Mixed emotions but a great experience for athletes at the London Marathon...plus other results and updates.

*North Wales Road runner Mal Preece (*above) at the London Marathon.

Mixed emotions but a great experience for athletes at the London Marathon...plus other results and updates...

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

 

Seven North Wales Road Runners competed in the televised London Marathon last Sunday amongst a mass participation of some 50,000 runners, who raised tens of thousands of pounds for various worthy charities, with many athletes recalling mixed emotions and personal best times!

Mal Preece was the first NWRRC member home with an excellent time of 3 hours and 20 minutes, and he celebrated following a great new PB time. Afterwards he confirmed: “Very pleased with a new six-minute PB. I ran my first marathon back in 2011 at Chester, and to date I’ve knocked 20 minutes off that time. Looking to chip away my latest PB again next year with GFA time. My goal was to get my qualifying time for Berlin next year, which I achieved.”

*Pictured (*above left), Mal Preece, with Ben and Sarah Hudson, and Will Evans.

Will Evans was also on top form to record 3.27, but later admitted just how hard this race, stating: “Wow! That was a long way, and it nearly broke me, but happy to go under 3.30.”

Ben and Sarah Hudson enjoyed the occasion but also faced mixed emotions, with Ben claiming a new PB by finishing in 3.31, and Sarah recording 3.47, but she too spoke of the exhausting challenge of this popular event and confirmed: “It was not my day today, but I left it all out there. What an experience! It didn’t quite go according to any of my plans, and I was totally broken half-way around. 

“No excuses, but just so proud to finish in 3.47, and even more proud of Ben and his new PB. Thank you so much for all words of support and sponsorship…means so much. And here’s to Berlin and another crack at our sub 3.30 mission!” 

*Samantha Williams (*above left), with Kelly Alford and Cai Roberts, and (*below right), Kelly in her costume at the London Marathon.

Samantha Williams was thrilled with her time of 4.40, which was her second fastest marathon time, and Kelly Marie Alford and her partner Cai Roberts ran well whilst running for charity in their telly-tubby fancy dress costumes, finishing in 4.51.

*There were additional plaudits to other local charity fundraisers including Conwy parkrunner Elaine Heyes who completed the London Marathon in 4.55, and also to Josie Davies, and Mandy Owen.

 

Other race results:

*Wrexham: Sion Thomas ran in the Wrexham 10k last Sunday and finished 74th out of 782 entrants with a good time of 44.15.

*Caernarfon: Gwennan Charlton competed in the Moel Smytho Orienteering event last weekend at Rhosgadfan, near Caernarfon, which included a 3.6k challenging course and she finished in 33.29.

 

News snippets:

International selection: There were international call-ups this month by Welsh Masters for three NWRRC members, including Will Williams, and husband and wife duo Martin and Carla Green, for two varied distance events. 

This formidable trio have been selected to represent Wales at the forthcoming Masters’ international 10k race at Birmingham on Sunday 5th May, and then in the Masters’ International half-marathon race in Manchester on Sunday 26th May.

*Carla and Martin Green (*above left), with Will Williams.

Deganwy Dash proves to be as popular as ever.

Race full: Entries for the popular 5-mile Deganwy Dash, now known as Rohan’s Run, in memory of student Rohan Ingley, have now closed, as the 350-entry limit has now been reached. This event on Friday 31st May, will help to raise thousands of pounds for children’s cancer charities, and follows the Conwy Estuary pathway, including a very picturesque route from Deganwy Quay to the RSPB reserve via the Cob and back.