Age Cat honours for GOG Triathlon Club at a very hot Nick Beer 10k race

*Some of the GOG runners at the Nick Beer race on Llandudno promenade

Age Cat honours for GOG Triathlon Club at a very hot Nick Beer 10k race

Report by Don Hale. Photographs by Steve Jeffery.

 

The GOG Triathlon Club entered a large contingent of quality athletes in the very hot and hilly Nick Beer 10k race last Sunday morning, which was one of the very first major events held in Wales this year since the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

This popular race starting from Llandudno Promenade, and then out and back, including a tough climb around the Great Orme, always offers runners a stern challenge, but this year, the re-scheduled race - due to previous restrictions - provided an even harder test with very high temperatures and limited shade for the 400-plus finishers.

The event also included a prestigious Inter-County race with some of the top runners from North Wales, Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Cheshire taking part. North Wales eventually won the men’s race, with the ladies having to finally settle for the runners-up spot.

Despite these brutally hot conditions, several GOG runners still celebrated several age category honours and gained plaudits from thousands of spectators who packed the promenade and many of the surrounding streets to cheer on all the runners.

GOG Triathlon results round-up: -

 

Daniel Wellings was listed as the first GOG runner home in 55th place in a very respectable time of 42 minutes dead. In addition, Geran Hughes finished 65th and he won his M55 cat in 42.49, with David Griffith 70th in 43.00. Craig Rutter finished well and was 77th in 43.32, with Andy Jones 80th in 44.10. Bleddyn Evans was 98th in 46.44, and Paul Garstang finished 99th and was 2nd MV55 in 46.45. 

*Llinos Davies is pictured with some of her GOG clubs colleagues

Steven Owen was 106th in 47.08, Chris Morris 134th in 49.57, John Farrell 142nd in 50.41, Simon Blain 157th in 52.25, Steve Dutton 161st in 52.28, Bryn Phillips was 150th in 51.38, and Merf Jones finished 163rd in 52.32. 

Caitlin Owen led the GOG ladies team home and she was also the 1st FU20 runner finishing a highly credible 37th female and 164th overall in 52.33, with Claire Parsley the 3rd FV45, the 37th female athlete, and she was 167th overall in 52.50. Laurie Griffith also performed very well as the 3rd FV50 cat, and she was the 39th female runner, 171st overall, in 53.01.

*Caitlin Owen won her Female U20 age category title

Other results included: - Andrew Ellwood 176th in 53.13, Gareth Jones 177th in 53.24, Michelle Farrell 191st and 43rd female runner in 54.15, Stephanie Conway 199th and 44th female runner in 54.58, and Alan Benn successfully finished as the 2nd MV75 athlete in 57.34. 

Llinos Davies was 280th and 78th female in 62.19, with Caroline Oldham 323rd and 98th female runner in 66.39. Sonja Griffiths finished in 331st place overall, and was 103rd female in 67.49, with Paul Martin 332nd in 67.52.

Afterwards Llinos Davies explained: 'Great Day at Nick Beer 10k Road Race today. It was a bit of a battle v the Hot Sun at times.. The last mile had sapped me. Diolch Marshalls, and North Wales Road Runners, for organising this and TDL Events.

'Wow what amazing support all the way from the start to the finishing line and beyond. Lovely dip in the sea afterwards to cool down.'

 

*The overall 10k race was won by more than a minute by Matt Clowes (Cardiff AC) in a very fast time of 31.22, with Daniel Kashi (Sale Harriers) 2nd in 32.47, and Matthew Costello (Shrewsbury AC) 3rd in 33.31.  

The Ladies race was won by Lauren Cooper (Shrewsbury AC), who was 28th overall and was 1st F-Senior in 37.22.  Claire Clancy (Wilmslow AC) was 2nd lady and 1st FV35 cat winner, finishing 33rd overall in 38.13, with Kelly Butler (Birchfield Harriers) 3rd lady, 39th overall, and she was also the 2nd F-Senior in 39.05. 

There were generous plaudits too for local teenager prospect Bryn Woodall (Colwyn Bay AC) who finished 8th overall, and he was the 1st MU20 runner in 34.19.

 

*The final team results for the Inter-Counties challenge included: Men’s race: 1st North Wales 14 points, 2nd Shropshire 30 points, 3rd Staffordshire 47 points, and 4th Cheshire 67 points.

*In the Ladies race the results were: 1st Cheshire 25 points, 2nd North Wales 35 points, 3rd Staffordshire 36 Points, and 4th Shropshire 48 points.

*This is the results link to the overall event:

https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3526