Victory for Martin Green in Anglesey half-marathon race.

Victory for Martin Green in Anglesey half-marathon race.

Report by Don Hale.

Martin Green won the prestigious Anglesey half-marathon race last Sunday morning following a fierce battle with several keen rivals.

The North Wales Road Runner, who is hard in training for the forthcoming London Marathon, finally finished more than 30-seconds ahead of second placed local runner Steffan Sayer from the Menai Track and Field club, to win in 1 hour 13 minutes and 44 seconds, with 3rd place going to local athlete Anna Bracegirdle, who also set a new all-time female best time NWRAC record of 76.07, by over a minute, which had stood since 2015.

Martin was one of five NWRRC runners who took part in this re-arranged event following previous Covid-19 restrictions, and four members of the team also won age category honours.

Martin claimed 1st place in his MV45 cat, whilst veteran Kevin Slattery also won his M65 cat, with Iwan Evans and Hannah Griffith finishing 3rd in their own respective age groups.

The race attracted 342 finishers for this scenic event, which started on the iconic Menai Suspension Bridge before flowing downhill through Menai Bridge town centre and along winding and partially closed roads to Beaumaris. The course also passed Beaumaris Castle then heading up towards Llanfaes, to complete a small loop, before returning back towards the finish at Menai Bridge.

Iwan Evans was 41st overall and 3rd MV40 cat in 1.28.31, with Stuart Culverhouse 30th in 1.32.14. Master vet and club chairman Kevin Slattery made a rare race appearance and finished 41st and 1st M65 cat winner in a remarkable time of 1.37.15, with Hannah Griffith enjoying a very good run as 3rd FV45 cat, 160th overall and 42nd female athlete in 1.57.03.

*Link to provisional results:

https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/event-results/events?event=3553

Anglesey 10k race

Three NWRRC members took part in the Anglesey 10k race run last Sunday which was run in conjunction with the half-marathon race and attracted 271 quality athletes.

Steve Roberts had an excellent run winning his MV55 age category in 14th place overall in 44 minutes 33 seconds. He was followed by Jamie Tharme in 40th place in 47.43, with Rachel Morris 207th overall, and 95th female in 68.33.

Rachel, who is still recovering her fitness following a long-term injury later admitted: ‘I’m over the moon with my time today. It was my longest run in over a year, and I ran the whole distance. The route was stunning.’

*The 10k race was won by popular local athlete Steve Forsyth in a time of 33.04 as the 1st MV40 cat winner, with 2nd Callum Jones in 35.02, and Jonathan Tyler 3rd in 35.57.*