Harry Driscoll leads Road Runners home at recent Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

There was another bumper turn-out at Conwy Parkrun on November 2 as a host of visitors enjoyed the mild conditions and the picturesque 5k riverside course at the RSPB Nature Reserve.

Harry Driscoll led home a team of just nine North Wales Road Runners due to members recovering from illness, injuries, other fixtures, or from the previous week’s Marathon Eryri.

He finished 12th overall out of 366 entrants, and he was 2nd in his SM20 age cat in 20 minutes and 16 seconds. Sion Thomas was 78th in 24.30, whilst Richard Scamans finished in 82nd place in 24.37.

Steve Bozier had an easy recovery run in 27.33 in 151st place, and Gwen Charlton was 163rd and claimed a new PB in 28.02, whilst partially sighted athlete Daniel Owens was pleased with his assisted performance, this time aided by Iain Burgess, finishing in 110th place in 25.32.

Master vet Mark Mason finished 197th, and 2nd VM70 cat in 29.36, with veteran John O’Shea 214th in 30.25, and Elizabeth Driscoll 248th and 4th VW55 cat in 32.12.

*The 1st finisher overall at Conwy was SM18 athlete Cai Curtis-Roberts in 17.21, with SM 30 Andrew Patterson (Blaydon Harriers & AC), 2nd on his debut in 18.39, and VM35 Lewis Jones was 3rd with a new PB in 18.46. *For the ladies, the 1st female finisher (26th overall), was SW25 athlete Nicola Hassoon on her debut in 21.36, with Becky Sleuth (Newcastle University Tri Club), 2nd in 21.58, and Melissa Ward-Williams (Cybi Striders) 3rd in 22.05.

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

Other results

Prestatyn: Steve Gardner won his VM60 age cat on debut at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn after finishing 3rd overall in 19.29.
Penrhyn: Master veteran Sandy Johnston finished in 47th place overall at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun and won his VM75 age cat in 23.43.
Sheffield: Daniel Hennell celebrated after claiming a course PB of 23.05 on his debut at the Rother Valley Country Park Parkrun, near Sheffield after finishing in 63rd place.
Burnage: Steve Mason won his VM50 cat at the Varley Park Parkrun at Burnage, near Stockport, on his debut in 20.34 in 13th place overall.
Keswick: Ben Hudson finished 48th at the Keswick Railway Path Parkrun in 22.11.

Llandudno Santa Dash

Another popular event that seems to be selling out fast is the annual Llandudno Santa Dash along the pier and promenade on Saturday 30th November.

Entrants can either run, walk, or dash along this 5k course in their special Santa costumes which are provided as part of the event. It is a true family occasion with hundr3eds of participants, and even dogs are welcomed. It will also help to raise many thousands of pounds for local charities.

*Anyone wishing to enter is being encouraged to hurry with full details available on the organisers – Bespoke Fitness & Events – Facebook page.

North Wales Cross Country League returns to Aberystwyth after 30 years!

Report by Bernie Jones

It’s 30 years since the North Wales Cross Country League last visited Aberystwyth, but the town was then a regular host in the 1970’s and 1980’s, with Colin Jones (Eryri) and Lyn Maddison (Colwyn Bay) being the previous winners.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday 30th November, and course is predominantly playing fields, although there is a technical area in the woods with a few bumps and twists! It is likely that the course will take spikes or studs and if dry you might even get away with road shoes!

Individuals bringing club gazebos will be able to gain access to the small car park adjacent to the course, but it is very limited so please limit it to those with gazebos. 

There are toilets and changing facilities on site, and it is hoped that a catering van will also be available. There is also a McDonald’s and Morrison’s supermarket 100 metres away.

*Entries are now open for the North Wales Cross Country Championships, which will take place at Treborth Track, Bangor on SATURDAY 4th JANUARY 2025.