Lou Summers made a spontaneous decision to travel to Spain to compete in the Palma Half Marathon, despite the heat Lou had an amazing run to finish in 1:40:10 also securing 3rd place in the F55 category.
Carwyn Davies and Dan Hooper took on the challenging Ron Skilton Half Marathon at Llanwrtyd Wells, the course is pre-dominantly off road and hilly but with stunning views. Dan Hooper finished in 4th place and 1st in M50 category in a great time of 1:51:08, Carwyn Davies crossed the line in 9th place with a good time considering the terrain in 2:03:23.
The 40th edition of the iconic Marathon Eryri took place on Oct 26th, known as one of the UK’s greatest and toughest marathons due to it’s testing terrain. Weather conditions on the day were perfect for the 2,338 runners who took part. Sarn Helen Running Club saw 21 of it’s members take to the start line with several members of The Cycling Division acting as volunteer support crew for the runners. All 21 runners are to be congratulated on their achievements.
1st Sarn Helen runner home was Simon Hall in an impressive time of 3:04:53 giving him a PB and 5th in M45 category. Mike Davies had an equally strong run in 3:14:15 placing him 1st in the M55 category. Dee Jolly was the 1st lady to cross the line for Sarn Helen in a fantastic PB time of 3:18:43 and 10th overall female. Wyn Thomas had a superb run in 3:26:53, Joe Summers in his 1st marathon and carrying a slight injury had a great run in 3:32:31, the evergreen Glyn Price finished in 3:38:39, Arwyn Davies secured himself a new PB in 3:43:35, Nigel Davies had a good run despite lack of training due to injury in 3:47:12. Sophia Barker also running her first marathon had an excellent race in a sub 4hr time of 3:57:12. Teifion Davies had a 12 minute PB in 4:02:26, Llyr Rees 4:11:34. Steven Holmes also ran carrying an injury in 4:18:14. Delyth Crimes was pleased with her time of 4:19:34 following comeback from injury. Geraint Thomas 4:28:45, Carys Freeman 4:39:06. Eric Rees running his 29th Marathon Eryri finished in 4:48:33, Pam Carter 4:52:34, Shelley Enders 4:58:01, John Mc Donagh 5:48:00, Jason Freeman 6:05:49 and Rachel Stoddart 7:38:10.
Ben and Jacob Hall competed in the junior races at Marathon Eryri, Ben had a great run to finish in 4th place in his race whilst younger brother Jacob had a superb run to finish 2nd in his race category.
Carwyn Davies ran his 4th Half Marathon in 4 weeks when he competed in Stroud and had an amazing run to finish in 1:28:02.
The club would like to congratulate Mike Davies for being selected to represent Wales at the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International at Belfast in November, a fantastic achievement.
The 21st Cardiff Half Marathon saw almost 23,000 runners take to the start line, following a drizzly start the weather was almost perfect for this iconic race. Starting and finishing in the heart of the capital, 28 runners from Sarn Helen took part with some brilliant results achieved.
Dylan Lewis had an impressive race to finish in 127th position and 14/1500 in the M40 category in a time of 1:16:09. Ollie George also shone on the day to finish 178th overall in 1:18:18. Polly Summers claiming another PB had a stunning race in 1:27:12, hot on her heels was Matthew Walker who smashed his previous PB by 8 and a half minutes in 1:27:23. Joe Summers carrying a slight niggle still managed a great time of 1:29:13 closely followed by Carwyn Davies who completed his second half of the week in 1:30:09. Rhodri Williams 1:36:21, Kevin Jones 1:36:56, Sophia Barker 1:38:15, Rory Fairhurst 1:39:01. Rory Fairhurst and Stephen Kenworthy despite not running together finished with identical times of 1:39:01 with Stephen achieving a 2 minute PB. Eleri Rivers running her 15th Cardiff Half finished with a great time of 1:39:49, Lou Summers 1:40:27, Nia Rees 1:40:34, Owen Mc Conochie 1:42:06, Llyr Rees 1:42:33, Ceri Summers 1:43:29, Ian Williams was chuffed with his time of 1:44:26 gaining him a 2 1/2 minute PB. Geraint Blayney 1:48:12, Mitch Redwin 1:51:24, Shelley Enders 2:02:40, Elin Jones 2:02:55, Elinor Morgan 2:03:53, Pamela Carter 2:07:15, Sarah Puetz having suffered a fall at mile 5 continued to finish in 2:17:15, Eric Rees 2:25:27, Jasmine Jones 2:29:43 and Rhian Davies who last ran the race in 2019 was pleased with her time of 2:37:13 as it was over a 12 minute PB.
The first race of The John H Collins Gwent Cross Country League took place at Pembrey Country Park on a beautiful Autumn Saturday. Sarn Helen fielded their largest team ever at a cross country event with 9 junior and 17 senior runners taking part with stunning results overall.
Boys Novice Race, Jacob Hall 6:25, Alfie Clark 6:27, Boys U13 Leighton Davies 12:29.
U23 Ollie George 34:26 and Sam Harrison-Paul 37:23. Male Masters 35, Dylan Lewis 34:07, Dylan Davies 36:17 and George Eadon 37:54. Masters 45 Simon Hall 36:38, Geraint Thomas 44:23. Masters 55 Mike Davies 37:40 and 4th in category.
Novice Girls Hawys Gruffudd 7:28, Molly Rose 7:46, Alaw Freeman 7:49. U13 Evelyn Eadon 14:41 and Manon Gruffudd 15:03. U15 Talia Jones 15:09.Senior Women Carys Freeman 36:20, Masters 35 Dee Jolly 30:07, Emma Palfrey 31:08 and Hannah Jones 37:26.
Masters 45 Becky Atkinson 29:34 and 4th in category, Eleri Rivers 34:31. Masters 55 Lou Summers 34:31 and Liz Pugh 37:38. Masters 65 Susan Jenkins 44:39.
Runners qualify for a Gwent League T Shirt for finishing in the top 10% of their age category, Dylan Lewis, Simon Hall, Mike Davies, Dee Jolly, Emma Palfrey, Becky Atkinson and Lou Summers all ran superbly to claim one of these t shirts.
