News Of Interest To Les Croupiers Members

Leo Holmes' Roundup 13th May

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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:

🥈 Vaughan Edwards took silver in the regional championships.

🥉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:

🥉 Paula Allen — bronze in the W50 category in 47:48

👏 Simon Lee — 6th M45 in 37:16

👏 Alvils Berzinskis — 6th M50 in 39:16

👏 Jeremy Thomas — 4th M60

Copenhagen Marathon:

Two Les Croupiers runners took on the marathon distance in Copenhagen:

🙌 Sam Griffiths stormed to an outstanding 2:22:34

🙌 Owain Griffiths finished strongly in 3:51:49

Masters International – Wales vs England & Northern Ireland:

Representing Wales in Bideford, Dave James delivered a classy performance to finish 🥈 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! 👏

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!

Leo Holmes' Roundup 6th May

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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 🥈 in the F40 category and an excellent fourth place overall among the women, incredible running 👏

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 🥈 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! 🙌

Over in Birmingham, Gafin Griffiths recorded a fantastic new Pb of 1:29:39 in the half. Cracking running! 👏

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 🙌

Leo Holmes' Roundup 30th April

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Leo Holmes' London 2026 Update

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London Marathon 2026 🔴🟢

👉 First women home for the club were Eliana Bazzini Gazzi & Emily Everall in 2:58:50 & 2:58:51 respectively!

👉 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!

👉 Clare Johnson becomes the first ever croup over the age of 80 to complete a marathon!

👉 London Marathon ever present, Jeff Aston, completes his 46th consecutive London Marathon!

Leo Holmes' Roundup w/c 13th April

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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 🥇 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 🥉 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 🥉 F65 in 3:53:21

* A huge congrats also to Alice, Duncan, Jim, James, Carole, Rachel and Dave for also competing for 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

* Becca Sayers had an amazing marathon debut with 3:47:49!

Newport Marathon

* Emily 🥉 female overall, 🥇 female senior & 🥈 Welsh runner in 2:55:39

* Nynke 4th female overall, 🥈 female senior & 🥉 Welsh runner in 2:55:48

* Phil Hambleton top 10 & 🥈 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 👏

Newport Half Marathon

* Craig 🥇 M35 & top 10 in 1:15:49

* Georgia Palmer 🥉 female in 1:20:36

* Susan Watson 🥇 W60 in 1:37:30

Newport 10K

* Angharad Mair ⭐️ New Welsh W65 Record 40:54!

* Sam Griffiths 🥉 overall & 🥈 male senior in 30:07

* Julie Chamberlain 🥉 F40 in 39:34

* Dave James 🥇 M65 in 39:42

* Richie Bullen 🥈 M65 in 42:54

* Yvonne Bullen 🥈 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 👏

* John Morris was also in action finishing in a fab 5:35:50

Monday

Boston Marathon 🇺🇸

* Penny Coyle 3:27:20

* Angela Potter 3:46:05

Leo Holmes' Roundup w/c 6th April

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One of the most varied race roundups greets you this week!

👇 Saturday 👇

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! 💪

Cumbria Trail International Ultra:

Owain Zerilli represented Wales at the Senior Home Nations Trail International, a class act! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Somerset Coastal Race:

Pete Gillibrand finishes 10th overall in the 19k, hot on the heels of his Lille 10k PB — the man is on fire! 🔥

👇 Sunday 👇

Swindon 3k Track:

Matt Hopkins clocks 10:46. Matt loves a track race 🤝

Gorseinon 10k:

Carl Nealon storms to 38:24 & 10th male senior 💨

 Rotterdam Marathon:

Emily Everall runs a brilliant PB of 2:56:37. She is in incredible form right now! 🌟

 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 🙌

Berkeley 10k:

Rob Sage finished in 42:48, and Emma Brute clocked 50:29 on her club debut! Welcome to the club Emma! 🎊

 Bratislava Half:

Mark & Cez Palser with 1:21:59 & 1:51:17 — super Palsers at it again! 🙌

⚡️Lightening Bolt 10k:

Gary Brown clocked a fab time of 37:33!

Leo Holmes' Roundup w/c 30th March

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Lille 10k and 5k Images

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...

• either use this - Read more: Images

Leo Holmes' Roundup w/c 16th March

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At Pulford 10K, Ed Foster flew round in a rapid 31:28, a huge PB! 💨

Meanwhile at Eastleigh 10K, Paul Francis brought home 🥈 V50 in 36:29 👏

Over at the Gloucester Half:

- Sam Griffiths stormed to 🥈 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 4:15:09 

From South Africa to Italy, we had a couple of members in action at Rome Marathon:

- Mari Watkins 3:50:16 – 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! 👏

More strong performances from the weekend:

�📍 Reading Half

- Jeremy Thomas finished a fabulous🥈 M60 in 1:32:30

- James Craddock completed the race in a strong 1:23:25

📍 Surrey Half�- Will Royer: 1:24:47 - it’s so good to see him back racing after a time out with injury.

Leo Holmes' Roundup w/c 9th March

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We start this weeks roundup on Saturday on the indoor track, where club legends Kieran McDonnell and Colin Williams were competing for 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 in the masters inter-area championships!

Kieran was 2nd in the M70 200m and third in the 800m. He also competed in the M60 4x200m relay alongside Colin! Colin did the 400m where he was 4th, leg two of the aforementioned relay and was second in the 800m. Brilliant performances 🙌

Turning to Sunday, on the international stage next. Starting farthest away, in South Korea 🇰🇷, a huge well done to Owain Griffiths for completing the Seoul Marathon. Owain was home in a brilliant time of 4:11:01! 👏

Over to Europe, we had a couple of Croups in action over in Spain. Starting in Barcelona, Emily Musgrave completed the Marathon in a fantastic 3:32:58, an amazing result!

Nick Dukes was also in action in Malaga Half Marathon, coming home in 1:49:44, a brilliant run 🇪🇸

Turning to the Olympic Park 10k, Kay Chapman, Paul Chapman and Ceri Hooper were in action supporting the 10 athletes that are running the London Marathon for the Special Olympics GB team next month! Ceri was 🥇 F55 in 46:01, brilliant work 👏

Ending the roundup with two popular events run by club members on Sunday, we first turn to bath half marathon.

Sam Griffiths was first home for the men in another impressive PB of 1:07:05, building on his impressive PB from a few weeks ago in Llanelli! Eliana Bazzini - Gazzi was first back for the women in an incredible 1:24:19, a big PB for her also on the day 🙌

A big shoutout must also go to Cathan Ivory who completed his last half in a Croups vest 🥹, finishing in 1:18:49 - best of luck for your future races! We were also pleased to bump into the legend Paul Reddaway, club member Jack’s father, who continually takes home age category wins!

Lastly, but very much not least, we turn to the fission 20 mile & half marathon race, an event always popular with the club!

A huge well done to Darragh Hanley-Crofts who finished 🥈 overall in the half in 1:18:06!

He was followed by Arwel Evans in a fantastic 1:22:52, and 9th overall! Huge kudos too, to Martin Williams, who was home as 🥇 M60 in 1:33:30!

They all formed part of a croups team that finished 🥇

A few club members also took part in the 20 miler, Sarah Hamill finished a fab 6th F40 in 2:34:22, and James Bruce continues his fine form by coming home as 5th M50 in 2:29:45! 👏

Leo Holmes' Roundup w/c 2nd March

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Another big roundup to sink your teeth into this week, with Croups once again running on the international stage.

Beginning in Lisbon half marathon, James Dickinson was home in a brilliant personal best of 1:24:08 - his upward trajectory over the past year has been immense! Lucy John was also in action in Portugal, finishing the half in a brilliant 1:58:28, her second fastest half marathon date! 👏

Staying on the international scene. A huge congratulations to Tim and Dimitri Petrides who completed Cyprus Marathon together on Sunday! Tim finished the course in a brilliant 4:44:36 in his marathon debut. Huge congratulations to you both for conquering the marathon distance for the first time! 🙌 

On to Pembrey next, we had a significant number of croups partaking in the Great Welsh Marathon events!

In the marathon, Dave Craig was first home in a brilliant new PB of 2:42:47. This put Dave 6th overall, and 🥇 M45! Fantastic! Liz Neville was first back for the women in the Marathon, completing the course in an amazing 3:22:28, 10th overall, and 🥇 F40!

A huge shoutout to, to Janneke Van Beijnum, who finished a fab 🥈 F45 in a brilliant 3:25:35! 👏

Furthermore, a huge well done to the croups also in action in the half marathon and 10k events! Brian Jones picked up 🥈 M55 in the 10k, with a brilliant time of 48:28!

By far the most popular event of the weekend for the club however was the Cardiff 20/10 in Bute Park. We had lots of members in action in both the 20 mile and 10 mile distances! A summary of results:

20 mile:

👉 Louise Flynn 🥇 female in 2:07:00

👉 Ben Kennedy 🥈 man in 1:59:54

👉 Andy Blair 🥇 M60 in 2:13:44

👉 Alex Price 🥉 man in 2:01:37

10 mile:

👉 Oli Williams 🥇 M40 in 56:44

👉 Julie Chamberlain 🥇 W35 in 1:06:56

👉 Megan McBrien 🥉 female in 1:06:03

Lastly, but very much not least, we head to the Dorney Lake Half Marathon! Daniel Pettit was in action, collecting a brilliant PB of 73:56 and winning the race! Incredible running! 👏

Leo Holmes' XC Champs Roundup