18Nov

Conwy Half Marathon

Read more

There was a record 2773 finishers in the Conwy Half Marathon on Sunday 17th November with 14 Eryri Harriers completing the event which includes a trip around Llandudno’s Great Orme. Leading the way for Eryri was Brendan Rothery in 15th position overall and 1st MV/40 with a time of 1:16:51. Next home for Eryri was Nic Brook in a time of 1:22:08 followed by: 2nd Female Anna Mackenzie in 1:27:17. Jason Jones 1:28:41. Brian Wills 1: 30:11. Arwel Lewis 1:36:55. Chris Cook 1:38:02. Guto Rhys 1:42:46. Harri Roberts 1:50:01. Chris Hoult 1:52:15. Emlyn Roberts 2:00:25. Eleri Roberts 2:07:40 and Roy Jardine 2:21:43 (All Chip Times)
Gary Priestly (Salford) held off the challenge of Adam Bull (Aberdare AC) to win the event in a time of 68:24 with Adam clocking 68:48 ahead of Tom Roberts (Meirionnydd) 72:33. Gary’s partner Anna Bracegirdle was the first female finisher in a time of 1:20:58.
A well organised RunWales event run in very good conditions though, a bit wet later on.
The event was also the last counter in the Eryri Road Running Championships of which Ian Edwards had already guaranteed the title with Arwel Lewis 2nd and Eurwyn Edwards 3rd. Vivian Edwards wins the Women’s title. Full Championship results will be published soon.
12Nov

Morbegno report

Read more

Morbegno 2019…A small but mighty crew of Eryri Harriers made the trip over to Italy to take part in the excellent Trofeo Vanoni race, which takes the runner through quaint narrow streets, up impossibly steep and slippery cobbled paths, through mud, tree roots and small streams, all bathed in beautiful Autumn colours, to then be thrown back down the hill-side, with several technical leaps of faith off walls, small cliffs and steep steps (mens course), and a jump off a grassy wall (for the ladies).

Following recceing our respective race routes, and fuelling ourselves up in the preceding days on the athletes’ staple of pizza and beer, come Sunday, we were ready to go…

First up, the ladies: Sarah Seery, Becki Law, Michelle Fildes and Miranda Grant lined up with some of the big names in European (and British!) mountain running. After much fanfare and cowbell ringing, we were off, flying along the streets, elbows out, slogging up the steep climb to the top of our route then battering a way down to the finish along narrow paths, rough roads and tarmac, with the aforementioned and much anticipated jump off the wall. I genuinely had nightmares about this last year: lots of people crowd along the wall jump, waiting for the possibility of a high drama face-plant!

First in, in 13th place was Miranda, running a minute quicker than last year. Next was Sarah in 30th, closely followed by Becki who had sped down the descent to take 33rd, and Michelle put in a cracking run to come 65th. Well done ladies!

The mens race is a big event, with teams of 3 in a relay format, making it a great spectacle to watch.

Racing in the veteran Hen Ogledd team were speedy hill and road runners Math Roberts, Karl Grey (not of Eryri) and Richard Roberts. They had an outstanding performance, with Math putting in an amazing first leg, placing the team in 5th at the handover. Solid performances from Richard and Karl led to an amazing 14th place overall, AND 1st Vet team!! Incredible!!

Gavin Roberts, Matt Fortes and Owain Williams made up Eryri Team C. Owain has written an excellent account of his experience (somewhere on this page, Mr Parttimerunner). All three men had strong legs and fast times to place 31st team overall.

John Rowley, Dylan Wynn Jones and Sion Morgan made up Team B, coming in 77th overall, despite Dylan discovering the delight of wine in a carton the night before. Excellent running there.

Brian Seery, Arwel Lewis and Adrian Woods were in the A-team, with the prize for pushing oneself beyond the recognised human limit of pain endurance going to Arwel, who wasn’t able to talk for a good while after finishing his leg. Their team finished 150th overall.

It was a fantastic weekend, a huge amount of fun and top levels of committed spectator-ship from everyone…Thanks everyone for a great weekend of laughs 🙂.

A couple photos attached but there are literally hundreds of photos of Eryri Harriers from a myriad of vantage points on the Trofeo Vanoni facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/trofeo.vanoni/?epa=SEARCH_BOX

Results: http://www.trofeovanoni.it/en/english-home/

 

03Nov

Abergele 5 Mile Road Race (North Wales Championships)

Read more

16 Eryri Harriers competed in the Abergele 5 Mile Road Race (North Wales Championships) at Pensarn on Sunday 3rd November.
Leading the way for Eryri was Ian Edwards who was still feeling the effects of last weeks Snowdonia Marathon on the out and back race route which included a small climb near halfway. Ian finished 19th overall and 1st North Wales M/35 in a time of 29:25. With the event also being the penultimate race of the Eryri Road Running Championships, best of 6 from 12 events. Ian is now guaranteed the club’s road running title with maximum points (150) 27th placed Gemma Moore was next in for Eryri, 2nd female overall and taking the North Wales title in a time of 31:26 followed by: 28th & 3rd MV/45 Nic Brook 31:17(chip). 30th Arthur Connell 31:47. 36th Catherine Connell 32:11. 41st & 1st Under 20 female overall & North Wales Jody Cain 32:53. 42ns Anthony Davies 33:07. 64th & 1st MV/60 overall and North Wales Arwel Lewis 34:52. 107th Eurwyn Edwards 38:37. 129th Kate Potter 40:23. 158th & 159th Paul & Gemma Wathan 43:20. 161st Katie Wilby 43:48. 183rd Viv Edwards 47:44. 189th Roy Jardine 48:46 & 217th Iorwerth Roberts 69:39.
Owen Roberts (Hebog) won the event in a close finish ahead of Mick Hill (Leeds City) in a course record time of 25:16 with Mick clocking 25:19. Hannah Cowley (Helsby RC) was the first female finisher in a time of 29:33 which is also a course record which she set when winning the event last year.
The Eryri Harriers women of: Gemma Moore, Catherine Connell, Jody Cain & Kate Potter won the team title.
Well done all.
A well organised Abergele Harriers race.
Reminder: BORDERS ROAD RUNNING LEAGUE RACE 2 next Sunday 10th November at Connahs Quay (Deeside Stadium) with an earlier time of 09:30am. With both the Eryri men’s and women’s teams leading their respective Division 2 tables after our “Home” event at Caernarfon last month, lets keep our promotion push going for the remainder of the season.
03Nov

Snowdonia Marathon Eryri (26.10.19)

Read more

Snowdonia Marathon Eryri (26.10.19)

Diwrnod glawog I gyfarch yr rhedwyr, ond y tywydd yn gwella drwy y dydd. Mi roedd 35 o aelodau Eryri yn rhedeg. Llongyfarchiadau I pawb a cymerodd rhan, llwyddiant eto eleni I Andrea Rowlands, merch 1af.

A rainy start to this year marathon, but improving by the time the runners returned back to Llanberis. There was 35 Eryri members running this year. Congratulations to everyone who took part. There was success for Andrea Rowlands again this year, 1st female back.

Ian Edwards, Twm Morgan, Andrea Rowlands (1stF/48th), Gwyn Williams, Gwion Williams,

Nia Albiston (2nd FV40), Paul Hodges, Megan Hughes, Jason Parry Jones, Helen Morgan, Chris Cook, Manon Wilkinson, Emlyn Roberts, Brian Wills, Guto Edwards, Ieuan Belshaw, Levente Incze,

Richard Evans, Harri Roberts, Jess Mullen, Will Evans, Emily Wood, Eurwyn Edwards, Barry Davies,

Gwyn Arfon Williams, Gwenllian Dafydd, Fiona Owen, Sioned Rowlands, Hayley McDonald Jones, Maggie Oliver (1st FV70), Gwyn Evans, Jon Seddon, Viv Edwards, Hugh Morgan, Peter John Lewis

Results to be found here:

https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/year/2019

23Oct

British Fell Relay Championships, Peak District National Park

Read more

British Fell Relay Championships, Peak District National Park
The above race, organised by Dark Peak fell runners, really was quite the most impressive bit of logistical planning I’ve seen at any race, ever. The race centre was right in the shadow of the Derwent Reservoir dam (literally), an area of great sensitivity and within the National Park, so to have been granted permission to use this area, which is notoriously busy for one thing, is really very impressive!
Getting to the race start requiring a multi-pronged approach. For all of us, it was an unreasonably early start (before 4am for some!) involving one false start (cars not starting), and several re-arrangements of people and vehicles to make the journey, as per the race organisers strict parking restrictions!
This event is one of the most anticipated competitions of the year, and it did not disappoint: it had everything we love about the sport. There was great camaraderie, amazingly competitive but-still-friendly competition, fantastic weather (always makes these outdoor events better!), beautiful running routes which were a joy to run but really testing, and good natured humour all around.
We had 3 teams: Vet40 Men, Open Male and Open Female teams, with 3 U18 runners taking part which was fab (thank you so much for getting involved!) And oh my word, everyone ran their socks off!
For the Vet40s, Richard Roberts was out the blocks first on leg one, having a storming race to arrive not only in 14th place overall but 1st in the V40 competition, a really fantastic run in a very competitive field. Johnny Moore and Ali Chant (our last minute signing, completing the Mens V40 Team in style, thanks Ali!) ran really well together and arrived back as 20th Vet 40 team to handover to Emlyn Owen and Matt Fortes. Running a solid, fast race on a leg which was far longer than anyone anticipated, the pair arrived back at the start in 2nd place for the Vet 40’s, having ticked off the route at great speed with Matts ninja nav skills. Craig Jones had a fantastic run, completing the 5 mile final leg to round off the competition, and coming in 10th V40 overall, which placed the Eryri Vet 40 men in 8th place overall out of 34 teams. This is an amazing result, well done guys!!
There was slightly more drama in the Eryri Men’s Open race:
Eden Potter was on the first leg, coming in an excellent 39th place in the Open Male category (the results don’t split down into placings for the U18s so I’m not sure where Eden, Callum or Lleucu placed in that category). Next up was Ross Roberts and Luke Earnshaw, in what transpired to be Luke’s first fell race, so jumping straight in at the deep-end there. The pair had a good solid race to coming in 77th in their category. Taking up the baton next was nav-ace Owain Williams paired with Fred Maier. Things were looking good until Fred appeared to want to check-out some of the famous limestone caverns in the area by falling into a deep hole which unfortunately meant they had to retired from the race (Fred is OK, for those asking!) and the team weren’t given an overall placing. Callum O’Donnell still got to run his leg in the mass start, and ran excellently to finish in 40th place.
In the Open Womens competition, Lleucu Lane stepped up to run a solid first leg, coming in 31st and handing over to Sarah Seery and newly-joined Faye Johnson, who ran really well together to place 12th overall in our category. Next out was Jenny Hemming and Becki Law who put in a superb nav leg, beating some very stiff competition to come in 7th. Last out was Miranda Grant who thoroughly enjoyed her leg to come in 2nd place. Overall, we also placed 8th out of the 49 Open Female teams competing.
Really well done to everyone who committed to coming and running on Saturday, it was a fantastic day with a really great bunch of people!! I’m sure none of us will forget that in a hurry. Huge thank you to Dark Peak Fell Runners! And all those who drive us there, and to Craig Jones for his tent 🙂
Full results here:
And a vast selection of photos available on the Fellrunners UK facebook page: there are some cracking ones of our Eryri runners!

 

14Oct

Colwyn Bay XC 19/9

Read more

Details including maps here 

Message from organising club.

Hi All,

Please find attached course maps for both junior league and senior league races this coming Saturday for circulation within your clubs.

Please park in Eirias Park and access only on foot to race start following signs for race taking footpath (up steps) to the right as you exit the main gates.

There are changing rooms and showers in the main leisure centre if required. There will be portaloos and a refreshments available in the main field.

I look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

Russell Godwin
Colwyn Bay Athletic Club

 

14Oct

Borders League Caernarfon

Read more

There was a course record of over 350 finishers in the Caernarfon 10k Borders League race on Sunday 13th October, the first race of the 2019/20 season.
The Eryri Harriers were out in force in their “Home” Borders League race with 38 club members competing in very wet conditions. Leading the way for Eryri was Matt Roberts, in a tight tussle all the way around the anti-clockwise race route with the Borders League 2018/19 champion, Joe Boden (Wallasey) Matt held off Joe to win the race in the 2nd fastest time run on the 10k course in a Borders league event, of which. there have been ten to date. Matt was just a few seconds ahead of Joe, both finishing under 32 minutes. (Full race results to be confirmed) Eryri’s men had 11 finishers in the top 100, and 25 finishers in all: 1st Matt Roberts (Matt’s 2nd win in a Border League race on the Caernarfon 10k race route – 2015 – 32:39) 17th Callum O’Donnell. 22nd Louis Guest. 33rd (former Borders League champion – 2012/13)) Brendan Rothery. 35th Sion Kelly Williams. 41st Ian Edwards. 45th Dilwyn Powell Jones. 49th Eden Potter. 59th Jon Davies. 73rd Arthur Connell. 77th Dyfed Whiteside-Thomas. 116th Ali Chant. 127th Guto Rhys. 135th Anthony Davies. 140th Emlyn Roberts. 143rd Rhys Ab Elwyn. 151st Arwel Lewis. 196th Emyr Davies. 213th William Evans. 214th Eurwyn Edwards. 236th Gwyn Moseley. 295th Maldwyn Evans. 297th Don Williams. 298th Alistair Brow n and 337th Roy Jardine.
Not to be outdone, 13 Eryri Harriers women completed the race led home by 74th placed overall, Catherine Connell followed by: 91st Gemma Moore. 104th Katie Reynolds. 132nd Elliw Haf. 148th Jacky Artist. 185th Helen Blair. 225th Lucy O’Donnell. 257th Emily Wood. 265th Kate Potter. 286th Katie Wilby. 309th Nia Meleri Edwards. 317th Alison Donnelly and 331st Viv Edwards.
Several Eryri Harriers made their debuts in the Borders League at Caernarfon today and hopefully, it will inspire them to continue supporting the League. The next race is being organised by Deeside AC on Sunday 10th November with a 11am start.
Results and full Borders Road Running League fixtures information at:http://www.bordersleague.org.uk/
A special mention to all the event helpers today, it was not just the runners who were drenched to the skin today! At least, there was very little wind and there were quite a few PB’s (Personal Bests) achieved today. Well done everyone.
10Oct

Wrexham XC

Read more

Dry and reasonably warm conditions ensured a good turn out for Eryri last Saturday in Wrexham. The ladies team are currently in first place, the four men that ran had great results but we need a few more of you in Colwyn Bay to count!
The next fixture is Colwyn Bay on the 19th of October both juniors and seniors.
It’s great fun, really sociable and good for the speed work!