A TOTAL of four veteran members of North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) competed in the North Wales Christmas Indoor Open Challenge event at Coleg Cambria, Connah’s Quay.

This was held on Saturday afternoon (December 9), and saw the runners claim new age cat PBs, podium places, and possible new records in their respective age categories.

Steve Gardner, Michael Finnie, and Don Hale from NWRRC all ran in 60m heats, while Steve’s father Dave Gardner took part in the shot-put competition and won his super-master M80 age cat with an excellent throw of 6m36.

Steve also helped to create a unique family double and recorded an impressive new PB time for the 60m of 9.20 seconds, and was second in his M60 cat, and he was only narrowly beaten by an experienced and outstanding national sprint champion in Martin Weetman.

Michael Finnie celebrated his 66th birthday in style by turning in another stunning sprint performance in his 60m heat with a very fast new PB time of just 10.98 seconds to win his M65 age cat.

Don Hale ran his first 60m dash for nearly two years after recovering from serious injury, and recorded the fastest indoor time this year for any M70 athlete, with a time of 12.91 to win his M70 age cat.

Ben and Sarah’s marathon run in the sun

Ben and Sarah Ferguson travelled to Spain this week to compete in the sun-drenched Malaga Marathon.

In complete contrast to the weather at home, the pair had to contend with very warm conditions, and in Sarah’s case, she also had to deal with some cracked and bruised ribs after a recent fall in her garden.

Ben recorded a good time of three hours, 38 minutes and 40 seconds, with Sarah literally hot on his heels, despite her injury problems, she still finished well in 3.42.45.

After the race, Sarah said: “I was aiming for a PB, but I slipped over in our garden the day after the Conwy half, and cracked and badly bruised several ribs, and have only just become comfortable enough to run over the last few days.

“I’m over the moon to even finish it, let alone in that time. My ribs were so not happy from 15-miles, but after doing the first half in 1.44, I decided I had to give it a whirl!

“It was a challenge, and I had to stop at 17-miles to take some pain killers. It was very warm, and Ben definitely struggled in the second half with the heat - up to about 23 degrees so not crazy - but plenty hot enough!”

Other race results:

*Prestatyn: Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton ran in the Offa’s Dyke half-marathon race which started at the Nova Centre in Prestatyn and continued to the summit of Moel y Parc, completing it jointly in three hours and 40 minutes.

*Manchester: Kevin Higgins won his M60 age cat at the Heaton Park 10k race in 52.41. He confirmed: “There were 298 runners in very heavy rain with lots of puddles, but it was very enjoyable.”

*Preston: Helen Hannam and some family members ran in the Preston parkrun last Saturday. Helen made her debut at this venue and completed her run in 104th place in 28.12, and she finished third in her VW45 age cat.

Her brother Josh was fourth overall in 18.40, and her nephew Leo finished in 24.58.

Wild, wet, and windy at Conwy parkrun, and tribute to former athlete

A total of 10 NWRRC members entered this week’s Conwy parkrun, which included 146 club and social runners who negotiated the usual rather soggy, and waterlogged riverside course, and they all paid tribute to a former athlete.

Jonathan Kettle was the first runner home overall in a fast time of 17 minutes and 50 seconds to win his VM45 age cat, and he led back a talented team that collected five first-placed age category victories, in addition to one second and one third placing.

Will Williams finished 5th overall and he also won his VW50 cat in 19.08, with Stuart Culverhouse 12th, and 3rd in his VM50 cat in 20.45. Jamie Tharme was on form again and he finished 19th in 22.08, and 2nd in his VM45 cat.

Carla Green also continued her rapid progress and won her VW50 age cat in 24th place overall, and she was the 3rd female finisher in 22.39.

Karl Morris was pleased with 51st place in 24.37, and he won his VM40 cat. And Tony Gibson made a welcome return to parkrun with a solid performance in 67th place in 26.24, whilst Gwennan Charlton finished 95th in 29.18.

Meanwhile, master veteran Mike Hayton won his MV70 age cat with another good run finishing 95th in 340.40, with Rachel Morris 120th in 34.27.

Jonathan Kettle (NWRRC) finished first in 17.50, with SM30 debutants Harty Woodford and Ben Grayson (Eden Runners), claiming the second and third male places in 17.55 and 18.24, respectfully.

And Harty certainly gave Jonathan a scare with a determined challenge and finished just three seconds adrift.

Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was the first female finisher in 20.00, with Naomi Wilson second on her debut in 22.09, whilst Carla Green (NWRRC) was third in 22.39.

Conwy parkrun director Gwyn Williams also paid tribute and helped to celebrate the life of parkrunner Andy MacDonald, who sadly died this week.

He told fellow runners: “Andy was taken far too soon, but he crammed so much joy, fun, laughter, and love into his life.

“I’ve had a few people who knew him come up to me to commiserate today, and they all mentioned what a lovely guy he was, genuine, warm, and always good company.

“Rock on Andy lad, you will be missed.”