One of Sarn Helen’s founder members Dawn Kenwright recently competed in The Grizedale Trail Half Marathon near Hawkshead in the Lake District. An undulating route ran on forest tracks and taking in the stunning views of Coniston and surrounding areas. Dawn had a great run in a time of 2:35:22 and was 4th in the F60 category.
Tregaron and it’s beautiful surrounding countryside was the setting for the Cors Caron Half Marathon. An undulating course pre dominantly ran on tarmac with the exception of a 3 mile stretch along the old Tregaron to Aberystwyth railway line but now part of the stunning Cors Caron Nature Reserve.
This year saw a record number of runners, 163 took to the start line with a strong contingency of 40 representing Sarn Helen. Weather conditions were good albeit a bit cold and this was evident from the standard of running with numerous course PB’s and Half Marathon records being achieved by Sarn Helen runners. Overall winner with a fabulous time was Dylan Lewis in a new course PB of 1:16:33, overall female winner with a stunning Marathon PB was Polly Summers in 1:26:47.
Daniel Jones 1:22:49, Geth ap Phyllip with a superb 13 min PB 1:42:52, Rhodri Williams with a new Half Marathon PB in 1:34:18, Wyn Thomas 1:22:53, Ollie George 1:33:51, Carwyn Davies 1:29:16, Matthew Clarke 1:38:47, Simon Hall 1:21:49, Mitch Readwin 1:53:16, Dan Hooper 2nd M50 in 1:26:49, Mike Davies 3rd M50 1:27:20, Arwyn Davies with a 5min course PB in 1:31:10, Glyn Price 1:30:26, Ian Williams with a new course record of 11 min and a 1min HM PB in 1:42:08, Kevin Jones 1:36:30, Steven Holmes 1:40:17. Tim Rayner 2nd M60 in 1:40:32, Huw Price 3rd M60 in 1:46:49, Richard Marks 1:54:36, Tony Hall 1:59:54.
Nia Rees 2nd Open Female in a new Half Marathon PB of 1:38:56, Sarah Puetz 2:10:41, Emma Palfrey 3rd female overall and 1st F35 with a course PB in 1:28:19, Dee Jolly 3rd F35 in 1:31:26, Linda Hellyer 3:02:35. Becky Atkinson 2nd female overall and 1st F45 with a course PB in 1:28:14, Eleri Rivers 3rd F45 in 1:40:56, Alix Arndt 1:47:05, Michelle Billing 2:04:17, Jo Rosiak 2:13:17, Kelly Allen 2:11:28,Jane Holmes with a 9min course PB and her fastest half marathon since overcoming lung cancer in 2:15:44, Corrina Robinson 2:53:52, Claire Morgan Hall 2:57:18. Lou Summers 2nd F55 in 1:45:59, Liz Pugh with a 5min course PB in 2:00:08 and Kerry Irwin Hall with a 10min course PB in 2:08:33.
Margam Park was the setting for the 4th match of The J H Collins Gwent Cross Country League Series. Mother and daughter duo Hannah and Talia Jones were the only runners to represent Sarn Helen and did the club proud. Talia running in the U15 category had a superb run in 14:45 whilst mum Hannah competed in the F35 category and had an equally great run in 35:42.
Coed Y Brenin Forest Park in the heart of Eryri National Park was the venue for Winter Trail Wales, a 7 mile race ran over challenging terrain but surrounded by stunning scenery. 4 runners competed for Sarn Helen, 1st back was Dylan Davies in an amazing time of 52:10 and 4th in the M40 category. Steven Holmes 59:28, Kerry Irwin Hall 1:28:28 and Jane Holmes 1:29:34 and a course PB.
Llanelli Tata Steel Half Marathon and 10K took place on Sunday. The race was ran over flat terrain along the beautiful Millenium Coastal Path overlooking the Loughor Estuary and the Gower Peninsula. 6 runners competed in the 10K race, Ollie George had an awesome run to finish 6th overall in 34:39, Rhodri Williams also had an impressive run in 40:43, Kevin Jones 43:26, Rhys Stevens 45:47, Heiddwen Tomos 58:28 and Claire Williams who achieved a PB in 59:34.
10 runners took to the start line in the Half Marathon, Lou Summers with another superb run in 1:38:01 and 2nd in the F55 category, within touching distance was Ian Williams in a new PB time of 1:38:02, Mitch Readwin 1:50:38, Liz Pugh with a new PB in 1:57:38, Sarah Puetz 2:06:41, Louise Jenkins, Kelly Allen, Corrina Robinson and Claire Morgan Hall all crossing the line together in 2:46:57 and Julie Grabham running her 1st Half Marathon following her cancer diagnosis in 2:49:03, all 5 running for CHILL ( Cancer Help In Local Lives).