GB rankings

NORTH WALES ATHLETES GALORE IN UK RANKINGS


THE end-of-year rankings published in Athletics Weekly make encouraging reading for those involved in the North Wales athletics scene, with a very healthy number of young athletes featuring.

 Caernarfon-born Olympian Gareth Warburton (Cardiff) is placed third in the 800m, while Rob Samuel (Eryri) is 42nd in the half-marathon table with his 66.32 from Marrakech.

 Teenager Rachel Johncock (Colwyn Bay), though in the U20 class, is 16th in the senior ladies' 100m list and Hannah Thomas (Wrexham) is 40th. Former Wrexham athlete Faye Harding (Sale) is placed 10th in the 400m after clocking 52.95 in Geneva in June and is 16th for the 400m hudles, seven places ahead of junior Megan Rogers (Wrexham).

 Sally Peake (Birchfield) from Hawarden is placed fourth in the pole vault after a very good season in which she set a new Welsh record and Laura Douglas (Sale) is placed 10th in the hammer.

 The outstanding youngster is Adele Nicoll (Birchfield) from Welshpool, who tops the U17 lists in the shot and discus while Nathan Thomason (Colwyn Bay) makes the Top 10 in the U15 shot, discus and hammer.

 The North Wales placings include the following:-
Boys under 13. Discus: 7 Cliff Schwabauer (Menai).
Boys under 15. 100m: 7 Sion Roberts Wrex), 19 Shane Hughes (Wrex). 200m: 4 Roberts. 300m: 4 Roberts. 400m: 20 Cai Holdsworth (NE Wales Schools). Shot: 6 Nathan Thomason (Colwyn Bay). Discus: 4 Thomason. Hammer: 7 Thomason.
Men under 17. 400mH: 17 Rheon Jones (Menai). Shot: 5 Connor Laverty (Menai).
Men under 20. 400m: 9 Owen Smith (Deeside). 1,500m: 16 Charlie Hulson (Sale). 3,000m: 19 Hulson. Hammer: 6 Osian Jones (Liverpool H).
Girlsd under 15. 800m: 5 Cari Hughes (Menai). Long jump: 15 Chloe Hughes (Deeside). Shot: 3 Katy Whitley (Wrexham). Discus: 7 Whitley, 13 Amber Rimington (Deeside).
Ladies under 17. 200m: 18 Beth Sargent (Wrexham). 300mH: 8 Rhian Williams (Deeside). Shot: 1 Adele Nicoll (Birchfield). Discus: 1 Nicoll.
Women under 20. 100m: 4 Rachel Johncock (Colwyn Bay), 14 Hannah Thomas (Wrexham). 400m: 18 Megan Rogers (Wrexham). 1,500m: 7 Ffion Price (Brecon), 14 Rhianwedd Price (Brecon). 5,000m: 12 Sarah Livett (Menai). 400mH: 6 Rogers.

NW roads awards

MOUNTFORD PICKS UP ANOTHER AWARD

The honours continue to come thick and fast for Liverpool Harrier David Mountford.

 Two weeks ago he became Welsh inter-regional cross-country champion, last wek he won the Borders League fixture in Christleton and now he has been named by Paul Brooks, manager of the North Wales road-running squad, as the Best Male Athlete of 2012.

 It follows his performances in Caernarfon where he won the Welsh 10k and inter-regional championship in 32.43 and then clocked 31.58 in Birchwood.

 Jay Jennions (Deestriders) is the Best Female Athlete, having been the only woman to run in all three representative matches despite having struggled through injury.

 The winner of the award for Best Debut is veteran Lee Jones (Deeside), who won the M40 class in the Welsh championship in Caernarfon with a time of 33.57. His good form has continued into the winner on road and country.

Welsh stats

 CURRIES PROVIDE A PRE-CHRISTMAS TREAT

 ATHLETES and officials who have been around a few years and enjoy discussing the “good old days” have been served a pre-Christmas treat by super-statisticians Alan and Brenda Currie.

 The couple, who were formerly the official statisticians for Welsh Athletics, have launched a new website www.athleticsstatisticswales.co.uk containing results of Welsh championships and other major meetings on road, country and track and field from the very early days.

 Many of the details appeared in the twin volumes on the history of Welsh Athletics to which the Curries were among the contributors, but scanning the columns throws up many topics of conversation.

 North Wales athletes and clubs rarely feature among the very early results until some familiar names start appearing in the late-1950s.

 The cross-country results alone take one far down memory lane, with Roger Harrison-Jones popping up in second place in the senior men’s race in the Welsh championships in 1961. At that time he was with Liverpool Pembroke, but now runs for Prestatyn – and Wales – in the M75 class.

 The 1981 and ’83 champion was the incomparable Steve Jones, but second both times was Tony Blackwell (Wolverhampton, ex-Wrexham).

 In the ‘90s top three places were gained by Colin Jones (Eryri), Jamie Lewis (Swansea, ex-Wrexham) and Ian Pierce (Tipton, ex-Wrexham), all of them now lost to the sport.

 1994 was the golden year for North Wales in the U20 class, with  Jones, Ian Oliver (Colwyn Bay) and Pierce doing a 1-2-3.

  Also figuring in the “Where are they now?” quiz are the likes of Neil Emberton (Newtown), Roger Jones (Deeside), Matthew Jones (Stoke), Duncan Hughes (Wrexham) and Carl Prior (Deeside), all medal winners in the U13, U15 and U17 categories in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

 Lynn Maddison, who competed for Colwyn Bay, Sale, Prestatyn and Wrexham, was the outstanding woman cross-country runner of the past 30 years, winning the U17 class in 1984 and finishing third senior three times – in 1986 behind the Tooby twins Angela and Susan.

 Vanessa Jones (Wrexham), won the U17s’ race in 1989, with the evergreen Isabel Redfern (Colwyn Bay) third.  In 1987 Isabel was 2^nd U15, with Vanessa Jones, but the Wrexham athlete took the title the following year.

 Others who shone over the period included Ruth Evans (Colwyn Bay), who was 2^nd U17 in 1994 and 1995, Laura Jones (Wrexham), who won the U13 class in both those years, and Lisa Lanini (Wrexham), the 2000 U13 champion.

Log on - it'll keep you occupied for hours!

Paletta's 10k record

PALETTA SETS NEW NW BEST IN TELFORD

 Wrexham's Gina Paletta, home for Christmas from the United States, set a new North Wales regional record when she finished second lady in the Telford 10k.

 Her time of 35.07 was 18 seconds better than the previous best set by Lynn Maddison (Wrexham) in Manchester in 1998. Sixth lady overall and 1st L35 was Claire Martin (Telford) 35.26.

 The Telford race had a top-quality field and was won in 29.08 by GB international Andy Baddeley. In ninth place was Joe Brocklehurst (Shrewsbury), winner of the Wrexham race in the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country League.

 Among other familiar names well-placed were: 11 Andrew Davies (Maldwyn) 30.41, 20 Matthew Roberts (Eryri) 31.25, 35 Paul Ward (Tel) 32.07, 36 Austin Davies (Brecon) 32.09, 53 Gwynant Jones (Maldwyn, U20) 33.21, 65 Paul Jones (Osw) 33.51, 108 Steven Hayes (Deestriders) 36.30, 119 Richard Jones (Maldwyn) 37.08.

Borders League (3)

DEESIDE BIG GUNS OUT IN CHRISTLETON

With the Liverpool Harriers pair of David Mountford and Ricky Challinor boosting their numbers Deeside Ac dominated the third Borders Road-Running League fixture at Christleton.

 Claiming four of the first 10 finishers, they beat runners-up Chester Tri by 99 points, and although Wirral's men finished fourth on the day they are still 122 points ahead of their nearest challengers, Wallasey.

 Tattenhall look set for the drop, but could be saved if Eryri failed to field full teams, as has happened on occasions.

 Meanwhile West Cheshire already loom certain to take their place in Division 1 as they are 570 points clear of Prestatyn, who are also inconsistent.

 In the ladies' competition Chester Tri and Wirral are battling it out at the top of Division 1, with Wallasey clear favourites to replace Prestatyn ladies next season even though they were beaten by Wrexham at Christleton.

 RESULTS FROM CHRISTLETON

1 D Mountford (Dee) 29.21, 2 R Challinor (Dee) 29.59, 3 C Prior (Chester Tri) 30.13, 4 L Jones (Dee, M40) 30.31, 5 B Rothery (Eryri) 30.40, 6 D Weston (Wrex) 31.01, 7 J Donnelly (Wirral) 31.20, 8 D Kashi (Eryri) 31.22, 9 M Rose (Buck) 31.33, 10 P Edge (Dee) 31.54.
 U20: 1 W Sheridan (dee) 33.49, 2 K Morgan (Wirral) 35.12, 3 R Colclough (dee) 35.30.
 M40: 2 J Johnson (Wirral) 33.26, 3 D Blazier (Abergele) 33.50.
 M45: 1 D Harris (Chester Tri 33.00, 2 E Campbell (Buck) 33.22, 3 J McQueen (West Chesh) 34.49.
M50: 1 C Bishop (Helsby) 34.04, 2 C Palmer (Wall) 34.33, 3 T Barbat (Wall) 34.37.
 M55: 1 B Beecroft (Wirral) 36.08, 2 T Devoy (Wirral) 36.37, 3 R Freeman (West Chesh) 36.49.
 M60: 1 L Coathup (Buck) 36.31, 2 M Cortvriend (Prest) 37.00, 3 T McDevitt (Wirral) 37.45.
M65: 1 A Berry (Helsby) 41.15, 2 I Jones (Wrecsam Tri) 41.37, 3 J Morris (Buck) 42.16
M70: 1 P Roberts (Buck) 40.12, 2 L Brown (Birkenhead) 51.49, 3 N Thompson (Birkenhead) 52.10.

 Teams. Division 1: Deeside 284, Chester Tri 383, Wallasey 455, Wirral 460, Buckley 511, Eryri 895, Tattenhall 921. Division 2: West Cheshire 430, Helsby 595, Wrexham 699, Cybi 723, Ellesmere Port 800, Prestatyn 858, Deestriders 1,060, Abergele 1,109, Birkenhead 1,170, Wrecsam Tri 1,322

Ladies

1 S Kearney (Wirral, L35) 35.29, 2 G Mead (Chester Tri, L45) 35.44, 3 J Jennions (Deestriders) 37.07, 4 E Kearney (Wirral, U20) 37.16, 5 V Jones (Chester Tri) 37.41, 6 E Collins (Prest, L50) 38.11.
 U20: 2 A Bagnall (Prest) 45.41, 3 A Cheetham (Prest) 49.36
L35: 2 B Sutcliffe (Chester Tri) 39.17, 3 S Holt (Wall) 39.56
L40: 1 L Morley (Wrex) 39.42, 2 C Sutcliffe (Chester Tri) 40.06, 3 D Urgquhart (Buck) 41.57.
L45: 2 S Atkinson (att) 40.46, 3 A Mageean (Chester Tri) 41.03.
L50: 2 M Ludden (Buck) 41.29, 3 C Shaw (Helsby) 41.49
L55: 1 G Waring (Prest) 45.51, 2 M Bird (Ell Port) 47.38, 3 N Davies (Wall) 49.53.
L60: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 43.15, 2 P Martin (Birk) 50.09, L Bish (West Chesh) 63.27.

 Teams. Division 1: Chester Tri 26, Wirral 63, Helsby 95, Tattenhall 104, Buckley 109, Ellesmere Port 121, Prestatyn 137. Division 2: Wrexham 87, Wallasey 88, Abergele 119, Cybi 132, Deestriders 140, Birkenhead 191, West Cheshire 200, Eryri 300, Deeside 300, Wrecsam Tri 300.

Masters.

Buckley 278, Wirral 324, Wallasey 379, West Cheshire 413, Chester Tri 431, Deeside 502, Prestatyn 742, Ellesmere Port 843, Cybi 882, Helsby 900, Tattenhall 904, Birkenhead 1,064, Wrexham 1,095, Eryri 1,111, Abergele 1,177, Deestriders 1,311, Wrecsam Tri 1,352.

AGGREGATE AFTER 3 RACES

Men, Division 1: Wirral, 1,107, Wallasey 1,229, Chester Tri 1,287, Buckley 1,680, Deeside 1,846, Eryri 3,316, Tattenhall 3,405. Division 2: West Cheshire 1,211, Prestatyn 1,788, Ellesmere Port 1,836, Cybi 1,872, Helsby 2,010, Deestriders 2,299, Abergele 2,711,  Wrexham 2,917, Wrecsam Tri 4,586.

 Ladies, Division 1: Chester Tri 90, Wirral 98, Helsby 249, Tattenhall 339, Buckley 359, Ellesmere Port 367, Prestatyn 519. Division 2: Wallasey 193, Cybi 355, Wrexham 491, Abergele 510, Deestriders 519, West Cheshire 670, Nirkenhead 731, Eryri 853, Deeside 900, Wrecsam Tri 900.

Masters. Wirral 674, Buckley 827,  Wallasey 994, West Cheshire 1,104, Chester Tri 1,374, Prestatyn 1,820, Ellesmere Port 2,013, Deeside 2,277,  Helsby 2,445, Cybi 2,580, Tattenhall 2,883, Eryri 3,167, Wrexham 3,542, Abergele 3,637, Deestriders 3,806, Birkenhead 4,112, Wrecsam Tri 4,381.

Anglesey Half

£1,000 POT ON OFFER IN ANGLESEY HALF

Always Aim High Events launched their brand new event The Island Race to great acclaim in 2012, with the route hailed as "stunning" and "iconic" by runners who took part in the inaugural event. For 2013 the race moves to Sunday 3rd March in order to accomodate as many runners as possible, and act as a perfect warm-up for those looking to race Spring marathons such as London and Manchester. The race provides the perfect pre-London Marathon preparation event, for those lucky enough to have an entry.

Following the launch The Island Race Anglesey Half Marathon organisers Always Aim High Events have this week announced a significant cash prize-pot for next year's race which takes place on March 3, 2013.

The 13.1 mile event which starts on the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge on Anglesey and takes in World Heritage site Beaumaris Castle, will have a total cash prize fund of £1000, with the top 3 males and females receiving cash prizes of £150, £100 and £50 for first, second and third place respectively. The winner of the men's and women's races will not only pick up £150 in cash but also an additional £150 in product prizes. The event also boasts a largely traffic-free course, which this year saw almost 600 runners taking on the scenic route, which takes in views across the Menai Straits to the mountains of Snowdonia. 

Always Aim High Events director Nigel Kendrick anticipates 1000 runners on the start line next March and feels that the cash incentives will bolster the elite field and raise the general standard of racing at the sharp end, stating:

"At Always Aim High Events we are always mindful of the mass-participation at our events and cater for all standards, and of course we want to promote excellence, achievement and elite sport too. To encourage this we have produced what we feel is a healthy cash fund for the prize winners to entice even more elite athletes. The Island Race organisation is in full swing and we are pleased to see so many already entered this beautiful and iconic event.

Speaking about the planning and logistics for the 2013 event, Kendrick continued:

"We'll be holding the race a couple of months earlier in the season in 2013, but feel that if anything that will help in participant recruitment as it sits better in the running calendar. We were very pleased with how the event went last year and have been really encouraged with the reaction that we have received from runners on the date change."

2012 race winner Rob Samuel will be back to defend his crown and feels that the cash purse will add to the competition he can expect next March, commenting:

"This just adds to the excitement of this event for me really. I think in Wales we would like to see more 'raiders' from across the borders coming to challenge us in these races and In know that already one or two of the faster guys and girls from the North West of England will be lining-up. It's great for the race, and great for us local runners to pit ourselves against better quality runners to raise the overall standard of running in Wales and of course the North Wales area".

Entries to The Island Race 2013 are now open via The Island Race link and clicking on the Register Now button.

World record in Wrexham

RILEY SETS WORLD BEST AT WREXHAM

Finishing 69th overall in the Helena Tipping 10k was an outstanding feat for Lee Riley - for the former Royal Marine was carrying a 40lb pack on his back.

 His time of 41.24 sliced 4m 40s off the world record for the feat and means that Lee, from the City of Stoke club, now holds the records for every distance from 400m to the marathon. He is the first person to hold all the records at the same time.

Helena Tipping 10k

ROTHERY WINS IN WREXHAM

Eryri's "Mr Consistent" Brendan Rothery claimed yet another victory in the Helena Tipping 10k, holding off a challenge from Daniel Weston (Wrexham), who finishyed right behind him over the same course in the North Wales 10-mile championship in April.

 Emma Parry, who won the ladies' title in April, was again first, finishing over two minutes clear of runner-up Emily Dove (Whitchurch).

 RESULTS

1 B Rothery (Eryri) 33.19, 2 D Weston (Wrex) 33.40, 3 J Bowie (Trismart) 34.04, 4 G Norgrove (Wrecsam Tri, M45) 34.32, 5 I Lowe (Oswestry, M40) 35.28, 6 E Campbell (Buckley, M45) 35.30, 7 C Yorke (NWRR, M40) 35.47, 8 A Campbell (Wrecsam Tri, M35) 35.50, 9 D Harris (Chester Tri) 35.51, 10 R Jones (Wrex) 35.53.
U20: 1 B Paxton (ua) 36.14
U23: J Morris (Denbigh) 38.11
M35: 2 S Oliver (Chester Tri) 35.55, 3 M Green (NWRR) 36.07.
M40: 3 K Dickenson (Wirral) 36.00
M45: J Shepherd (Red Rose) 36.40
M50: 1 I James (Wrex) 36.10, 2  P Jones (ua) 36.10, 3 A Lewis (Eryri) 38.31
M55: 1 J Dillon (Whitchurch) 38.08, 2 R Freeman (N Vets) 39.53, 3 D Nalder (Ell Port) 40.25
M60: 1 J Woodcock (Menai) 38.12, 2 D Bewley (ua) 41.47
M65: 1 JG Evans (Aberystwyth) 45.50, 2 B Beattie (West Chesh) 50.00, 3 R Jardine (Eryri) 51.26
M70: 1 J Thomas (Buck) 50.40
M75: 1 Roger Harrison-Jones (Prestatyn) 50.41, 2 R Billington (Wrex) 62.12

LADIES
 1 E Parry (Wrex, L35) 37.18, 2 E Dove (Whitchurch)39.40, 3 L Morley (Wrex, L40) 41.54, 4 J Meadowcroft (Whitchurch, L40) 42.02, 5 S Wilson (Whitchurch) 44.09, 6 M Ludden (Buckley, L50) 44.25.
U17: A Cheetham (Prestatyn) 50.38
 L35: 2 C Page (Chester Tri) 44.50, 3 J Harnden (Wrex) 45.13
L40: 3 C Hall (Wirral) 45.25
L45: 1 S Plested (Ell Port) 47.08, 2 J Jefferys (Wrex) 47.50, 3 J Hislop (Wrex) 50.01
L50: 2 L Ebbrell (Wirral) 52.14, 3 L Jones (Cybi) 52.30
L55: 1 B Cole (Sh Shufflers) 48.49, 2 G Welsby (Sh Shufflers) 51.53, 3 S Taylor (Whitchurch) 59.17
 L65: C Birch (Abergele) 45.22 

Conwy Half

VAUGHAN WIN TAKES HIM TO LONDON

  When Eryri's Alun Vaughan lined up for the start of the Conwy Half-Marathon he had one thing in mind - and 70 minutes later it was a case of "job well done".

 On his first attempt at the distance he was determined to get inside 75 minutes, earning him qualification for next year's London Marathon, which will also be his first.

 He achieved it with five minutes to spare, crossing the line in 70.31 after leading from the gun. He finished, over three minutes ahead of clubmate Brendan Rothery, who was third last year, albeit in a slightly faster time.

 As the race incorporated the North Wales championship Vaughan also took the regional title.

 Third finisher was Deeside veteran Lee Jones, who was also making his half-marathon debut.

 The first woman home was Sarah Cumber (Halifax), who also finished three minutes clear of her nearest challenger, Sarah Caskey (unattached).

 Results.

1 A Vaughan (Eryri) 70.31, B Rothery (Eryri) 73.56, 3 L Jones (Deeside, M40) 74.33, 4 J Dance (Middleton, M35) 75.41, 5 D Kashi (Bangor Uni) 77.22, 6 D Lemon (Deeside) 77.30, 7 E Fazakerley (Manchester H, M40) 78.07, 8 H Wharton (Cybi, M35) 78.37, 9 D Trinca (Mersey Tri) 80.10, 10 A Connell (Eryri) 80.21.
MU20: T Webb (ua) 82.23
M35: 3 M Green (NWRR) 91.59.
M40:  3 M Anwyl (Prestatyn) 82.47
M45: 1 R Pavey (Altrincham) 83.44, 2 C Mann (Met Police) 83.59, 3 M Dorrill (Kenilworth) 84.34
M50: 1 I James (Wrexham) 80.48, 2 A Lewis (Eryri) 83.14, 3P Jones (ua) 90.47
M55: 1 I Edgar (Eryri) 88.23, 2 J Foy (West Chesh) 89.14, 3 D Nalder (Ell Port) 89.58
M60: 1 G Shaw (Helsby) 1-43.13, 2 G Jones (ua) 1-49.31, 3 A Durston (Ell Port) 1-53.29
M65: 1 G Cumber (Halifax) 90.08, 2 P Grout (ua) 96.13, 3 T Hillier (Ell Port) 97.37
M70: 1 R Bacon (Winston) 1-42.16, 2 D Gardner (NWRR) 1-44.30, 3 J Gallon (Helsby) 1-57.27
M75:  1 Roger Harrison-Jones (Prestatyn) 2-03.31

LADIES
1 SL Cumber (Halifax, L40) 83.37, 2 S Caskey (ua) 86.46, 3 L Granthgam (Chester Tri, L35) 88.07, 4 S Gray (Stafford, L35) 88.46, 5 C Williams (Eryri, L35) 89.09, 6 E Prescious (ua) 93.19.
U20: B Taylor (Bangor Uni) 94.10
L40: 2 T Lewis-Jones (Eryri) 94.09, 3 H McArthur (Colwyn Bay) 94.18
L45: 1 A McDonald (Ell Port) 1-44.42, 2 B Taylor-Jones (ua) 1-44.46, 3 S Plested (Ell Port) 1-46.59
L50: 1 M Ludden (Buckley) 99.44, 2 S O'Brien (Knowsley) 1-44.20, 3 J Keasley (Helsby) 1-52.49
L55: 1 P Clay (ua) 1-52.36

NORTH WALES CHAMPIONSHIPS
Senior men: 1 Vaughan, 2 Rothery, 3 Jones
U23: 1 Kashi, 2 A Bromley (Deeside) 84.29, 3 M Hughes (Bangor Uni)
M35: 1 Wharton, 2 Green, 3 B Williams (Eryri) 83.17
L40: 1 Jones, 2 Anwyl, 3 A Nicholas (Eryri) 84.03
M45: 1 T (Eryri), 2 M Williams (Deestriders) 94.07, 3 R Cheetham (Prestatyn) 95.01
M50: 1 James, 2 Lewis, 3 E Jones (Cybi) 97.31
M55: 1 Edgar, 2 K Slattery (NWRR) 90.20, 3 P Ballinger (Denbigh) 90.41
M60: M Hayton (NWRR) 1-54.46
M65: R Jardine (Eryri) 2-01.29
M70: Gardner
M75: Harrison-Jones
M80: E Naisby (Prestatyn) 2-42.00

Ladies

U23: 1 N Rushton (Abergele) 1-48.17, 2 S Goffe (Bangor Uni) 1-59.35
Senior ladies: 1 C Williams (Eryri), 2 Lewis-Jones, 3 McArthur
L35: 1 Williams, 2 L Curtis (Abergele) 1-54.43
L40: 1 Lewis-Jones, 2 McArthur, 3 L Griffith-Jones (Denbigh) 1-44.47
L45:  V Ronald (CB) 1-49.49
L50: 1 Ludden, 2 D Dodd (Wrex) 1-55.54
L70: B Jones (Bro Dysynni) 1-58.30

Pen race

BROWN WINS PEN RACE

Buckley's Jez Brown and tri specialist Peter Brook had a battle in the annual Penmaenmawr fell-race, winning by 24 seconds.

 Jayne Joy (Helsby) had an easier win in the ladies' race, finishing surprisingly well clear of Andrea Rowlands.

 The race was once again blessed with near-perfect conditions and attracted runners from a very wide area.

 Results.

1 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 77.21, 2 P Brook (Chester Tri) 77.45, 3 R Grantham (Ellesmere Port) 78.36, 4 R Owen (Eryri, M50) 79.00, 5 P Jones (Eryri, M40) 80.24, 6 G Matthews (Sale) 81.01, 7 J McQueen (Eryri, M40) 81.06, 8 A Campbell (Wrecsam Tri) 81.45, 9 J Phillips (ua) 81.48, 10 S Roberts (Buckley, M40) 82.16.
 M50: 2 T Cahill (Abergele) 85.47, 3 E Roberts (Eryri) 88.55.
M60: 1 M Cortvriend (Denbigh) 93.58, 2 T Marshall (ua) 95.50, 3 J Morris (Buckley) 1-44.03
M70: 1 P Roberts (Buckley) 97.47, 2 P Norman (Wrexham) 2-42.09
Ladies: 1 J Joy (Helsby) 87.57, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri) 92.17, 3 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 94.25, 4 K Seddon (Chester Tri) 95.27, 5 L Morley (Wrexham, L40) 97.14, 6 J Rogers (Chester Tri) 1-40.26
L40: 3 S Rowlands (Clwydian) 1-40.44
L50: 1 E Salisbury (Eryri) 1-45.53, 3 P Peers (Pensby) 1-47.35.
L60: 1 J Davies (Saddleworth) 1-54.16, 2 S Heywood (Saddleworth) 2-00.2

Rhobell Fawr

MEIRIONNYDD DOMINATE WFRA AWARDS

Meirionnydd David Parker finished fourth in the Rhobell Fawr race at Llanfachreth but it was not good enough to prevent his clubmate Ifan Richards from retaining the WFRA North Wales Series title.

 The race, the final event in the championship, was won by Tim Davies (Mercia), with clubmate Paul Jones just five seconds behind.

Lauren Jeska (Aberystwyth) was 22nd overall, giving her the championship.

 Results:-
1 T Davies (Mercia) 51.27, 2 P Jones (Mercia, M40) 51.32, 3 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 53.45, 4 D Parker (Meirionnydd) 53.56, 5 DW Jones (Eryri, M40) 54.09, 6 M Cliffe (Eryri, M40) 54.26.
 Junior men: 1 D Rushton (ua) 55.37, 2 H Davies (Mercia) 57.47.
 M50: 1 P Jeggo (Springfield) 58.57, 2 E Davies (Mercia) 59.23, 3 K Hagley (SWRR) 61.02.
 M60: 1 M Cortvriend (Denbigh) 67.38, 2 G Gunner (Croft Ambrey) 72.10, 3 J Morris (Buckley) 72.17
 M70: P Jones (Prestatyn) 85.53.
 Ladies: 1 L Jeska (Aberystwyth) 61.14, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri) 65.17, 3 L Barker (Aberystwyth) 66.36.
 L40: 1 A Thomas (Eryri) 71.20, 2 J Moore (Eryri) 72.49, 3 K O'Sullivan (Aberystwyth) 74.07.
  L50: 1 E Salisbury (Eryri) 74.26, 2 J Edwards (Meirionnydd) 75.31.

North Wales Series aggregate:-
Senior men: 1 Ifan Richards (Meir), 2 David Parker (Meir), 3 G Griffin (Meir).
U23: 1 K Steinegger (Ambleside), 2 H Davies (Mercia)
M40: 1 P Jones (Mercia), 2 M Cliffe (Eryri), 3 S Edwards (Buckley).
M50: 1 M Belshaw (Eryri), 2 G Fletcher (Maldwyn), 3 G Davies (Mercia)
M60: 1 M Cortvriend (Denbigh), 2 J Morris (Buckley)
M70: 1 P Roberts (Buckley), 2 J Marsh (Tarren Hendre), 3 P Norman (Wrexham).
Ladies: 1 L Jeska (Aberystwyth), 2 A Rowlands (Eryri), 3 J Williamson (Eryri)
L40: 1 A Thomas (Eryri), 2 J Moore (Eryri)
L50: E Salisbury (Eryri)
L60: M Oliver (Eryri)

 Results of  inov-8 2012 WFRA championship:-
 Senior men: 1 T Davies, 2 Parker, 3 P Ryder (Brycheiniog)
 U23: Steinegger
M40: 1 P Beeson (Maldwyn), 2 P Jenkinson (Eryri), 3 S Bellamy (Mercia)
 M50: 1 Jeggo, 2 G Davies (Mercia), 3 G Fletcher (Maldwyn)
 M60: 1 Cortvriend, 2 Morris
 Senior ladies: 1 Rowlands, 2 Salisbury
L40: Thomas
L50: S Ridings (Buckley)
L60: Oliver.

North Wales records

REGIONAL RECORDS.........OR NOT?

The recent reference to Andy Davies (Maldwyn) setting a new North Wales 10-mile record in the Great South Run in Portsmouth has caused a bit of a debate.

 Andy clocked 50.17, thus bettering Steven Henshaw's record by 20 seconds, but that prompted Gary Blackwell (Deeside) to speak up on behalf of his "big brother" Tony, one of  the finest athletes North Wales has ever produced.

 Gary points out that in 1988 Tony clocked 48.22 in the Ballycotton 10 and was inside 49 minutes on a few other occasions. If I remember rightly Simon Shiels also broke 50 minutes in Llandudno.

 So why is Andy's time regarded as a record? The answer is that until North Wales secretary Paul Brooks began compiling the regional records in 1998, when the North Wales Regional Council came into being, no official records were kept and so many outstanding performances have been lost in the mists of time.

 I'm sure some of you could come up with many other potential records e.g. how about Arwel Lewis's 2-20 marathon or several of Lynn Maddison's performances for Colwyn Bay, Wrexham or Prestatyn?

 I'd love to hear from you, as I'm sure would other North Wales athletes.

Abergele 5

MOUNTFORD KEEPS 5-MILE TITLE


 Welsh 5-mile champion David Mountford (Liverpool Harriers) retained his North Wales title with a comfortable win in Abergele. His time of 25.35 was eight seconds faster than last year.

 The in-form Lee Jones (deeside) was second but the outstanding male performance was that of teenager Iolo Hughes (Menai), who finished fourth overall.

 His clubmate Sarah Livett, who was second last year, sliced over a minute off her time to claim victory in 29.47 for 17th place overall. That was an under-20s' age-group record for the race.

 In the championship competition no fewer than seven age-group records were broken, with Livett not only setting a new under-20s' best but it was also a new senior record, beating by one second Alexia Hamilton- Morris' 1998 time.

 Georgia Garner and Brenda Jones beat their own U17 and L70 records respectively, Mountford's winning time was a new U23 best, Emma Collins beat the L50 record set by Mary Meredith (Prestatyn) in 1990 and Chris Birch's 36.41 took almost eight minutes off Brenda Jones's L65 record from 2008.
 Results:-
1 D Mountford (Liv H) 25.35, 2 L Jones (Deeside, M40) 26.43, 3 B Rothery (Eryri) 27.00, 4 I Hughes (Menai) 27.35, 5 D Kashi (Bangor Uni) 28.01, 6 H Wharton (Cybi, M35) 28.07, 7 G Norgrove (Wrecsam Tri, M45) 28.15, 8 S Sayer (Menai) 29.21, 9 S Wynne-Williams (Liv H)28.43, 10 E Campbell (Buckley, M45) 28.48.
 U17: 2 J Griffith (CB) 31.04, 3 A Williams (Deeside) 31.19
 U20: T Cunnah Watson (ua) 27.07
M35: 2 M Green (NWRR) 29.41, 3 A Campbell (Wrecsam Tri) 30.11
M40: 2 S Roberts (Buckley) 28.51, 3 C Yorke (NWRR) 29.13
M45: 3 M Robbins (Wrexham) 30.02
M50: 1 A Lewis (Eryri) 31.05, 2 Peter MW Jones (ua) 31.25, 3 J Merfyn Williams (Cybi) 32.31
M55: 1 D Nalder (Ellesmere Port) 32.55, 2 P Ballinger (Denbigh) 33.15, 3 C Higgins (Buckley) 34.25.
M60: 1 G Nixon (Prestatyn) 33.07, 2 JO Griffith (Cybi) 35.22, 3 M Ollier (Wrexham) 35.27
M65: 1 A Bery (Helsby) 35.43, 2 G Hughes (Prestatyn) 35.52, 3 JG Evans (Aberystwyth) 36.08
M70: 1 D Gardner (NWRR) 37.47, 2 J Thomas (Buckley) 42.47, 3 R Birch (Denbigh) 46.02
M75: J Park (Cheshire Tally Ho) 43.30
M80: A Watts (Sarn Helen) 80.22
Teams: 1 Menai, 2 Buckley, 3 Eryri
Corporate Challenge: Kinmel Arms

LADIES
1 S Livett (Menai, U20) 29.47, 2 E Parry (Wrexham, L35) 30.28, 3 G Garner (CB, U17) 31.35, 4 I Redfern (CB, L35) 32.21, 5 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 33.45, 6 L Morley (Wrex, L40) 34.43.
U17: 2 A Cheetham (Prestatyn) 41.15, 3 L Miles (Prestatyn) 44.41
U20: 2 A Bagnall (Prestatyn) 40.19
L35: 3 J Hardern (Wrex) 36.24
L40; 2 H McArthur (CB) 35.00, 3 D Urquhart (Buckley) 35.58
L45: 1 J Jeffreys (Wrex) 38.09, 2 K Hatton (NWRR) 38.47, 3 T Hamer (ua) 38.49
L50; 2 M Ludden (Buckley) 36.56, 3 B Tiedtke (Prestatyn) 37.54
L55: 1 J Green (ua) 43.11, 2 V Edwards (Menai) 45.27, 3 V Cortvriend (Denbigh) 52.30
L65: C Birch (Abergele) 36.41
L70: B Jones (Bro Dys) 43.53
Team: Wrexham

 North Wales championships:-
U17: Hughes; U23: Mountford; Senior men: 1 Mountford, 2 Jones, 3 Rothery; M35: 1 Wharton, 2 Green. M40: 1 Jones, 2 Roberts. M45: 1 Norgrove, 2 Campbell, 3 Robbins. M50: 1 Lewis, 2 JM Williams; M55: 1 Ballinger, 2 Higgins. M60: Nixon. M65: Hughes. M70: Gardner.
 Ladies.
Under 17: Garner, 2 Cheetham, 3 Miles. U20: 1 Livett, 2 Bagnall. Senior ladies: 1 Livett, 2 Parry, 3 Garner. L35: 1 Parry, 2 Redfern. L40: Morley. L45: Hatton. L50: Collins. L65: Birch. L70: Jones.

* In the Tatton Half-Marathon Deestriders' Steven Hayes (M35) clocked 82.50 and his clubmate Rosemary Rogers chalked up another win in the L60 class with a time of 99.15.

New record for Andrew

NEW NORTH WALES BEST IN PORTSMOUTH

Maldwyn's Andrew Davies joined a class field in the BUPA Great South 10-mile race in Portsmouth and finished an excellent 20th.

 His time of 50.17 was a new North Wales record, beating by 20 seconds the time set by Steven Henshaw (Deeside) in Ballycotton in 2005.

 In seventh place in Portsmouth was Liverpool's Johnny Mellor in a superb 47.35, and 27th, in 52.09, was former Bangor University student Fabian Downs (Chiltern).

Livett in Bristol CC

LIVETT IN MCCAIN CHALLENGE

Menai's Sarah Livett travelled to Bristol for the first race in this season's McCain's UK Cross Challenge and finished a highly creditable 12th in the junior ladies' race.

 Ffion Price (Brecon) was 9th and her twin sister Rhianwedd  16th.

 At the same meeting Swansea AAC achieved a superb "double", Dewi Griffiths winning the men's race and Caryl Jones the women's.

 Meanwhile Wrexham AAC member Gina Paletta (University of Portland) finished 13th in the West Coast Conference championships in Eugene, Oregon.

Nathan takes award

NATHAN IS TOP SPORTSMAN

A few days after returning from Italy where he represented Wales Nathan Jones has been named as Denbighshire's Sports Performer of the Year.

 He received the award at a ceremony in Llangollen's International Pavilion at an event revived by Denbighshire County Council. Though only 17, he took the senior award, with one of the others shortrlisted being Welsh international hurdler Chloe Jones (Sale), also from Rhyl.

 Appropriately, Nathan (Colwyn Bay) , a student at Rhyl College,was presented with the award by Derwena Watkin on behalf of sponsors Llandrillo College.

50k win for Williams

WILLIAMS IN SINGAPORE WIN


 Mark Williams, who usually chalks up a few wins when he returns to his native Vale of Clwyd, won the 50k race which formed part of the North Face 100k event in Singapore. He clocked 4-01.17, finishing about 25 minutes ahead of the second-place athlete.

 Mark, who was second in this year's Kuala Lumpur Marathon in 2-48.49, won the Push up the Pincan fell race in Clawddnewydd this summer and can often be seen training on the Clwydians when home.

Flintshire 10k

JONES CELEBRATES EARLY

TWO days before his 43rd birthday Lee Jones proved that age need not be a great barrier when he won the Flintshire 10k in Mold, in aid of Nightingale House Hospice.

 His Deeside clubmate David Lemon was second with Harvey Wharton (Cybi), a new name on the local scene, a further minute behind.

RESULTS

1 L Jones (Deeside, M40) 33.06
2 D Lemon (Deeside) 34.23
3 H Wharton (Cybi, M35) 34.29.
4 A Edwards (Deestriders) 35.25
5 M Green (NWRR, M35) 36.02
6 S Caldwell (Vale Royal) 36.44

U20
1 A Williams (Deeside) 37.25
2 M Blackwell (Deeside) 40.34
3 L Griffiths 43.34

M35
3 S Hayes (Deestriders) 36.54.

M40
2 C Yorke (NWRR) 36.52
3 G Roberts 37.28

M45
1 D Gilbert (UKnetrunner) 38.02)
2 S Hooson (Buckley) 38.24
3 M Williams (Deestriders) 41.10

M50
1 M Williams (Cybi) 40.17
 2 I Hughes 41.24
 3 M Stone 41.45

M55
1 B Freeman (N Vets) 40.11
2 C Price 44.08
3 W Leonard 45.12

M60
1 S O'Neill  42.09
2 G Armstrong 47.30
3 T Clixby (Village RR) 48.01

M65
 1 R Frost (Wrex) 48.32
 2 R Tulley 55.16
3 N Grundy 73.30

M70
1 J Thomas (Buckley) 51.56
2 P Jones (Prestatyn)52.48
3 G Carter 53.27

M75
1 R Harrison-Jones (Prestatyn) 48.37
2 E Naisby (Prestatyn) 60.20

LADIES
1 S Kearney (Wirral, L35) 37.39
2 L Grantham (Chester Tri, L35) 38.01
3 I Redfern (Colwyn Bay, L35) 39.27
 4 D Holl (L35) 41.45
 5 H McArthur (Colwyn Bay, L40) 42.08
 6 L Morley (Wrexham, L40) 42.43)

 U20
1 A Cheetham (Prestatyn) 50.29
2 H Daly 51.10

L40
 3 C Cook 44.35

L45
1 K Hatton (NWRR) 47.14
2 L Gittins (UKnetrunner) 50.13

L50
1 M Ludden (Buckley) 45.39
2 C Wright 51.31
3 H Massey 52.57

L55
1 J Green 50.45
2 J Dawe 54.09
3 A Gwynn (Birkenhead) 59.10

L60
1 M Delaney (Birkenhead) 62.04
2 P Linney 65.47

L65
1 C Birch (Abergele) 45.55
2 A Jones 56.58

L70
1 B Jones (Bro Dysynni) 53.34

L80
1 J Jolley 73.55

North Wales road awards

MOUNTFORD VOTED TOPS


David Mountford (Liverpool Harriers) has been voted as the Best Under-23 Road Runner in North Wales of the past year.

 In a ballot clubs throughout the region he beat Sarah Livett (Menai) and Nathan Jones (Colwyn Bay) to the title. David will receive the Sherion Shield and a £50 cheque from an anonymous donor.

 Meanwhile the P Brooks Shield, awarded for services to road running, will be shared between Wrexham AAC chairman David Alun Williams and sisters Anne Lewis and Sharon Owen (Eryri), after they tied in the ballot.

Ras 4 Llyn

SAMUEL COMPLETES WEEKEND DOUBLE

Less than 24 hours after his comfortable win in the cross-country in Bangor Rob Samuel chalked up another win in the new Ras 4 Llyn, a tough 30k which was used by many as a "warm-up" for the Snowdonia Marathon.

 In the early stages he and clubmate Matthew Roberts, who finished third on Saturday, were accompanied by Chris Evans (also Eryri), but he was eventually dropped.

 Samuel then took advantage of a "pit-stop" by Roberts near Betws Garmon to gain an advantage and go on to win by just 13 seconds.

RESULTS RAS 4 LLYN 2012
POSITION	TIME	NAME	TEAM	CAT.
1	1:48:36	SAMUEL, Rob	Eryri Harriers	Senior Male
2	1:48:49	ROBERTS, Math	Eryri Harriers	Senior Male
3	1:58:09	EVANS, Christopher	Eryri Harriers	Senior Male
4	1:59:09	FORD, John	NWRRC	Male Vet 40
5	2:00:53	KASHI, Daniel		Senior Male
6	2:06:48	ROWLEY, John	Unattached	Senior Male
7	2:08:08	WILLIAMS, Adrian	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 40
8	2:09:24	PARKINSON, John	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 40
9	2:09:57	JONES, Dylan Wynn	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 40
10	2:12:27	BEACHELL, Ben	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 40
11	2:12:40	THOMAS, Dyfed Whiteside	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 35
12	2:13:58	DAVIES, Mark	North Wales Road Running Club	Male Vet 35
13	2:14:13	EDGAR, Iwan	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 55
14	2:14:37	OWEN, Dewi		Senior Male
15	2:16:19	RIDGWAY, Sarah	Mercia	Female Vet 35
16	2:21:17	FOULKES, Llifon	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 35
17	2:21:27	LEWIS-JONES, Tammy	Eryri Harriers	Female Vet 40
18	2:21:42	ROBERTS, Nigel	North Wales Road Running Club	Senior Male
19	2:22:21	TYLER, Jonathan		Senior Male
20	2:22:47	DAVIES, Gwylym		Male Vet 35
21	2:25:15	CAREY, James		Senior Male
22	2:25:28	ROBERTS, Emlyn	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 45
23	2:25:41	CAIN, Patrick		Male Vet 50
24	2:28:16	ELLIS, Dave	Cybi	Senior Male
25	2:28:28	PAWLING, Ralph		Senior Male
26	2:28:31	JONES, Neal	Colwyn Bay AC	Senior Male
27	2:30:54	ROWLANDS, Dilwyn	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 40
28	2:32:11	WAGER, Ashley	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 50
29	2:35:34	JONES, Phil 'Tan'	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 60
30	2:36:14	ROBERTS, Harri	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 45
31	2:37:28	LLEWELLYN, Tracey		Female Vet 35
32	2:38:12	WITTENBERG, Ben	Southampton AC	Male Vet 35
33	2:39:15	JONES, Emrys Lewis	Cybi	Male Vet 50
34	2:40:43	BROMLEY, A T	Deeside	Senior Male
35	2:40:43	MORRIS, John Edward	Denbigh Harriers	Senior Male
36	2:44:14	TOMOS, Gwydion		Male Vet 35
37	2:44:14	ELIAS, Owain Arwel		Male Vet 35
38	2:52:52	ELLIS, Sian	Cybi	Senior Female
39	2:53:53	ROBERTS, Gwynfor		Male Vet 50
40	2:56:10	EVANS, Gwyn	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 50
41	2:57:10	EDWARDS, David	Abergele Harriers	Male Vet 55
42	2:57:52	MCDONNELL, Tina Louise	Eryri Harriers	Female Vet 40
43	3:13:16	KEMP, Ian		Male Vet 55
44	3:15:23	ROBERTS, Iorwerth	Eryri Harriers	Male Vet 65