A North Wales Road Runner celebrated a win in high heat with a gold medal podium at the Gateshead Half-marathon.

Jonathan Kettle won his respective age category, whilst finishing 10th overall, in the notable prestigious competition amidst a quality field of almost eight-hundred athletes.

It was a close-run contest, however, with Jonathan narrowly winning his age cat title in one hour 18 minutes 36 seconds, 12 seconds ahead of the man behind him.

Jonathan, a member of North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC), said: "It was hot and lumpy but good fun. It was a fantastic race, and great to see my good friend and amazing photographer Mick Hall. I was smiley at the start then suffered in the heat."

The results confirmed the high standard of competition with the first sixteen runners all dipping under 1 hr 20 mins, with the main honours shared by North-East clubs on their own patch, including 1st Liam Aldridge (Billingham Marsh House Harriers) 1.08.07; 2nd David Green (North Shields Poly) 1.12.48; and 3rd Ryan Holt (Tyne Bridge Harriers) 1.13.13.

Llyr set for Boston Half

NWRRC member Llyr ap Geraint Roberts had mixed feelings after battling the heat in the half-marathon at Boston.

Llyr said his performance, which saw him finish 42nd out of nearly 800 finishers, was hampered by several factors that he admitted "are my excuses" on Bank Holiday Monday.

The start was supposed to be staggered with four large groups of about 200 runners each for the half-marathon, but claimed it practically started en-mass.

"What a difference it makes when you are in a group in comparison to running solo, which I did for virtually all the way round," Llyr said.

"I think the main thing was setting off slightly too fast and when the heat came, I had nothing; but I haven’t felt 100 per cent since my first Covid jab which has affected my training over the past three weeks.

"My head wasn’t right either but hey, those are my excuses. My only solace is that I was quicker today than two years ago over the same course."