Various news updates are posted below.
Lots of racing action over the weekend starts in the Newport Valleys, where we had a team participating in the Rack Raid relay, organised by Fairwater Runners Cwmbran. The team put on a fantastic showing, finishing an amazing 5th overall!
Although it was a team event, we wanted to shoutout some great personal performances:
π Julie Chamberlain π₯ Female Stage 10
π James Bull π₯ Stage 2
π Sarah Hamill π₯ Female Stage 13
Over to Manchester Half next, where Lauren Green was in action. She finished in a brilliant time of 1:33:26, a fantastic performance π
Also in Manchester, Sam Griffiths raced in the 10k. Sam ran a brilliant 31:42, an excellent performance π
From Manchester, to Cork, where we had two members taking part in the 10k. Stuart Crees finished in 42:45, coming 5th in age group. Libby Crees was home in 54:07, finishing 9th in her age group. Amazing π
Finally, we look to the Cortina Dobbiaco 30k race in Italy! We can always rely on Janneke Van Beijnum and Emyr Morgan to introduce us to some fantastic different races. Janneke finished in a brilliant 2:30:11, finishing 11th F45 on the day. Emyr was also in great form, running 2:15:58 for 6th Male 55 π
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It was another weekend of top racing from the croups, on an international scale!
Sunday saw the return of the Treforest 10k, always a popular event with Croups members!
A huge well done to all club members who raced. We had some great gender and age category results:
Ella Jennings π₯ Woman in 42:56
Janneke Van Beijnum π₯ FV45 in 42:41
Dave Craig π₯ MV40 in 35:49
Andy Blair π₯ MV60 in 38:21
Howard Kent π₯ MV70 in 47:57
Liv Overton π₯ Woman in 43:16
Carol Rees π₯ FV55 in 48:12
Phil Hodge π₯ MV60 in 39:57
Julie Scholey π₯ FV65 in 59:56
Bryony Eames π₯ Woman in 43:36
Wayne Humphries π₯ MV50 in 37:51
Richie Bullen π₯ MV60 in 43:49
Mick Tabor π₯ MV70 in 51:53
Clare Johnson π₯ FV65 in 1:21:33
A huge thank you to @pontyroadents for putting on another great event!
π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Edinburgh MarathonοΏ½π James Dickinson smashed a massive PB with an incredible time of 3:11:39! Brilliant running and well deserved! πͺ
π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ Edinburgh Half MarathonοΏ½π Lucy John ran a superb 1:47:44 in the half marathon β a fantastic performance!
πΏπ¦ Cape Town MarathonοΏ½π₯ Over in South Africa, Sam Wilson produced a brilliant run at the Cape Town Marathon, finishing in a superb 2:58:34! Outstanding effort! π
Great West Run, Exeter
π Down in cider country, Megan McBrien was in action at the Great West Half Marathon in Exeter. Megan finished an amazing π₯ Woman overall in a brilliant time of 1:26:16! π
π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ Newtown 10k
Lastly, but very much not last, Gary Brown participated in Newtown 10k. Finishing in a time of 40:18, he wasπ₯ M45 on the day π
Ultra Trail Snowdonia
A huge well done to Lowri Morgan, who tackled the gruelling Ultra Trail Snowdonia 80k, finishing in an incredible 9:21:33. Lowri finished an amazing π₯ woman over the distance, a brilliant run from a true legend π
In the 57k, James Vassallo crossed the line in a superb 9:22:31. Fantastic endurance on the elevation and the trails!
Barry 10k
Les Croupiers were out in force at the Barry 10k with a host of excellent performances and podium finishes.
* Georgia Palmer was first home for the club in the womenβs race, clocking a brilliant 36:35, finishing 4th female overall and taking π₯ Senior Female.
* Sam Griffiths led the men home in a rapid 33:19, finishing an impressive 5th overall.
* Angharad Mair claimed π₯ F65 in 41:51.
* Oli Williams secured π₯ M40 with a strong 33:31.
* Susan Watson earned π₯ F60 in 46:02.
* Stewart Reeves took π₯ M55 in 40:18.
A fantastic set of results and age-category success for the club!
Salzburg Marathon
Congratulations to Wendy Cole, who completed the Salzburg Marathon in 5:15 β a wonderful achievement in a beautiful marathon setting.
Plymouth Half
Louise Flynn was in action at Plymouth Half, storming home to a fantastic π₯ woman in a brilliant time of 1:21:10 π
Hackney Half
Grace Kilpatrick produced a strong run at the ever-popular Hackney Half, finishing in an excellent 1:36:32. Well done Grace!
Worcester Marathon
A special mention to Pete Gillibrand, who completed the Worcester Half Marathon on Sunday, capping off his remarkable goal of completing 30 marathons before the age of 30. A tremendous milestone and achievement β congratulations Pete!
(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
Radyr and Morganstown trail races:
Saturday saw the return of the Radyr & Morganstown Trail races. A number of croups were in action, but the full results are yet to be published. A huge well done to all Croups that took part on what looked like a stunning day for trail races!
The Preseli Beast:
Also on Saturday, Jane Crane and Eve Gallop Evans were in action in Maenchlochog! Jane completed the Presseli Beast 24 miles, involved over 4600 feet of ascent in 6:08:16! Eve took on the 11 mile challenge, which saw 1700 feet worth of ascent in 2:29:24! Amazing running both! Mountain goats!
800m Regional Championships:
A successful outing on the track saw two Les Croupiers athletes claim regional championship medals in the 800m:
π₯ Vaughan Edwards took silver in the regional championships.
π₯Carl Nealon secured bronze.
Caerphilly 10K:
There were excellent performances throughout the field at the Caerphilly 10K.
For the women, Nynke Kuiper was first home for the club in an impressive 37:35, finishing fourth in her age category and sixth overall female.
Leading the men home was Phil Hambleton in a rapid 32:18, placing 10th overall and taking bronze in the M35 category.
Other notable performances included:
π₯ Paula Allen β bronze in the W50 category in 47:48
π Simon Lee β 6th M45 in 37:16
π Alvils Berzinskis β 6th M50 in 39:16
π Jeremy Thomas β 4th M60
Copenhagen Marathon:
Two Les Croupiers runners took on the marathon distance in Copenhagen:
π Sam Griffiths stormed to an outstanding 2:22:34
π Owain Griffiths finished strongly in 3:51:49
Masters International β Wales vs England & Northern Ireland:
Representing Wales in Bideford, Dave James delivered a classy performance to finish π₯ in his age category in 39:11 against strong international competition.
Bracknell Half:
Rachel Lammin finished an amazing 5th female senior in Bracknell, coming home in a time of 1:37:11! Huge performance! π
Bristol Half & 10k:
Cathan Ivory was first back for the club in 1:19:31!
In the 10k, Aisha Turner was in action, clocking a fab 50:33!
(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
Croups were out in force this weekend across a range of challenging events, delivering some huge performance!
At the demanding Pegasus Howum Ultra, a 30-mile journey deep into the Welsh landscape with over 4,300 feet of climbing, Cassie Summers crossed the line in a superb 6:26:00. An incredible time on a formidable course!
Over at the Southampton Marathon, Sarah Hamill produced a fantastic run, finishing in 3:15:21 to secure π₯ in the F40 category and an excellent fourth place overall among the women, incredible running π
Peter Heath also took on the marathon, completing it in 5:22:51!
In the Sirhowy Loop Fell Race, Matt Jones took first place in 53:04, finishing more than ten minutes ahead of his nearest rival
At the Exeter Marathon, Susan Watson earned π₯ in the F60 category with a time of 3:41:57, an amazing achievement!
Heading to Dublin next, Lauren Green was in action at Dublin Half Marathon, clocking a brilliant 1:40:23. Brilliant running given she had done London Marathon the weekend before! π
Over in Birmingham, Gafin Griffiths recorded a fantastic new Pb of 1:29:39 in the half. Cracking running! π
Lastly, but very much not least, Susie Bowes was in action over the weekend completing the Billy Goat Gallop up in Stockton-on-Tees. Susie was home in 51:01, 6th female overall π
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(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
Despite most of the weekends attention being focused on London, we had Croups out and about taking part in races both at home and abroad!
Starting last Thursday night, Lolly Evans was in action at the Severn bridge twilight race! Lolly was home in 38:31, an amazing π₯ F55! A huge congratulations too, to Angharad Parry Jones who was also in action completing the race π
βTo run, or not to run, that is the questionβ was answered by Ryan Pugsley as he stormed home to a 1:18:54 at the Shakespeare half in Stratford on Sunday π
Turning to π©πͺ, Dylan Nazareth was in action at DΓΌsseldorf Half, finishing in a fantastic time of 1:08:22! A cracking result, Prost!
Gethin Evans completed the Pembrokeshire ultra over the weekend, taking in 34.7 miles of Pembrokeshire coastline. He was home in an amazing 6:57:47 π
Heading stateside, Steve Spiers competed in the Tidewater Strider spring Marathon Virginia πΊπΈ Steve was home in a brilliant 3:09:49 π
We turn to the Cwmyoy Horseshoe race next. Phil Hodge and Mick Tabor were running for croups, finishing in 54:12 and 1:04:14 respectively π
Lastly, but very much not least, lots of croups were in action at the Pentyrch Hill Race on Tuesday night. The club came back with a shed load of achievements:
- Anthony Lydall first back for the club at π₯ M45
- Janet Holmes π₯ W40
- Carol Rees π₯W55
- Wayne Humphries π₯ M50
- Andy Blair π₯ M60
- Clive Osmond π₯ M65
- Jane Crane π₯ W50
- Julie Scholey π₯W65
- Claire Bell π₯W60
- Nathaniel Palmer π₯ M55
- Luke Starkie π₯ M45
- Susie Bowes π₯ W45
- Lolly Evans π₯ W55
(For images and full results please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
London Marathon 2026 π΄π’
π First women home for the club were Eliana Bazzini Gazzi & Emily Everall in 2:58:50 & 2:58:51 respectively!
π First home for the club was Sam Griffiths in: 2:23:02 - the fastest croup marathon time since 1992, and the third fastest of ALL TIME in the clubs history!
π Clare Johnson becomes the first ever croup over the age of 80 to complete a marathon!
π London Marathon ever present, Jeff Aston, completes his 46th consecutive London Marathon!
(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
The biggest roundup of the year greets us so far as loads of Croups were in action over the weekend and on Monday, at home and abroad!
Saturday
Beast of the Beacons (20 miles)
* James Vassallo π₯ V50 & 7th overall with 1,100m+ elevation gain!
5K Track Club, Bristol
* Carl Nealon huge PB of 17:43
* Math Llwyd great PB of 17:56
* Elliott Richards and Mark Price also in action - 15:12 & 16:24 respectively
Sunday
Manchester Marathon
* Louise π₯ lady in 2:44:21
* Andy Blair new M60 club record of 2:55:05
* Tristan Rees was first back for the club in 2:35:59, a PB!
* Judi Rhys π₯ F65 in 3:53:21
* A huge congrats also to Alice, Duncan, Jim, James, Carole, Rachel and Dave for also competing for π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
* Becca Sayers had an amazing marathon debut with 3:47:49!
Newport Marathon
* Emily π₯ female overall, π₯ female senior & π₯ Welsh runner in 2:55:39
* Nynke 4th female overall, π₯ female senior & π₯ Welsh runner in 2:55:48
* Phil Hambleton top 10 & π₯ M35 in an incredible 2:29:29
* James Bull and Dave Ham made their marathon debuts, finishing in 3:03:37 & 3:54:00 respectively!
* Sarah Pryor completed her first marathon on heart medication, finishing in 4:24:01 π
Newport Half Marathon
* Craig π₯ M35 & top 10 in 1:15:49
* Georgia Palmer π₯ female in 1:20:36
* Susan Watson π₯ W60 in 1:37:30
Newport 10K
* Angharad Mair βοΈ New Welsh W65 Record 40:54!
* Sam Griffiths π₯ overall & π₯ male senior in 30:07
* Julie Chamberlain π₯ F40 in 39:34
* Dave James π₯ M65 in 39:42
* Richie Bullen π₯ M65 in 42:54
* Yvonne Bullen π₯ F60 in 49:39
Amman Valley Triathlon
* Wendy Cole competed with a 2 min course PB!
Aberdare Mile Track Race:
* Julie Scholey ran a seasons best of 7:54:80 π
* John Morris was also in action finishing in a fab 5:35:50
Monday
Boston Marathon πΊπΈ
* Penny Coyle 3:27:20
* Angela Potter 3:46:05
(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
One of the most varied race roundups greets you this week!
π Saturday π
Vale Coastal Ultra races:
In the ultra:
Lowri Morgan took the female win & 3rd overall, Mark Price sweeps the male win & 1st overall, amazing achievements!
In the 18.5 mile race:
Phil Hodge topped his age category too, and massive congrats to Shannon for completing it! πͺ
Cumbria Trail International Ultra:
Owain Zerilli represented Wales at the Senior Home Nations Trail International, a class act! π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
Somerset Coastal Race:
Pete Gillibrand finishes 10th overall in the 19k, hot on the heels of his Lille 10k PB β the man is on fire! π₯
π Sunday π
Swindon 3k Track:
Matt Hopkins clocks 10:46. Matt loves a track race π€
Gorseinon 10k:
Carl Nealon storms to 38:24 & 10th male senior π¨
Β Rotterdam Marathon:
Emily Everall runs a brilliant PB of 2:56:37. She is in incredible form right now! π
Β Paris Marathon:
Owain Griffiths ticks off another international marathon in 4:28:07!
London Landmarks:
Lauren Green was home in 1:40:05 in a strong run before she takes on London Marathon in two weeks!
Kymin Dash:
Libby Crees was in action, taking 4th F50 in 1:06:37!
Salisbury 10 mile race:
Yvonne and Richie Bullen love a 10 mile race! They completed the course in 1:21:12 and 1:09:16 respectively π
Berkeley 10k:
Rob Sage finished in 42:48, and Emma Brute clocked 50:29 on her club debut! Welcome to the club Emma! π
Β Bratislava Half:
Mark & Cez Palser with 1:21:59 & 1:51:17 β super Palsers at it again! π
β‘οΈLightening Bolt 10k:
Gary Brown clocked a fab time of 37:33!
(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
Lille Tour
10k:
π₯ First Female (1st female Brit): Mia Goddard β 36:32
π₯ 2nd Female (Brit): Emily Fell β 37:29π₯
3rd Female (Brit): Grace Kilpatrick β 41:14
π First Male for the club: Tris Rees β 31:57
π₯ Dave James won his age group in a brilliant time of 39:36
5k:
π₯ First Female for the club: Ella Jennings - 20:32
π₯ First Male for the club : Elliott Richards β 15:04 (π₯ Brit)
π₯ home for the club was Craig Blake in, 16:21 who was also the (π₯Male Brit)
A special shoutout too, to Clare Johnson and Jeff Aston, who informed me that they were the oldest athletes taking part in the 10k and 5k respectively!
Teifi 10 π΄σ §σ ’σ ·σ ¬σ ³σ Ώ
π First male club finisher: Arwel Evans β 1:02:13
π First female club finisher: Julie Scholey - 1:37:56
π₯ Phil Hodge β 2nd M60 β 1:06:44
π Well done also to Gafin, Mark, Clive, and Howard for completing the race!
Guernsey Easter Running Festival π¬π¬
Huge effort from Kelly Crofts & Angharad Parry-Jones π
They completed the:
πββοΈ 5K road race
π² 4.75 mile cross country
π 1 mile relay
πββοΈ 10K road raceβ¦
and even fitting in a parkrun!
Paul Stillman's images of our racing in Flanders can be found using the link below. Relive the racing, even if your memory of other parts of the weekend is a little hazy...
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(For images please see our instagram or facebook pages.)
At Pulford 10K, Ed Foster flew round in a rapid 31:28, a huge PB! π¨
Meanwhile at Eastleigh 10K, Paul Francis brought home π₯ V50 in 36:29 π
Over at the Gloucester Half:
- Sam Griffiths stormed to π₯ overall in 1:10:08!
- Emily Musgrave was first woman home for the club in 1:38:45
- Owen Rivers clocked his second-fastest half in 1:23:02
From Gloucester, to the Forest of Dean Half:
- Sue Watson took 4th F55 in 1:46:08
- Phil Hodge led the Croups home in 1:35:09
- Great running too from Hazel Craven & Rory McDermott
Further afield, on the international stage at Johannesburg Marathon, Howard Owen was home in a brilliant 4:15:09Β
From South Africa to Italy, we had a couple of members in action at Rome Marathon:
- Mari Watkins 3:50:16 β especially impressive after completing the Brecon to Cardiff ultra earlier this month
- Tom Hall 3:16:40, a great warm up for Newport in a few weeks time! π
More strong performances from the weekend:
οΏ½π Reading Half
- Jeremy Thomas finished a fabulousπ₯ M60 in 1:32:30
- James Craddock completed the race in a strong 1:23:25
π Surrey HalfοΏ½- Will Royer: 1:24:47 - itβs so good to see him back racing after a time out with injury.
The following advice is intended to keep our runners SAFE at all times!
It is also essential that, whilst out running as a club, we are seen to be polite, responsible, set a good example & not put others at risk.
AT ALL TIMES BE SAFE BE SEEN! You can never be too visible! During the day, always wear bright or light-coloured clothing - fluorescent is good.
At night we would strongly recommend that people ALWAYS wear light-coloured clothing plus a REFLECTIVE (not just fluorescent) bib or sash.
Clip on flashers are a great way to be seen. NEVER ASSUME YOU'VE BEEN SEEN. Always be cautious with traffic.
We would like to remind people that they are responsible for their own safety and that they run at their own risk.Β