There’s been another record-breaker in the ranks of Wrexham AAC.
At the St Abbans AC open meeting in County Laois, Ireland, Thomas Williams achieved a new under-17 men’s hammer record of 61.35-metres.
This beat his dad Neil’s previous club record of 58.52-metres.
A clutch of competitors took part in the Youth Development League lower event in Warrington.
In the under-13 girls’ class, Katie McGlynn was first in the high jump (1.21-metres) and third in the 75-metres (12.2 seconds), while Bethan Roberts crossed the line third in the 800m (2-53.9) and 150m (23.6), while she was second in the long jump (3.36m).
Turning to the under-13 boys’ section and Jake McGlynn was runner-up in the 75-metres (11.4 seconds) and third in the 150-metres (22.2 seconds), with Evan McGlynn finishing third in the U15 300-metres (46.6 seconds).
Full results are not yet available.
Scott Nixon (36.28) triumphed in the Llangollen trail race, with Glyn Wise clocking 45.22 for ninth, while James Nicholls (35.17) was 21st in the Alderley Edge 10k.
A time of 18.57 saw Evie Hughes fifth in the under-13 girls’ race in the Red Kite Challenge, at Devils Bridge, while there was a record-breaking effort in the Moel Eilio fell race, in Llanberis.
George Hughes won the under-nine boys’ event in a course record of 8.21, with Grace Hughes achieving 21.27 for fourth spot in the under-11 girls’ event.
Brian Forster (351st in 52.51) and Alison Forster (352nd in 52.52) completed in the Delamere parkrun, while Richard Westwood (22.26) was 15th at Ellesmere Port and Rowena Lewis (27.03) took 162nd at Holyrood.
The Erddig parkrun again proved popular, with Peter Sussex (23.54) taking 27th and Karl Moore (31.23) was 99th.
They were followed by Beth Christy (120th in 33.27), Debbie Dodd (149th in 37.12), Lucy Morris (152nd in 37.43) and John Tipping (184th in 53.30), while Mike Robbins (23.10) finished 11th at Wepre.
A personal best of 10.09 saw Macey Quick cross the line fourth at the Alyn Waters junior parkrun.
Whilst much of the nation was engrossed in the coronation of King Charles, two hardy Deestriders and their support crew were engaged in an incredible ultra across North Wales with a very special twist.
Christine Cammillare and Nige Parr were two of only six athletes who took on 144 miles of the inaugural North Wales Pilgrims Way Ultra Marathon, organised by Pen Llyn Ultras, with many more opting for the 60-miler and regular marathon.
Starting at Basingwerk Abbey in Greenfield, the self-navigated course followed the North Wales Pilgrims Way westward out to Aberdaron, taking in beautiful ancient churches as it meandered through woodland, over rivers, past waterfalls, deep into valleys and through mountains, along the coast, through villages and into the wilderness.
On the Friday, the brave pilgrims set off at 6am, with an 18-hour deadline to cover the 66 miles to the overnight destination of Llanfairfechan.
The pair was supported along the way by their respective partners Paul Lewtey and Andrea Wadcock-Parr, along with fellow club member Linda Turley and Christine’s father.
The support crew took on some skilful driving on remote country lanes to ensure they popped up wherever required with supplies and encouragement.
Linda said: “These guys were coming in strong at each stop on Friday.
“It was great to be part of the support crew – but I’m so glad I wasn’t running it!”
Paul, however did, accompanying the runners for the final 20 miles of the route in to Llan which the pilgrims reached at 11pm, an hour before the midnight cut-off.
They had barely seven hours to get what little rest they could before it was back out again. Christine, who two weeks previous had run a 3-36 personal best at the London Marathon, was suffering badly with blistered feet and was unable to fuel properly as she could not stomach a proper meal.
Three of the field had been eliminated on day one but she heroically managed 28 miles of the second day before taking the wise decision to call time on her journey at Llanberis, being the only woman to have taken on the full ultra and having covered an incredible 94 miles.
“I love to push myself to see what I can do,” she said.
“I’d hate to always think ‘I wish I would have tried that’.
“This weekend was amazing- I loved it, even the sore feet as it reminds me that I tried.
“(What Nige did) is truly inspiring and to have been at his side for some of it was like being part of something epic.”
Nige continued onward for a total of over 24 hours, just a few miles behind the leader and eventual winner Darren Bentley, moving solo through the night to finish the 78-mile leg at St Hywyn’s Church in Aberdaron at 6.30am on Sunday morning.
A veteran of Pen Llyn events, Nige described this one as “the most “beautifully brutal” of them all but he was full of praise for the event, the route, his fellow runners and supporters.
He said: “My mantra is, if my mind believes, my body will achieve.”