THE popular “Race the Train” event proved to be an enjoyable summer dash for 258 runners on July 20, with more than half the starters finally managing to beat the Highland locomotive and its entourage back to the start at Caernarfon.

The unique 5k course in perfect weather conditions led to a fast downward dash for a mixed entry of local elite club and social runners, with 17 athletes dipping under 17 minutes, and 47 people in total beating the magic 20-minute mark.

This midweek race was eventually won by Luke Northall (Wrexham AC) in 15 minutes and on second, and he was just seven seconds ahead of rival Tom Roberts (Meirionnydd) in 15.08, and Math Roberts from hosts (Eryri Harriers) in 15.24.

North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) entered six members with many claiming course personal bests.

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Gethin Wyn Jones was the first club man home in 26th place in 18.43, with Ben Hudson and Karl Morris running hard together with Ben finishing 40th in 19.31, and Karl 43rd in 19.41.

Sarah Ferguson Hudson was 77th and sixth in her FV35 cat in 21.16, with Elizabeth Driscoll 134th and fourth in her FV55 cat in 23.32, followed by Rachel Morris, who ran well to dip under the 30-minute mark in 29.20.

This is the link to the provisional results for the Race the Train event: my.raceresult.com/212448/results?fbclid=IwAR3Q52Zq4zMZJnAqHj0qf3CsO_ptmjj2dQ3vZLzthJoAsrknVpK4l1dN_zI.

Runners brave the heat at Helena Tipping 10k race

Several NWRRC members braved the heat and made the journey to Wrexham on Sunday (July 24) to take part in the popular Helena Tipping 10k race.

Many celebrated fast times including Steve Forsyth, who was the first club man home in 30th place in 34.47, and club colleague Will Williams finished 126th in 39.45, with Gethin Wyn Jones 160th in 41.46, and Jamie Tharme 264th in 46.08.

Cai Roberts continued his good form in 302nd place in 48.45, with Kevin Higgins impressing again in 388th spot in 54.28, and Kelly-Marie Alford ran well to finish 393rd in 54.53, with Mandy Owen building back her fitness in 464th place in 1.00.31.

The race attracted 774 runners and it was won by Matt Clowes (Cardiff AC) in 30.36, with Scott Overall second in 31.14, and Jay Ferns third in 32.23.

The first female was Emily Kearney (Welsh Anglo Athletes) in 33.39.

Elsewhere, the midweek Dolgellau five-mile race proved an attraction for Ben and Sarah Hudson, with Ben finishing 16th overall and Sarah winning her age category in 26th place in 38.37.

Afterwards, Sarah admitted: “It was a tough little race but great fun coming back down the hills.”

Mark Jessett wins narrow victory at Conwy parkrun

Road Runner Mark Jessett celebrated a deserved victory at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday (July 23) following his impressive performance on this challenging 5k course and finished just 11 seconds ahead of a very determined rival.

Mark was the first NWRRC member home and he also won his M35-39 age category in 17 minutes 41 seconds to confirm his recent excellent form.

And promising teenager Morgan Kendall finished a close second in 17.52. but won his SM18-19 age cat, with Robert Cordle third, and first MV40-44 cat in 18.05.

The event attracted 212 finishers, including a team of fifteen Road Runners, who claimed seven age category podium places, with three members winning their respective cats.

Gethin Wyn Jones ran his fastest parkrun this year to finish 10th overall and fourth in his age category in 20.14, and he finished just ahead of John Dalzell 11th in 20.28, and third in his MV45 age cat, with Carla Green the first female finisher in 21st place, and the winner of her VW50 cat in 21.29.

Steve Roberts was third in his MV55 cat in a good time of 22.32, with Cheryl Frost in form again to win her VW55 cat in 39th place overall in 23.11.

Jamie Tharme also enjoyed a good workout and finished 47th in 23.45, with veteran runners Rob Fryer and Don Hale finishing well.

Rob won his MV65 cat in 73rd place in 25.29, with Don 77th and second in the same age cat as Rob, in 77th place in 25.58.

Master vet Mike Hayton finished in 104th place and second in his MV70 cat in 28.27, with Darren Griss 119th in 29.23, and female vet Sue Smith ran well to claim 124th in 29.46.

In addition, Rachel Morris after her great effort in Racing the Train in midweek, also ran her fastest parkrun this year and finished 137th in 31.04, with Ceri Jones 170th in 33.38, and Mike Smith 176th in 34.00.

This is the link to the provisional results for Conwy parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults.