THE popular Village Bakery half-marathon race attracted a massive entry of more than 1,700 runners at Wrexham yesterday (February 18).

North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) entered 15 members and collected three prestigious age category awards.

The first club man home again was Jonathan Kettle in 75th place with a new course PB in 1.15.52, followed by Iwan Evans (281) in 1.24.44, and Ben Hudson (545) in 1.35.57.

Club chairman Kevin Slattery was back in action and running a half-marathon for the first time in many years, and finished third in his M65 age cat with a time of 1.35.55 (547).

Sarah Hudson also enjoyed another strong performance (677) in 1.40.24, and Cheryl Frost was back to her best finishing (744), with a new PB in 1.44.12 and she was third in her W55 cat.

Kay Hatton, meanwhile, gave Cheryl a hard chase, but eventually had to settle for (762nd) place in 1.44.55, but she was delighted to finish second in her W60 age cat.

Kelly Alford narrowly yet deservedly snatched a new course PB with a determined run (894), with a good time of 1.49.32, and Richard Scamans knocked about seven-minutes off his previous best time (939) in 1.53.10.

Cai Roberts enjoyed a steady race (1033) in 1.56.04, and he was followed by a talented group of ladies.

They included Helen Hannam, (1184), who ran home in 2.05.25, to claim a new course PB, with Nia Lister (1275), knocking over a minute from her previous time in 2.13.56.

In addition, Vicky Taylor ran well (1296), in 2.18.05, with Gwennan Charlton (1316), 2.21.48, and Rachel Morris (1372), in 2.36.51.

Other results

Ruthin 5k: Karen Butler and Kevin Higgins took part in the Ruthin 5k race last Sunday, and both celebrated with podium places.

Karen finished second in her W60 cat, 12th overall in 25.49, and Kevin was third in his M60 age cat, and he was 14th in 26.49.

Ruthin 10k: Veterans Rob Fryer and Mike Hayton ran in the Ruthin 10k race, and once again they both collected age cat awards and enjoyed podium places.

Rob was 53rd in 54.11, and he was second in his M65 cat, whilst Mike also ran well, and he also claimed the second spot in his M70 age cat, finishing 80th overall in 62.49.

Prestatyn: Sion Thomas ran well at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun last Saturday and he finished second in his VM40 age cat with a very good time of 21.19.

Josh finishes as runner-up at tough Winter Trail seven-mile race

Three NWRRC members were among 443 entrants at the Winter Trail seven-mile race at Coed-y-Brenin last Saturday morning, with Josh Keogh claiming a deserved podium place after finishing as the runner-up in a close finish.

Josh ran home in 48 minutes and 8 seconds over this tough and undulating course, whilst his colleagues Adam Lemalle and Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones also ran well and were pleased with their performances in this challenging and very muddy event.

Adam finished in 98th place overall in 1.07.09, and Charlotte was 122nd, and the 28th female in 1.09.40.

Perfect conditions for Will Williams amid bumper entry at Conwy parkrun

Conditions were almost perfect at Conwy parkrun this week with a remarkably dry course after several weeks of swamp-like conditions underfoot, with nearly 300 mixed ability club and social runners enjoying this picturesque 5k course.

Boosted by the half-term holidays, organisers welcomed entrants from across the UK, and North Wales Road Runner Will Williams, had to run flat-out to secure second place overall, and he won his VM50 age cat, during another fast-dash event.

Will finished in a good time of 18 minutes and 54 seconds, but he was only 13 seconds ahead of the 3rd placed finisher, visitor Richard Pollitt (Horwich RMI Harriers), who won his VM45 cat in 19.07.

NWRRC entered 11 members and claimed two age category victories, two second placings, and two third.

Will Williams led the team home, and Harry Driscoll celebrated another good run by finishing fourth in 19.34 and won his SM20 age cat.

Steve Roberts was also back on form in 30th place, and 2nd in his VM55 cat in 22.22. And Karl Morris was just six-seconds behind Steve with a determined run, finishing 33rd in 22.39.

Master veteran Barrie Wells was in fine form again with another stunning performance, finishing 60th overall, in 24.35, but surprisingly, he had to settle for 2nd place in his VM70 age cat against the outstanding Sandy Johnston (Les Croupiers), who won the same cat in 24.09.

Sarah Jones was 3rd in her SW30 age cat with a steady run in 76th place in 25.39, and Gethin Wyn Jones continued his recent improvement in fitness finishing 88th in 26.24.

And veteran Rob Fryer is gradually getting back to form too with a good run in 103rd place in 27.02.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth Driscoll was welcomed back at Conwy parkrun after her recent Falkland Islands secondment, and she finished 3rd in her VW55 cat finishing 128th in 28.30.

Rachel Morris additionally used this event as preparation for her half-marathon race the following day and she was pleased with 200th place in 33.32, whilst Darren Griss was 248th in 36.59.