OUT AND ABOUT
JULY was a busy month for Sarn Helen Running Club, which held the sixth (out of eight) of its own annual club races and whose members travelled far and wide to compete.
July 23 saw the start of the annual Poppit Sands series, set on the beautiful sands of north Pembrokeshire in St Dogmaels. This is a series of three 5k multi-terrain runs for the seniors, on beach and road, plus a beach run of just over one mile for the juniors.
This was a Sarn Helen family event for the Riverses, with parents Eleri and Mark competing in the seniors and brothers Harri and Steffan competing in the juniors.
Out of a field of 82 runners, senior results were as follows: Mark Rivers (M40) 00:19:58; Irfon Thomas (OM) 00:20:15; Johnathan Price ( YTM) 00:20:29; Mitchell Readwin ( OM) 00:24:42; Eleri Rivers (F45) 00:25:14; Liz Pugh (F45) 00:27:58; and Sian Bela Jenkins (OF) 00:30:17.
Sarn Helen juniors competed in a field of 97 runners: Harri Rivers (age 12, B13) 00:10:30; Jac Rees (age 10, B10) 00:12:39; and Steffan Rivers (age 9, B10) 00:13:32.
Meirionydd Running Club’s Dolgellau 5-mile road race took place on July 27. The course is undulating with a height gain of 600 metres and combines foot and cycle paths and roads. Sarn Helen’s Caryl Davies took on this challenging course and achieved a fantastic time of 00:34:57 in the F31 category, finishing second overall.
Another warm and sunny day with a light breeze greeted the runners taking part in the popular annual Tenovus 5k fundraiser.
Participants hailed from a wide area and welcomed members of the Lampeter Couch to 5k Group.
In the senior event a new course record was set by David Jones of Carmarthen Harriers, who completed the route of three laps of the town at high speed in a time of 00:16:45. The event raised £315.30.
First places for the girls’ and boys’ juniors went to Sarn Helen members Tomos Green and Eva Davies, both familiar faces in running events who continue to achieve great times.
In the senior event Sarn Helen recorded the following results: Mark Rivers (1st M40), 00:18:37; George Eadon (2nd OM), 00:18:47; Irfon Thomas (3rd OM), 00:18:59; Carwyn Davies (2nd M40) 00:19:05; Steffan Thomas 00:19:50; Dee Jolly (1st OF), 00:20:34; Jack Caulkett (1st M18), 00:20:46; Eleri Rivers (1st F45) 00:22:20; Nicola Williams, (2nd OF), 00:22:28; Owen Davies (3rd M18), 00:24:05; Dawn Kenwright (1st F55), 00:24:19; Joanna Rosiak (1st F35) 00:24:38; Harri Rivers (M18), 00:25:06; Violet Caulkett (1st F18) 00:25:50; Elisha Jones (OF), 00:26:11; Sian Bela Jenkins (OF), 00:26:12; Nicola Davies (OF), 00:27:52; and Emma Gray (F35) 00:41:19.
The Cider Frolic, held in Blandford Forum, Dorset, on July 27-28 is one of a number of popular events organised by White Star Running, taking in the beautiful scenery of the county.
This race is a timed multi-lap event for solos, pairs and threes and teams of fours, with each lap measuring 6km. Participants can complete as many laps as they are able within a 12hour period.
The day was very hot and sunny, and Helen Willoughby and Emma Gray took part in this feat of endurance, with Helen completing 14 laps (52.4 miles) and achieving third solo female. Emma completed 11 laps (42 miles) in 12 hours.