Owen wins the Twin Piers race
GWYN OWEN of Eryri Harriers won last Saturday’s Twin Piers race 10k race from Llandudno to Colwyn Bay.
Owen won the race hosted by Colwyn Bay Athletic Club in 33 minutes, with Prestatyn’s Dean Longley second in 33.18 and Robert White of Buxton third in 33.45.
The women’s winner was unattached runner Debbie Holl in 40.39, ahead of Denbigh’s Emma Collins in 41.24 and Gemma Morgans, formerly of the host club, in 42.39.
The race, from Llandudno Pier to Colwyn Bay Pier, attracted a good turnout, with 355 people crossing the finish line.
Host club Colwyn Bay AC would like to thank sponsors Conwy County Borough Council, Decantae Mineral Water, Grand Prix Express, Llandrillo College and Spar with shops in Llanrwst, Rhos on Sea, Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan.
Full results from the Twin Piers can be found at colwynbayathletics.org.uk or abergeleharriers.co.uk
North Wales Road Runners entered 32 members in the Twin Piers.
Martin Green was first to finish for the club, clocking a personal best time of 35 minutes and six seconds to finish seventh overall (third in age category).
Also finishing in the top 15 were Chris Yorke (35.32) who was first in his age category and Andrew Kerr (36.19 – PB).
One of the standout performances in the race was from Dave Gardner, on his return to racing after being injured for most of 2014, who won his age category with his time of 49.29, projecting him to the top of the UK rankings for his age category.
Also of note was the fact the event was stalwart Kevin Higgins’s 400th competitive race in his 25 years with the club.
The highlight for NWRRC was winning the prestigious Tom Watson Memorial Trophy for the first four male and female runners from a club – the winning team being Martin Green, Chris Yorke, Andrew Kerr, new club chairman Kevin Slattery (41.25), Carla Green (44.41 – PB), Kay Hatton (47.42), Hannah Griffith (49.30 – PB) and Ceri Jones (54.09 – PB).
Also taking part were Iwan Evans (42.00), Leon Davies (42.44 – PB), Mike Thelwell (42.59), Steven Roberts (43.06), Andy Jones (43.11), Darren Griss (43.20 – five minute PB), Sye Channer (44.02 – PB), Richard Scamans (45.17), Mark Jones (46.40), Tony Gibson (46.55), Alan Davies (48.46), Len Jackson (49.05), Julian Mahy (51.17), Colin Thackray (52.33), Delyth Jones (55.56 – PB), Kate Channer (57.05), Angharad Lewis (58.57), Erika Dawson-Davies (59.46), Tony Lister (1–02.16), Joan Edwards (1–02.27), Juana Hunter (1–03.18) and Nicola Lewis (1–04.39).
Eighteen Abergele Harriers tackled the Twin Piers.
First Harrier to finish over the line was Jodi Waters in 37.33 to secure 20th place.
He was followed by Mark Mayers in 40.25 (50th).
Nick Foden completed the course in 43.48 to finish in 88th place.
Rob Armstrong clocked 45.40 (108th) and Christine Birch came home in 46.32 to secure first place in the FV65 category.
John Jones, who only recently started running with the Harriers, posted 46.37 (119th).
Vince Wickham finished in 47.05 (124th) and Rachel Shipley in 48.51 (156th).
Martyn Barnaby recorded 49.28 (166th), just ahead of Anthony Howe in 50.12 (178th).
Sue Calvert completed the distance in 53.19 (215th) and finished runner-up in the FV55 category. Keith Tewkesbury finished in 53.33 (219th).
Megan New achieved a personal best time for this distance of 55.32 (246th) as did Diane jones in exactly 59 minutes (285th).
Sarah Rowlands registered 59.28 (290th), Sonja Griffiths did a PB 59.56 (296th) and Gary Howgate completed in 1–01.12 (306th).
Vicky Jones managed a PB of 1–01:38 (313th) and first FV75 was Margaret Jones in 1–07.27 (344th).
For more athletics news turn to page 77.