylor 9.36, Merion 8.17.

4th Team 4: Total 35.41: John Dalzell 7.24, Peter Armstrong 8.55, Steve Roberts 8.22, and Mike Hayton 11.00.

5th Team 2: Total 38.20: Daniel Owens running with Carla Green 9.27, Mia Morris 8.39, Helen Hannam 9.33, and Ian Turner 10.41.

6th Team 6: Virtual mile each: Total 40.40: Kay Hatton 7.18, Tony Gibson 7.19, Hannah Griffith 7.30, and Rachel Morris 11.44.

*Steve Roberts (above) and veteran Peter Armstrong (below)

The main aim of this event was to support Rohan’s Run, formerly the Deganwy Dash, which unfortunately had to be postponed last May, and again this year due to Covid-19 restrictions on live outdoor races.

NWRRC however, were determined to run the relay as a fitting tribute to Rohan Ingley, a remarkable young student, who tragically lost his young life to cancer in August 2018, aged just 17.

During his long struggle with serious illness, Rohan had expressed a desire to help many other youngsters facing similar battles and recommended these nominated children’s cancer charities. 

*NWRRC officials John Hatton and Carla Green with Rohan's parents and sister.

The former Abergele teenager was a highly talented all-rounder, who excelled at sport and music, formerly attended the King’s School in Chester. 

His mother and father, Aradhana and Sanjay, together with his sister Shreya, who are all involved in the medical profession, were quite obviously devastated by his loss at the time but wanted everyone to know just how much Rohan’s short life was appreciated by so many people. 

All the family attended the relay and later helped to present some prizes to the winning teams. Sanjay thanked the race team and officials for their support, and it was understood that at least £1,000 had been raised on the day with more donations expected.

 

*All proceeds from this relay race will be donated to CLIC Sargent and in aid of Cancer and Leukaemia in Children with donations welcomed via this link: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/carla-green1