Festive spirit at North Wales Road Runners Christmas handicap race

There was a great turnout of quality competitors and a real festive spirit for members of North Wales Road Runners at the annual Christmas handicap race and end of season celebratory meal last Sunday.

Some 21 athletes competed in the challenging, yet scenic 4-mile loop race from Llandudno’s West Shore beach to the former wartime gun site on the Great Orme.

Dave Nolan, making a welcome return following a brief absence since his Dublin Marathon appearance, proved his pedigree by comfortably winning the event.

Assisted to a certain extent by a generous handicap linked to his current form, Dave took the top podium position, finishing in 28 mins 42 secs. In second place was top fell runner Mark Davies in 24.26, with veteran Mike Hayton third in 36.14.

In the ladies race, Helen Hannam continued her excellent first season form by deservedly claiming the premier female prize in 7^th place overall, in 30.42, and the popular newcomer also won a place in the club draw for next year’s prestigious London Marathon.

Vicky Taylor finished second female, and was 13^th overall, in 32.01, and third place went to Carla Green, who was also running as a guide with partially sighted runner Daniel Owens. Both finished well in joint 15^th in 29.06.

Other results included: 4th Steve Roberts 26.08, 5^th Mark Jessett 23.24, who also ran the fastest time of the day, with Karl Morris 6^th in 27.15. Ben Hudson was 8^th in 27.02, Stuart Culverhouse 9^th in 26.25, and Steve Poupart 10^th in 28.02. Tony Gibson was 11^th in 30.57, with Iwan Evans 12^th in 24.52, and Kevin Slattery 14^th in 26.44.

Debutant Rachel Morris, who was fourth female runner was 16^th overall in 39.51, with Richard Scamans 17^th in 26.20.

Kay Hatton was fifth female in 18^th place in 31.50, with club veterans’ Don Hale 19^th in a course PB of 31.49, and Rob Fryer, who was battling a niggling repetitive injury, ran extremely well to finish at all in 20^th place in 40.36.

Plaudits were given to handicap organiser Jon Evans and his hard-working team of supporters.

MALAGA HALF-MARATHON

Tony Price Jones enjoyed perfect conditions on Sunday with a run in the sun in Malaga, Spain, for their half-marathon event. Tony dashed around the course in 1.31.42.

AINTREE 10K

Teenager Harry Driscoll was at full gallop last Sunday at the Aintree 10k and ran home in a very good time of 38 mins 30 secs in 17th place overall.

PARKRUN ROUND-UP

Nant y Pandy

Jon Evans recorded a second course PB on the trot at the Dingle Nature Reserve Parkrun at Nant Y Pandy last Saturday, improving his finishing time by almost a minute in sixth place overall in 23.18 for 3rd VM50 cat.

Pont y Bala

Veteran athlete Pat Finnie was 1st M60 cat and 5th overall at the Bala Parkrun last Saturday, recording a good time of 23.56 for his 299th event. Pat hopes to record his incredible 300th Parkrun at Conwy this week.

Nova, Prestatyn

Teenager Harry Driscoll was 1st SM18 cat and finished 3rd overall on his debut at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn last week in 20.35.

JUNIOR PARKRUN, CONWY

Two runners with family links to NWRRC members took part in the second junior parkrun at Conwy last Sunday, and both recorded personal best times.

Joe Culverhouse was 3rd overall and 1st JM10 athlete in 9 mins 27 secs, some 12 seconds faster than last week over the saturated trail course.

Mia Morris also enjoyed a good run as second female in 4th place overall, knocking 16 seconds off her previous time in 9.33.