2023 Race Report

Back in it's November spot on the race calendar, the weather was almost perfect for the sold-out Anglesey Trail Half Marathon & 10k. The late season date meant that we had permission to run the preferred course, including the spectacular section on Llanddwyn Island.

Conditions were perfect from the get-go, with little wind and no rain. Having left the start line, the tough single loop courses took runners around an undulating mixed terrain course with technical single track and tough sandy sections as well as the wide fire roads and forest paths. Looping round to bring runners back to where they started each runner was welcomed home by spectators and the commentator on the finish line.

The half marathon was the first to set of at 9:00 am with over 200 runners gathered on the start line ready for the off. The women’s Half Marathon saw Helena White take the win in an incredible 01:36:57 and coming in overall 14th place, 31 places ahead of the next female athlete. Second place was taken by Rebecca Owen in 1:50:41 followed by Laura Jarman in third with a time of 01:51:19.

The Open race was won by Lewis Cherry of Rugby and Northampton AC in a superb time of 01:22:40. Chris Pownell from Vegan Runners UK stuck close to Cherry for the first half of the race with only 7 seconds between them at the 10k mark. He couldn't quite match his pace in the second half but held on strong to the second place spot coming in at 1:24:46. Rich Gill coming in third place in 1:29:19.

Always a favourite with the spectators, 35 runners and their dogs lined up for the Canicross race at 09:45 am and saw them take on the same 10k route as the main event. Crossing the finish line first was Ceri Stewart in 00:43:59 taking the overall win and first female, Dylan Huws was just behind her taking the win in the Open 00:44:04.

The 10k race got underway at 10am and saw a further 167 runners head out into the challenging trails in Newborough Forest. The Open race was led throughout by local runner Steffan Sayer from Menai Track and Field taking the win in 41.06 followed just over 1 minutes later by Ben Pease of Wycombe Phoenix Harriers in a time of 00:42:18. Taking third place was another local runner Ifan Jones from Cybi Striders in a time of 00:43:39.

The women's 10k was won by Ines Goncalves of Edinburgh University Hare and Hounds who came in at 00:46:11 just over a minute ahead of Georgia Armitage in second place with a time of 00:47:18. Taking third place on the podium was Liz Proctor in a time of 00:49:08.

We are proud to say that our Anglesey Trail Half Marathon & 10k was once again a cup-less event. Thank you to all our runners for supporting our initiative and taking such great care of this special area.

Entries open for the 2024 race next month - 2023 was the third time this race sold out so if you don't want to be disappointed enter early!

Nigel Kendrick, Director of Always Aim High Events, said: “It was great to see this race sold out again and be back to the wonderful single loop route that takes in the wonderful Llandwyn Island. We're grateful to NRW for granting us permission so we can offer this special opportunity to our athletes.

Runners from all of the UK made the trip over to Anglesey, many of whom stayed for the weekend, making a great contribution to the local economy here during the usually quieter shoulder season.

We’d like to thank all of our race partners, as well as all of the supporters that turned out to support the runners around the course. We’d also like to thank Natural Resource Wales for all of their support in organising this event, we look forward to continuing to work together to showcase this wonderful environment.

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

View full race results for the 2023 Anglesey Trail Half, 10K and Canicross.

Race photography was provided by Mel Parry Event Images Images.

Selected 2023 Anglesey Trail Half Marathon, 10k & Canicross Results

Half Marathon

Open

1. Lewis Cherry 01:22:40
2. Chris Pownell 01:24:46
3. Rich Gill 01:29:19

Women

1. Helena White 01:33:58
2. Rebecca Owen 01:36:57
3. Laura Jarman 01:51:19

10k

Open

1. Steffan Sayer 00:41:06
2. Ben Pease 00:42:18
3. Ifan Jones 00:43:03

Women

1. Ines Goncalves 00:46:11
2. Georgia Armitage 00:47:18
3. Liz Proctor 00:49:08

Canicross 10k

Women

1. Ceri Stewart 00:43:59
2. Jessica Denman 00:46:23
3. Jocelyn Williams 00:48:46

Open

1. Dylan Huws 00:44:04
2. Tom Galvin 00:44:08
3. Rob Eadon 00:44:36