Running coaches led group on Christmas dash around Great Orme

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Popular athletics coaches Jonathan Kettle and Tony Price-Jones, who organise a regular weekly training session on Llandudno promenade, opted to swap their evening programme for a special Christmas social dash around the Great Orme.

This festive event attracted dozens of running enthusiasts, mainly from Dalzell Runners, together with mixed members from North Wales Road Runners, GOG Triathlon and several other running groups, and/or individuals,

It was understood that most runners completed two challenging laps of the Orme, aided by essential head-torches to record a distance of about 11k.

After the event, Jonathan and Tony received numerous generous plaudits from the runners for their dedicated efforts throughout the year. Jonathan later said: “Running is about people, friendships, support, fitness and sport! Personally it’s never about a job or money, so on behalf of myself and Tony, we would like to thank every single runner that has been to just 1 session or 52 sessions this year.

“We absolutely love our Wednesday evenings seeing you all put the effort in but also in such a supportive and friendly way to us, as well as every runner there. We are supper proud to have this group of such wonderful people.”

Tony added: “I would like to add to what Jonathan mentioned. What you all have done is just amazing, and I can’t thank you all enough. The chats we have had over how far each and every one has come on this year is amazing and makes us feel so proud. What a lovely run around the Orme this evening, so thank you all for making it a great run. Thank you all so-so much. Merry Christmas.”

Road Runners made generous donations to Ty Hapus Foodbank

NW Road Runners Martin Green and Carla Green visited Ty Hapus, a popular local foodbank last week, to deliver some generous donations on behalf of NWRRC members following their Christmas handicap race.

After the event, members donated a variety of essential food items to this popular and essential local foodbank, and Martin confirmed: “Another donation gratefully received by Ty Hapus Community Resource Centre & Foodbank from North Wales Road Runners Club after our annual festive handicap race.

“A huge thanks to all who donated, and also a big thank you for all the volunteers at Ty Hapus for their invaluable help for the community.”

Track record and ranking confirmed for Steve following 800m race

Following a tremendous performance this summer during the Welsh Masters Athletics Track and Field Championships held at Yate, near Bristol, North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner (pictured above) has just had his record and 2023 ranking confirmed for the 800m event.

Steve, a veteran track, and road runner, who has already set several other recent track records, including the 60m dash earlier this month at the North Wales Open event at Connah’s Quay, recorded an excellent time of just 2 minutes 27.48 seconds in the 800m, and this week he received a special commemorative certificate from WMAL official and fellow track athlete Chris Pruski.

Steve later said: “I couldn’t see my name in this season’s Welsh rankings, so it was a lovely surprise to find out that my time was faster than the previous Welsh 800m record.”

Chris Pruski told Steve: “On behalf of Welsh Masters Athletics Limited, congratulations on setting a new M60 800m record performance of 2m27.48 seconds. Well done, and please accept a special certificate in recognition of your achievement.”

Bumper festive turn-out at a very wild and windy Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

It was another bumper turnout at Conwy Parkrun on December 23 for the ever-popular Christmas event with nearly 300 club and social runners braving the wild and windy conditions over this challenging 5k course.

And it turned out to be a dash with a blast for two top young guns who battled for honours with just five-seconds separating 1st and 2nd places. Students Morgan Kendall and Bryn Woodall, who are both back home again in North Wales for the festive break, raced neck and neck throughout, with a near photo-finish on stand-by!

Morgan (Durham University Harriers AC) eventually took the 1st finisher place overall in 17 minutes and 15 seconds, and won his SM20 age cat, with Bryn (Colwyn Bay AC), a very close 2nd in 17.20, and he was 2nd in the same age category as Morgan, with veteran Simon Cole also celebrating a very fast finishing time in 3rd place in 17.30 and he won his VM40 cat.

North Wales Road Runners only entered 12 members this week due to other commitments and with several people recovering from festive parties, illness, or injury.

Will Williams was the first club man home in 10th place overall, and he was 2nd in his MV50 age cat, with Mark Jessett 3rd in his VM35 cat in 20.03. Steve Mason was 18th, and he was 2nd in his VM45 cat in 21.11.

Jamie Tharme finished 39th in 23.03, whilst Carla Green won her VW50 age cat, in 51st place overall in 23.53, and Daniel Hennell was 62nd in 24.22. Newcomer Sye Channer ran home in 82nd place in 25.28.

Veteran Tony Gibson was 98th in 26.27, with Ceri Jones 139th in 29.11, and another male veteran John O’Shea finished in 158th place in 30.10. Gwennan Charlton and her son Edward ran together in 160th place, in 30.17; meanwhile, Hannah Griffith completed the course in festive attire in 167th spot with Stef and Fred in 30.58, and Rachel Morris ran her 99th parkrun in 209th place in 34.42.

*Plaudits were also handed to Ian Slattery, the son of the NWRRC chairman Kevin, who ran at Conwy during his festive visit and finished 9th overall in 19.01, and he was 2nd in his VM35 age cat

*Conwy run director Bethan Wyn Roberts praised the support for this colourful festive event and confirmed: “Thank you to everyone who turned up to run at Conwy Parkrun this morning. It was a blustery one! And congratulations to some individuals after reaching hugely impressive milestones this morning: Saxon Ridley 100th, Roy Worden 150th, and Keith Tubman 200th.
“As always, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who braved the conditions to allow the magic to happen yet again.”

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