Gladstone 9 Race Report 31/08/2019
Weather conditions were mixed for this cracking race in the Northern Carneddau, which this year was an
Eryri Club Champs race, but thanks to the good visibility, the views were stunning throughout. 77 runners
& 1 sweeper started the race, & everyone finished. The feedback, as always, has all been excellent, with
many comments about our wonderful marshals, the post-race homemade flapjacks, the amazing homemade soup, & the foodie prizes. There was also great enthusiasm for Racetek, Fabian4’s partner company,
which provided the timing/tracking service, with the results on the computer screen at HQ as soon as the
runners had passed over the line, as well as on the web for all to see.
The race was won by Calder Valley’s Math Roberts, in a time of 1:12:01, with Eryri’s Gavin Roberts, newly back from
injury, hot on his heels in 1:12:39, 3 minutes faster than last year. Eryri’s Fred Maier was 3
rd
, & his club mates Owain
Williams 4th, & Matt Fortes 5th & 1st MV40. Buckley Runners won the one two in the MV40 category with Jez Brown
1
st in 1:21:55 & Simon Edwards 2nd. Very close behind them was Dark Peak’s John Hunt, 1st MV 50 in 1:23:39 with
Eryri’s Jonny Moore 2nd. Eryri won the one two again in the MV60 category, with Iwan Edgar 1st in 1:36:06, & Terry
Coleman 2nd
, while the MV70s were led home by Eryri’s Brian Robbins 1
st in 2:07:06, followed by Thames Hare &
Hounds (runners come a long way to take part in our race!) Paul Newby.
The first local’s prize (very local – we pass within a few yards of his cottage on the race route) was awarded to Chris
Near, who was 10st overall in 1:24:46, having driven home from the Alps the day before! It’s interesting that once
again, were only 8 senior men in the first 20 finishers. Where are all the ‘youngsters’?!
As in the male category, 4 of the 1st 5 ladies across the line were from Eryri Harriers. 1st was Andrea Rowlands in
1:28:09, also 1st FV40 & a brilliant 18th position overall, 2nd was last year’s winner, NWRR’s Gemma Moore, & just
behind her, 25th overall & 2nd FV40 was Jenny Heming. Next to finish was Sarah Seery, then Sarah Barnwell, 1st
FV50 in 1:42:47 (new record) in the amazing position of 5
th lady & 32nd place overall. Next to finish was Eryri’s Megan
Hughes then Helsby RC’s Laura Baynham-Hughes who were awarded the 1st & 2nd FV40 prizes. Yours truly was
awarded the 1st FV50 prize, with Rachel Arnold in 2nd place, & the amazing Maggie Oliver of Eryri Harriers was the 1st
FV70 home in 2:20:52. Again, only 8 of the 21 female runners were aged less than 40…….
My sincere thanks go to my co-organisers, Maggie Oliver & Alex Fletcher, & to all the many marshals and helpers,
who as always gave their time willingly, & without whom we would not have been able to safely organise the race.
Particular mention needs to be made of little Rhiannon, who, at about 12 weeks of age, is the youngest marshal
we’ve ever had on the summit of Moel Lus! We are very grateful for the grant provided by Penmaenmawr Town
Council, which, as well contributing to the prize fund, enabled us to provide the runners & marshals with soup & a
roll after the race. The very-well received prizes compromised a FOC hamper for the first prize, generously provided
FOC by Spar Penmaenmawr, & fresh produce bags for the age category prizes with the items having been purchased
at a reduced rate from Spar, with extras donated by friends. We were also grateful to have been given a ‘Breakfast
for Two’ voucher by Eryri’s Paul Hodges, owner of Siabod Café, which was presented to the first lady home. Lastly,
we owe a huge vote of thanks, as always, to the staff of the Gladstone pub for their hospitality & cooperation, & for
providing a meal voucher as the first local’s prize.
A small financial contribution will be given to Eryri Harriers, who provided all the kit, to the WFRA, with whom the
race is insured & whose committee members do such a huge amount to support fell running in Wales, & to the
Carneddau Pony Society, whose members do so much to care for this unique herd which has graced our mountains
for so many centuries. I’m pleased to announce that we will be able to donate £280 to the Snowdonia Society
http://snowdonia-society.org.uk/, which does such valuable work, for which those of us who enjoy the mountains on
a regular basis are most grateful.
Ellie Salisbury (Race Organiser)
https://www.racetek-live.co.uk/website/public_results/989/complete_results/
😉
