Another fast finish for Jonathan Kettle at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photographs by Steve Jeffery

Conwy Parkrun returned to near normality last Saturday morning with its usual mix of tourists, fun-runners, and numerous top-quality club athletes from various parts of the UK.

Despite fierce competition at the sharp end of this popular 5k event, which recorded 278 finishers, three local runners still took the plaudits, and claimed two of the main podium positions.

Colwyn Bay’s extraordinarily talented teenager Bryn Woodall also registered a unique hat-trick of exceptional wins during consecutive weeks.

And for North Wales Road Runner Jonathan Kettle it was a case of same again, as almost identical to last week, and despite a fast finish, he eventually finished as runner-up to Bryn, who still proved unbeatable in his determination for further success over this distance.

Bryn was slightly down though on his previous record-breaking performances of late, clocking 16 minutes 5 seconds, but won his SM18-19 age cat, with Jonathan Kettle 2nd in 17.27 and 1st M45-49 cat, with Mark Jessett from NWRRC claiming the 3rd spot with a blistering PB run in 17.52 as the M35-39 cat winner.

The Conwy Parkrun witnessed another speedy event with the first 12 runners all dipping under 20-minutes, and the Road Runners celebrated a very successful week with 16 members involved, and six claimed age category wins, four winning second, and two third places.

Harry Driscoll continued his purple patch, finishing 11th overall and was 1st M20-24 in 19.26, with Steve Roberts 24th and 2nd M55-59 in 21.29, and Gethin Wyn Jones continued to improve his fitness as 3rd M35-39, and 26th overall in 21.52.

Martin Green used the parkrun to top-up his marathon training, and in readiness for the next day’s Anglesey half-marathon, finishing 39th overall in 22.48, with master veteran Don Hale improving his recent form to finish 49th overall and 2nd M65-69 cat in 23.31.

Martin’s wife Carla Green guided partially-sighted athlete Daniel Owens around the hard, bumpy, yet scenic course, sharing a time of 23.35, for 52nd and 53rd places respectively.

Another master vet, Peter Armstrong, easily won his M70-74 age cat in 24.18 in 58th place overall, whilst Stuart Culverhouse ran with his young son Joe to finish together in 24.45 and 63rd and 64th places, with Joe again winning his JM10 age cat.

Rob Fryer also added to the strength of the current master vets section, finishing 66th and 3rd M65-69 cat in 24.47, and he was just ahead of the fast-improving Helen Hannam in 67th place and 2nd VW45-49 age cat in 24.51.

Mike Hayton made a welcome return to parkrun in 155th place and claimed the 2nd M70-74 age cat in 29.45, and Rachel Morris displayed an amazing recovery from serious injury, and in preparation for the Anglesey 10k, finishing 193rd in 32.24.

*North Wales runner Mandy Owen made her debut at the revived Newborough Forest Parkrun on Ynys Mon on Saturday, saying she enjoyed the sand, slopes and stunning scenery, finishing 28th female runner and 93rd overall in 30.38.

*This is the link to the Conwy parkrun results:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/weeklyresults/?runSeqNumber=268&utm_medium=email&utm_source=resultsemail&utm_campaign=systememail