Friends turn out in force at event in memory of popular runner John Dalzell

About 60 people attended a special tribute and social 5k run/walk on Llandudno Promenade in memory of a popular North Wales Road Runner John Dalzell, who tragically lost his life last month.

John was a well-known ultra-distance athlete and a regular parkrunner at Conwy, who always had time for people, and often gave loads of encouragement to fellow runners before, during, and after any events.

This special commemorative 5k was arranged by club colleagues and close friends and associates of John, with Jonathan Kettle and Tony Price Jones, attracting plenty of supporters from numerous clubs and organisations that he was previously associated with, including a series of sprint sessions on the prom each Wednesday night, organised by this coaching duo.

After the run, Jonathan Kettle confirmed: “Thank you so much to all that attended John’s Memorial 5km this evening. It was amazing to see 56 runners there from Dalzell Runners, North Wales Road Runners Club, GOG Triathlon Club, Black Cloak Runners and CXF Wellbeing.

“If we can take just one thing away to remember it has to be it’s okay not to be okay, and please talk if you need to. We also raised £250 for MATES support group. Gone but never forgotten!”

Club colleague Rachel Morris added: “Thanks to Jonathan and Tony for organising such a great event. It was great to see so many people from different clubs come together in remembering John tonight at Dalzell Runners. Jonathan and Tony organised the social 5k run in memory of Jon Doe.

“What an amazing turn out, and it was great to see so many runners from different running clubs in the area come together to run and remember John.”

And Helen Hannam, who runs for both NWRRC and Dalzell Runners, said: “A great turnout for an amazing man, gone too soon, but one who will never be forgotten. Please talk if you need to.

“It’s OK to not be OK. This was my first 5k run since my illness, my time was 34.28.”

*A further tribute was paid to the late John Dalzell at his favourite parkrun at Conwy on September 30 by NWRRC member and parkrun MC John Hatton.

He told over 200 starters about the sad loss of a parkrun friend, and a regular runner on this 5k course, and said this week’s event was to be run in memory of John Dalzell, with the news commemorated by spontaneous applause.

Other race results

Llandudno: Gwennan Charlton took part in the Triathlon on Llandudno Promenade and around the Great Orme on October 1, but she seemed slightly disappointed with her swim result after a slight mishap.

She said: “I took a wrong turn in the swim and probably added an extra 100-200m. It really threw me off! When it came to the bike, I had nothing left in the tank for loop 1, after that mare of a swim.”

Gwennan should not be too hard on herself, as her results looked quite promising despite an unfortunate mishap, including: – 750m swim in 25 minutes 37 seconds, T1 2.51, 16.95K bike ride 60.00, T2 0.58, 5k run in 30 minutes 52 seconds.

Cardiff: Kelly Marie Alford and Cai Roberts competed in the packed Cardiff Half Marathon and finished in 2.03.31.

Penrhyn: Three NWRRC members ran in the recent Penrhyn Castle Parkrun and celebrated a unique hat-trick of wins in each of their respective age categories.

Will Evans made his debut on this picturesque course and finished 7th overall in 19.59, and he won his MV40 age cat. Stuart Culverhouse and his son Joe Culverhouse also enjoyed equal success, with Stuart finishing 9th with a new PB of 20.17, and 1st MV50 cat, whilst Joe topped the JM11-14 in 36th place in 23.51.

Jonathan Kettle took plaudits after close finish at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runner Jonathan Kettle was the first runner home at Conwy Parkrun on September 30 but was made to battle all the way around this challenging 5k course by rival Matthew Baker, who finished just 9 seconds behind.

The NWRRC athlete recorded a good time 17 minutes 36 seconds to win his MV45 cat, with Matthew 2nd overall in 17.45 and 1st MV35. Aled Hughes was third in 18.18.

After the event, Jonathan confirmed: “It was a close run until the bridge when I thought I would push the effort a bit, and he couldn’t hang on, so I just cruised home off the bridge. All good fun when it’s a bit of a battle.”

Lisa Davies was first female finisher home on her course debut in 22.10, and she also won her VW50 age cat in 20th place overall, with fellow debutant Holly Corlett (CDF Runners), 2nd in 32nd place overall in 23.01 and 1st SW30. Third was Lizzie Irvine (GOG Triathlon), 33rd overall in 23.02 and 1st VW35.

Jonathan Kettle led a team of 16 club members, and they celebrated by claiming three age cat victories, three second, and two third places.

Steve Mason ran well in 5th place, and was 2nd MV45 in 19.26, with Karl Morris 19th in 21.55, and 3rd MV40

David Jones came 24th overall and 3rd MV50 in 22.31, with Adam Lemalle 28th in 22.46.

Meanwhile, Kay Hatton topped her VW60 age cat in 23.45 in 41st place overall, and 4th female athlete.

Newcomer Daniel Hennell recorded a promising course PB on his club debut finishing in 47th place in 24.13, and master veteran Don Hale improved on last week’s season’s best time to again win his MV70 age cat in 81st place in 26.16.

Lesley Goodson made a welcome return to parkrun, finishing 83rd and 2nd VW55 in 26.41.

Master veteran Mark Mason was another returnee after injury, and he finished 85th in 26.44 and 2nd MV70 cat, whilst veteran John O’Shea collected a new PB in 99th place in 27.18. Carol Moss made her club debut, placing 112th in 28.20.

Gethin Wyn Jones ran home in 115th place in 28.30, and Rachel Morris clocked her best parkrun time this year finishing in 146th place in 30.26, and veteran Mike Smith posted an improved 32.53 in 168th, whilst fellow vet Rob Fryer struggled back in 178th place in 33.56.

A delighted Rachel Morris later said: “My best parkrun time this year, and I keep chipping away and getting closer to that new PB.”

*Praise was again awarded to the Conwy run director and their hardworking team of volunteers and marshals. This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/