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2021 Race Report

A stunning day for 2021 Jones Crisps Anglesey Half Marathon & 10k

September is not its usual spot on the race calendar but the deferred date for the Anglesey Half Marathon & 10k did not disappoint! After being the only Always Aim High event to run in 2020, just weeks before the pandemic hit, it was great to see so many runners turn out for this iconic road race again this year.

Conditions were perfect from the get-go, with warm temperatures and some beautiful sunshine, showcasing the stunning views of the Snowdonia National Park and the Menai Straits.

Attracting all levels of runners from beginners to seasoned competitors, as well as the next generation of athletes in the Rib Ride Dragon’s Dash junior races, this event is definitely a firm favourite in the UK running calendar.

The half marathon was the first to start at 8am with hundreds gathered at the start line on the world-famous Menai Suspension Bridge. Holding his title for the second year in a row in the men's race was Martin Green with a time of 01:13:44, also holding his second-place title from 2020 Steffan Sayer with a time of 01:14:15. Michael Coyne finished third with a time of 01:22:48.

The women’s race was won by Anna Bracegirdle, with an astonishing time of 01:16:07, a new course record! Josephine Anseli came in second in 01:21:33 followed by Lucy Williamson of the Ilkley Harriers in 01:25:56.

In the middle of both races saw the return of the popular Dragon’s Dash, sponsored by Ribride. Open to young people between the ages of five and fifteen, the race is jointly organised between Always Aim High and Anglesey County Council and saw the young runners set off from the Menai Suspension bridge and complete a one-mile route through the town to the finish line. There was a great turnout with over 100 children taking part in this year’s race.

The Jones Crisps Anglesey 10k started at 8:40am and featured much of the same coastal route as the half, on closed roads. Taking the honours in the women’s race was Bethan Dobson Durell in a time of 00:42:41, with Katie Reynolds coming in second with a time of 00:44:28 closely followed by Alannah Birtwistle in 00:44:40.

The men's race was won by Steve Forsyth in an impressive 00:33:04, with Callum Jones of the Salford Harriers coming in second in a time of 00:35:03. In third place was taken by Jonathon Tyler in 00:36:16.

Tim Lloyd, Director of Always Aim High Events, said: “We always look forward to the Jones Crisps Anglesey Half Marathon & 10k, with it usually kicking off the season in early March, it was great to see so many turn out for the deferred September date and the weather was spectacular. The reaction we get from our participants is one of the highlights of our year.

We’d like to thank all of the race partners, in particular the headline sponsor - Jones Crisps, and Anglesey County Council for their continued support plus the Highways Agencies for all of their help over what has been an extremely difficult 18 months for us as an events business. As well as all of the local communities of Menai Bridge and Beaumaris that turned out to support the runners around the course, a big thank you to Sonia Williams, mayor of Menai Bridge who came along to officially open the race.

Lastly, we’d like to thank our amazing marshals and volunteers, without whom we the race just wouldn’t be possible”.

Follow the link here to view all of the race photography from the event Mel Parry Event Photography.