Bumper Easter turnout at Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Most photos by John Hatton

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It proved to be another bumper Easter attendance at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday as some 435 entrants from all parts of the UK tackled the picturesque but soggy 5k riverside route to help celebrate the Bank Holiday weekend – and just missed out on setting a new attendance record.

Parkrun official Mark Jessett confirmed: “Saturday was our second highest attendance, and our highest since we restarted post-2020. Our highest attendance was at Easter in 2019. 

“Overall, across the UK, parkrun saw its highest attendances since the restart. Many parkruns in North Wales (Dolgellau, Nant y Pandy, and Nova Prestatyn, that I know of so far), set attendance records on Saturday.”

This latest event was unusually and additionally boosted by bright sunshine, and a relatively light breeze, which enhanced the unique atmosphere on this special date for both club and social runners.

And Conwy Parkrun volunteer John Hatton repeated his recent efforts to help clear many large puddles from the start area, but the route still lived up to his unenviable reputation as one of the most challenging – and wet – parkruns in the region.

North Wales Road Runners entered 15 athletes, and won three age cats, three second placings and two thirds. with Josh Keogh once again the first man back following an outstanding performance in just 17 minutes and 18 seconds, his fastest time this year, to additionally win his SM30-34 age cat.

And Will Williams continued his good form to finish 9th in 18.58, and 2nd VM50, with Steve Gardner 14th and 1st VM60 in 19.33.

Sion Thomas finished well in 37th place in 21.32, and Adam Lemalle recorded another course PB after finishing 40th in 21.39, with Steve Roberts 54th and 2nd VM55 in 22.25.

Jamie Tharme returned from his recent marathon duties in Rome to enjoy a good result in 66th place in 23.03, and newcomer Sandy Johnston, celebrated his club debut, following his recent move from the Les Croupiers, to win his master veteran’s VM70 age cat in 82nd place overall in 23.54, with fellow master Don Hale 2nd VM70 in 25.55, in 125th position.

Veteran Rob Fryer was 142nd in 26.43, and Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennell ran the course together with Sarah 175th in 28.10, and Daniel just one place and one second behind.

Hannah Griffith also ran around with a family member, and finished 184th in 28.26, and claimed the third spot in her VW50 age cat. And master veteran Mark Mason finished 3rd VM70 in 186th place in 28.31, and his result also ensured a clean-sweep of all the top-three positions in that same respective age cat, whilst Steve Mason ran with his dog Coco again as the appropriate tail walker!

*Top male and female placings: Josh Keogh (NWRRC) was the first male runner in 17.18, and he also won his SM30-34 age cat, with Hamish Morton, (Cambridge and Coleridge AC), second in 17.47, and Conor Donaghy (Sale Harriers) third in 17.56.
*The first female finisher was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers), who won her VW40 age cat in 25th place overall in 20.37. And it was good to welcome back, Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers), who was second in 21.46, in 44th place overall, and she won her SW30-34 age cat, whilst Bethan Griffiths (Cardiff AAC), won her VW35 cat in 50th place overall, as the third female, on her course debut in 22.12.

*Plaudits were also given to Colwyn Bay AC youngsters Alfie Shiland and Ella Grundy, who both finished 4th in their respective male and female categories. Alfie won his JM11-14 age cat in 18.10, and Ella also won her JW15-17 cat in 22.16.)

*Praise was given to the run director Gwyn Williams and his team of volunteers and marshalls, and this is the link to the provisional results:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

Gwyn Williams later confirmed: “We thought we’d broken our attendance record with 435 finishers. A huge number swelled by tourists from Nottingham, Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Leeds to name just a few.

“We didn’t break the record though, that still stands at 453 set at the Easter weekend in 2019. I was concerned today that we wouldn’t have enough finish tokens, our set only going up to 500, but we were fortunately well under that number.”

North Wales runners travelled to various parkruns

Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It was another very busy weekend with many club runners travelling to take part in numerous parkruns around the country.

Carla Green was the first female finisher at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn last Saturday, in 13th place overall, and 1st VW50 age cat with another excellent performance in 21.39, and just 10 seconds off her PB. This result mirrored her run the previous week at the Aberystwyth Parkrun, where she also claimed the first female title, and she was 12th overall, in 21.05.

Ben and Sarah Hudson made their course debuts at the Whinlatter Forest Parkrun near Keswick but faced mixed results on a very tough and challenging route.

Ben finished 21st overall in 25.54 and 2nd VM45 age cat, whilst Sarah was disappointed with her time after a long hard training run the previous day, and eventually came home 84th in 35.16, but claimed the 3rd spot in her VW45 cat.

After the run, Sarah confirmed: “We have just run the Whinlatter Forest parkrun. It was brutal – my slowest 5k ever! However, we did run 20 hilly miles though yesterday in my defence!”

Kelly Marie Alford and Vicky Taylor joined their friend Mandy Owen at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun, with the trio running the course together. Kelly was 207th in 32.25, with Vicky just one place and once second behind, and she shared the exact same time with Mandy.

Darren Griss and Kevin Higgins took part in the Newborough Forest Parkrun on Anglesey. With both members making their course debuts, Darren was happy with 155th place in 28.43, whilst Kevin finished 170th in 29.36.

Richard Scamans travelled to the Woodbank Memorial Park near Stockport on Saturday to make his debut in the Woodbank Parkrun, placing 42nd overall in 24.57.

Easter surprise – double Welsh selection for Will Williams and international call-ups for two other NWRRC athletes

Report by Don Hale

North Wales Road Runner Will Williams received a welcome Easter surprise this week with confirmation that he has been selected to represent Wales in two varied international distance races next month against the old enemy England.

He is now one of three top-level club athletes who have recently had their talents recognised by the sporting authorities following some consistent and outstanding performances.

Will, who has just recovered from a niggling knee injury, confirmed that he will compete in the Masters’ International 10k race at Birmingham on Sunday 5th May, and then again for the Masters’ International half-marathon at Manchester on Sunday 26th May.

Following news of his selection, based on several previously outstanding efforts in the red vest on both the road, and at cross-country events, he confirmed: “I am super-proud to have been selected to represent my country (Wales), for the two forthcoming international races against England.”

Williams’ news follows hot on the heels from last week’s announcement that his club colleague Llyr Ap-Geraint-Roberts was selected for the GB team for next year’s Duathlon Championships, following his qualification success last week in Edinburgh.

And, in addition, there was further confirmation from NWRRC M60 veteran and track colleague Steve Gardner that he is selected for the GB team after previously qualifying for this year’s European Sprint Distance Duathlon Championships at Coimbra, in Portugal on 15th June 2024.

Steve, however, has unfortunately had to decline the offer, as he is still recovering from injury, and explained he needs more time to regain full race fitness.

He said: “I feel honoured to have been selected. This was a goal of mine after returning to the sport after 25 years of inactivity. (I came 4th in 1994 world champs in Hobart), but my winter training hasn’t gone to plan, so it is with reluctance that I will have to decline the offer on this occasion.”