Push Up The Pincyn

VETS DOMINATE IN CLAWDD - AND JOY FOR JAYNE

When it came to tackling the heat at the annual Push Up The Pincyn race in Clawddnewydd experience was clearly a key factor as the first five finishers were all veterans.

 After a battle with course record-holder Jez Brown Gareth Briggs (Staffs Moorland) held on to win by two minutes, while Helsby's Jayne Joy, after a fine run on Snowdon last week, was in a class of her own.

 She finished sixth overall......and her prize? A bottle of toilet duck!

 Results: 1 G Briggs (Staffs Moorland, M40) 45.18, 2 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 47.13, 3 C Jeffery (Staffs Moorland, M40) 48.14, 4 T Smith (Ambleside, M40) 49.11, 5 C Jones (Eryri, M40) 49.25. SM: P Stinton (Buck) 53.25. M50: 1 V Belshaw (Denbigh) 53.56, 2 H Lewis (Buck) 57.38, 3 G Davies (Mysteruns) 58.17. M60: 1 M Foschi (Helsby) 61.15, 2 A Worthington (Pensby) 67.26, 3 C Baldwin (Denbigh) 68.19. M70: 1 P Roberts (Buck) 61.50, 2 J Morris (Buck) 66.05.
 Ladies: 1 J Joy (Helsby) 50.35, 2 D Urquhart b(Buck) 66.13, 2 M Spencer (Southport/Waterloo) 67.09, 4 H Berrett (Buck, L50) 67.45, 5 T Peters (Southport/Waterloo) 71.13, 6 S Hoekema (ua) 77.32.
 

Dolgellau 5

HOME WIN FOR ROBERTS

Tomos Roberts, who has to travel considerable distances to most races, marked a rare "home" fixture with a win in the Dolgellau 5.

 Results: 1 T Roberts (Meirionnydd) 27.28, 2 A Lanz (Meir) 29.11, 3 A Campbell (Wrecsam Tri, M35) 29.46 (new age-group record). Ladies: 1 L Shrewbridge (Colchester) 32.36, 2 F Mayer (Colchester) 34.39, 3 A Worthing (Aberystwyth, L55) 37.59 (new record).

Llanfair TH 10k

LONGLEY SETS COURSE RECORD


 Prestatyn's in-form Dean Longley sliced almost 90 seconds off the course record in the tough Llanfair TH 10k, which includes a steep climb up Moel Unben, and he did so while virtually unchallenged.

 Abbie Cheetham made it a double for the Prestatyn club, improving her 2013 time by 10 minutes.

 Results: 1 D Longley (Prestatyn) 36.50, 2 D Alexander (West Chesh, M45) 39.19, 3 A Williams (Eryri, M40) 42.17, 4 J Waters (Abergele, M35) 42.41, 5 JE Morris (Denbigh, U23) 43.06, 6 R Armstrong (Abergele, M35) 44.04. M50: D Davies (Prest) 46.32. M75: R Harrison-Jones (Prest) 60.45. Ladies: 1 A Cheetham (Prest, U20) 49.30, 2 S Beck (Prest, L35) 49.45, 3 C Birch (Abergele, L65) 52.49.
 

Race The Train

SAMUEL STEAMS TO THIRD WIN

Rob Samuel claimed his third win in the Race the Train 5k in Caernarfon, but it was probably his easiest win yet, for although Tomos Roberts further enhanced his growing reputation to come second the field was probably the weakest seen in the event.

 There were some fine performances, however, from Menai's clutch of teenagers who finished well up the field.

 Results: 1 R Samuel (Eryri) 14.32, 2 T Roberts (Meir) 15.14, 3 C Evans (Menai) 15.18, 4 S Sayer (Menai) 15.47, 5 C Linton-Davies (Menai, U16) 16.38, 6 R Cain (Menai, U16) 16.41. U18: O Roberts (Ysgol Porthmadog) 17.01. M40: 1 D Blazier (Abergele) 16.42, 2 I Rowlands (Cybi) 16.54, 3 J Hooton (Cybi) 18.25. M50: 1 P Jones (ua) 18.02, 2 P Cain (ua) 18.54, 3 E Jones (Cybi) 19.41. M60: 1 G Shone (Abergele) 21.17, 2 I Rothery (Cybi) 22.45. M65: T Hill (Cybi) 22.04. M70: 1 E Davies (Eryri) 20.46, 2 B Robbins (Eryri) 21.33. Ladies: 1 K Gray (ua) 18.53, 2 T Llewellyn (Cybi, L35) 19.23, 3 G Lees (Eryri) 19.35, 4 E Haf (ua) 20.22, 5 M Owen (Cybi) 20.47. L35: 2 S Mercer (ua) 21.39, 3 M Eluned (ua) 21.50. L45: 1 H Blair (Eryri) 21.33, 2 G Riley (Eryri) 22.17, 3 E Driscoll (NWRR) 22.34. L55: 1 S Calvert (Abergele) 24.32, 2 A Darlington (ua) 26.55. L65: C Birch (Abergele) 21.47.

Green Green Grass of Home

BROWN WINS IN GREEN

Buckley's Jez Brown had to work hard for his victory in the Green, Green Grass of Home race, the third in the Tuesday night Clwydian Hills series.

 He was pushed all the way by Mark Williams (F1 Runners), who was back visiting the Vale of Clwyd, eventually finishing just seven seconds clear.

 Results: 1 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 43.20, 2 M Williams (F1 Runners, M40) 43.27, 3 P Rawley (Sale) 46.09, 4 J O'Hara (Helsby) 46.24, 5 J Phillips (ua) 47.34, 6 D Boothby (Wrecsam Tri) 47.36. U23: T De Jong (Helsby) 61.30. M40: 3 D Ford (Wrex) 51.49. M50: 1 V Belshaw (Denbigh) 49.22, 2 J Randall (Meirionnydd) 51.46, 3 G Davies (Mysteruns) 54.18. M60: 1 R Taylor (Pennine) 52.00, 2 M Foschi (Helsby) 55.51, 3 A Worthington (Pensby) 60.12. M70: 1 P Roberts (Buck) 55.55, 2 J Morris (Buck) 59.14, 3 R Ashby (Pennine) 69.34. Ladies: 1 M Gillie (Clwydian) 53.31, 2 L Grantham (Pensby) 55.28, 3 E Collins (Denbigh, L50) 55.57, 4 V Whitehead (Denbigh, L40) 58.11, 5 J Ashbrook (Helsby) 58.49, 6 M Pfeffers (Deeside, L40) 59.00.

 Three days earlier Simon Roberts (Buckley) finished fourth overall in the Waun Fach mountain race at Talgarth in Powys, which involved 2,000 feet of climbing over a 7-mile course.

 Among the placings were: 4 S Roberts (Buck, 3rd M40) 54.54, 7 S Toogood (Buckley, 3rd M50) 57.55, 8 V Belshaw (Denbigh, M50) 58.57, 23 H Lewis (Buck) 63.09, 25 G Fletcher (Maldwyn) 63.23.

Trafford Open Meeting

LONGLEY CLAIMS OLYMPIAN SCALP

Prestatyn's Dean Longley, who has taken to the track this summer, not only had the satisfaction of posting another pb at the Trafford AC open meeting but in the process beat an Olympian.

 In his heat of the 3,000 metres he finished eighth in 9-11.35, holding off a challenge from Scotland's Eilish McColgan, who competed in the steeplechase in the London Olympics and was due to compete in the Commonwealth Games.

 Several North Wales athletes turned out at the Trafford meeting, when several heats were held over the various distances. The results included:-

3,000m, Heat 1: 11 Nathan Jones (Liv H) 8-35.77, 21 Lee Jones (Dee) 8-53.95 (1st M45)
              Heat 2: 8 Dean Longley (Prest) 9-11.35
              Heat 3: 2 Andrew Campbell (Wrecsam Tri) 9-30.29, 13 Emma Crowe (Wrex) 10-22.88 (1st L40), 18 Mike Robbins (Wrex) 10-30.08 (1st M50)

800m, Heat 7: 8 Cari Hughes (Menai) 2-11.43 (1st U17)
           Heat 11: 7 Debbie Williams (Menai) 2-19.87

1,500m, Boys U15: 6 Oliver Barbaresi (Menai) 4-21.51
              Senior men: 7 Mike Robbins 4-16.40 (1st M50).
 

Village races

PLENTY OF CHOICE

It's that time of year again when almost every village show and fete has a race among its attractions.

 This Saturday (26th) the Push up the Pincyn fell-race takes place in Clawddnewydd, near Ruthin, but there is no junior race this time. On the same day is the Llanfair TH 10k which, although all road, includes the stiff climb up Moel Unben, while the Dolgellau 5 usually produces fast times.

 On Saturday is the Elidir mountain race and on July 30 the multi-terrain Aberdaron race takes place along the lanes and paths at the tip of the Lleyn Peninsula. In addition to the eight-miler there are children's races.

Masters' international

BRONZE FOR NORTH WALES MISTRESSES

Chris Birch (Abergele) and Emma Collins (Denbigh) were among the medals at the British Masters' track and field international in Solihull.

 Emma, in her first outing on the track, claimed bronze in both the L50 800 and 1,500 metres with times of 2-45.10 and 5-36.10 respectively.

 Chris was also third in the L60 3,000m in 13.29.88, and both then picked up the pace to help Wales come third in the  4 x 100 relay.

 At the same meeting Mike Robbins (Wrexham) clocked 4-56.82 for fourth place in the M50 1,500m.

SIAB Champs

NATHAN LEADS BY EXAMPLE

 Ysgol John Bright pupil Nathan Thomason played a captain's role in the Schools' International meeting in Cardiff, claiming silver in both the shot and hammer.

 The only other North Wales medallist was Cari Hughes (David Hughes), who came second in the 800m in 2-10.81.

 Amber Rimmington (Flint High) just missed gaining podium places in both the discus and hammer with Christian Smith (Darland)  fifth in the 3,000 metres in 9-06.84, and Abigail Bowers (Welshpool) was also fourth in the 300m hurdles.

Snowdon race

LIGHTNING - AND ITALIANS - STEAL ANDI'S THUNDER


Andi Jones's hopes of extending his remarkable run of successes in the Snowdon International race were dashed when, for the first time in the 39-year history of the event, organisers decided to reduce the course.

 On the advice of the RAF who feared lightning strikes at the summit the race was curtailed at Clogwyn , as was the uphill-only Super Cup race.

 Jones set off at his usual cracking pace and built up a decent lead even by the time he left the road to join the mountain path, but like everyone else he was surprised by the performance of the Italians, who are not renowned for their descending.

 Cesare Maestri, who finished fifth in the World junior men's mountain-running championship in 2011, moved ahead and finished impressively in 47.20, with compatriots Erik Rosaire and Paolo Gallo second and fourth.

 Jones, a six-times winner of the race, was sixth, behind fellow England international Morgan Donnelly. Next month Jones leaves to take up a teaching post in Qatar and though he could be back visiting the UK next summer the lack of hills in the Middle East state will affect his chances of claiming a seventh win in Snowdonia.

 Michael Kallenberg (Cardiff) was the first Welshman home and was second in the open class, with Felipe Jones (Aberystwyth) leading a charge of Welsh team members.

 The Republic of Ireland claimed their second consecutive win in the ladies' race through Sarah McCormack, with 2012 winner Tessa Hill second.

 The Snowdon Super Cup was won by Leeds City's James Walsh, who reached Clogwyn six seconds ahead of local favourite Rob Samuel.

 Results of Super Cup: 1 J Walsh (Leeds) 2949, 2 R Samuel (Eryri) 29.55, 3 T Adams (Ilkley) 30.10, 4 T Cornthwaite (Northumberland) 30.55, 7 N Jones (Liv H, U23) 31.51, 8 M Clowes Stone MM) 32.07, 9 I Hughes (Menai) 32.16, 12 D Kashi (Eryri) 33.50, 14 B Williams (ua) 34.12, 17 T Roberts (Meir) 35.29. Ladies: 1 E Clayton (Bingley) 34.09, 2 S Tunstall ( ua) 35.38, 3 K Hulls (Bristol) 36.42, 7 G Paletta (Wrex) 38.00, 9 J Joy (Helsby) 38.29, 11 L Sharpe (Eryri 40.42, 13 B Jenkinson (Eryri) 42.49, 14 G Lees (Eryri) 44.37.

 Snowdon race: 1 C Maestri (Italy) 47.20, 2 E Rosaire (Italy) 47.43, 3 T O'Donoghue (Ireland) 47.50, 4 P Gallo (Italy) 47.56, 5 M Donnelly (Eng) 47.58, 6 A Jones (Eng) 48.34, 13 M Kallender (Cardiff) 50.17, 16 F Jones (Wales) 51.07, 17 P Ryder (Wales) 51.08, 18 M Roberts (Eryri) 51.14, 19 R Roberts (Eryri) 51.28, 20 A Vaughan (Wales) 51.30.
 U23: 1 J Morris (Denbigh) 60.21, 2 S Green (Bangor Uni) 61.35, 3 I Smith (Manchester Uni) 62.01. M40: 1 M Cliffe (Eryri) 56.09, 2 I Fitzpatrick (ua) 56.29, 3 J Parkinson (Eryri) 56.42. M45: 1 S Angus (Keswick) 59.02, 2 D Williams (ua) 60.53, 3 P Jenkinson (Eryri) 61.06. M50: 1 A Gannon (Menai) 57.30, 2 D Roberts (ua) 57.38, 3 N Craine (Eryri) 59.55. M55: 1 G Earlam (Ell Port) 63.27, 2 G Shaw (Bolton) 64.54, 3 I Edgar (Eryri) 65.37. M60: 1 N Pearce (Ilkley) 62.34, 2 C Davies (ua) 62.44, 3 G Owen (Cread) 69.41. M65: 1 G Gunner (Croft Ambrey) 74.22, 2 G Botta (Morbegno) 8151, 3 M Walsh (Bowland) 85.28. M70: B Robbins (Eryri) 82.35.

 Ladies: 1 C McCormack (Rep of I) 55.20, 2 T Hill (Arcteryx) 57.56, 3 E Compagnoni (Italy) 58.04, 6 A Rowlands (Wales) 59.43, 11 J Lee (Wales) 62.08. U23: Z McLennan (Chester Tri) 68.17. L40: 1 H Elmore (Dark Peak) 63.31, 2 M Jones (Mynydd Du) 66.37, 3 A Blackhall (Lochaber) 68.13. L45: 1 L Clough (Chorley) 67.37, 2 R Probert (ua) 71.10, 3 S Roberts (ua) 71.27. L50: 1 B Savage (Clayton le Moors) 78.01, 2 D Hill (Congleton) 79.23, 3 J Wilson (Carnethy) 79.30. L55: 1 G Phillips (Sospan) 82.08, 2 H Elleber (Sheffield) 87.43, 3 N Kennedy (Lochaber) 93.40.

Willis creates history

NEW RECORD FOR WILLIS

Wrexham's Matthew Willis created a bit of Welsh athletics history with an outstanding run in the Wales International meeting in Cardiff.

 He became the first U15 boy to break 9 minutes for 3,000 metres with a time of 8-57.25 which smashed the old record of 9-12.50 set 15 years ago by Luke Northall, also of Wrexham.

 At the same meeting Charlie Hulson (Sale) finished second in the men's 3,000m in 8-19.85, just a fraction of a second behind winner Adam Bitchell. Both men broke the stadium record.

 In the international meeting Hannah Thomas (Wrex) finished third in her 100m in 12.24 whilst Shannon Malone (Deeside) won her own heat in 12.12. Thomas helped the Welsh ladies' team to an easy win in the 4 x 100 relay.

European Mountain Champs

SHARPE GETS EUROPEAN SILVER

Lydia Sharpe (Eryri/Gateshead) was a member of the Great Britain and Northern Ireland junior women's team which won silver at the European Mountain-Running Championships in Gap, France.

 On a 4.25k up-and-down course she finished 23rd overall. It was the GB's only team success, the junior men finishing just five points outside bronze medal place.

Tal y Fan race

BROWN STORMS TO ANOTHER WIN

Buckley's Jez Brown continued his rich vein of form with another fine win in the eight-mile Tal y Fan race, taking the lead from the start.

 He finished three minutes clear of runner-up Mark Davies (NWRR), who is also having a good season, while the first lady home was unattached Ruth Partridge.

 Results: 1 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 71.28, 2 M Davies (NWRR) 74.31, 3 M Fortes (Eryri) 74.38, 4 S Orton (ua, M40) 74.56, 5 S Roberts (Buckley, M40) 75.00, 6 D Collister (ua) 77.38. M50: 1 R Owen (Eryri) 80.21, 2 G Davies (Mysteruns) 87.26, 3 D Owen (Eryri) 90.06. Ladies: 1 R Partridge (ua) 86.50, 2 R Hurford (Oxford Uni) 90.20, 3 L Grantham (Pensby) 91.30, 4 A Lewis (Pensby, L40) 92.42, 5 L Beetlestone (Eryri) 93.14, 6 P Peers (Pensby, L50) 1-40.35. L50: 2 E Salisbury (Eryri) 1-52.10.

Manchester 10k

PALETTA LOVES MANCHESTER

Wrexham's Gina Paletta finished second to England international Jess Coulson (Stockport) in the I Love Manchester 10k. She was 15th overall in a time of 36.31.

 In the same race David Baugh (Denbigh, M50) clocked 40.51 and Amie Bagnall (Prestatyn) was 373rd in 47.31.
 

Silver for Willis

WILLIS REPEATS SCHOOLS SUCCESS

Wrexham's Matthew Willis followed up his gold at the English Schools' cross-country championships with silver in the track and field championships at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium.

 The King's School pupil came second in his U15 1,500m heat in 4-16.04 but then set a pb of 4-07.49 in the final.

 At the BMC Grand Prix meeting in Stretford Georgina Outten (Birchfield)  was fifth overall but first U20 in a quality 3,000m with a time of 9-37.16, some way outside her best.

 At the same meeting Russell Bentley (Kent/Eryri) was third in his 1,500m in 3-56.94, while Bangor University student James Wignall (Sale) was 13th in 4-01.66.

 Former Bangor student Nick Swinburn was fourth in the 3,000m in 8-08.87.

NW Junior Final

MENAI QUALIFY FOR FINAL

Menai Track and Field were winners of the North Wales under-15 League Final at Wrexham and so go through to the all-Wales final at Newport on August 17.

 Wrexham, who came second, will compete in the Plate Final on the same day and at the same venue. Colwyn Bay were third and Deeside fourth.

Borders League fixtures

PROVISIONAL DATES

 The provisional fixture list for the 2014-2015 Borders Road-Running League season is as follows:

November 9: West Cheshire (probably at Cheshire View)

December 7: Chester Tri (probably at Tattenhall)

January 11: Birkenhead

March 8: Eryri or Cybi (in Caernarfon)

March 22: Wrecsam Tri (probably in Mold)

April 12: Prestatyn

April 22: Wrexham (and presentation night).

Welsh Schools champs

CHAMPS BEST FOR NORTH WALES ATHLETES

Several of North Wales' outstanding young athletes were among the stars of the Welsh Schools' track and field championships in Cardiff, with four of them setting new championship best performances.

 In the middle boys' class Colwyn Bay's Nathan Thomason (John Bright)  won both the shot and hammer, the latter with a massive CBP of 62.03, 20 metres ahead of his closest challenger.

 There was a similar double for Deeside's Amber Rimmington (Flint High), with gold in both the middle girls' discus and hammer, the latter with a championship best of 52.77.

 Mold Alun sprinter Shannon Malone did the double in the senior girls' category, claiming a new record from former Colwyn Bay athlete Rachel Johncock in the 100 metres.

 Among the top three placings in the classes were:-

 Junior boys. 200m 2 George Thomas (Powys) 24.24; 300m 1 Thomas 37.11 (CBP); 800m 2 Iolo James (Eryri) 2-05.52; 1,500m 2 Oliver Barbaresi (Eryri) 4-21.49, 3 Michael Parry (NE Wales) 4-23.37; HJ 2 Michael Sturgess (NEW) 1.65, 3 Deio Hughes (Eryri) 1.55. LJ 2 Ioan Rheinallt (Eryri) 5.68; SP 2 Nichaolas Young (NEW) 12.84; JT 2 Harry Godfrey (Eryri) 38.61.

 Middle boys. 200m 3 Alex Burgess (Eryri) 23.28; 3,000m 1 Christian Smith (NEW) 9-14.55; TJ 2 Tom Walley (NEW) 13.25; SP 1 Nathan Thomason (Eryri) 15.11; DT 3 Jacob Williams (Powys) 35.04; HT: 1 Thomason 62.03 (CBP), 2 J Williams.

 Senior boys. 1,500m 3 Iolo Hughes (Eryri) 4-06.55; TJ 3 Tom Casey (Eryri) 11.98; SP 1 Connor Laverty (Eryri) 13.73, 3 Ryan Tyrone-Jones (NEW) 10.40; DT 1 Laverty 40.38, 3 Matthew Williams (NEW) 38.38; HT 2 Shaun Livett (Eryri) 45.13; JT 3 Ryan Foulkes (NEW) 40.24.

 Junior girls. 100m 2 Moli Jones (Eryri) 13.26; 200m 1 Moli Jones 26.86; 300m 3 Megan Davies (Powys) 43.09; 800m 3 Paige Williams (NEW) 2-23.88; HJ 3 Bethan Davies (Powys) 1.65; DT 1 Alanna Parry (Eryri) 23.54; HT 3 Bethan Morris (NEW) 20.34; JT 2 Cassia Pike (Eryri) 27.70.

 Middle girls. 100m 3 Chloe Hughes (NEW) 12.85; 200m 3 Amelia Reynolds (Powys) 24.95; 300m 3 Siriol Jones (NEW) 43.54; 800m 1 Cari Hughes (Eryri) 2-17.87; 3,000m 1 Issy Morris (Powys) 10-10.62 (CBP); 80mH 1 Abigail Bowen (Powys) 12.16; 300mH 1 Bowen 43.45; 1,500m SCH 3 Megan Tucker (Powys) 6-02.72; PV 2 Ellie Collins (NEW) 2.35; LJ 1 Chloe Hughes 5.72, 3 Sarah Atkinson (NEW) 4.94; TJ 1 Sarah Williams (Powys) 10.54; SP 1 (equal) Katie Whitley (NEW) 12.80 (CBP); DT 1 Amber Rimmington (NEW) 38.24, 2 Whitley 31.68; HT 1 Rimmington 52.77 (CBP); JT 3 Tia Williams (NEW) 28.63.

 Senior girls. 100m 1 Shannon Malone (NEW) 12.26 (CBP); 200m 1 Malone 24.83; 800m 1 Abi Backshall (Eryri) 2-15.43; 3,000m 2 Abbie Cheetham (NEW) 12-34.59; HJ 2 Georgia Bates (NEW) 1.45; LJ 1 Bates 5.36; TJ 1 Hannah Owen (Powys)10.69, 3 Rhian Williams (NEW) 10.33; SP 3 Sabrina Fortune (NEW) 10.66; DT 2 Fortune 37.35; HT 3 Manon Edwards (NEW) 41.25.

Fairy Freckled Cow race

DARREN BLAZES THE TRAIL

Abergele veteran Darren Blazier is primarily a road runner but the Fairy Freckled Cow Trail race around the Alwen Reservoir must be one of his favourite events.

 Since the 11k race was first held he has always finished well up and this time he chalked up his third win, following previous successes in 2008 and 2009.

 Results: 1 D Blazier (Abergele, M40) 42.30, 2 J Thomas (Cybi, M40) 44.44, 3 J Waters (Abergele) 45.26, 4 S Toogood (Buckley, M50) 45.38, 5 M Mayers (Abergele, M40) 46.37, 6 O Conry (ua, M40) 46.54. M50: 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 48.07, 3 A Lewis (Eryri) 48.44. M60: 1 JG Evans (Aberystwyth) 54.52, 2 D Owen (Prestatyn) 58.05, 3 G Brier (ua) 58.59. M70: G Mount (ua) 71.09.
 Ladies: 1 S Beck (Prestatyn) 53.04, 2 S Rowlands (Eryri, L40) 53.41, 3 D Rutherford (Pensby, L50) 54.14, 4 H Brrett (Buckley, L50) 55.05, 5 L Griffith (CB, L40) 56.07, 6 D Macloskey (ua, L50) 56.35, 7 C Birch (Abergele, L60) 56.37. L40: 3 J Lewis (Prestatyn) 59.31. L60: 2 J Mount (ua) 75.47.

Moel Siabod

JONES MADE TO WORK HARD RETAIN TITLE

Aberystwyth's Felipe Jones retained his title in the Moel Siabod race, but in contrast with his three-minute win last year came home only just over a minute ahead of Matthew Roberts.

 There was another remarkable effort by 16-year-old new Welsh international John Spill who beat some highly experienced athletes to take third place.

 There was also a good battle between the Eryri ladies, with Jackie Lee beating Andrea Rowlands by 97 seconds.

 Results: 1 F Jones (Aberystwyth) 47.53, 2 M Roberts (Eryri) 48.40, 3 J Spill (Eryri, U23) 50.59, 4 M Cliffe (Eryri, M40) 52.47, 5 J Brown (Buckley, M40) 53.28, 6 I Richards (Cread) 54.10. M40: 3 N Ashcroft (Ambleside) 54.21. M50: 1 D Roberts (Cread) 55.21, 2 N Shepherd (Bowland) 58.27, 3 S Toogood (Buckley) 60.44. M60: 1 A French (Wrex) 65.43, 2 C Wilcox (Clwydian) 67.55, 3 M Foschi (Helsby) 69.56. M70: J Morris (Buck) 70.49.
 Ladies: 1 J Lee (Eryri) 56.12, 2 A Rowlands (Eryri, L40) 57.49, 3 C Rice (Glossopdale) 61.06. 4 H Teasdale (Eryri, L40) 62.22, 5 V Whitehead (Denbigh, L40) 70.55. L50: 1 E Collins (Denbigh) 72.38, 2 H Berrett (Buckley) 75.09, 3 E Salisbury (Eryri) 75.32. L60: M Oliver (Eryri) 85.45.

Off-Road GP (2)

JONES EDGES WIN NUMBER 2

Deeside's Lee Jones claimed his second win of the season in Deestriders' Off-Road Grand Prix at Shotton, but this time his winning margin over second-placed Dean Longley was just one second.

 Results: 1 L Jones (Dee, M40) 25.56, 2 D Longley (Prestatyn) 25.57, 3 G Jones (Prestatyn, M55) 27.57, 4 A Clague (West Chesh, M45) 27.59, 5 A Campbell (Wrecsam Tri, M35) 28.09, 6 T Roberts (Wirral, M35) 28.12. JM: 1 A Ryder (Prest) 31.00, 2 T De Jong (Helsby) 31.42, 3 B Harrison (Prest) 36.17. M35: 3 D Morris (Helsby) 29.03. M40: 2 P Stinton (Buck) 29.57, 3 M Austin (Buck) 30.25. M45: 2 G Blackwell (Dee) 29.37, 3 M Waring (Chester Tri) 29.50. M50: 1 N Wilson (Wirral) 30.09, 2 D Baugh (Denbigh) 31.05, 3 D Davies (Prest) 32.24. M55: 2 P Frodsham (Helsby) 29.43, 3 T Devoy (Wirral) 31.00. M60: 1 P Weatherhead (Wirral) 33.07, 2 C Baldwin (Denbigh) 33.56, 3 R Prys-Owen (ua) 38.46. M65: 1 B Mossop (Buck) 36.32, 2 S Hatfield (Prest) 36.37, 3 M Davis (Prest) 39.40. M70: 1 P Jones (Prest) 41.00, 2 B Beattie (West Chesh) 42.11.
 Ladies: 1 S Roberts (Pensby, L35) 30.20, 2 A Muller (West Chesh) 32.46, 3 H Johnson (Ell Port, L40) 34.40, 4 A Williams (Buck, L35) 36.36, 5 J Owens (Prest) 38.07. L35: 3 C Brennan (Ell P) 39.16. L40: 2 J Lewis (Prest) 38.20, 3 S Basford (Tatt) 41.54. L50: 1 S Rodgers (Prest) 40.16, 2 G Csizmadia (Wrex) 43.06.

Vaynol 10k

FIVE ON THE TROT FOR SAMUEL

Eryri's Rob Samuel extended his remarkable record in the Vaynol 10k at Felinheli with his fifth consecutive win.

 Last year it was Gwyn Owen who finished a distant second  and this time it was his clubmate, Welsh marathon champion Alun Vaughan, who came runner-up, a minute down.

 Results (all Eryri unless stated): 1 R Samuel 31.55, 2 A Vaughan 32.54, 3 DW Jones (M40) 36.06, 4 D Blazier (Abergele, M40) 37.15, 5 I Rowlands (Cybi, M40) 37.37. JM: 1 R James (ua) 40.23, 2 GO Jones (ua) 41.06, 3 J Brookes (ua) 42.11. M50: 1 A Lewis 41.17, 2 S Taylor (Menai) 42.04, 3 I Edgar 42.21. M60: 1 E Edwards 44.51, 2 T Hill (Cybi) 49.17,  3 D Jones 50.11. M70: 1 E Davies 47.32, 2 B Robbins 48.24, 3 I Roberts 58.54.
 Ladies: 1 H Teasdale (L35) 43.43, 2 T Llewellyn (Cybi, L35) 43.57, 3 E Haf (ua) 43.58, 4 D Humphreys (ua, L35) 45.14, 5 C Pollock (ua, L35) 45.25, 6 BE Till (ua) 45.50. L50: 1 K Hatton (NWRR) 49.04, 2 C Williams (Canicross) 51.29, 3 K Potter (ua) 53.18. L60: 1 C Birch (Abergele) 48.50, 2 M Oliver 55.12.

A very happy birthday

OUTTEN MIXES IT WITH THE BEST

Georgina Outten marked her 18th birthday in style, lining up alongside one of her sporting heroes.

 The day after her birthday the former Colwyn Bay athlete travelled to Birmingham for the British track and field championships and by finishing seventh in her heat of the 1,500m qualified for the final as one of the fastest losers with a time of 4-23.19.

 The heat was won by Olympian Hannah England, one of Georgina's favourite athletes.

 The following day Georgina (now Birchfield) returned to Birmingham for the final and as the only junior was the youngest in the line-up. Again she did herself huge credit, coming 10th in 4-21.3.

 On Tuesday night she travelled to Manchester for the Trafford Grand Prix meeting and set a new pb of 9-24.81 in the 3,000m to go top of the UK U20 rankings.

 Georgina's mother Michelle Garner was full of praise for Georgina's colleagues in Team Walling for the support she is receiving in helping her get to events and enhance her growing reputation by competing at the highest level.