Splash down for Conwy park-runners on puddle-filled course

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery

Conwy Parkrun resembled a waterlogged cross-country course last Saturday.

As well as a mass of deep puddles, entrants had to splash their way around and battle with the cold, damp conditions – and a steady drizzle.

Despite all these climatic problems, the event still attracted 163 finishers including runners from as far afield as Darlington, Keswick, Hyndburn, Eden, and Rossendale, with five elite athletes in the top-13 all claiming new PBs, and the first 11 finishers dipping under 20 minutes.

Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) was the first man home to additionally win his MV45-49 age cat in 17 minutes and 56 seconds, with Daniel Wellings 2nd overall and 2nd in the same age cat as Nic in 18.37, with Chris Yorke 3rd, and 1st in his MV50-54 cat in 18.49.

North Wales Road Runners entered eight seniors and two juniors with several members taking it steady in readiness for some half-marathons the next day, with others opting to rest.

Steve Mason led the team home in 16th place overall in 20.27, with Gethin Wyn Jones in hot pursuit and just 7 seconds adrift in 17th place, and 3rd in his MV35-39 age cat in 20.34.

Steve Roberts took it steady in 34th place, and he was 2nd in his MV55-59 cat in 24.01, with youngster Joe Culverhouse 38th in 24.29 and 2nd in his JM11-14 age cat.

Master veteran Don Hale continued his recovery from injury with an easy trot to finish 66th and 3rd in his MV65-69 cat in 26.11. Jamie Tharme, just back from holiday, and preparing for another race, jogged around in 27.38.

Dave Spofforth and his young son Ben ran together, with Ben knocking a further nine seconds off last week’s parkrun PB to set another record in 27.44, and he was 1st again in his JM10 age cat.

It turned out to a family outing for the Spofforths, with Dave’s wife Nicola and daughter Elowen making their parkrun debuts by running together.

And Elowen even matched her brother Ben’s exploits by winning her JW10 age cat in 158th place in 44.30, with mum finishing 4th in her VW35 cat in 44.32.

Meanwhile, Rachel Morris celebrated her 50th parkrun amidst a heavy marathon training schedule, but she still produced another good run in 111th place in 31.11, whilst veteran Mike Smith finished strong in 130th place in 33.52.

*This is the link to the provisional results from the Conwy Parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

Cheryl Frost 3rd in her age cat on tour of London

NWRRC athlete Cheryl Frost celebrated a great result in the London Landmarks half marathon race on Sunday with a very consistent performance to finish in 1.43.39 and claimed a worthy 3rd place in her FV55 age cat.

Special 24-hour run for Ukraine

Cybi Striders from Anglesey have arranged a special fundraising 24-hour Run for Ukraine event next Saturday morning (April 9th) at the Treborth Track, Bangor, and are now appealing to all local runners to help support the cause.

The event is open to all runners of any age or ability and starts at 9 am, and will finish at the same time on Sunday morning, with organisers confirming: “Join us for a run, jog, or walk of any distance and for any period of time to help raise money for the people of Ukraine.”