HUNDREDS of runners across Wales descended on Llandudno to battle soaring temperatures in the Nick Beer Memorial race.

The ever-popular 10km race, which takes place on Llandudno promenade and the Great Orme, attracted over 400 runners on Sunday.

The event included people of all ages and abilities, as well as a large contingent of elite athletes and several teams for a combined inter-county race.

There was also a children's 1km Fun Run in aid of St David’s Hospice, which had more than 70 entrants.

Joint race organisers John and Kay Hatton, of North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC), said: "It was a great day that turned out really well.

"The atmosphere on Llandudno promenade, and all around the Orme was fantastic with great support for all the athletes."

Due to NWRRC members helping to stage the event with marshalling and supervisory duties, meaning that only seven members were able to take part.

These included Martin Green was again the pick of the North Wales Road Runners in the 10k race, whilst also representing the region. He finished 7th overall and was the 1st M45 age category winner in 34 minutes 11 seconds. And Martin’s wife, Carla Green, who was also representing the region, secured a family double by winning her own F45 cat in 68th place overall, in a superb time of 42.54, and she was the 13th female runner.

After the race, Martin said: "It was a stifling hot day, but for once it didn’t affect me and I would go so far as to say that could be one of my strongest races of all time.’

Harry Driscoll enjoyed a superb run, despite the heat, and was just two seconds behind club colleague Carla Green, with the teenager finishing in 42.46, and in 69th place overall.

And it continued to be a very close-run contest with NWRRC club chairman Kevin Slattery and rival Martin Cortvriend (Prestatyn AC) sharing the exact same chip times of 47.46 in their respective M65 age cats, but Martin just pipped Kevin to the 1st prize on countback following the social distancing and rolling starts, with Martin’s position clarified in 114th place, with Kevin 116th overall. Kevin’s son Ian also ran and was 67th in 42.53.

Meanwhile, fellow veteran Peter Armstrong, made a quick recovery from ill health this week to claim 1st place in his M70 age cat with a fantastic run of 53.48 in 181st place overall; and teenager Mia Morris is certainly resembling a potential star of the future by making her debut at this distance, and claiming 3rd prize in her FU20 age cat in 60.01 as 71st female runner and 256th overall. And her performance came just days after winning the 800 metres events during her Ysgol Aberconwy sports day, whilst Samantha (Sam) Williams was another athlete in top form, finishing as 72nd female and 261st overall in 60.26.

Kay Hatton added: "It was an incredible run by the winner Matt Clowes from Cardiff AC, and the event also included an Inter-Counties contest between North Wales, Staffordshire, Shropshire and Cheshire.

"The feedback has been amazing and Staffordshire’s team manager told me it was an honour to be involved with such a well organised event. And I want to give my thanks to the organising team, our race sponsors, and to all the volunteers on the day."

*The overall 10k race was won by more than a minute by Matt Clowes (Cardiff AC) in a very fast time of 31.22, with Daniel Kashi (Sale Harriers) 2nd in 32.47, and Matthew Costello (Shrewsbury AC) 3rd in 33.31.

The Ladies race was won by Lauren Cooper (Shrewsbury AC), who was 28th overall and was 1st F-Senior in 37.22. Claire Clancy (Wilmslow AC) was 2nd lady in and 1st FV35 cat winner, finishing 33rd overall in 38.13, with Kelly Butler (Birchfield Harriers) 3rd lady, 39th overall, and 2nd F-Senior in 39.05.

There were generous plaudits too for local teenager prospect Bryn Woodall (Colwyn Bay AC) who finished 8th overall, and he was 1st MU20 runner in 34.19.

For the full race results, click here.