Athletics round-up: Lots of hills for running clubs

The Eryri marathon held its 40th edition, with the route encircling and going up parts of Yr Wyddfa, Snowdon.

In total there was 838m of climbing but despite all this, Jodie Kantas of Stevenage Phoenix was able to record a PB and set a FV35 club record of four hours 15 minutes five seconds, beatinh er previous PB by an hour.

Emma Mead meanwhile clocked 4:58:20. She said that they were “incredibly fortunate to have amazing weather, and the scenery and support was the best I’ve ever experienced”. 

Six North Herts Road Runners at the Eryri Marathon in Wales. Picture: NHRR (Image: North Herts Road Runners) North Herts Road Runners' contingent numbered six with Georgia Head running her first marathon.

She finished in 4:37:22 while the others were Richard Barker (4:45), Caroline Thrussell (4:37:22), Gregor Bowie (4:53:32), Alice Noakes (4:54:45) and Michelle Grudzinski (5:18:58).

Four from Fairlands Valley Spartans took part including Paul Holgate who was running his 35th consecutive Snowdon marathon and Sharon Crowley, her 32nd in a row.

Holgate managed 6:41:36 with Crowley in 6:39:47.

Steph Mayfield and husband Steve, part of Stevenage & North Herts AC, took part for the first time and finished in 5:19:51 and 3:57:55.

Other hilly events saw three North Herts Road Runners running the 40th anniversary Ricky Road Run.

Richard Weber was running this 10 miler in the Chiltern Hills for the first time, described the hills as ‘brutal’ but still finished in 1:23:51.

That was just behind Dervla Downing in 1:22:57 with Lucy O’Connor finishing in 1:30:03.

Matt Tutton of FVS was also in that part of Hertfordshire, finishing in 1:32:03.

John Harris at the Polar Marathon in Greenland. Picture: FVS (Image: Fairlands Valley Spartans) Club-mate John Harris opted to throw cold weather into his 1,800 feet of climbing, as he took on the Polar Circle Marathon Greenland.

Starting with temperatures 10 degrees below freezing, Harris says the event is more one to be savoured that run fast.

With the sun coming out later on, it made for the perfect scenic run.

Shoe crampons were needed too but he came home in 5:34:17.

Completing the hilly theme was Spartans' Tim Robinson who ran the Beachy Head Half Marathon.

Making the most of the long downhill sections between mile four and eight left enough in reserve for the final climbs over part of the Seven Sisters.

He then raced down to Beachy Head in a time of 2:46:54.

Eight Stevenage Phoenix runners at the Barley, Royston, round of the Sunday Cross-country League. Picture: PHOENIX (Image: Stevenage Phoenix) Round two of the Sunday Cross-country League was meant to be held on Therfield Heath in Royston but Natural England would not issue a licence due to wet weather.

Fortunately host club Royston Runners were able to secure a venue in nearby Barley, making use of a farmer's field.

Final results are not out but Stevenage Phoenix had eight involved with Fairlands Valley Spartans had 15.