Blustery winds for Road Runners at club’s Christmas handicap race - plus other results and New Year events.

*Members of NWRRC (*pictured above), prior to the start of the Christmas handicap race at West Shore.

Blustery winds for Road Runners at club’s Christmas handicap race...plus other results and New Year events.

Report by Don Hale. Main photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

 

Twenty-five members of North Wales Road Runners took part in the annual Christmas handicap race last Sunday, but they had to battle with cool and very blustery head and sidewinds as they negotiated a challenging four-mile course along part of the Great Orme.

Following a tough route out from West Shore and climbing up the Orme to the old WW2 gun sites and past what’s known as ‘Millionaires Row,’ the runners then turned via a further muddy track before returning back to the start.

This popular event, well organised by John Hatton, Martin and Carla Green, and a team of willing volunteers and marshals attracted a bumper attendance, which included newcomers and many seasoned athletes.

*Pictured above left Rachel Morris with Helen Hannam and Nia Roberts (Lister), and (*below), Sarah Jones with Daniel Hennell, and (*right) Samantha Williams.

And with runners graded at the start based on their parkrun or 5k times, the handicap race was eventually won by Helen Hannam in 33.02, with Rachel Morris 2nd, and relative newcomer Nia Roberts (Lister) 3rd. The first male finisher was Steve Roberts (4th), with runner-up Steve Mason (5th), and Richard Scamans the 3rd male, (6th overall).

*Pictured above (l-r): Steve Roberts, Steve Mason and Tony Gibson.

*Pictured (*above left), Kay Hatton with Richard Scamans and Cheryl Frost, and (below): Karl Morris, with Dave Jones and Mark Mason.

*Pictured (*below l-r): Hannah Griffith, Gwennan Charlton and Carol Moss.

 

  

*Pictured (*above left) Mike Hayton, Gethin Wyn Jones and Don Hale.

The final finishing positions were: 1 Helen Hannam, 2 Rachel Morris 3 Nia Anna, 4 Steve Roberts, 5 Steve Mason, 6 Richard Scamans, 7 Mark Mason, 8 Hannah Griffith, 9 Gwennan Charlton, 10 Samantha Williams, 11 Sarah Jones, 12 Dave Jones, 13 Daniel Hennell, 14 Cheryl Frost, 15 Kay Hatton, 16 Tony Gibson, 17 Iwan Evans, 18 William Evans, 19 Don Hale, 20 Carol Moss, 21 Karl Morris, 22 Steve Poupart, 23 Sion Thomas, 24 Gethin Jones, 25 Mike Hayton.

*Club entrants later donated various tins and other essential goods to the local foodbank as part of their regular festive support.

Message from Martin Green: Another donation gratefully received from Ty Hapus Community Resource Centre & Foodbank from North Wales Road Runners Club after our annual Christmas handicap race. Huge thanks to all that donated and also a big thank you for all the volunteers at Ty Hapus for their invaluable help for the community. (*see photo below).

Other result: 

*Prestatyn: Stuart Culverhouse finished 4th at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn on Saturday with a good run in 20.38 and he won his VM50 age cat.

 

Cross-country and Indoor fixtures for the New Year.

 

There are two cross-country league fixtures available in the New Year at Dolgellau and Oswestry, along with the North Wales XC champs at Wrexham on 6th January.

The first event at Dolgellau will be staged on Saturday 20th January: Postcode LL401UU, whilst the latter meeting will be held on Saturday 10th February, at the Marches School, Oswestry: Postcode: SY11 2AP.

*The North Wales cross-country championships will be held at Ysgol Clwyd LLwyd, Wrexham, on Saturday 6th January 2024. 

*And the North Wales Indoor T&F championships will be held at Coleg Cambria, Connah’s Quay, on Saturday 2 January 2024.

 

Charity cheque for over £9k from Run Wales athletes to St David’s Hospice.

 

Chris and Tracey Yorke from local race organisers Run Wales presented a generous cheque last week to St David’s Hospice, their chosen charity partner for 2023, for £9,256.78. 

This was based on money raised through their Run Wales website, and by many runners who opted to fundraise for the Hospice, after utilising their races. Chris later confirmed: “Thanks to everyone who helped raise these amazing amounts of money. It’s truly appreciated.”

*Chris and Tracey Yorke are pictured handing over a giant charity cheque to Shannon Kelly from St David’s Hospice.