JOSH Keogh, of North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC), was the outstanding winner of the Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon yesterday (March 19), finishing almost two minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

The popular all-round athlete, who combines road races, with fell running, trail, and endurance events, set a hot pace throughout despite a blustery headwind.

He proved a worthy champion of this challenging Metric Marathon, which also proved to be an ideal warm-up for the forthcoming London (full) Marathon.

Starting from the athletics track at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, this event attracted some 425 mixed ability finishers from across the UK, over a new and testing course, that became a race of two halves due to a strong and persistent sea breeze.

Josh also won his M21-24 age cat in a fast chip time of just one hour, 35 minutes and 14 seconds, with Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field) finishing second in 1.37.11, and Sean Warburton (Salford Harriers) third in 1.37.57.

The first female athlete was Olivia Ashton (Deestriders RC) in 1.49.52 in 14th place overall, with Tinka Vinks (Breda, Netherlands) second in 1.51.07, in 19th place, and third was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers), who finished in 1.54.47 in 28th place.

NWRRC entered 12 members and claimed six podium places including five exceptional first-place age category victories.

Josh led the team home with club newcomer Rob Evans next in ninth place overall in 1.46.53, and he also won his M35 age cat.

Iwan Evans finished 24th in 1.52.21, and Stuart Culverhouse ran well to win his MV50 cat in 37th place in 1.58.41.

Ben Hudson gave chase but eventually had to settle for 41st place in 2.02.15, with Ben’s wife Sarah Ferguson Hudson winning her FV40 age cat as the sixth female, in 63rd place overall, in 2.07.22.

Jamie Tharme made a successful return from injury to finish in 65th place in 2.08.22, with Mal Preece 85th in 2.15.44.

Nicola Wylie celebrated another fine run by winning her FV55 cat in 2.20.22, with Cheryl Frost in close pursuit and claiming the second spot in the same age cat as Nicola, finishing in 117th place overall in 2.21.04.

And it was good to see Helen Hannam back in competitive action amidst her heavy marathon training, and she was thrilled by her time of 2.37.29 in 206th place, and Gwennan Charlton also enjoyed her run in 331st place in 3.02.55.

Kettle steams home to honours at Knighton 20-miler

NWRRC member Jonathan Kettle enjoyed a great result for both his club and the North Wales regional team in the Knighton 20-mile race to claim a prestigious podium place.

Jonathan was part of the talented regional team managed by Paul Brooks for the Inter-Counties match in Staffordshire.

He turned in an excellent performance, steaming home in 16th place overall, with an incredible chip time of two hours, four minutes and two seconds to claim third place in his MV45 age category.

Afterwards, he confirmed: “It was such an honour running for North Wales.”

Perfect conditions for boosted numbers at Conwy parkrun

259 mixed ability entrants from all parts of the country helped to boost the numbers this week at Conwy parkrun in perfect conditions.

In stark contrast to last week’s icy course, this time runners were treated to dazzling sunshine and a warm breeze, but local club numbers remained down due to several competing fixtures.

The numbers also included 63 first-time runners, 23 new PBs, and a large contingent from Manchester and the Midlands for the Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon the next day.

NWRRC only had six members involved but still claimed four podium places including two age category wins and two second spots.

Stuart Culverhouse led the team home in 20th place in 22.39, and he was second in his MV50 age cat.

Cheryl Frost was the third female finisher in 39th place overall and she won her VW55 cat in 23.42, with Richard Scamans 51st in 24.20, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 65th in 25.55.

Master veterans Mark Mason and Don Hale both collected podium places with Mark 85th, and the winner of his MV70 cat in 27.20, whilst Don was still struggling for fitness after recovering from injury and jogged around to finish second in the same cat as Mark, in 156th place in 31.32.

Other results

Prestatyn: NWRRC members Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton took part in the Nova Prestatyn parkrun on Saturday.

Kay was the second female finisher, and she won her VW60 age cat in 10th place overall with a great new course PB of 23.29, whilst master veteran Mike Hayton was 35th in 28.53 and he finished third in his MV70 age cat.