Having previously commented on how Sarn Helen Running Club had great success at this yesr’s Castles Relay, further statistics reveal that this year’s overall time for the team was the fastest to date by 21 minutes, a fantastic achievement. Sarn Helen have entered a team on 17 ocassions with Glyn Price running each one closely followed by Mike Davies who has ran it 15 times.
The Triathlon and Duathlon Season is well under way with two Sarnn Helen ladies achieving great results. The Slateman Triathlon and Duathlon event in Llanberis is the most iconic in Wales. A popular event known for its stunning views and challenging course. Sara Davies competed in The Duathlon Race and was 2nd female overall and 1st F20 and has qualified for her Age Group Duathlon Team to compete at the European Championships in 2026. Emma Palfrey competed in The Triathlon and was 3rd female overall and 1st in her age category F40. Having ran Stage 10 at the Castles Relay the previous day, Dylan Lewis did the swim event in a good time.
Heiddwen Tomos was the sole representative for Sarn Helen at Barry Island 10K, despite a warm day for running Heiddwen finished in a great time if 1:00:02.
Kelly Allen competed at the Swansea Half and had a fantastic race finishing in 2:04:43.
Geraint Thomas travelled to Llanwrtyd Wells for the Man v Horse Race, a 24 mile multi terrain and challenging course not helped by the rain making the course very muddy. Geraint overcame the conditions to finish in 4:45:31.
Ras Bryndioddef is a small local race held annually at Newcastle Emlyn. It might only be a short distance race but aptly named due to it’s sharp elevation. Teifion Davies and Johnathan Price were there representing Sarn Helen, both had great runs with Teifion finishing 3rd and Johnathan 5th.
The 3rd and final race of this year’s Red Kite Summer Series took place at Longwood Forest, Lampeter ably organised by Rhys Burton and his team. 16 Sarn Helen runners took to the start line with great results achieved. Glyn Price 2nd overall and 1st M55 in 34:51, Teifion Davies 3rd overall and 1st OM 35:35, Dylan Harcombe 2nd OM 36:35, George Eadon 1st M35 37:30, Mike Davies 2nd M55 38:14, Geth ap Phylip 38:53, Carwyn Davies 39:05, Josh Hamza 39:55, Paul Gough 41:42, Simon Hall 43:53, Mitch Readwin 48:35, Tony Hall 1st M65 48:51.
Overall female winner was Sophia Barker in 39:25, Sophia was also the female series winner. Dee Jolly 1st F35 43:55, Sian Roberts-Jones 1st F45 45:39, and competing in her first race since completing the Couch to 5K programme was Hannah Beynon in 1:07:06.
Sarn Helen Junior runners were also out in force, all having great results. Yrs 3-4 Ela Freeman 9:46, Yrs 5-6 1st Elis Herrick 12:32, 2nd Jacob Hall 12:40, Emlyn Tansley 13:47, Alaw Freeman 16:00. Yrs 7-9 2nd Ellie Tansley 13:11, Evelyn Eadon 16:22.
Cardiff Triathlon and Duathlon also had representation from Sarn Helen. Emma Palfrey competed in the Standard Triathlon Super Series and finished 3rd female overall and 1st in F40 category in a great time of 2:16:16.
Ollie George, Kevin Jones and Michael Lear competed in the Duathlon Event comprising of a run, cycle, run. Ollie George finished 5th overall and 3rd M20 in a superb time of 1:05:57, Kevin Jones was 10th overall and 3rd M50 in 1:13:07 and Michael Lear was 14th overall in 1:19:07.
Ras Y Castell 8 and 14k distances is a new race on the running calendar, hosted by Cardigan Running Club. Kevin Jones finished 3rd overall in the 8K in a great time of 35:51, Ian Williams was 6th in 38:12 and Sarah Puetz was 1st OF in 48:02. Taking on the longer distance of 14K saw Wyn Thomas finishing 3rd OM in 1:02:17, Polly Summers was 6th overall and 1st female with a superb time of 1:03:08, Arwyn Davies was 1st M50 in 1:05:10 and Lou Summers was 1st F55 in 1:08:44.
Another new race in the running calendar is the AbeRAStwyth 5K Summer Series, a series of 3 races organised by Aberystwyth Town Football Club, a nice flat course starting and finishing at the football club with a loop around Blaendolau Fields. It was another great night of running for Sarn Helen members, Dylan Lewis 2nd overall and 1st M35 in a superb time of 16:47, Rhodri Williams 3rd OM 17:32, Dylan Harcombe 18:01, George Eadon 3rd M35 18:49, Nicola Williams 21:04, Nia Rees 21:05, Eleri Rivers showing excellent form once again secured 1st in the F45 category in 21:17, Martin Darby 23:56 and Shelley Enders 1st F55 in 25:14.Alix Arndt thrives on a challenge, a previous contestant on Ninja Warriors she travelled to Jamo in Portgual to represent Great Britain at The European Obstacle Championships, competing in the 3000M Obstacle Race Event Alix came 1st in the F45 category, a fantastic achievement.The Dyffryn Aeron 10K previously known as Felinfach 6 is the 4th race in the Club Championship. 40 Sarn Helen runners took to the start line on what was a drizzly but humid evening. The overall winner was Dylan Lewis in a fantastic time of 35:31, 2nd OM was Rhodri Williams 37:28, Dylan Harcombe 38:59, Simon Hall 3rd M40 39:07, Wyn Thomas 39:27, Teifion Davies 39:35, Dan Hooper 2nd M50 39:46, George Eadon 40:01, Mike Davies 3rd M50 40:15, Jack Cockburn 40:54, Carwyn Davies 41:04, Geth Ap Phylip 41:20, Dee Jolly 1st F35 41:30, Gareth Thomas 42:00, Matthew Clarke 43:29, Nicola Williams 2nd OF 44:18, Eleri Rivers 1st F45 44:35, Keith Evans 45:06, Kevin Jones 46:38, Matthew Walker 46:42, Ian Williams 47:00, Tudur Jones 47:21,Richard Marks 2nd M60 47:56, Sara Jones 3rd OF 48:13, Eryl Jones 48:43, Huw Price 3rd M60 48:58, Sian Roberts Jones 2nd F45 49:27, Mitch Readwin 51:52, Rhys Burton 51:56, Elliot Howells 52:36, Mike Taylor 52:39, Arwyn Jones 54:23, Kelly Allen 55:13, Tony Hall 56:06, Jo Rosiak 58:02, Heiddwen Tomos 58:51, Jane Holmes 59:28, Ellie Howells 1:00:19, Michelle Billing 1:01:23, Sarah Puetz running as Tail Runner 1:13:55.Several Sarn Helen Junior members ran in the primary school races achieving great times. Imogen Eadon, Henry Clarke, Benjamin Eadon, Fearne Rushdon, Alfie Clarke 1st, Celt Davies 2nd Jacob Hall 3rd in Yrs 5&6, Hawys Gruffudd, Myfanwy Edwards, Jacob Smith and Molly Rose. 1st in Yrs 7-11 was Osian Jones in an amazing time of 14:13, Sioned Kersey 3rd 16:53, Ben Hall 16:54, Esther Jones 17:25, Evelyn Eadon 18:54 and Marian Gruffudd 20:44.The Summers Family were out in force at the Longcourse Weekend Tenby, competing in various events. Lou and Polly competed in the Half Distance Event comprising of a 1.2 mile swim, 70 mile bike race finishing off with a half marathon. The highlight for both was the Half Marathon where mum Lou was 1st in the F55 category in 1:46:13 whilst Polly was 3rd female in 1:29:59. Joe Summers did the 1.2 mile swim and the Half Marathon in 1:35:33 and finally Ceri Summers did the Half Marathon in 2:02:58. Pam Carter took on the 2.4 mile swim in a great time of 1:51:58 and James Puetz did the 70 mile bike race in 5:08:29.