Seven first-place finishes for North Wales Road Runners at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

Award winning ultra-distance mountain runner Mark Davies continues his battle against life-threatening injuries following a hit and run accident at Llanrhos on January 28.

North Wales Road Runner Mark (48), who is currently receiving extensive medical treatment at Stoke Hospital, is also expected to have an operation on his legs this week.

A fundraising appeal launched last week by Mark’s friend Darrel Lewis on a special GoFundMe page has so far raised almost £20k.

Mark is self-employed, and Darrel explained that he was trying to raise funds for Mark’s wife Leanne and his family.
Confirmation of Mark’s accident was also mentioned at the Conwy Parkrun on February 5 by NWRRC official John Hatton, who later confirmed one could have heard a pin drop when he made the announcement.

After the event, John added he noticed about £400 had been donated and said that even walkers had asked him where they could donate.
*These are the links to their fundraising page: https://gofund.me/05407c94
 https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundraiser-for-mark-davies-and-family

Young Alfie beat senior rivals at Conwy Parkrun

Conwy Parkrun welcomed 226 mixed ability entrants to their usual Saturday morning event on February 5, which was staged in near perfect conditions.

The fair weather seemed to attract a host of both club and social runners from far afield, and yet it was a highly promising young local athlete who eventually took the plaudits with a scintillating display to finish nearly 30 seconds ahead of his nearest senior rival.

Alfie Shiland from Colwyn Bay AC enjoyed a superb run to finish 1st overall in just 18 minutes and 45 seconds to additionally win his JM11-14 age category. David Murray was 2nd in 19.12 with Will Williams from North Wales Road Runners 3rd in 19.28.

The Ladies event was won by NWRRC athlete Carla Green in 8th place in 20.08, with Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) 2nd female and 18th overall in 21.31, and she was just ahead of Ella Grundy (Colwyn Bay) 3rd female and 21st overall in 21.38.

The Road Runners turned out in force with 15 seniors and two juniors taking part and claimed 11 podium placings including seven impressive first place finishes.

Will Williams led the team home in 5th place, and he also won his MV50 age cat, whilst several club colleagues ensured a close and fast finish with Steve Gardner 7th including a new PB of 19.58 and won his MV60 cat.

Carla Green was just a few seconds behind Steve in 8th place, and she was the 1st female finisher and won her VW50 age cat in 20.08, whilst Harry Driscoll gave his club-mates a good chase to finish 9th overall and 1st in his SM20 cat in 20.17. Jamie Tharme finished 26th in 22.09, and 2nd in his MV45 cat.

Kay Hatton continued her excellent form to win her new VW60 age cat in 37th place overall in 23.12, with another improving junior runner Joe Culverhouse recording 52nd place and 3rd JM11-14 cat in 23.53, whilst running with his father Stuart.

Veteran Rob Fryer claimed his regular top spot in his MV65 cat in 24.31 in 58th place, and Gethin Wyn Jones continued his fitness comeback in 76th place in 25.45.

In addition, Dave Spofforth ran with his son Ben, and the youngster shone again by winning his JM10 age cat in 26.17 in 83rd place.

Meanwhile, master veteran Mike Hayton enjoyed another positive run finishing 95th and 2nd in his MV70 cat in 27.17, and he was just three-seconds ahead of colleague Mark Mason, 96th in 27.20, and 3rd in the same cat as Mike, with fellow veteran John O’Shea 105th in 28.20.

Mandy Owen continued to impress again and ran well in 119th place in 29.24, and she was 2nd in her VW45 cat, with Rachel Morris adding a few more miles to her marathon training plan by finishing 153rd in 32.24.
*Praise was later given to the race director, and to all the volunteers and marshals, who made this
event such a success. This is the link to the provisional results:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

Other race results:

London

NWRRC newcomer Alastair Canaway (PICTURED ABOVE) ran in the capital at the London Winter 10k and finished 50th out of 13.705 runners with a great new PB of 35.57.

Afterwards he said: “A great day out (and big PB) in London. Really well organised and a fast course, highly recommend for anyone fancying a weekend in the big smoke!”

Newborough

Ben and Sarah Ferguson made their debuts at the Newborough Forest Parkrun on Ynys Mon with both athletes claiming 1st places in their respective age categories.

Ben finished 4th overall in 21.48, and he won his MV45 cat. And Sarah was also on top form and finished as the 2nd Lady in 9th place and won her VW40 cat in 22.34.

Chester

Steve Mason was another debutant at the Chester Parkrun and finished 5th with a remarkable PB time of 18.52, and he was 2nd in his MV45 age cat.