Local Favourite Samuel takes Snowdonia Marathon

Kelly Morgan finishing the Snowdonia Marathon

With a line-up of international endurance runners that many a UK marathon would have been proud of, the 2011 Snowdonia Marathon Eryri was destined to be a superbly competitive event, and it was the 25-year who old led majestically over the final 6 miles of this iconic 26.2 mile event - now in its 29th year - to win in 2hrs 36 mins and 45 secs.

Commenting on his terrific winning effort Samuel said:

With 2010 winner, and recent gold medalist at the Commonwealth Ultra Trail Championships, Richie Gardiner taking to the start line, all talk was of who could stop the Aberdare man taking a second straight win. However, 55km of tough Anglesey trails and the Cardiff Half Marathon over the last four weeks would ultimately take their toll on the Welshmen, as he eventually finished in third place. 

“That was tough”, said Gardiner after the race, “but I am glad that I came bag to defend my title. It just wasn't to be today and to be honest my thighs started to stiffen up after about 8 miles, and though I led with Rob til about 19-20 miles I knew it wasn't going to be my day. But hey, that isn't taking anything away from Rob today, he ran a great race."

The South Wales policeman obviously has a love for this race now, as he has vowed to return in 2012. "Oh yeah I'll be back, if you'll have me", he concluded.

Splitting to two Welsh runners was Scot, Murray Strain. After finishing second at this year's Snowdon Race, he ran very strongly for yet another runner-up spot in north Wales. The GB international orienteer was running his marathon debut and also found the conditions tough, and despite being a seasoned fell runner found the last thigh-burning two miles extremely difficult. Asked if he would be returning to the event his words were "most certainly". 

The women’s race proved to be a highly dramatic story. Winner Kelly Morgan only hit the front in the last mile, after overhauling Ruth Johnstone (3:12:11) to win by just 39 seconds. Johnstone - returning to the race after giving birth in 2010 and missing last year's event - had led the race for almost 18 miles, and simply couldn't descend as quickly as Morgan when it counted.

Storming through the field in the last 6 miles of the race the Pontypridd runner commented, "I don't know where it came from! I took it steady in the first half of the race, and afer about 14 miles just ran faster and faster to the finish. I am completely amazed, but very, very happy". Her time of 3:11:32 was some 6 minutes outside of the course record set by Christine Howard in 2010. Exmouth runner Ellie Sutcliffe made up the top 3, finishing strongly in 3:13:50. 

The quality of the women's race was also underlined with all of the first five runners finishing within 6 minutes of each other. 

“We’re extremely pleased with the event from an organisational perspective”, said race organiser Jayne Lloyd. “and the fact that our winners were of such a high calibre once again cements the event as one of Wales’ premier road races.

“The whole organising and volunteer teams were amazing, and we had some great backing once again from our sponsors and partners, especially First Hydro. The high street finish is now a permanent fixture and has certainly added to the event and comments and feedback from the runners have been highly complimentary, despite the weather!”, Jayne concluded.  

Full results are attached here and also online now at TDL Event Services, with a fantastic one-hour highlights programme available online at the S4C Clic service

Further event images are available on request and additional event, sponsor and press information can be found at the Snowdonia Marathon / Marathon Eryri website www.snowdoniamarathon.com, on Facebook and Twitter @marathoneryri