Newyddion
Weekend round up 16th & 17th March
19/03/2019 00:00, I Mewn Blog /
Lugano Trophy International Race Walk Grand Prix - Sunday 17th March
Heather Lewis (Chris Jones), continued her excellent start to the year as she took exactly 1 minute off her previous best over 20km, to take 4th place in this traditional European season opener, with a 95:15 clocking.
On a day where most of the athletes struggled to hit form, Pembrokeshire Harrier, Heather showed just how much she's progressed since her disqualification in last summers European Championships. The race was won by Italian star Eleonora Giorgi, followed by the Euro Champs 4th placer Brigita Virbalyte-Dimsiene, Lithuania, and the Euro silver medalist Anzeka Drahotova, Czech Republic. Heather had closed to within 30 seconds of Drahotova at 14km, but the Czech athlete managed to extend her lead over Heather to almost 50 seconds by the time they crossed the line.
Heather, however, took the plaudits of a number of the international coaches and judges, as many considered her to be technically the best athlete on show in the womens field.
Joining Heather on the starting line was Swansea Harrier, Megan Stratton-Thomas (Martin Bell), who raced in the Under 20s 10km. Megan, who paid her own way out to compete at this level for the first time, finished 6th, lowering her pb to 58:35.
Rhodes Invitational, Memphis - Saturday 16th March
Amber Simpson (Deeside AAC) threw a new lifetime best and Memphis University Record of 59.76m in the Women's Hammer Throw at the Rhodes Invitational on Saturday. She also recorded a distance of 37.47m in the Women's Discus Throw.
Wrexham Running Festival - Sunday, March 17
The Wrexham Running Festival went ahead on Sunday despite some extreme weather conditions in North Wales over the weekend.
As usual aces were held over the marathon and half marathon distances as well as a 20-mile event.
The men's marathon was won by Rotherham Harrier Ben Hague in a time of 2:35.28. Second was Michael Hazel and third Liverpool Running Club's Dean Howlett. The women's race was won by Lindy-Lee Folscher, of Epsom Oddballs, in a time of 3.14.33, ahead of Gemma Mallett, of Croft Ambrey, and Rotherham Harrier Tammy Hague, who was third.
Mark Powell, of Leicester Coritanian, won the men's half marathon in 1:14.42, with Meirionnydd's Alun Williams second and Phillip Jones, of Shropshire Shufflers, third. Eryri Harrier Catherine Connell won the women's half marathon in 1:26.38, ahead of Dee Allen, of Leigh Harriers and Zoe Mclennan, of Chester Tri Club.
There was a home win for Wrexham AC in the men's 20-miler where Ryan Davies broke the tape in 1:57.18, beating James Sullivan, of Springfield Striders, into second and Shrewsbury AC's Peter Middleton third. The women's race was won by Jennifer Houghton, of Kirkby Milers, in 2:21.21, ahead of Katherine Cousins, of Lancashire and Morecamble AC and Gemma Moore, of North Wales Road Runners Club.
San Domenico 20 Mile and 10 Mile races, Merthyr Tydfil - Sunday, March 17
In South Wales, Sunday also saw the running of the San Domenico 20 Mile and 10 Mile races, which started from the Rhydycar Leisure Centre in Merthyr Tydfil.
The men's 20 mile race was won by Oliver Williams, of White Rock Runners, in a time of 1:56.50, with Pembrokeshire Harrier Shaun Newbery second and Tim Iveson, of Builth and District RC, third. The first woman home was Louise Flynn, who clocked 2:18.40. Second was Swansea Harrier Luticia Thomas, who finished ahead of her club mate Llinos Jones.
Gavin Patterson, of Aberdare Valley AAC won the 10 mile race in a time of 1:02.08, ahead of Paul Hayward, of Islwyn RC in second and Gareth Jones, of Pontypridd Roadents AC in third. The Roadents had further success in the women's race which was won by Stephanie Davies in 1:13.35, ahead of Amy Edwards, of Rhondda Valley Runners, who just pipped Mary Anthony, of TROTS, to second place.
Parkrun, Cardiff - Saturday, March 16
Two of the fastest female parkrun times in Britain over the weekend were registered at the Cardiff event held at Blackweir.
Cardiff AC's Carys Hughes was the fourth fastest woman in the country with a time of 17:55, while Naomi Reid was the seventh fastest, clocking a time of 18:29.