NORTH Wales Road Runner Martin Green quickly bounced back to top form last Sunday to win the new Pier2Pier half-marathon race following a close a battle with his club colleague Jonathan Kettle and the third placed finisher Chris Pownall.
Martin, who has only just returned to racing following a period of ill health, looked comfortable all the way along this challenging promenade course from the Eirias Park Stadium to Llandudno Pier and back, despite a blustery wind, and dodging the aftermath of storm damage.
Martin Green and Jonathan Kettle at the Pier2Pier.
He was one of ten NWRRC members who competed in this well organised event by RunWales, and he was pleased with his time of 1 hour 17 minutes and 35 seconds to additionally win his M45-49 age cat, and it quite remarkably it also turned out to be a family celebration in terms of results, with his wife Carla winning her own F50-54 age category, despite an earlier fall during her warm-up, yet she still finished well as the 3rd female athlete.
Carla Green finished third despite a nasty fall during warm up.
Jonathan Kettle ran in close pursuit of Martin in 1.18.02 to finish 2nd overall, and in second spot in the same age cat, whilst Chris Pownall (Cybi Striders/Vegan Runners), won his M21-34 cat in 1.19.23. The Ladies race was won by Tinka Vinks, (Breda, Netherlands), 10th overall in 1.27.04, with Katie Johnson 2nd (24th), in 1.34.11, and Carla Green (NWRRC) was 3rd (27th) in 1.35.45, and she won her M50-54 cat.
Stuart Culverhouse was another club athlete, who enjoyed his windswept dash in 21st place in 1.32.41, and he finished 3rd in his M50-54 cat, with Steve Roberts 58th, and he celebrated 3rd place in his M55-59 cat in 1.44.21. Meanwhile Kay Hatton won her F60-64 age cat with another great display in 71st place in 1.48.21, as the 9th female, and Adam Lemalle chalked up another excellent result in 76th place in 1.49.48.
Master veteran Sandy Johnston also set a hot pace to win his M70-74 age cat with a determined run in 84th place in 1.46.32, and it was good to see Nicola Wylie racing well again, and she was the 20th female athlete in 98th place in 1.53.11, and 2nd in her F55-59 cat. And Helen Hannam was another race returnee and she finished 174th, and the 41st female in 2.07.44.
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