A dozen hardy Road Runners competed in the tough Eryri Marathon - plus welcome news about Mark Davies.

*Some of the NWRRC team at the Eryri Marathon (*l-r), Kelly Alford, Steve Bozier, Karl Morris, Stuart Culverhouse, Cai Roberts and Vicky Taylor.

A dozen hardy Road Runners competed in the tough Eryri Marathon...plus Mark Davies seen near the start line!

Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

*Some other Road Runners (*above), with their friends and supporters.

A dozen hardy and determined North Wales Road Runners competed in the popular Eryri Marathon last Saturday and additionally celebrated news of seeing their club colleague Mark Davies positioned near the start line following a serious accident earlier this year.

This extremely tough encounter was run in very good conditions and attracted 2,228 endurance athletes, including many from top fell running and mountain racing clubs, with entrants all praising the incredible support from marshals and volunteers enroute, together with the spectacular scenery.

*Pictured above (*left), Sarah Fergie Hudson and her husband Ben, and (*right) Cai Roberts, Vicky Taylor and Kelly Marie Alford enjoyed a celebratory drink.

Husband and wife team Ben and Sarah Fergie Hudson were the first NWRRC finishers with Ben running home in 381st place in 3 hours 54 minutes and 15 seconds, and Sarah confirmed another great run in 3.56.18, to claim 419th place.

Steve Bozier said he found this marathon ‘very tough’ but ran well in 450th place in 4.07.06, with endurance athlete Karl Morris – running with Mark Davies’s special race number – finishing 608th in 4.12.43, whilst Stuart Culverhouse also admitted a battle with fatigue, but finished strong in 697th place in 4.17.39.

 

*Steve Bozier (*above left), with Rachel and Karl Morris, and Stuart Culverhouse.

Jamie Tharme was 1,160th in 4.47.13, whilst Hannah Griffith, running with her sisters Siwan Kalatzi and Angharad Ruskin, finished 1,838th in 5.35.47. 

Meanwhile, Gwennan Charlton had a good run despite her charity Dark Run the previous evening with her family, but she too was pleased to claim 1,993rd place in 5.53.23.

Cai Roberts and his partner Kelly Marie Alford ran together, along with club colleague Vicky Taylor, and they all finished about the same time in just over six-hours in 2,022 places onwards, whilst Rachel Morris celebrated a tremendous effort in 2,126th place in 6.28.37.

*Pictured above left and top right, Hannah Griffith with her two sisters and (*far right) Jamie Tharme.

The race was won by Marshall Smith (Ashford AC) in 2.31.19, with Alaw Evans taking the 1st female prize in 2.58.03.

 

*After the marathon, Steve Bozier said: “It was amazing to see Mark Davies before, and during the race today. That smile cheered everyone up who saw it, and Karl Morris did him proud running in his race number and name too.

“Massive congratulations to the speedy couple Sarah Fergie Hudson and Ben Hudson, who left me for dust around Waunfawr Hill, and also to Rachel Morris who was unbelievable. 

“My race didn't go to plan, although I felt so good and comfortable till miles 16/17, then my body decided enough was enough, and only through gritted teeth and lots of swearing and grunting completed it.”

Sarah Fergie Hudson confirmed: “Ben was first for the club, and I did 3.56, and I’m over the moon, plus a little pleased to beat all those boys.”

Jamie Tharme added: “This was one tough marathon, but my existing injuries soon reared their head, and quickly put me in my place. There were some beautiful views, but that’s got to be one of the hardest marathons ever. Eryri chewed me up and spat me out!”

Hannah Griffith said: “I completed the marathon with my two lovely sisters Siwan Kalatzi and Angharad Ruskin. Fantastic support, marshals, and stunning views helped to get us round the tough route. We did it, got around, chatted, sang, laughed, and even had tears at the end as we finished outside the house that we grew up in.”

Rachel Morris also confirmed: Wow! This was hard but I loved it. The support was amazing. Karl ran with Mark Davies’s number, that he won in the auction raising money after Mark’s accident. 

"I enjoyed the marathon, and I’m glad I did. It’s a fantastic race, marshals and supporters are all amazing. Especially the mile twenty-four feed station, music playing marshals dressed up, offering tea, coffee sandwiches biscuits. The cup of tea went down a treat.”

 

*This is the link to the provisional results from the Eryri Marathon:

https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=3984#1_7AAEAD