SNOWDON SUCCESS FOR JONES
SNOWDONIA MARATHON ERYRI
NEIL Jones (Ogmore Phoenix Runners) claimed a superb 20th-place finish last Saturday in the 36th staging of the gruelling Snowdonia Marathon Eryri, writes Tony Poole.
The event is generally regarded as one of the most historic and arduous marathons in the world.
Tremendous battles have been fought down the years on the circular Llanberis course that takes in Bethania, Beddgelert, Rhyd Ddu, Betws Garmon, Waunfawr and back to Llanberis.
Jones completed the course in splendid time of 3:02:07, and it enabled him to claim fifth place in the 40+ category.
The race was won by Russ Bentley (Kent AC), who, interestingly, was also victorious two years ago, in a time of 2:38:21 from Martin Green (North Wales Road Runners) 2:43:17 and Robert Weekes (East Hull Harriers) 2:45:51.
Other fine runs from local competitors – that saw 2,192 finishers - came from Ian Ogilvie (Brackla Harriers) 3:30:59 (155th, 15th 50+), Jeffrey Thomas (Bridgend) 3:42:17 (264th, 28th 50+), Dan Morgan (Bridgend) 3:45:43 (309th, 61st 40+), Neil Price (Ogmore Phoenix) 3:48:01 (342nd, 127th Open), Gareth Danter-Hill (Cornelly Striders) 3:52:58 (403rd, 146th Open), Gareth Richards (Og- more Phoenix) 3:54:44 (427th, 83rd 45+), Rob Bennett (Porthcawl Runners) 3:55:52 (450th, 89th 45+), Aled Hughes (Ogmore Phoenix) 3:55:53 (451st, 93rd 40+), Anthony Wilkinson (Cornelly Striders) 4:02:00 (547th, 109th 45+) and Matt Bourne (Brackla Harriers) 4:03:03 (560th, 111th 45+).
Top female performance came from Deborah Roberts-Goule (Porthcawl Runners), who clocked 4:04:45 to finish 584th overall, and a noteworthy 16th at 45+ level.
The winner of the female section was Anna Bracegirdle (unattached) who finished 29th in a time of 3:06:02.
PORTHCAWL 5K PARKRUN
JAMES Hunt (Cardiff) motored to victory last Saturday in the Halloween-themed 288th staging of Porthcawl 5K Parkrun.
It was his 13th victory in 18 starts at the seaside event from Porthcawl seafront to Rest Bay and back, and this time around it attracted 422 contestants.
A winning time of 15:26 was 14 seconds outside the best that Hunt, who regularly trains with the Bridgend club, recorded back in April 2017.
It was also the fifth fastest time for the event, and it also secured him ninth spot in the top-10 times last weekend for Parkruns throughout the United Kingdon.
Runner-up Tom Wright (Bridgend) carded pb 17:16 with James Michael Mulvany (Wesham Road Runners) third in 17:22.
A further 19 runners were inside 20 minutes - newcomer Craig Foley (Port Talbot Harriers) 17:26, Richard Dando (Bridgend) 17:41, Chris Jenkins (Neath Harriers) 17:57, Ross Purchase (Cornelly Striders) 18:06, Sam Hodge (unattached) pb 18:12, Nino Gatti (Port Talbot Harriers) 18:22, Marcus Dearns (unattached) pb 18:28, Lee Davies (Port Talbot Harriers) first-time competitor 18:28, Liam Osborne (Bridgend) pb 18:29, Kieran Jenkins (Cornelly Striders) pb 18:43, Rob Hunt (Bridgend) 18:51, top female Katrin Higginson (Bridgend) pb 18:58, Paul Chappell (Cornelly Striders) pb 19:01, Rex Ezard (unattached) pb 19:10, newcomer Ben Hughes (Port Talbot Harriers) 19:18, Jamie Harrowing (unattached) 19:22, Jamie Howells (Parc Bryn Bach) 19:46, Dave Bennett (Porthcawl) 19:48 and Alex Betts (Pencoed Tri Club) 19:58.
Second female finisher in 30th spot was newcomer Lucy Sheldon (Abingdon AC) 21:12 with Joanne Edwards (Cornelly Striders) third in pb 21:45.
MAESTEG 5K PARKRUN
GRANT Medcraft last Saturday won Maesteg 5K Parkrun for a fourth time in 10 visits to the Welfare Park.
And he garnished the victory with a personal best time of 17:55 which clipped a second off his previous best when triumphant in event number 38 back in May.
Jacob Griffiths (Brackla Harries) took second place in a pb time of 18:39 from Marcus David (Port Talbot Harriers) 18:41, Adrian Pearce (Ogmore Phoenix) 19:26, Chris Medcalf (San Domenico) pb 20:11, Paul Kearns 21:58, Joe Lewis (both unattached) 22:22, Gregg Harris (Ogmore Phoenix) pb 23:13, Wayne Preece (Yr Hen Blwyf) 24:02 and Stephen Cale (Pontyclun Road Runners) 24:04.
Top female in 12th position was Libby Lavis (Brackla Harriers), who clocked a pb time of 24:23, to finish in front of newcomer Bridgette Edwards 26:30, Kate Parry pb 28:03, Chloe Morgan pb 28:43, Lauren James 28:43 and Judith Jeeves (all unattached) first-time competitor 29:18.
JUST RUN PENYBONT
THE Just Run Penybont success story gets better by the week with 54 runners turning up for their latest event at the Hi Tide in Porthcawl.
A flat 5K course around Coney Beach proved a big attraction for social runners, and it was accompanied by some excellent times.
Just Run Penybont meet twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Penybont Football Club (7.30pm).
The sessions with no commitment attached are free, and are suitable for runners of all abilities.
TATA STEEL RICHARD BURTON 10K
RUNNERS from all points on the compass will gather in Cwmavon on Sunday for the annual Tata Steel Richard Burton 10K event.
The event epitomises the spirit and beauty of the Welsh Valleys with the late Richard Burton.
Both the main 10K event and Mini Miler start outside Cwmavon Community Centre while Cwmavon RFC will once more offer hot and cold refreshments.
Marshalling duties are again performed by the Port Talbot Harriers club.
The following Sunday (November 10) the second leg of the J H Collins Gwent Cross Country League is being staged in the lovely Pembrey Park, Llanelli.
But there was disappointment earlier in the month when the second West Glamorgan Cross Country event was postponed.
The race had to be called off, as Gnoll Park was double booked and the event is now likely to be staged in March.