A TRIO of North Wales Road Runners crossed the border into England on Saturday (January 8) and celebrated with good performances in the Tatton Park 10km race in Cheshire, including Kay Hatton, who won her respective veteran age category.

With parkruns and most other races currently prohibited, or severely restricted in Wales, due to Welsh Government COVID-19 restrictions, it meant another long trip for three notable club athletes, who had to battle strong winds, cold temperatures, and rain during a challenging but picturesque course.

Harry Driscoll was the first North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) member home in 19th place in 39 minutes and 51 seconds, with Iwan Evans 31st in 41.43 and fourth in his MV40 age category.

Kay Hatton, meanwhile, was the pick of the trio, and continued her excellent form to win her VW55 age category in a superb time of 48.03, finishing 109th overall and the 13th female runner.

North Wales Pioneer: Iwan Evans, Kay Hatton and Harry Driscoll at the Tatton Park 10k. Photo: John HattonIwan Evans, Kay Hatton and Harry Driscoll at the Tatton Park 10k. Photo: John Hatton

Kay incredibly finished more than five minutes ahead of her nearest age category rival.

Colwyn Bay Athletic Club runner James Smith was another promising young athlete in the Tatton Park race, which attracted nearly 500 finishers, and he finished fourth overall in 35.29.

Road Runner Elizabeth first lady at Falkland Islands parkrun

Elsewhere, NWRRC athlete Elizabeth Driscoll competed in her first parkrun of the year, this time many thousands of miles away from her home patch in Conwy, when she took part in bleak, windswept Falkland Islands event on Saturday.

The experienced runner, who is also an air traffic control officer at RAF Valley on Anglesey, is currently on secondment overseas, and finished fifth overall in the 5k event from a field of 21 other runners.

North Wales Pioneer: Elizabeth Driscoll completes her Falkland Islands parkrun. Photo: Elizabeth DriscollElizabeth Driscoll completes her Falkland Islands parkrun. Photo: Elizabeth Driscoll

Elizabeth, who was also the first female finisher said: “Not wishing to make any of you jealous but I have done my first parkrun of the year at the most southerly in the world - Cape Pembroke Lighthouse Parkrun, Stanley, on the Falkland Islands!

“Not the quickest course, very rough ground, and extremely windy (+40 mph) but I came fifth overall, the first lady in 27.04.

“There were only 21 runners, but you have to be in it to win it!

“Amazing scenery and a lovely run. Now to start some serious training for a half-marathon in February and a full marathon in March!”

Charlotte and Ottie in Canicross Trail debut

Meanwhile, Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones and her dog Ottie ran in the restricted Canicross Trail Race at Hawarden last Sunday.

North Wales Pioneer: Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones with Ottie, who made his debut at the Canicross trail race. Photo: Charlotte Rose Wilton-JonesCharlotte Rose Wilton-Jones with Ottie, who made his debut at the Canicross trail race. Photo: Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones

Competing on a muddy 5k+ course, this was Ottie’s race debut, but the pair enjoyed their day out, finishing together in 30 minutes and two seconds.

Nic Brook wins age category at Delamere Trail race

Nic Brook also continued his recent top form by finishing fourth overall in the Delamere Trail 13 Race on Sunday, and also took first place in his MV40 age category, finishing in one hour and 25 minutes.