AJ Bell Manchester Great Run 2026

Clara Evans and Millie Gold Deliver Strong Performances on a Busy Weekend for British Distance Running

The end of May saw two notable performances from Welsh athletes on very different stages, with marathon international Clara Evans lining up against a world-class field at the Manchester 10K, while Swansea Harriers athlete Millie Gold tested herself against some of the country’s leading steeplechasers at the BMC and University of Birmingham Grand Prix.

Clara Evans Battles World-Class Field in Manchester

Representing Pontypridd Roadents AC, Clara Evans-Graham finished fifth in the elite women’s race at the Manchester 10K on 31 May, clocking 32:34 in one of the strongest domestic road fields assembled this year.

The race was won by Slovenian international Klara Lukan in 30:58, ahead of American star Weini Kelati (31:17). British international Amy-Eloise Neale was third in 32:16, with Welsh international Verity Ockenden fourth in 32:21.

Evans was only 13 seconds behind Ockenden and finished just ahead of German athlete Konstanze Klosterhalfen, underlining the quality of the field around her. The performance continues an impressive period for the Welsh marathon specialist, who has increasingly shown her ability to compete beyond the marathon distance and against high-calibre international opposition.

Millie Gold Steps Up at BMC Grand Prix

At the BMC and University of Birmingham Grand Prix on 30 May, Swansea Harriers athlete Millie Gold produced another encouraging run in the Women’s 3000m Steeplechase A race.

Still competing as an Under-20 athlete, Gold finished fourth in 10:25.45 against a field dominated by older athletes and university competitors.

The race was won by Team Bath’s Tilly Nickell in 10:13.75, ahead of Linda Palumbo (10:21.77) and Irish international Abbie Sheridan (10:23.77).

The strength of the Birmingham meeting was highlighted by the presence of athletes such as Tilly Nickell, who secured the World U20 Championships qualifying standard with her performance. Competing in the same high-calibre environment, Welsh U20 athlete Millie Gold continued her development against some of the country’s best emerging endurance talent.

That context highlights the significance of Gold’s performance. Racing against an athlete currently ranked among the UK’s leading U20 steeplechasers, the Swansea athlete stayed competitive throughout and finished less than 12 seconds behind Nickell despite still developing in the event.

With both athletes still in the junior ranks, the race offered an interesting glimpse into the next generation of British women’s steeeplechasing, with Gold continuing to gain valuable experience in high-level competition.

For Welsh athletics, the weekend provided another reminder of the strength currently emerging across both road running and endurance track events, with Clara Evans holding her own among established international road runners and Millie Gold continuing her progression against some of Britain’s best young steeplechase talent.

Welsh athletes impress at the Mid Cheshire 5K Spring 2026

Welsh athletes produced a series of strong performances at the Mid Cheshire 5K Spring 2026 as runners from Meirionnydd Running Club, Deeside AAC and Swansea Harriers featured prominently in one of the fastest domestic road races of the spring.

Leading the Welsh challenge was Owen Roberts of Meirionnydd Running Club, who clocked an outstanding 14:12 to finish third overall in a high-quality field packed with British international athletes.

Clubmate Adam Jones also broke 14:45 with 14:42 for 27th overall, while Tomos Roberts and Gavin Stuart both ran 14:58 to underline the depth within the Meirionnydd squad. Russell Bentley added another notable performance with 15:09 to finish second in the M45 category.

Deeside AAC were led by Zac Campbell, whose 15:03 placed him 60th overall and 12th in the Under-21 category. Lewis Davies followed in 15:29, while Ryan Delaney dipped under 16 minutes with 15:59.

The North Wales club also showed strong depth among younger athletes through Harri Morris (16:30), Elis Jones (16:44), Thomas Williams (17:36) and Ryan Clough (17:51).

There was an age category win for Wales as Mike Whyatt of Eryri Harriers took the V60 title in 16.42.

In the women’s race, Martha Owen led Deeside’s challenge with 17:31, while Mia Roberts clocked 17:43 as the talented Welsh athlete continued an impressive comeback following the serious injuries she sustained in a 2019 road traffic collision.

Ella Hayes also produced an encouraging performance in the Under-21 category, recording 19:16 as the 13yr old continued her return to racing following a recent period of illness.

Swansea Harriers also featured inside the top 75 overall through Matthew Verran (15:05) and Ed Slaughter (15:08), both producing strong performances in the senior men’s race.

Christine Wyn-Jones secured one of the highest Welsh age-category placings of the evening, finishing second in the W65 category with 25:41 for Deeside AAC.

With multiple Welsh athletes running inside 15 minutes and several others producing category-level performances, the Mid Cheshire 5K once again highlighted the strength and depth currently emerging across Welsh endurance running.

Pos	Athlete	Club	Chip Time	Category
3	Owen Roberts	Meirionnydd Running Club	14:12	Senior Male
20	Andrew Davies	Maldwyn Harriers	14:35	Vet 45
27	Adam Jones	Meirionnydd Running Club	14:42	Senior Male
55	Tomos Roberts	Meirionnydd Running Club	14:58	Senior Male
56	Gavin Stuart	Meirionnydd Running Club	14:58	Senior Male
60	Zac Campbell	Deeside AAC	15:03	Under 21
63	Matthew Verran	Swansea Harriers	15:05	Senior Male
69	Ricky Challinor	Meirionnydd Running Club	15:07	Senior Male
72	Ed Slaughter	Swansea Harriers	15:08	Senior Male
74	Russell Bentley	Meirionnydd Running Club	15:09	Vet 45
76	Ryan Davis	Wrexham AAC	15:10	Senior Male
108	Lewis Davies	Deeside AAC	15:29	Under 21
135	Huw Gwynn	Eryri Harriers	15:44	Senior Male
159	Sean Truett	Buckley RC	15:52	Senior Male
163	David White	Buckley RC	15:54	Senior Male
175	Ryan Delaney	Deeside AAC	15:59	Under 21
176	James Yarwood	Wrexham AAC	15:59	Senior Male
188	Johan Aufdenkamp	Meirionnydd Running Club	16:03	Senior Male
247	David Brilley	Buckley RC	16:24	Senior Male
265	Ben Harding	Meirionnydd Running Club	16:29	Senior Male
268	Chris Callaghan	Buckley RC	16:30	Vet 45
270	Harri Morris	Deeside AAC	16:30	Under 21
273	Alun Williams	Meirionnydd Running Club	16:32	Vet 45
296	Anthony Davidson	Buckley RC	16:41	Senior Male
299	Mike Whyatt	Eryri Harriers	16:42	Vet 60
301	Elis Jones	Deeside AAC	16:44	Under 21
307	Jonathan Tyler	Meirionnydd Running Club	16:45	Vet 40
335	Jack Shearer	Buckley RC	16:57	Senior Male
352	Tony Wood	Denbigh Harriers	17:05	Senior Male
367	William Dunn	Meirionnydd Running Club	17:09	Vet 45
375	Matt Wilkins	Buckley RC	17:12	Senior Male
383	Harry Driscoll	Meirionnydd Running Club	17:16	Senior Male
393	Gerard Coleman	Buckley RC	17:19	Senior Male
422	Martha Owen	Deeside AAC	17:31	Senior Female
439	Thomas Williams	Deeside AAC	17:36	Under 21
447	Tracy Rogers	Buckley RC	17:41	Vet 35
453	Mia Roberts	Deeside AAC	17:43	Senior Female
480	Ryan Clough	Deeside AAC	17:51	Under 21
496	Nick Bartley	Deeside AAC	17:56	Vet 40
509	Joseph Matthews	Betsi Runaways	18:02	Vet 45
568	Andrew Peers	Buckley RC	18:27	Vet 40
598	Lucie Truett	Buckley RC	18:47	Senior Female
624	Matt Watkins	Deeside AAC	19:00	Vet 45
635	Iolo Roberts	Eryri Harriers	19:05	Senior Male
645	Harry Purcell	Deeside AAC	19:10	Under 21
653	Andrew Goater	Betsi Runaways	19:12	Vet 50
662	Ella Hayes	Deeside AAC	19:16	Under 21
690	James Roberts	Wrexham AAC	19:35	Senior Male
732	Katy Baugh	Denbigh Harriers	20:03	Vet 35
791	Jane Doughton	Buckley RC	20:49	Vet 50
825	Catherine Bradley	Maldwyn Harriers	21:28	Vet 40
829	Gwennan Henstock	Buckley RC	21:30	Vet 45
847	Charlie Sinclair	Wrexham AAC	21:54	Senior Male
904	Briony Hibbert	Deeside AAC	24:26	Senior Female
910	David Owen	Buckley RC	24:51	Vet 60
916	Ben Sache	Deeside AAC	25:14	Senior Male
919	Christine Wyn-Jones	Deeside AAC	25:41

Athletes from across the region gathered at Treborth Athletics Track this weekend for the 2026 North Wales Regional Championships, with competitors battling for titles across a full programme of track and field events.

The championships attracted athletes from clubs throughout North Wales, with strong performances in the sprints, middle-distance races, jumps and throws creating an excellent atmosphere across the meeting.

Junior athletes were particularly prominent throughout the day, with several emerging talents producing impressive displays as they chased personal bests and regional medals early in the outdoor season. Veteran athletes also played a major part in the championships, demonstrating the depth and longevity of athletics across the region with competitive performances in a range of events.

Middle-distance races proved especially competitive, while the sprint events delivered close finishes as athletes took advantage of favourable conditions at the Bangor venue.

The championships continue to play an important role in the development of athletics across North Wales, bringing together athletes of all ages and standards while providing valuable championship experience ahead of the summer season.

Coaches, families and supporters created a lively atmosphere around the track throughout the meeting, with Treborth once again hosting one of the key fixtures in the North Wales athletics calendar.

Photos from the North Wales Regional Championships 2026 are available via Running In Focus.

Welsh athlete Rhodri Owen produced an impressive performance to take victory at the Christleton 5K on a warm evening of fast racing in Cheshire.

Representing Meirionnydd Running Club, Owen stopped the clock at 14:43 to lead home a strong field, finishing comfortably clear after an aggressive front-running display.

Fellow Meirionnydd Running Club athlete Daniel Kashi also featured strongly, securing 7th place against quality opposition in another solid performance for the North Wales club.

Vale Royal AC’s Matt McCormack finished second in 14:50, while Joseph Boden of Wallasey AC completed the podium with 14:55.

Men’s Top 3 (Chip Times) Rhodri Owen (Meirionnydd Running Club) – 14:42 Matt McCormack (Vale Royal AC) – 14:50 Joseph Boden (Wallasey Athletic Club) – 14:55 .

The women’s race saw Katriona Brown produce an impressive winning performance with a chip time of 16:36. Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton’s Kirsty Longley finished second in 17:05, while talented Deeside AAC athlete Heather Watson claimed third in 17:11.

Women’s Top 3 (Chip Times) Katriona Brown (Aldershot Farnham & District) – 16:36 Kirsty Longley (Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton H AC) – 17:05 Heather Watson (Deeside AAC) – 17:11 The event once again underlined Christleton’s reputation as one of the North West’s premier fast 5K races, attracting elite club runners, emerging talent and strong performances from across the region.

Despite the high quality performances throughout the field, no course records fell on the night, although Owen’s winning time came close to the long-standing men’s mark.

The Christleton 5K once again attracted a competitive field and produced an evening of quick times and exciting racing.

📸 Photography by Bill Scriven / Running In Focus

North Wales Endurance Open Delivers Fast Racing at Deeside

1 May 2026 • Deeside Athletics Stadium

Some of North Wales’ finest endurance athletes were in action at Deeside Athletics Stadium as the North Wales Endurance Open produced an evening of competitive racing and personal best performances.

Athletes from clubs across the region took to the track in a packed programme of middle and long-distance events, with strong pacing and favourable conditions helping many runners achieve new lifetime bests. Athletes from outside the area also travelled to Deeside for the meeting, adding further depth and competition across the evening’s races.

Fast Racing Across the Programme

Several races developed into closely fought contests over the closing laps, with athletes pushing hard through the finish in pursuit of PB times and early-season form.

Junior athletes competed alongside experienced senior runners, highlighting the continued strength and depth of endurance running across North Wales.

Support Behind the Scenes

Pacemakers, officials and coaches all played an important role throughout the evening, helping the meeting run smoothly and maintain a competitive atmosphere from the first race to the last.

The event once again demonstrated the value of local open meetings in providing racing opportunities for developing athletes and established competitors alike.

Photography by Bill Scriven / Running In Focus