Race Report

 

On Sunday, Abergele Harriers held their 18th Annual Slaters 5 Mile road race and once again it was an outstanding success. Despite the rain there was 243 entrants , one of the biggest fields for several years, with 10 males under 17 years old and 10 males over 70 years old showing how the race appeals to young and old alike.

 

In first position overall was Steven Gilliland from Bro Dysynni AC in a time of 28 minutes exactly , followed very closely by John Wycherley of Helsby RC in 28.07. 3rd overall was James Bleakley of Colwyn Bay AC in 28mins 15secs.

 

Other outstanding performances from Colwyn Bay came from Ben Owen 5th overall and 1st Junior Male in 28mins 55secs and Harry Jones, 6th overall and first male under 17 years, in a time of 29mins 1 second, a superb time for the 15 year old over a very tough course.

 These 3 along with Will Arrowsmith in 31.17 helped Colwyn Bay to the overall male team prize.

 

First Lady overall, in an excellent 30mins and 4secs was Mary Wilkinson from Aberystwyth Harriers, coming home with only 13 men ahead of her. Second Female overall and first FV35 was Helen Davies from Wrexham AC in 32.05 , with Lucy O’Gorman from Wakefield Harriers only 2 seconds behind for 3rd female overall and 1st under 20.

 

Buckley Runners won the overall ladies team trophy.

 

10 Abergele Harriers actually ran the race with 3 winning prizes. First in was Darren Blazier in 29mins 4 seconds to take the 3rd Senior Male trophy, while Grahame Shone, only 24 hours after running a cross-country race for the club, won the MV50 category in 32mins 3secs. The 3rd prize winner on the day for the Harriers was Delyth Bryan, who was 2nd FV40 in a time of 38mins 12secs. Other Harrier times were Matthew Ashton 33.03, Chris Arnold 33.46, Simon Grant (Male under 17) 34.41, Maurice Parry 35.40, Michelle Jones 36.09, Steven McCormack (Male under 17) 37.32, and David Edwards 39.33.

 

The prizes were presented by the Mayer of Abergele who was thanked for financial support given to the club by Abergele Town Council.

 

Thanks also to Slaters of Abergele for their continued sponsorship of the race and Athletes Feet for their donation of  £50 vouchers to each of the overall winners.