Medals galore for North Wales Road Runners at Colwyn Bay Metric races

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Lesley Goodson

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Nearly 300 mixed ability and top club runners took part in the challenging Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon, and Metric Half Marathon races, run together last Sunday in cool and very breezy conditions.

Well-organised by RunWales, and widely supported by numerous volunteers and marshalls, including a generous number from Porth Eirias Runners, entrants had to battle very strong and blustery headwinds on the re-routed four-mile outward course towards Penrhyn Bay from the start on the running track at the Eirias Park Stadium.

The Metric half-marathon (13.1 kms/8.13 miles) attracted 87 runners including five North Wales Road Runners, who collected three prestigious age category wins, and one second place, in addition to recording new course PB times.

Veteran Rob Fryer led the team home with a strong and determined performance to win his M65-69 age cat as the 17th male (21st overall), in 1 hr 11 minutes and 19 seconds.

Master vet Don Hale also won his M70-74 cat as the 18th male (23rd), in 1.13.00, which was his longest run for over four years, and confirmed a surprise age cat double, following his win at Conwy Parkrun the previous day; and Carol Moss confirmed a welcome hat-trick of age cat victories at Colwyn Bay, after deservedly winning her own W55-59 cat as the 12th female athlete (41st), in 1.18.15.

Master vet, Mike Hayton also enjoyed another good run finishing as the 37th male (57th), in 1.24.52, and he was 2nd in his M70-74 cat, and Rachel Morris finished as the 40th female (81st overall) in 1.40.

Twelve NWRRC members competed in the Metric Marathon (26.2 kms/16.3 miles), and celebrated four age cat wins, two second places, and one third.

Steve Mason was 3rd place overall in 1.48.21, and he also won his M45-49 age cat, with Iwan Evans 7th, and 2nd in the same cat as Steve in 1.50.29.

Newcomer Michael Roberts was the 9th male athlete (10th overall) in 1.53.13, and he won his M55-59 age cat, with Mal Preece 17th (21st), and 1st M60-64 in 2.03.25, and Ben Hudson also enjoyed a good result after finishing 19th (24th), and 3rd M45-49 in 2.04.19.

Veteran Kevin Slattery was 2nd M65-69 and 23rd male (29th) in 2.07.06, and Sarah Ferguson Hudson ran well as the 10th female athlete (39th), in 2.09.21, and 4th W45-49.

David Jones was the 32nd male, (43rd overall), in 2.11.34, with Cheryl Frost 14th female (53rd) in 2.15.10, and 1st W55-59.

Another newcomer Philip Moss was the 72nd male runner (112th) in 2.38.66, whilst Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennel ran together, with Sarah 52nd female (131st), in 2.46.13, with Daniel just one place, and one second behind.

*The Metric half-marathon was won by Daniel Williams (Abergele Harriers) in 52.28, with Nick Houghton (Cybi Striders) second in 55.05, and Shane Jones (Hebog Runners) third in 56.04. The first female athlete was Katie Baldwin (Beaumaris Town Runners) in 1.01.33, and Eleanor Francis (Buckley) finished second in 1.02.55, with Sue O’Brien (Widnes RC) third in 1.06.32.
*The Metric Marathon was won by Matthew Crehan (St Helens/Sutton AC), in 1.29.27, with Paul Tatler (City of Stoke), second in 1.33.25, and Steve Mason (NWRRC) third in 1.48.21. The first female was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) in 1.48.39, and Lizzie Slater (Nantwich), finished second in 1.58.38, whilst Catherine Jones (Denbigh), claimed the third place in 1.59.56.

Other race results

Malta

Stuart Culverhouse competed in the Valetta Half Marathon last Sunday, and he clocked a very good time of 1 hr 36 minutes. Afterwards he said: “My first race abroad but not my quickest, but it was never going to be. I have had calf niggles for a while, plus it was so hot out there, but a great experience.”

Cheshire

Will Williams took part in the Cheshire Elite 10k race on Sunday. Unfortunately, he was not at his best due to a chest infection but bravely continued after a brief stop, and eventually he finished in 211th place in 41.39.

Newborough

Sion Thomas ran well at the Newborough Forest Parkrun and he finished 7th overall in 21.40, and he won his VM40 age cat.

Prestatyn

Tony Price Jones made his debut at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun last Saturday and won his VM40 age cat with a strong performance, finishing 8th in 22.40.

Fast times at Conwy Parkrun despite cold and blustery conditions

Report by Don Hale

Despite a bitterly cold day, and a strong blustery wind, nearly 200 entrants still braved the elements and recorded some fast times over the challenging but relatively dry 5k course at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday morning.

The event once again attracted a large number of visiting club and social runners from across the UK and Ireland, as part of an early Easter break, and plaudits were again handed to NWRRC member and parkrun volunteer John Hatton, for his sterling efforts to again help to improve part of the start area.

GOG Triathlete Simon Cole was the first runner home with an impressive time of just 17 minutes and 35 seconds to additionally win his VM40 age cat, and at the time of writing, the second placed runner remained unknown, but visitor Paul McKenna (Bray Runners), marked his course debut with another good time of 18.33, and he won his VM35 cat.

Nat Van Hessing was the first female finisher in 30th place overall in 24.27, with visitor Caoime De Frein second (45th overall), on her course debut in 25.40, and talented local youngster Lucy Parsley finished well as the third female (47th overall), in 25.55.

North Wales Road Runners entered 13 members, and collected three age cat victories, plus three second, and one third age cat placing.

Adam Lemalle was first NWRRC man back in 21.54, in 15th place, and he was 2nd in his VM40 cat, with Stuart Culverhouse 21st overall, and 2nd VM50 23.42.

Master veteran Don Hale won his MV70 age cat after finishing 46th in 25.41, and Richard Scamans was 53rd in 26.30. Veteran Rob Fryer enjoyed a steady run in 58th place and 3rd MV65 in 27.02.

Hannah Griffith and Elizabeth Driscoll ran the course together, with Hannah finishing in 65th place, and 2nd VW50 in 27.25, whilst Elizabeth won her VW55 cat, and she was just one place and one-second behind Hannah.

Kelly Marie Alford and Gethin Wyn Jones also ran around together, with Kelly 84th in 28.43, with Gethin again, just one place and one-second adrift, and it was good to see master veteran Mark Mason heading back to fitness again, with a determined run in 87th place in 29.45 and 2nd MV70.

Veteran John O’Shea also enjoyed a good work-out after finishing 106th in 30.25, with Helen Hannam 112th overall, but she won her VW45 age cat in 30.47, and Steve Mason was a tail walker volunteer again this week, finishing 190th in 47.58.

*Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshall’s on such a cold and windy day.