Easter surprise - Double date Welsh selection for Will Williams - and international call-ups and news for other NWRRC athletes.
*NWRRC member Will Williams (*above), called-up for double Welsh date.
Easter surprise - Double date Welsh selection for Will Williams - and international call-ups and news for other NWRRC athletes.
Report by Don Hale.
North Wales Road Runner Will Williams received a welcome Easter surprise this week with confirmation that he has been selected to represent Wales in two varied international distance races next month against the old enemy England!
He is now one of three top-level club athletes who have recently had their talents recognised by the sporting authorities following some consistent and outstanding performances.
Will, who has just recovered from a niggling knee injury, confirmed that he will compete in the Masters’ International 10k race at Birmingham on Sunday 5th May, and then again for the Masters’ International half-marathon event at Manchester on Sunday 26th May.
Following news of his selection, based on several previously outstanding efforts in the red vest on both the road, and at cross-country events, confirmed: “I am super-proud to have been selected to represent my country (Wales), for the two forthcoming international races against England.”
This latest exciting selection news for Will Williams, follows hot on the heels from last week’s announcement that his club colleague Llyr Ap-Geraint-Roberts, was selected for the GB team for next year’s Duathlon Championships, following his qualification success last week in Edinburgh.
Disappointment for Steve Gardner.
And, in addition, we have further confirmation from the NWRRC M60 veteran and track colleague Steve Gardner, that he also received news of his own selection for the GB team after previously qualifying for this year’s European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships at Coimbra, in Portugal on 15th June 2024.
Steve, however, has unfortunately had to decline the offer, as he is still recovering from injury, and explained that he needs some more time to regain full race fitness.
He confirmed: “I have just seen the good news about Llyr. I was also selected for the GB team for this year’s European Short Course Championships in Portugal but have had to decline.”
Steve said he received a congratulatory letter from Rosemary Hayward, the team manager for the British Triathlon age group team but replied: “I feel honoured to have been selected. This was a goal of mine after returning to the sport after 25-years of inactivity. (I came 4th in 1994 world champs in Hobart), but my winter training hasn't gone to plan, so it is with reluctance that I will have to decline the offer on this occasion.
“I am intending to concentrate on running in 2024 and will hopefully be back racing in duathlons in 2025. Many thanks for the offer, all the best to you and the team in the champs.”
*NWRRC members are also looking forward to officially welcoming Welsh international athlete Sandy Johnston, who will be joining the club from 1st April, following his transfer from his previous athletic club, Les Croupiers.
Sandy, who is a prolific Masters M70 Veteran and Welsh Athletics representative at many varied events, is very well-known from numerous local events since moving to North Wales, and he is also a regular entrant and age category winner at Conwy parkrun.
*Sandy Johnston (*pictured left).
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