Ras y Cnicht

ROBERTS SNATCHES VICTORY

Matthew Roberts (Calder) had to work hard for his win in the annual Ras y Cnicht from Croesor, near  Porthmadog, finishing just 11 seconds clear of runner-up Jim Bacon. In third place was former Bro Dysynni member Alun Williams, currently back on holiday from New Zealand.

 Conditions for the race were ideal and although it was overcast the summit was clear. Welsh international Katie Beecher had a much easier time, finishing fourth overall and six minutes ahead  of Sian Williams.

Results  : 1 M Roberts ( Calder) 38.12, 2 J Bacon (Eryri) 38.23, 3 A Williams (ua) 41.15, 4 K Beecher (Mynydd Du) 44.09, 5 G Hughes (Hebog, M40) 44.26, 6 G Armstrong (ua) 46.32. M40: 2 E Owen (Eryri) 47.39, 3 G Williams (Eryri) 48.50. M50: 1 K Hagley (SWRR) 47.55, 2 E Roberts (Eryri) 49.53, 3 D James (SMOC) 55.42. M60: D Whiteside  Thomas (Eryri) 54.26. M70: E Davies (Eryri) 64.42. Ladies: 1 K Beecher, 2 S Williams (ua) 50.27, 3 M Hughes (Eryri) 52.46. L50: S Howarth (Mercia) 55.59. L60: M Oliver (Eryri) 69.45.

Peris Horseshoe

BEETLESTONE FIRST - AND LAST!

Eryri's Lou Beetlestone was the only woman in the annual Peris Horseshoe race from Llanberis, but she had a fine run, coming 15th overall.

 The race was won by John Hunt (Dark Peak), who was just 16 seconds clear of fellow veteran Mark Davies (NWRR).

 Results: 1 J Hunt (Dark Peak, M 40) 4-07.52, 2 M Davies (NWRR, M40) 4-08.08, 3 M Cliffe (Eryri, M40) 4-11.46, 4 T Bush (Pennine)  4-23.37, 5 A Jackson (Bowland) 4-24.24, 6 J O'Hara (Helsby) 4-24.52. M 50: 1 P Agnew (Denbigh) 5-15.45, 2E Roberts (Eryri) 5-34.28, 3 I Edgar (Eryri) 5-38.12. M60: 1 C Edwards (WFRA) 5-56.55. M70: 1 B Robbins (Eryri) 6-14.00, 2 A Oliver (Eryri) 6-30.53. Ladies: 1 L Beetlestone (Eryri) 4-59.14.

 Results of Half Peris: 1 C Atherton (ua) 1-58.57, 2 G Hughes (Hebog, M40) 2-02.00, 3 S Davies (Eryri) 2-06.31, 4 K Hagley (SWRR, M50) 2-06.45, 5 J McQueen (Eryri, M40)  2-02.28, 6 R Roberts (Eryri)  2-16.03. M40: 3 I Rowlands (Cybi)  2-17.51. M50: 2 K Rowlands (Eryri) 2-27.51, 3 E Jones (Cybi) 2-32.16. M60: 1 M Blake (Eryri)  2-30.59, 2 D Owen (Prestatyn) 3-12.44, 3 J Coupland (Dart moor) 3-58.18.
 Ladies: 1 S  Williams (ua) 2-26.36, 2 V Whitehead (Denbigh, L40) 2-31.53, 3 G Brown (NWRR)  2-35.46, 4 E Salisbury (Eryri, L50)  3-00.35, 5 M Oliver (Eryri, L60) 3-15.40.

Birchwood 10k

BRILLIANT RUN BY JONES

Deeside's Lee Jones had a tremendous run in the Birchwood 10k at Warrington, which attracted its usual quality field.

 The veteran finished third overall and the only  non-senior in the first 16 home, clocking 33.58. His former clubmate Ricky Challinor (Liverpool Harriers) was eighth in 35.56.

 Lower down the field Alex Ryder (Prestatyn) was first Junior Man in a pb of 40.33 and Gordon Jones (Prestatyn) was first M55 in 37.57, with his rival Jones, Wrexham's Bernie, 3rd M45 in 38.44. Another Prestatyn  winner was Dave Hughes, who won the M75 class in 59.54.

British and Irish Mountain int'national

NARROW DEFEAT FOR SPILL

Eryri's John Spill had to settle for second in the under-20s race at Betws y Coed, which was the Welsh trial for the home international mountain-running championships on the same course next month.

 The 17-year-old went into an early lead and stayed there throughout the first lap. At the end of the second tough climb up to Llyn Elsi, however, he was caught by Jacob Adkin (Moorfoot), who went on to win by six seconds.

 There was an excellent win in the under-20 ladies' race for Heidi Davies (Brecon) who beat the pre-race favourite Georgia Malir (Leeds) by just five seconds.

 The senior home international,  which also served as a trial for the World championship at Betws on September 19, was won by Robbie Simpson, winner of the Snowdon International race in 2010. After the first of three laps be went past his fellow Scot Andrew Douglas, who held on to make it a 1-2 for Scotland.

 First of the Welsh team home, in 19th place, was Michael Kallenberg (Cardiff).

 In the senior ladies former English international Sarah Tunstall (Kendal) provided a surprise victory after coming back from injury, and she thus emulated her success in last year's Trail championship in Betws.

 Results. Men under 17: 1 J Steele (Dallam) 18.34, 2 R Cain (Menai) 19.10, 3 S Jones (Menai) 19.41.
 Men under 20: 1 J Adkin (Moorfoot) 35.02, 2 J Spill (Eryri) 35.08, 3 J Boyle (Clayton-le-Moor) 35.38.
 Senior men and U23: 1 R Simpson (Sco) 48.37, 2 A Douglas (Sco) 49.39, 3 C Smith (Eng) 50.09, 4 T Addison (Helm Hill) 51.08, 5 T Adams (Eng) 51.16, 6 B Mounsey (Eng) 51.46. Others: 19 M Kallenberg (Wales) 54.09, 22 H Jones (Wales) 54.48, 26 R Samuel (Wales) 55.21, 36 A Lanz (Wales U23) 58.07, 37 P Ryder (Wales) 58.13.

 Women under 17 : 1 A McQueen (Eryri) 23.01, 2 E Kiff (Carmarthen) 23.17, 3 H Roberts (Colwyn Bay) 24.22.
 Women under 20: 1 H Davies (Brecon) 19.45, 2 G Mahir (Leeds) 19.50, 3 S Dale (Lancaster and Morecambe) 20.03. 17 Bronwen Jenkinson (Eryri) 22.34.
 S enior women and U23: 1 S Tunstall Kendal) 36.33, 2  E Colinge (Eng) 37.12, 3 E Clayton (Eng) 37.55, 4 H Archer (Hallamshire) 38.14, 5 S McCormack (Ambleside) 38.14, 6 V Wilkinson (Eng) 38.50. Others: 13 K Beecher (Wales) 41.07, 19 H Jarvis (Wales) 42.13, 21 A Rowlands (Wales) 43.48, 22 L Sharpe (Eryri, U23) 43.59.

Two in 2 for Wathan

CONTRASTING WINS FOR WATHAN

Doubling up over a weekend is nothing new for Eryri's Paul Wathan but he completed a pretty unusual "double" in London.

 On Saturday he and his partner Gemma Morgans, both regular winners in the two North Wales Parkruns, ran the 200th Park run in Highbury Fields. Paul won in 17.24 and Gemma was second lady in 20.33.

 The following day Paul took part in the self-navigation Richmond Ultra 48k event in which there was a convoluted route through London, ending at the Th  ames Barrier.

 The Eryri athlete led from the start and was on schedule to smash the record when he first went astray. He then got lost several times and just before Tower Bridge caught up with the new leader Darryl Carter (9Bar), who had also w  andered off-course a few times.

 They ran the remaining 15k together and finished in 4 hours 13 minutes, having covered 52k in total.

 It was Paul's last race before flying out to Chamonix next week to compete in the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc event, over 107 miles with 10,000 metres of ascent.

2 Hillforts

ARTHUR ASCENT WINS IT FOR SKATES

An impressive ascent of Moel Arthur earned Steve Skates victory in the 2 Hillforts race in the Clwydians.

 The Prestatyn  runner, along with Damian Nicholls (Wilmslow) were together on the first climb from Llandyrnog to Penycloddiau but  Skates made ths steep climb up Moel Arthur look easy as he pulled away, and he went on  to slash three minutes off the course record.

 Results: 1 S Skates (Prestatyn) 62.43, 2 D Nicholls (Wilmslow) 64.11, 3 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 65.05, 4 J Hunt (Dark Peak, M40) 65.23, 5 L Eccles (Penny Lane) 68.09, 6 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 68.12. M50: 1 V Belshaw (Denbigh) 72.58, 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 77.47, 3 S Emery (ua) 80.48. M60: 1 T Hulme (Wilmslow) 83.47, 2 C Baldwin (Denbigh) 93.22, 3 D Owen (Prestatyn) 1-41.53.
 Ladies: 1 A-M Jones (Altrincham, L60) 82.42, 2 C Belshaw (Denbigh) 83.24, 3 C Puccini (Penny Lane, L40) 87.03, 4 H Ashworth (Prestatyn) 88.56, 5 J Shelmerdine (ua) 95.03, 6 G Darby (Penny Lane, L50) 1-40.43.

World Masters

GREEN IN ACTION IN LYONS

Martin Green (North Wales RR) was among a small group of Welsh athletes who travelled to Lyons for the  World Masters' marathon and half-marathon championships and over the shorter distance he clocked 82.28.

 In the marathon Stephen Davies (Mansfield, M55), who has represented North Wales several times in the past, finished in 3-08.50.

Race the Train

CASH BONUS FOR TRAIN WINNER

Hampshire police officer Sarah Hill pocketed a tasty £100 after beating the record in the Race the Train 14-mile Rotary Challenge at Tywyn.

 The 40-year-old Farnham  athlete, who is the British Police marathon champion, finished in 1-32.35, over three minutes clear of Welsh international Katie Beecher.

 The race, which incorporated the Home Countries' international, was won by Welshman Michael  Kallenberg (Cardiff), with in 1-19.26, just over a minute outside the record. Runner-up was England's Andy Greenleaf (Serpentine). Eryri's Richard Roberts, representing Wales, was fourth in 1-21.44.

 Among other prominent North Wales results were: 13 Alex Lanz (Meirionnydd) 1-27.28, 16 Stefan Sayer (Menai) 1-28.43, 27 Ted Partridge (Wrexham, 2nd M50)  1-31.29.

 Prestatyn's remarkable 87-year-old Eddie Naisby completed the testing multi-terrain course in 2-59.33.

 The Quarry Challenge race was won by local runner Alun Williams in 37.43 and Kay Hatton (NWRR) was second L50 in 54.20.

Full results are on the Race the Train website.

Vale of Clwyd 5k

TWO WINS IN TWO DAYS FOR WATHAN

Twenty-four hours after clocking 16.53 in winning yet another Parkrun in Conwy Eryri's Paul Wathan chalked up another win - but this time by the narrowest of margins.

 In the Vale of Clwyd 5k in Llandyrnog he was pushed all the way by Mike Roberts but managed to nick it by one second, with John Edward Morris (Denbigh) just one second further back in third.

 Wathan's partner Gemma Morgans failed to make it a happy double as she was beaten by two seconds by 12-year-old Megan Dingle (Dubai Road Runners).

 Results: 1 P Wathan (Eryri) 16.36, 2 M Roberts (ua) 16.37, 3 JE Morris (Denbigh) 16.38, 4 M Williams (F1, M40) 16.53, 5 R Wilyman (Abergele) 17.10, 6 D Blazier (Abergele, M40) 18.33. M40: 3 J Thomas (Cybi) 18.54. M50: 1 D Baugh (Denbigh) 19.44, 2 D Allison (NWRR) 20.12, 3 P Ballinger (Denbigh) 20.41. M60: 1 F Jones (Denbigh) 21.10, 2 C Baldwin (Denbigh) 22.34, 3 G Shone (Abergele) 23.09. M70: 1 D Hughes (Prestatyn) 27.36, 2 R Birch (Denbigh) 28.39, 3 Roger Harrison-Jones (Prestatyn) 30.09.
 Ladies: 1 M Dingle (Dubai, JL) 20.15, 2 G Morgans (Eryri) 20.17, 3 M Liddle (ua, L40) 21.34, 4 S Beck (Prestatyn) 21.48, 5 A Bagnall (Salford) 21.51, 6 R Shipley (Abergele) 22.23. JL: 2 G Parry (Wrexham) 22.42. L40: 2 A Brown (Denbigh) 26.43, 3 D Jones (ua) 28.20. L50: 1 H Berrett (Buckley) 22.57, 2 L McKeown (ua) 31.27, 3 S Thomas (ua) 32.53. L60: J Morgan (ua) 32.42.

Gladstone 9

HUNT FOR THE SENIORS

It was a case of "Hunt for the seniors" in the Gladstone 9 fell-race at Penmaenmawr, with "oldies" taking all the glory.

 Only five of the top 20 were seniors, and not only was M40 John Hunt the first man home but two of the outstanding performances came from the over-60s Steve P Jones (Eryri) and Ann-Marie Jones (Altrincham). The former finished  fourth overall and the Altrincham super-vet was first lady, smashing the L60 record in the process.

 Results: 1 J Hunt (Dark Peak, M40)  82.01, 2 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 82.11, 3 J O'Hara (Helsby) 82 .55, 4 SP Jones (Eryri, M60) 84.09, 5 M Davies (NWRR, M40) 84.59, 6 A Doyle (Bolton, M40) 88.23. M 50: 1 M Belshaw (Eryri) 92.53, 2 I Edgar (Eryri) 96.25, 3 A Gannon (Cybi) 1-45.52. M60: 1 Jones. Ladies: 1 A-M Jones (Altrincham, L60) 1-41.48, 2 N Albiston (Eryri) 1-44.19, 3 K Worthington (Eryri)  1-47.13, 4 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 1-48.56, 5 L O'Donnell (Eryri) 1-50.11, 6 V Whitehead (Denbigh, L40) 1-52.17. First local: E Salisbury 2-05.36.

Off-Road GP (3)

WILLIAMS TAKES CHEQUERED FLAG  - FROM WILLIAMS

The third race in Deestriders' Off-Road Grand Prix  turned into a duel between the Williams duo of Gareth and Mark, with the former taking victory by 15 seconds.

 Sarah Roberts (Pensby) extended her unbeaten run, finishing an excellent 12th overall.

 Results : 1 G Williams  (ua) 25.34, 2 M Williams (F1 Runners, M40) 25 .49, 3 R Grantham (Chester Tri, M40) 26.17, 4 J Hunt (Wirral, M45) 26.54, 5 M Davies (West Cheshire, M35) 27.09, 6 D Longley (Prestatyn) 27.31. JM: 1 A Ryder (Prestatyn) 29.16, 2 B Harrison (Prestatyn) 33.56. SM: 3 G Chaloner (Wrexgam) 29.41. M35: 2 J Richards (ua) 28.58, 3 P Wilcockson (Buckley) 31.34. M40: 3 P Stinton (Buckley) 28.30. M45: 2 D Millington (Wrexham) 29.04, 3 A Clague (West Chesh) 29.05. M 50: 1 P Carpenter (ua) 31.07, 2 K Challinor (Deeside) 31.58, 3 M Reid (Buckley) 40.28. M55: 1 V Belshaw (Denbigh) 29.37, 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 30.39, 3 T Devoy (Wirral) 31.15. M60: 1 S Bellis (Buckley) 32.07, 2 D Roderick (Deeside) 34.18, 3 C Hunt (Wrecsam Tri) 38.20. M65: 1 S Hatfield (Prestatyn) 36.48, 2 M Davis (Prestatyn) 37.18, 3 R Mackey (Buckley) 42.35.
 Ladies: 1 S Roberts (Pensby) 29.09, 2 B Sutcliffe (Chester Tri, L35) 31.17, 3 A Muller (West Chesh) 31.33, 4 E Baker (Ell Port) 31.37, 5 J McHugh (Chester Tri, L45) 31.45, 6 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 32.06 L35: 2 L Partridge (Pensby) 32.58, 3 K Dawson (Prestatyn) 37.52. L40: 1 L Grantham (Pensby) 33.07, 2 V Whitehead (Denbigh) 33.18, 3 K Evans (Denbigh) 37.11. L50: 2 B Tiedtke (Prestatyn) 35.25, 3 H Berrett (Buckley) 35.52. L55: M Baugh (Denbigh) 43.00. L60: M Docking (Wrexham) 40.13.

Ponderosa race

STEVE SKATES UPHILL TO VICTORY

In the traditional conditions of rain and mist Prestatyn's recent recruit Steve Skates won the annual Ponderosa race on the Horseshoe Pass, finishing just 12 seconds ahead of Dominic Jones (Mercia) .

 In a good field of 82 finishers the first woman  home was Chester Tri veteran Susan Fourie.

 Results: 1 S Skates (Prestatyn) 27.20, 2 D Jones (Mercia) 27.32, 3 K Steinegger (Ambleside) 27.59, 4 T Higginbotham (ua, M40) 28.24, 5 J O'Hara (Helsby) 29.31, 6 L Eccles (Penny Lane) 28.37. M40: 2 P Stinton (Clwydian) 29.35, 3 S Edwards (Buckley) 30.13. M45: 1 G Porter-Jones (Eryri) 29.22, 2 N Ashcroft (Ambleside) 29.40, J Williams (Wrecsam Tri) 30.26. M50: 1 G McNeil (Wilmslow) 29.48, 2 S Ellis (Tattenhall) 30.41, 3 R Foggin (Oswestry) 33.32. M55: 1 J Jenkin (Tattenhall) 32.38, 2 S Botham (Wrecsam Tri) 38.18, 3 M Durrant (Tattenhall) 38.39. M60: 1 S Roberts (Oswestry) 32.33, 2 S Bellis (Buckley) 33.31, 3 S Jones (Eryri) 38.35. M65: 1 A White (Oswestry) 38.45, 2 R Mackey (Buckley) 48.34. M70: J Morris (Buckley) 39.30.
 Ladies: 1 S Fourie (Chester Tri, L40) 33.05, 2 H Evans (Buckley, L35) 35.38, 3 K Lightfoot (Tattenhall, L40) 36.44, 4 T Brandon (Oswestry, L45) 37.50, 5 R Bateman (ua, L35) 38.02, 6 Y Hill (Oswestry, L50) 38.11. L50: 2 L Jones (Wrexham) 38.40, 3 B Tiedtke (Prestatyn) 38.51.

England teams

STRONG ENGLAND SQUAD FOR BETWS

England have named a very strong squad for the home countries international at Betws-y-Coed on August 22, which is incorporated in the third race of the British mountain-running championship.

 Leading the senior men's team are Ben Mounsey and Tom Adams who came third and fifth respectively in last month's Snowdon race.

 Emma Clayton (Leeds), who came third in the European mountain-running championship, is joined by Katie Walshaw , Annie Conway and the highly experienced Victoria Wilkinson.

 The full squad is:- Men, A team: Tom Adams, Simon Bailey, Ben Mounsey, Ch ris Smith. U23 - William Buswell, Tom Saville. Men, B team: Chris Farrell, Steve Hebblethwaite, Will Neill, Gary Priestley.
 Women, A team: Emma Clayton, Annie Conway, Katie Walshaw, Victoria Wilkinson. U23 - Caroline Lambert, Sally Ratcliffe. Women, B t am: Emmie Collinge, Rebecca Hilland,  Hannah Horsburgh, Becky Plenty. U23 - Zara Knappy.

Arenig Fawr

ANOTHER WIN FOR HUGHES

Welsh international Gareth Hughes added another victory to his rapidly growing haul in the A r enig Fawr fell-race, which had a smaller field than usual.

 Results: 1 G  Hughes (ua) 1-40.21, 2 S Edwards (Buckley, M40) 1-42.44, 3 J O'Hara (Helsby) 1-44.00, 4 N Ashcroft (Ambleside, M45) 1-46.04, 5 S Ridgway (Run Snowdonia, L40) 1-55.01, 6 K Hagley (SWRR, M50) 1-55.19. M40: 2 E Davis (ua) 2-04.56, 3 D Williams (ua) 2-15.55. M45: 2 M Reynolds (Mercia) 2-00.47, 3 R Borne (Mysteruns) 2-13.37. M50: 2 J Rhodes (Bowland) 2-21.18, 3 T Rutherford (Pensby) 2-33.26. M60: D Jones (Eryri) 2-14.04, 2 S Roberts (Oswestry) 2-14.52, 3 E Lesniak (Achille Ratti) 2-36.10. M65: M Blake (Eryri) 2-12.37. Ladies: 1 Ridgway, 2 S Williams (ua) 2-16.34, 3 D Rutherford (Pensby, L50) 2-44.32.

Welsh 5k champs

SILVER FOR BAGNALL

Only two North Walians travelled to the Welsh 5k  championships in Parc Bryn Bach, Amie Bagnall (Salford), from Prestatyn, coming away with silver in the U23 age-group. She was 15th overall in the women's race in 21.16.

 The race was won by Welsh international mountain runner Heidi Davies (Brecon) in 17.45.

 The men's champion was Ieuan Thomas (Cardiff) in 14.42. In 55th place overall was Bagnall's coach Mike Robbins (Wrexham, M50) in 18.45.

Celtic Games

CELTIC TITLE FOR CARI

Menai's Cari Hughes claimed another trophy for her cupboard when she won the U18 1,50-metres at the Celtic Games in Grangemouth in a relatively comfortable 4-36.13.

 Another gold went to Nathan Thomas (Colwyn Bay), who won the U18 hammer by a huge seven metres, his best throw of 63.04 being just outside his pb. He also took silver in the shot.

 In the U18 long jump Chloe Hughes (Deeside) came third with a best leap of 5.68 and in the same age-group Maldwyn Harrier Lauren Williams finished second in the 400m hurdles in 6 2.75, just two-hundredths of a second behind the winner.

CAU inter-counties champs

FOUR YOUNGSTERS COMPETE AT TOP LEVEL

Four of the top young female athletes in North Wales took on top-level competition when they travelled to Bedford for the CAU inter-counties. championships, which incorporated the England Athletics senior championships.

 Welshpool's Adele Nichol (Birchfield) finished third overall and first U20 in the shot with a best putt of  15.31m, and in the same event Sabrina Fortune (Deeside) was ninth with 10.23, but she won the F20  disability category.

 Sprint star Shannon Malone (Deeside) won her 100m heat in 11.85, came second in her semi in 11.79 but then slipped back to fifth in the final with a time of 11.84.

 In the 800m Georgina Outten (Birchfield) came second in her heat in 2-10.00 and sixth in the final in a marginally slower 2-10.78, but was first U20.

North Wales squad

CROWE RETURNS AS SKIPPER

The experienced Emma Crowe returns to the North Wales squad as captain for the Swansea Bay 10k on September 20 which incorporates the Welsh national and inter-regional championships.

 The full squad is: Crowe , Anest Muller (West Cheshire), Gemma Morgans (Eryri), Amie Bagnall (Salford), Abbie Cheetham (Prestatyn), Jay Jennions (Deestriders), Emma Collins (Denbigh), Tracey Llewellyn (Cybi). Men: Ricky Challinor (Liverpool H, captain), Dean Longley (Prestatyn), Gary Davies (Aberystwyth), Owen Roberts (Eryri), Stefan Sayer (Menai), Lee Jones (Deeside).

Sale Sizzler

PLENTY TO CROW(E) ABOUT

Wrexham's Emma Crowe was once again the first L40 finisher in the latest Sale Sizzler 5k, finishing 86th overall in 18.34.

 Just 10 seconds ahead in 77th place was her clubmate Mike Robbins. Bangor University's Daniel Kashi finished 14th in 15.57 and the sixth finisher was Adrian Whitwam (Morpeth), a surprise winner of the M35 race in the BMAF cross-country championships in Ruthin in March.