Running news: Nick Beer 10K challenge on this weekend

North Wales Road Runners will stage the 28th annual Nick Beer 10K race this Sunday (February 9).

With proceeds being donated towards St David’s Hospice, the event starts on Llandudno promenade opposite the Imperial Hotel at 12 noon.

About 700 participants will tackle the scenic, yet challenging course around the Great Orme and returning to the start via West Shore and Church Walks.

There will be a limited number of entries available on the day from race HQ at Venue Cymru with bespoke medals awarded to all finishers.

Cash prizes will also be given out to age category winners in the main race, and in addition, there will be a 1K fun run on the prom close to the start at 11am. Entries for this event are only available on the day from race HQ (link below).

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Hard trot at Aintree for Jon in strong winds

Jon Evans trotted around Aintree Racecourse last Saturday in the annual half marathon event, but really had to dig into his energy reserves and battle hard against a relentless buffeting wind, eventually finishing well in 201st place in 2.04.15.

Pat braves cross country

Pat Finnie also braved strong winds and a muddy undulating 5-mile plus course for the final race of the season at Oswestry last Saturday, during the North Wales Cross Country League meeting, finishing in 150th place overall in 50.03.

And in the U-17 men’s junior race, teenager Troy Kettle enjoyed another powerful performance and finished 9th in 21.12.

PARKRUN ROUND-UP

Conwy

There were 11 North Wales Road Runners in the Conwy Parkrun last Saturday morning, with six members winning their age categories, and one runner recording a great new PB on this difficult and puddle-filled course.

Some 268 finishers braved the cold and very blustery conditions, and yet, despite the challenging weather, Mark Jessett continued his excellent form to finish 2nd overall and was 1st SM30 cat winner in 18 mins 45 secs.

He was chased down all the way however, by Rich Eccles, who ran a second consecutive course PB in 19.09 as 1st MV50 cat in 3rd place.

Harry Driscoll was another man in form, winning his SM18 cat in 19.46 in 5th place, whilst Tony Price-Jones finished 13th and topped his MV35 cat in 21.10.

Carla Green was the 1st female runner and won her VW45 age cat in 21.50 in 21st place overall, and partially-sighted runner Daniel Owens was the SM25 cat topper, running with his guide Anthony Parvin, in 38th position in 23.11.

Gethin Wyn Jones continued his return from injury in 46th place in 23.40, with youngster Joe Culverhouse, running with his father Stuart, winning his JM10 cat in 23.41.

Veterans Don Hale and Rob Fryer struggled with the elements, with Don 58th and 2nd MV65 cat in 24.31, and Rob 68th and 3rd MV65 cat in 25.20.

And Helen Hannam, recovering from illness, finished as the 25th female runner, 135th overall, and was 2nd in her age cat in 29.00, whist Joan Edwards was 72nd female and 216th overall in 36.02.

Cardiff

Top rugby referee and distance-based club member Llyr Ap-Geraint Roberts returned to dash around the Cardiff Parkrun last Saturday after a five-year break and recorded a new course PB of 18.31 for 31st place, and finished 4th in his MV45 age category. On the same day Llyr’s eldest son Sammy won the Welsh U-20s indoor 3k race.

Newent, Forest of Dean

Sarah Ferguson Hudson ran as a tourist at Newent in the Forest of Dean, finishing as 5th female, 22nd overall in 26.16. Sarah said it was more of a cross-country style course rather than a normal parkrun, but she still won her age category.

Conwy junior parkrun

There were three runners with NWRRC links at the 2K Conwy junior parkrun last Sunday morning with two recording new course PBs.

On a cold, windy, and muddy course, Mia Morris did well to finish 3rd overall, and was the 2nd female runner home in 9.16 for a great PB. She was also 2nd in her JW11-14 age cat.

Kacey Alford also achieved a new course PB as 9th female and was 21st overall in 12.35 in her JW10 cat. And Mia’s brother Jack Morris had another promising run, taking 49th place in 16.15.