A LARGE contingent of Welsh athletes travelled to Ireland last Saturday (November 12) to take part in the 33rd British and Irish Open International Masters Cross-Country Championships which this year was held at Santry, near Dublin.

Nearly 400 elite athletes from five competing nations took part in this spectacular event, which attracted entries from male and female club runners aged from 35 to 75+.

North Wales was well represented with runners from North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC), GOG Triathlon, Prestatyn, Eryri Harriers, Wrexham, Buckley, and many other top clubs involved in a series of competitive races over varying distances.

Road Runners Martin Green and his wife Carla ran well, yet this dedicated duo appeared slightly disappointed by their results.

Martin finished a highly credible 26th in 30.13 in his M45 race, with Carla 14th in her W50 age cat race in 24.31.

Martin later said: “It was a very high standard, and I was a lowly 26th, Carla was ill, but as usual she played down her chances, but it was much better than could be expected.”

Welsh male runners:

M35: Luke Northall (12) 27.19; Matt Edmonds (16) 27.28; Daniel Trigg (22) 28.18; and Andrew Cleverly (26) 28.59. M40: Matt Harvey (9) 27.36; Steven Skates (15) 28.21; Joel Gomes (19) 28.30; Owen Schiavone (21) 28.50. M45: Simon Lewis (14) 28.29; Chris Callaghan (17); Mark Jennings (18) 28.55; Martin Green (26) 30.13. M50: Huw Evans (13) 29.07; Richard Jones (21) 30.33; Jon Carter (27) 32.04; Jez Brown (28) 32.44. M55: Colin Williams (15) 31.32; Jeremy Mower (16) 31.41; David Williams (18) 31.51. M65: Graham Jones (5) 23.00; Dave Watson (16) 25.23; Cyril Williams (19) 27.17. M70: Martin Cortvriend (23) 25.53; Mike Davies (47) 29.53. M75: Barrie Parham (9) 28.42; Paul Allen (15) 31.45; Gareth Hughes (16) 31.46; Dic Evans (20) 34.25.

Welsh female runners:

W35: Lucy Marland (5) 21.17; Gemma Moore (10) 22.16; Louise Flynn (11) 22.37. W40: Helen Sharpe (15) 23.13; Georgie Parnell (16) 23.13; Wendy Price (1) 23.56; Linos Jones 24.15. W45: Joanne Rees (16) 25.15; Jane Doughton (18) 25.46; Mel Morris (19) 26.04. W50: Tracy Collins (12) 24.05; Carla Green (14) 24.31; Kay Chapman (19) 26.51. W60: Emma Collins (9) 25.58; Cath Wheeler (10) 26.18; Margaret Ludden (17) 28.32. W65: Fiona Davies (9) 29.01; Tricia Hurst (13) 30.00; Andrea Webster (14) 30.02; Ann d’Albuquerque (24) 32.03; Maggie Oliver (29) 36.20.

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Kay and Cheryl star for North Wales Road Runners at blustery Conwy parkrun!

Road Runner Mark dazzles in the sun at Conwy parkrun

Road Runner Mark Jessett turned in another dazzling performance to match the bright sunshine at Conwy parkrun last Saturday and ran home as the first finisher overall.

He also won his MV35 age category in a fast-finishing time of 17 minutes and 54 seconds.

Mark led home a team of nine club members, who collected six podium placings, including five age cat victories.

He finished about 30 seconds ahead of his nearest rival Dave Hughes, who was second with a PB of 18.21, with Osian Griffiths third in 18.38.

The first Lady was Ella Leonard, who was 13th overall in 21.53, with Kristen Luke (Eryri Harriers), second female and 19th overall in 22.21, with Ffion Roberts the third female runner in 22.35 and 22nd overall.

This event attracted 200 finishers, including runners of all ages and abilities.

Will Williams was another NWRRC member in top form and he finished fourth overall and won his MV50 cat in 19.08, with club colleague Steve Mason pushing Will all the way to claim sixth place in 20.05, and he also won his MV45 cat.

Club newcomer Mal Preece made a successful parkrun debut to finish 15th in 22.02 to win his MV60 age cat, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 36th overall in 23.38, with veteran Rob Fryer 56th in 25.32, and claimed the second spot in his MV65 age cat.

Kevin Higgins made a rare appearance at parkrun in preparation for next week’s Conwy half-marathon and ran well in 65th place in 26.01.

John Dalzell, running with his energetic young dog, remained hot on Kevin’s heels and finished just three seconds behind in 66th spot in 26.04.

Master vet Don Hale continued his recovery from injury, and celebrated his 150th parkrun run by knocking more than a minute off his time from last week to finish 89th in 27.45, and he also won his MV70 age cat.

Praise was again given to the race director and to all the volunteers and marshals.

Other race results

*Greenfield Valley: Stuart Culverhouse won his MV50 age cat finishing in 5th place overall in 20.14 at the Greenfield Valley parkrun last Saturday.

*Macclesfield: Master veteran Mike Hayton ran with his nephew Pete at the Macclesfield parkrun at the weekend and finished in 113th place, and he too won his MV70 age cat in 31.17.