Runners beat the weather and water restrictions in Twin Piers 10k

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Nearly 400 athletes took part in the ever-popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race despite the cold weather, a cool headwind, and a massive water shortage, with severe restrictions affecting over 40,000 Conwy area residents.

With no water available throughout the area, and many shops and businesses closed due to no loos, cafés, or any available washing facilities, race organisers from Colwyn Bay AC worked miracles to ensure the event went ahead as planned with extra portable loos provided at the start and finish, to cater for the runners, with many travelling from all parts of the UK.

The event included the North Wales 10k championships, and it was run from Llandudno Pier to Colwyn Bay promenade, over a challenging coastal route, and much deserved praise was given to the race director Russell Godwin, from Grand Prix Express, referee Bernie Jones, Paul Brooks, and Kay Hatton from NWRAC, and MC John Hatton, plus all the volunteers and marshalls, for their Herculean efforts in ensuring the race went ahead.

North Wales Road Runners entered t27 members and claimed six championship medals including four gold, one silver, and one bronze, plus seven podium places in the general race, with four age category wins.

Jonathan Kettle led the team home in 16th place in 36.36, and he was 2nd in his M50 age cat. He was followed by track star Steve Gardner 32nd in 39.08 and 1st M60, whilst Will Williams placed 39th in 39.46, and Iwan Evans 40th in 39.54.

Benjamin Brummit enjoyed a fine race in 40.22 in 48th place, with Stuart Culverhouse 56th in 41.24, and Adam Lemalle claimed a new PB in 77th place in 43.50, Steve Bozier just two places and two seconds behind.

Sion Thomas ran well in 85th place in 44.26, and Steve Roberts was 97th, and 2nd in his M60 cat in 45.45.

Meanwhile, master vet Kevin Slattery was the pick of the team following a superb performance in 102nd place in 46,11, and he won his M70 age cat.

Karl Morris was 109th in 46.54, Richard Scamans 118th in 47.30 and Dave Jones managed to shake off a virus to finish in 126th place in 48.17, closely followed by veteran Cheryl Frost who deservedly won her F55 age cat in 48.22, whilst fellow vet Kay Hatton had to settle for 3rd F60 in 49.24.

Karen Butlerm another talented female veteran athlete, was 157th, and she won her F65 age cat in 50.55 with Daniel Hennell 159th in 51.08, and welcome club returnee Lesley Goodson was 160th place in 51.22, and 4th W60, with Jamie Tharme 186th in 54.15.

Master vet Don Hale returned to racing, and was pleased with 56.57 in 209th place, Gwen Charlton took 210th position in 57.04, Helen Hannam 211th in 57.25, and Vicky Taylor 226th in 59.51.

Fellow master vets Mike Hayton and Mark Mason also enjoyed good runs, with Mike 247th in 62 minutes, and Mark 265th in 64.56, with Rachel Morris 300th in 76.14.

North Wales 10k championship results for NWRRC members: GOLD: Cheryl Frost F55, Karen Butler F65, Steve Gardner M60 and Kevin Slattery M70. SILVER: Jonathan Kettle M50. BRONZE: Kay Hatton F60.

Two dual registered athletes for Meirionnydd RC and NWRRC, also ran well in the 10k, with Martin Green finishing 9th overall, and he won his MV50 age cat in 34.55, whilst young Harry Driscoll was 29th in 38.08.

The first finisher overall at the 10k was Josh Griffiths (Swansea Harriers) in 31.58, with Ben Makin (Blackburn Harriers), 2nd in 33.37, with Mark Gittins (Helsby) 3rd in 34.18.

The 1st female finisher was Eden O’Dea, 22nd overall, (Deeside AC) in 37.36, with her club colleague Mia Roberts 2nd (25th overall), in 34.18, and Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) 3rd (31st overall), in 38.41.

Plaudits were also given to Colwyn Bay AC youngster Josh Mottram, who finished in 71st place overall, at the Twin Piers 10k race, and he also won his age cat victory as the 1st U20 finisher in 43.36. Josh is a very talented and popular athlete who regular participates at the Conwy Parkrun, along with his club mate, personal assistant, and support worker Ian Taylor, who ran with him in the 10k, with Ian recording a good time of 46.20 in 103rd place.

This is a link to the provisional results from the Twin Piers 10k
https://niftyentries.com/Results/Arthur-Bebbington-Twin-Piers-10k-
2025?ResultSetupId=3a5638ad-5d26-4cc0-8bb0-4a1f0dea1479

PRESTATYN

Veteran Alan Davies made his debut at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in a time of 29.49 and he was 4th in his VM65 age cat.