NORTH Wales Road Runner Carla Green stormed home to claim the prestigious first female prize at the Tatton Park 10k on Saturday (January 7).

She finished almost a minute-and-a-half ahead of her nearest rival – and more than 11 minutes ahead of world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury.

Carla, who battled with injury problems last season, put in a gritty and determined performance in very wet and rainy conditions around this spectacular course, and was delighted by her win and her VW50 age category victory in a fast time of 41 minutes and nine seconds.

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She finished 23rd overall and didn’t pull any punches, competing against some 550 quality entrants, which included Fury, who is six feet nine inches tall, and his boxing brother Tommy.

The celebrity duo use running to help build endurance, and Tyson eventually finished 163rd in 52.17, with Tommy 148th in 51.30.

Carla Green was joined in the race by club debutant Mal Preece, who finished 122nd in 50.09, and Rachel Morris, who enjoyed a good run as part of her marathon training plan, finished 393rd place in 1.03.53, and dipped well under her one hour and 10 minutes target.

Martin Green strikes gold at North Wales Cross Country Championships

10 Road Runners took part in the North Wales Cross Country Championships at Wrexham last Saturday.

The combined male and female teams won four impressive medals including one gold, two silver, and one bronze, but just missed out on a few other awards with four close fourth place finishers.

Josh Keogh was the first club man home in the senior/master men’s race, finishing fifth overall out of 69 quality entrants, and despite recording an excellent time of 31.01, he just failed to collect a medal in fourth place in his SM cat.

Martin Green, however, was in top form and won a gold medal in his MV45 age cat in 10th place overall in 32.00.

His win also marked another unique family double with his wife Carla winning the first female prize at the Tatton Park 10k on the same day.

Will Williams had a good run in 42nd place in 37.33 but could only claim the fourth spot in his MV50 cat.

Iwan Evans, who always seems to enjoy these events, finished 46th in 38.26, and he too was another fourth-placed runner in his MV45 cat.

Stuart Culverhouse was 48th in 38.52, and Steve Gardner marked his club debut with a fine run in 40th place in 37.10 and won a deserved silver medal in his MV60 cat.

Four female club runners competed well in the senior women/master women’s race and celebrated with two excellent championship medals amongst the 47 elite entrants.

Kay Hatton led the pack home in 23rd place but narrowly missed out on a gong by just 20 seconds to finish fourth in a very strong VW55 age cat in 29.15.

Cheryl Frost, who was bravely battling a cold, finished 31st in 30.30.

Nicola Wylie, however, was in top from again and claimed a bronze medal in her VW50 cat after finishing 33rd overall in 31.02, and Karen Butler was another worthy medal winner, who remained hot on Nicola’s heels in 35th place for a silver medal in her VW60 cat in 31.24.

Full marks to American student Bryn at heavy Conwy parkrun course

Colwyn Bay athlete Bryn Woodall was the first runner back at a very heavy Conwy parkrun on Saturday, where the talented teenager celebrated another superb result and his 100th parkrun, during a break from his studies and running adventures in America.

Bryn also won his SM18 age cat and incredibly, he dashed around this saturated course in just 15 minutes and 38 seconds and finished the best part of three minutes ahead of his nearest senior rival Jonathan Kettle from NWRRC, who finished second overall in 18.21, with JM15-17 runner Ciaran Keyworth, third in 18.59.

The first female runner was Kirsty Stevenson (Stone Masters Marathon) in 21.26, with Lizzie Irvine (GOG Triathlon) second in 23.47, and Lisa Allsup third in 25.02.

North Wales Road Runners entered 11 members and collected seven podium placings including two age category wins, but their numbers were depleted due to other fixtures at Wrexham and Tatton Park on the same day.

Jonathan Kettle led the team home amongst 158 entrants of mixed abilities, and from all parts of the UK, and even some from Australia, but despite his best efforts, he could only finish second to an outstanding young athlete.

Jonathan won his MV45 cat in 18.21, with Steve Mason fourth, and second in the same age cat at Jonathan in 19.09.

Dave Spofforth had a good run finishing in 12th place in 21.53 and claimed the second spot in his MV40 cat.

John Dalzell was 16th overall in 22.15, and Martin Green trotted around the puddles in 21st place – saving his energy for the afternoon cross country event – but still finished strong in 21st place in 22.35.

Ben Hudson made a welcome return to parkrun after his recent world travels and was pleased with 24th place in 23.34.

Jamie Tharme was another holiday returnee, and he too was satisfied with his run finishing in 35th place overall in 24.32.

Newcomer Barrie Wells finished third in his MV65 age cat in 54th place in 26.34, and another new member Mark Mason, also celebrated another MV70 age cat win in 28.20 in 78th place overall.

And it was good to see Mandy Owen back at Conwy and running well again in 94th place in 30.02, and she also finished third in her VW45 age cat, with Sue Smith 99th in 30.16, and she too claimed the third spot in her VW55 cat.

Praise was given to Conwy parkrun race director Gwyn Williams and to all the volunteers and marshals who bravely supported all the runners on another very wet day underfoot.

Plaudits were given to veteran runner Ken Poulter who completed his 100th parkrun to add to his 100th time of volunteering duties.