ATHLETES BEAT THE HEAT IN VIRTUAL CHALLENGES

ATHLETES BEAT THE HEAT IN VIRTUAL CHALLENGES

Report by Don Hale.

Kelly and Cai beat the heat in “Secret” half-marathon

Both Kelly-Marie Alford and her partner Cai successfully completed a virtual half-marathon event last Saturday as part of a special “Secret Half” challenge. This was an invite only event from Cardiff half-marathon organisers HOKA One-One. The invites were offered to the top twenty non-elite finishers from the 2019 race, plus the top performers from certain age categories.

The pair, however, were unable to run together due to work commitments, so Cai ran his race from 12-noon, whilst Kelly completed her challenge in the evening after work.

Cai also had his child-minding duties to undertake, so he pushed their young son Noah on a tough course around the Great Orme, with the youngster strapped firmly into his buggy. He finished in 2 hours 46 minutes, and Kelly – without a buggy – ran home in 2.03.28.

Afterwards, a relieved Kelly said: ‘I am happy to have finished it, but I didn’t take a drink and decided to do it after working all day.’

Steve and Zoe ran for NHS charities

Husband and wife team Steve and Zoe Roberts also braved the extreme heat at the weekend to run and help fundraise for charity in the “Running at 40 plus, virtual 5k for the NHS.”

Steve is rapidly returning to top form and recorded an excellent 21 mins 59 seconds over his chosen 5k course. Afterwards, he confirmed: ‘Took part in my first virtual this year and looking forward to finally getting back to racing.’

Zoe also celebrated a great run, and despite a lack of competitive action over the past few months, she ran around a course close to home in 30 minutes 37 seconds, and said she too enjoyed her challenge with no pressure.

Helen completed Race4Life at Stoke

Helen Hannam ran and walked with her mother and son Shane in a 5k virtual Race4Life event for Cancer charities in Stoke last week. In very hot conditions, Helen said: ‘We had a well-deserved pint after completing this challenge. I was very proud of them both after walking that far in this heat.’