Welsh Castles Relay proves challenging (From Penarth Times)

Welsh Castles Relay proves challenging

TWENTY MEMBERS of Penarth and Dinas Runners raced in the 2002 Welsh Castles Relay on the weekend of June 8-9.

The race started at Caernarfon Castle on the Saturday morning, and finished at Cardiff Castle late Sunday afternoon.

More than 50 teams took part including a squad from Holland, and the Los Angeles Police Department.

The event took a great amount of organisation, and both runners and supporters demonstrated incredible commitment and camaraderie.

Andrew Palmer gave Penarth and Dinas Runners a good start in the first stage from Caernarfon to Penygroes, where Joanna Dutch took over and completed the second leg to Criccieth.

Neil Hendry was a little taken aback by the hilly route but reached Maentwrog in good time, handing over to Ian Carter who made easy work of his leg to Harlech.

Anna Helsing took over at Harlech and, still strong from her London Marathon training, reached Barmouth in a fast time. Geraint Davies ran on to Dolgellau while Peter Cottnam prepared to run his mountainous route to Dinas Mawddwy.

Clem was heading for a high position in his stage to Foel but unfortunately suffered a hamstring injury whilst running. Despite this he kept going and still managed an excellent sixth place.

Janice Clement gave a strong performance, maintaining good form throughout and managing to pick up the pace on the final part of her route to Llanfair Caerinion.

From here, Knill Baird Murray picked up the arduous 13-mile hilly final stage of the day. Like Clem, Knill was also nursing an injury, but this did not prevent him from running well and staging an impressive finish at Newtown.

Julie Wassell tackled the first stage of the race on Sunday morning, which ran from Newtown to Llanbadarn Fynydd.

Luckily, the 7am start, gruelling course and constant rain did not dampen Julie's spirits and she crossed the line in a good time, handing over to Andrew Martin who completed a fast run to Crossgates.

Phill Thomas, despite not having done much training in the last six months, ran well, taking the race on to Builth Wells where he handed over to Darren Hendley for possibly the hardest stage of the weekend.

In pouring rain, Darren paced the relentless miles uphill to the Drovers Arms where he was relieved to hand over to Ian Spilsbury for his leg to Brecon.

Teca Phillips also had a tough, uphill stretch to face and, although feeling under the weather, showed real strength and determination in reaching the Brecon Beacons reservoir in good time. From this point, Steve Cray maintained the pace well in his Run to the Rhyd-y-Car Centre and this was continued by Sharon Heard as far as Navigation Park.

The final stages were hilly, first of all heading from Navigation Park to Caerphilly Castle, and then on to Cardiff Castle.

Debbie Williams put in an excellent performance on the former and Rhodri Evans showed exceptional form on the final leg.

The popular and challenging Pegasus Five Miler at Wenvoe attracted 74 runners on Sunday, June 2, including ten members of Penarth and Dinas Runners.

First home for the club was Ian Spilsbury in fifth position with an excellent personal best time of 29:52. Following Ian was Knill in 32:40, a superb time despite a recent injury.

Neil Hendry also achieved a personal best with a fast 34:35, closely pursued by Rhodri Evans in 34:36.

Bob Millard managed fifth place in his age category in an impressive 37:57, and Lisa Cleary was delighted to well and truly beat the 40 minute barrier in a convincing 38:44.

London Marathoner Teca Phillips crossed the finish line in her usual effortless style with just 41:57 on the clock, and Joanna Dutch completed the course in 45:04.

Andrew Palmer, despite feeling unwell in the latter part of the race, showed tremendous determination and finished in 46:19, just managing to hold off competition from Simon Hudd who crossed the line in 46:20.