Running news: Mixed emotions at Conwy Parkrun

There was a great turnout amidst mixed emotions for the 286 runners at Conwy RSPB last Saturday, as they commemorated the loss of fellow park runner Rob Porter the previous week, whilst also celebrating the special fancy dress Christmas run.

Some 13 NWRRC athletes, plus quite a few close family members, took part in the 5k dash with four adult members and one junior enjoying age category wins, but the star of the run was veteran Kevin Slattery, who became an incredible record breaker!

Mark Jessett was one team member who claimed a deserved PB, finishing in 8th place in 18 mins 40 secs and was 1st MV30 cat. Tony Price Jones was 15th and 3rd MV35 cat in 20.24, with Steve Roberts just three seconds adrift in 16th place, but winning his MV55 cat.

Veteran Slattery however, became the talk of the day after setting a superb new M65 parkrun club record at Conwy at his first attempt, recording the second-best time ever on this course for his age group, finishing 17th in just 20.32. And to help him celebrate, his visiting son Ian ran with him in 15th place in 20.19.

Carla Green was first female finisher and 1st VW45 cat winner in 26th place overall in 21.29, with Daniel Owens, assisted by Anthony Parvin, in 50th place in 22.55. Veteran Don Hale was 2nd MV65, and 63rd overall in 23.55, with young Joe Culverhouse, pacing his dad Stuart around the muddy course, and winning his JM10 cat in 67th place in 24.03.

Kay Hatton was ninth female athlete and 2nd VW55 cat in 24.45, with Hannah Griffiths hot on her heels, just five seconds adrift in 81st spot, and 2nd VW45 cat in 24.50. Rob Fryer returned to action again in 88th place in 25.29, with young Mia Morris 14th female and 3rd JW11 cat in 26.15.

It seemed quite bizarre the event flagged-up so many generation and family themed links, with Mia’s mum Rachel Morris finishing as 61st female and 184th overall in 31.48.

Her mother Hilda finished in 231st spot, and 91st female in 36.31, whilst Pat Finnie also commemorated his parkrun milestone of 300 UK events, by pushing his young grandson Jacob around the course in a sports buggy to finish in 125th spot in 27.30.

Wimbledon Santa 5k

Jon Evans tackled a challenging cross-country type course on Sunday during the Wimbledon Santa 5k race and was pleased to finish in 25.15 for 3rd cat, whilst the previous day he enjoyed another tourist parkrun at Delamere, crossing the line 107th in 24.04.

Conwy Junior Parkrun

It was another excellent attendance by promising young athletes at the third Conwy Junior Parkrun held at the RSPB Nature Reserve last Sunday morning, with five family members of NWRRC members competing in the 2k event, which included one debutant, and two youngsters who both recorded new course PBs.

Joe Culverhouse was just two seconds adrift of another PB, but still finished 2nd overall, and was also 2nd JM10 cat in 9 mins 28 secs.

Mia Morris had another fine run in 4th place, and was also the 1st female runner, and won her JW11-14 cat in 9.39. Mia’s younger brother Jack made his debut in the event to finish in 22nd position in 14.33.

Meanwhile, Ben Spofforth claimed a massive 44 second improvement for a deserved course PB in 17th place in 9.39, and his sister Elowen also celebrated a great new course PB by some 30 seconds to finish 32nd in 16.55.