Bumper entry for Nick Beer 10k – and a tight finish for lead runners

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runners had eight members involved in the popular Nick Beer 10k race last Sunday.

And NWRRC celebrated with two veteran age category victories among a bumper entry of 627 club and social runners.

The event, named in honour of a former NWRRC athlete, was well organised by Always Aim High, and followed a picturesque but very challenging course, which started from Llandudno promenade and travelled around the Great Orme and back, and included more than 40 other club members acting as marshalls and willing volunteers.

Harry Driscoll was the first club runner home with an excellent run finishing in 26th place in 39 minutes and 38 seconds.

He was followed by veteran Steve Gardner who won his Over-60 age cat in 50th place in a chip time of 41.33, and Steve Roberts was back to his best in 132nd place in 48.18 and 5th Over-55, whilst master vet Barrie Wells was first Over-70 in 229th position in 52.16.

Newcomer Phillip Moss was 261st in 53.20, whilst Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennell ran together with Sarah 286th in 54.01, with Daniel was just one place and one second behind.

Rachel Morris was also pleased with her performance, which she used as part of her marathon training plan and finished well in 560th place in 1.12.09.

After the race Steve Roberts said: “When I first ran this 10km race 40-years ago, it was called the Speakeasy 10km, and it is now known as the Nick Beer 10k. I first ran it in 1984 in 41.10, and today, I ran it in 48.18, so not too bad for someone nearly 60-years young Lol.”

And Rachel Morris added: “I may run the Great Orme every week, but that was tough today with the wind pushing against me on the way up, but I enjoyed it. The marshalls were fantastic, and a great race supported by my own running club.” 

*The 10k race was won by Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) in a fast time of 33.55, and he also won his Over-40 age cat. He was one of four outstanding club athletes who pushed the pace all the way around with just 21 seconds separating the next three runners.

James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC), eventually held onto the runners-up spot, finishing 2nd overall, and winning his Open-Senior cat in 35.16. And Themis Bower (Pontypridd Roadents AC), was only eight-seconds behind James in 35.24, and he finished 2nd in the same age cat, whilst Lloyd Williams (Cybi Striders), came 4th in 35.37, and narrowly missed out on a prestigious podium place by a further nine-seconds.

Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) was the first female finisher in 41.15, and she won her F-Sen age cat, with Anna Mathew 2nd in 42.29, and Emily Pegg (Rossendale Harriers), 3rd in 45.17. The latter two runners were also 2nd and 3rd in the same age cat as Emma.

*Some other notable local results included: Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers), 7th and 1st O-50 cat winner in 36.58, and Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) 354th, and 1st O-70 cat winner in 54.07.

*This is the provisional results list from the Nick Beer 10k. https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=3990#0_3EF1B7

Parkrunners tackled waterlogged course at Conwy

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Over 200 entrants, including two-dozen North Wales Road Runners, tackled the waterlogged conditions at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday, before discussing a controversial decision taken by the organisation’s HQ this week to remove all male, female, and age category records.

The dreadful puddle-filled, muddy, and challenging 5k course took quite a beating during the previous few days, with strong winds, and torrential rain making everyone wish they had been wearing flippers, or wellies, rather than expensive training shoes.

Stuart Culverhouse led home a team of 12 NWRRC athletes home, who secured four age cat wins, and four second placings, and he finished 6th overall, and 2nd VM50 in a fast time of 20 minutes and 31 seconds.

Jamie Tharme also finished 2nd VM45 in 13th place in 21.36, and Carla Green seemed back to form again, winning her VW50 age cat as the 2nd female runner in 19th place overall in 22.52.

Adam Lemalle also continued his recent improvements in 20th place, and was just six-seconds adrift of Carla, and 2nd VM40 in 22.58.

Kay Hatton enjoyed a good run in 25th place overall, and won her VW60 age cat, as the 4th female finisher in 23.38, whilst master vet Barrie Wells topped his VM70 section in 31st place in 24.06, whilst in age contrast, youngster Joe Culverhouse was 1st JM11-14 after finishing 34th in 24.22.

Steve Mason was 36th in 24.33, and Gethin Wyn Jones continued his recovery plan in 50th place in 25.25, with vet Rob Fryer on the mend in 76th place in 27.20, and 3rd VM65.

Another master vet, Mark Mason, returned to parkrun after injury and finished 83rd in 28.11, and was 2nd VM70, with Hannah Griffith 84th and 2nd VW50 in 28.13.

*The first male finisher was Isaac Walley, who won his VM40 age cat with a new PB in 18.58, but at the time of writing, the 2nd placed finisher remained unknown, with Stephen Mills claiming the 3rd spot in 20.02, and he won his VM50 age cat.

*Rhian Roxburgh (GOG Triathlon) was the 1st female finisher, (9th overall), and she won her VW45 age cat in 20.46. Carla Green (NWRRC) finished 2nd, and she was 19th overall in 22.52, and 1st VW50, whilst Ruby Willett was 3rd with a new PB in 23.12.

*Praise was given to the run director and to all the marshals’ and volunteers. This is the link to the provisional results list: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

Other results:
NWRRC member Will Williams celebrated his first cross-country season in style this week and confirmed: “My first XC season done. I won my first Welsh vest, and first North Wales vest, and I finished second overall in my age cat. Quite a successful first season!”