MARATHON mania returned to the streets of Manchester and elsewhere in the UK again last Sunday (April 16), with North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) taking part in a number of events.

NWRRC entered seven members at Manchester, with two others competing at the Boston Marathon in the UK, and one more at the Newport Marathon, with several claiming new PBs.

Stuart Culverhouse was the first NWRRC club member home at Manchester with a superb time of 3.40.55 (5,443), followed by Jamie Tharme (6,156) in 3.45.16.

Cheryl Frost (7,750) had another good run in 3.55.05 and celebrated a new marathon PB, with Kelly-Marie Alford (12,155) in 4.26.27 for a two-second PB, and Samantha Williams ran well (12,810) in 4.31.51, with Cai Roberts (13,925) in 4.43.25, whilst marathon debutant Gwennan Charlton was (16,735) in 5.25.07.

Gwennan said: “I did my first ever marathon today at Manchester. Really enjoyable but very tough!”

And after the race, Cheryl Frost, also confirmed: “I did alright in Manchester and I’m happy considering my recent form.

“Pleased with a sub-four (hours) and a 22-minute PB in 3.55.05.”

Elsewhere, Sarah Hudson and her husband Ben competed in the Boston Marathon on Sunday and finished within a few seconds of each other.

Sarah was absolutely delighted with her run and claimed a 15-minute marathon PB, running home in three hours, 36 minutes and eight seconds, with Ben just five seconds ahead in 3.36.03.

She later admitted: “I nearly caught Ben. I can’t believe it and I was sobbing when I finished.

“I’m over the moon and I can apply for a good for age entry for London, and will see if I can qualify for Boston USA!”

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North Wales Road Runners battle for honours at Llandudno Easter 5k

Elsewhere, Iwan Evans remained in Wales and ran in the Newport Marathon last Sunday and enjoyed another positive performance finishing in 3.13.48.

A total of four NWRRC members competed in the Rhyl 10k on Sunday on a new and revised course from Abergele and along the promenade.

Will Williams finished fifth out of 282 entrants and won his MV50 age cat in 37 minutes and 33 seconds.

He was followed by Steve Gardner in 11th place in 39.18, and he also won his MV60 age cat in 39.18. Mal Preece continued his good form and finished third in the same age cat as Steve in 71st place in 43.19, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 95th in 50.40.

Elizabeth Driscoll returned to action during the Cape Pembroke Lighthouse parkrun on the Falkland Islands last Saturday and won her VW55 age cat with a steady performance watched by some unusual spectators.

Elizabeth was one of 37 starters who completed this challenging course and ran home in 10th place overall in 26.08.

Afterwards, she said: “Enjoyed my favourite parkrun again. A lovely run after a few days of snow earlier in the week, and we even saw some penguins too. All in all, a great first week back.”

Five age category wins for Road Runners at sunny Conwy parkrun

NWRRC entered 14 members at Saturday (April 15)’s Conwy parkrun and claimed six podium places, including five age category wins, amid another great turnout of some 283 mixed ability runners from all parts of the UK.

Visiting athlete Sam Lewis Jones (Parc Bryn Bach RC) set a hot pace and claimed a new PB on such a bright, sunny, and warm morning, and finished a minute-and-a-half ahead of his second-placed NWRRC rival Steve Forsyth in 17.02, with Steve running home in 18.32 on his return to Conwy.

Aiden Myles (UK Parkrun Tourists) finished third, and he was just two seconds adrift of Steve in a fast finish.

Steve Forsyth led the NWRRC team back and won his MV40 age cat in 18.32, with Harry Driscoll enjoying a good outing in eighth place in 19.38, and he too won his SM20 cat in 19.38.

Steve Mason was another age cat winner finishing in 12th place overall, and he also claimed the top place in his MV45 cat in 20.25.

Club newcomer Dave Jones was 49th in 22.25, and Jamie Tharme finished 70th in 24.51.

Veteran Rob Fryer was 87th in 25.29, with Karen Butler 95th in 25.59, and she also won her FV60 age cat.

Another newcomer Barrie Wells was 98th in 26.07, with veteran Len Jackson showing some good form again to finish 113th in 26.48, with fellow vet John O’Shea 125th in 27.36.

Master veteran Don Hale continued his gradual comeback from injury and won his MV70 age cat finishing 134th in 28.07 with his fastest parkrun this year.

Meanwhile Dave Spofforth ran the course with his young son Ben.

The youngster finished third in his JM10 cat in 28.38 in 141st place, with Dave 146th in 28.52.

Rachel Morris continued her London Marathon preparations with a steady run in 213rd place in 33.16.

Cold, wet, and windy at Chester spring five-mile midweek race

A total of nine Road Runners braved the cold, wet, and windy conditions during the Chester spring five-mile race last Wednesday evening (April 12) and remarkably claimed four podium places.

Despite the challenging conditions, including some partially flooded country lanes, the event still attracted some 465 quality club runners on a fast and flat course.

Martin Green led the NWRRC team home in 19th place and he was second in his MV45 age cat.

The results confirm the relevant gun and chip times for each athlete and Martin ran extremely well again in 27 minutes and 32 seconds (27.31).

Richard Eccles enjoyed another competitive race finishing 63rd and he was third in his MV55 cat in (31.41/31.39), with Mal Preece 129th and winning his MV60 age cat in (35.35/35.30).

Karl Morris swapped the fells for the road and ran home in 132nd place in (35.46/35.35).

Nicola Wylie was on form again in 178th place and 3rd FV55 cat in (38.34/38.30), with Helen Hannam 267th in (42.48/42.36), whilst Mark Mason was 286th in (44.06/44.00).

Kevin Higgins had a solid run and claimed 298th place in (45.17/45.10), and Rachel Morris finished strong in 354th place in 52.47/52.31).