6 Sarn Helen Junior and Youth Runners represented the club at the recent Nant Yr Arian Silver Trail Event, Ben and Jacob Hall, Alaw and Ella Freeman and Emlyn and Ellie Tansley all ran extremely well within their various age categories.
Youth runner Talia Jones had the honour of being selected to run for Wales at the recent Schools International Cross Country Event held at Callender Park, Falkirk. A tough hilly course with lots of twists and turns is what faced the runners, Talia had a great run and hopes to have the opportunity to represent her country again one day.
Eleri Rivers was the sole representative for Sarn Helen at this year’s San Domenico 20 mile race. Starting from Merthyr Leisure Village the scenic route takes runners along Taff’s Trail on an out and back course which has to be completed twice before crossing the finish line.
Eleri had another superb run and achieved a course PB in 2:34:58 and was 3rd in the F45 category.
Alix Arndt travelled to Scotland to compete at the Tartan Warrior, a series of 3 obstacle races with varying running distances incorporated into each one. Alix is not new to this kind of challenge having previously competed on the TV programme Ninja Warriors. Alix thrives on this kind of competition and was placed 1st in the 45-49 category in all 3 races, a fantastic achievement.
The Salisbury 10 miler is a lovely race which follows a scenic route north of Salisbury following the banks of the River Avon through the gently undulating Woodford Valley with great views of the cathedral spire. Jane Holmes and Kerry Irwin Hall thought this would be a nice little outing. Kerry had a great race to finish in 1:30:15 and Jane was pleased with her time of 1:42:17.
Berlin was the destination for mother and daughter Lou and Polly Summers to compete in one of the Super Halfs. The Berlin Half Marathon is the largest and most high profile half marathons in Germany attracting well over 25,000 runners. A flat and scenic course finishing for the first time at the Brandenburg Gate. Lou had a stunning race to finish in 1:34:26 and was 6th in the F55 category whilst Polly smashed her PB in a superb time of 1:22:56. Both Lou and Polly have now completed 4 out of the 6.
The Dyfi Dash Sprint Triathlon is hosted by Cerist Triathlon Club based in Machynlleth. The event consists of a 400m pool swim followed by a 19K bike ride which takes the cyclists on an out and back course to the village of Cemmaes Road whilst the 6K run takes in the town, cycle path and a scenic back road section before finishing near Bro Ddyfi Leisure Centre. Pam Carter had a superb race to finish in 1:28:59 and 3rd in F40 category whilst Claire Williams had an equally great race securing herself a 2 min 52 sec PB and 2nd in the F50 category.
Elin Jones travelled to Ammanford to compete in the Amman Valley Triathlon and had a great event finishing 6th in the Open Female Category.
The Newport Festival of Running comprises a Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K distances.
Leading the pack for Sarn Helen in the marathon was Mike Davies who had a stunning race to finish 4th in the M55 category in a time of 2:56:31. Stephen Kenworthy was super pleased with his race and a new PB in a time of 3:45:58, Geraint Thomas also had a great race in 4:04:35. Sarn Helen’s sole female runner was Eirlys Evans who had a fantastic race to also secure herself a PB in 4:31:48. Rhodri Williams was the only runner to take on the half marathon achieving an amazing time of 1:45:51.
The first race of the Red Kite Summer Series took place at Nant yr Arian and was well represented by both Sarn Helen senior and junior runners. A scenic but challenging course made more difficult by poor weather conditions on the night. Ela Freeman had a good race in the 3-4yr category, Elis Herrick was 1st in the 5-6yr category followed closely by Jacob Hall in 3rd, Emlyn Tansley in 5th, Evelyn Eadon and Alaw Freeman also competed well.
Glyn Price had another great run to finish in 37:19 and was 1st M55, Sophia Barker had a stunning run in 41:39 and was 3rd female overall and 2nd OF. Matthew Birkett 43:59, Simon Hall 45:08 and Dee Jolly 45:08 and 2nd F35, Paul Gough 47:43 and Wyn Thomas 48:05.
Rhiannon Tansley travelled to Newtown to compete in a 5K race hosted by Maldwyn Harriers. Rhiannon had a superb race achieving a new PB in a time of 22.50 and was 2nd in the U20 Girls Category.
Teifi 10 is the first race in Sarn Helen’s Club Championship Programme and was attended by 173 runners from across a wide area. 41 runners donned the white, green and red vests of Sarn Helen with great results achieved. Weather conditions on the day were perfect for running on country roads on a fast, flattish course.
First home was Ollie George in an amazing time of 56:40 setting a new course record along with a new personal best time. Daniel Jones had a fantastic run in 1:00:26 and was 3rd OM, Dylan Davies had a superb run in 1:02:49 and was 3rd M40, Simon Hall coming back from injury had a great race in 1:03:33, Mike Davies as brilliant as ever 1:03:35 and 1st M50, Joe Summers 1:03:37, Polly Summers had another outstanding run to finish 2nd female and 1st OF in 1:03:38, Wyn Thomas 1:03:38, Dan Hooper 1:03:50 and 2nd M50, Rhodri Williams 1:05:35, Glyn Price 1:06:36, Wyn Evans 1:07:23, Matthew Clarke 1:09:24, Teifion Davies 1:09:46, Tim Rayner 1:09:49 and 3rd M60, Geth ap Phylip 1:10:57, Kevin Jones 1:11:12, Lou Summers 1:11:52 and 2nd F55, Steven Holmes 1:12:54, Alix Arndt 1:13:27 and 1st F45, Sion Tansley 1:13:55, Nicola Williams 1.14:08, Nia Rees 1.14:11, Sophia Barker 1:15:38, Stephen Kenworthy 1:15:43, Richard Marks 1:18:14, Anwen Burke-Legge 1:18:23, David Casso Davies 1.23:18, Ceri Summers 1.28:07, Tony Hall 1.28:51, Pamela Carter 1.30:13, Mick Taylor 1:32:12, Russ White 1:32:27, Kelly Allen 1:32:53, Michelle Billing 1:33.47, Arwyn Jones 1.34:42, Jo Rosiak 1:35:44, Jane Holmes 1.37:03, Sarah Puetz 1.38:45 and Heiddwen Tomos 1:49:44.
Sunday 27th Dylan Davies travelled to Gloucester to compete on the track in the 800 and 1500 meters. Dylan achieved a PB in the 800m in a fantastic time of 2:14 and was 2nd overall and 1st M40, also claiming 1st M40 in the 1500m race in a time of 4:45