Fine form at 'Old Father Time' (From Penarth Times)

Fine form at 'Old Father Time'

LLANDAFF FIELDS was the venue for the 'Old Father Time' five mile race on Sunday, December 30.

Despite being a veterans only event, seven members of Penarth and Dinas Runners completed this fast and flat course in some excellent times.

Not only did Clem produce a personal best by knocking more than two minutes off last year's time, but his superb 27:10 was also a new club record. Clem is showing exceptional form at present with some impressive performances during the last four months.

Neil Hendry, currently in training for April's Flora London Marathon, also smashed last year's time with an excellent 35:18. Hot on his heels was Joanne Laity in a very fast 35:30, improving on last year's performance by half a minute.

Bob Millard was pleased with his superb finish in 36:16, as was second lady home Debbie Williams in an impressive 37:24.

Teca Phillips realised her dream of a sub-40 finish with a convincing 39:53, and Janice Clement shaved nearly half a minute off her previous 'Old Father Time' race with an excellent 41:51.

Sunday, December 16 saw an impressive turnout of 18 Penarth and Dinas Runners for the annual 'Christmas Pudding' 10k race at Merthyr Mawr.

The course is renowned for its tough terrain which takes the runners through water, sand dunes and testing hill climbs. Apart from the satisfaction and relief of completing the course, all finishers are awarded a Christmas Pudding!

First home for Penarth and Dinas was Clem who, not only clocked an impressive 11th position overall, with a fast time of 37:35, was awarded the prize for third male vet to cross the finish line.

Ian Spilsbury finished in 28th position overall in a field of 393 runners in an excellent 40:39.

John Wilson produced a good 44:23, and was closely followed by Rob Wilcox in a fast 45:00. Both John and Rob are showing fine form at present, enhanced by their recent experience of the Gwent Cross-Country League.

Phil Hamer demonstrated his excellent progress with a superb time of 47:24, as did Neil Hendry who was delighted with his time of 49:32.

Ron Gulwell and Bob Millard ran the course together and both finished within the first 200 with a very good time of 51:05, just ahead of Phil Thomas in 51:21.

Julie Wassell was first Penarth and Dinas lady home in an excellent time of 53:15, just managing to stay ahead of Andrew Palmer who crossed the line in 53:21. Sarah Davies, a veteran of this course, completed in 56:44.

Simon Hudd, Wyn Lewis and Anna Helsing finished within a minute of each other in 57:53, 58:16 and 58:53 respectively.

Janice Clement, Claire Cooke and Joanna Dutch braved the course together and despite Joanna's preference to go home and have a nice cup of tea instead, was glad of Janice and Claire's constant encouragement (or was it bullying?) to complete the course. The girls crossed the line together in a very respectable 64:29.