Charity boost with Bridge back at Anglesey Half-Marathon and 10k races
Report by Don Hale. Anglesey photos by John Hatton
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Nearly 1,400 runners were finally able to take part in either the Jones O Gymru Anglesey Half Marathon, or the optional 10k races over the famous Menai Suspension Bridge, which was included within the route once again for the first time in several years due to essential maintenance work on this iconic attraction.
Tagged by event organisers Always Aim High as the most beautiful half marathon in North Wales, much of the course offered spectacular views across Eryri (Snowdonia) National Park and attracted both club and social runners from all over Wales and the UK.
The race also supported Alder Hey Children’s Charity which cares for 450,000 babies, children and young people annually, including over 3,257 brave children from North Wales who needed expert care last year.
The overall 10K race winner was Owen Roberts (Meirionnydd RC), with a chip time of 31 minutes and 33 seconds, with club colleague Ben Harding 2nd in 32.55 and Stephen Campbell (Liverpool Harriers) 3rd in 33.20. There were 570 finishers.
The first female athlete was Katie Reynolds in 39.13, with Cara Bird (Cybi Striders) 2nd in 42.54 and Mari Griffith 3rd in 45.28.
In the half-marathon race, Jonathan Morris (Wolverhampton & Bilston) was the overall winner with an excellent time of 1.10.31, with James Brown (Prestwich AC) 2nd in 1.14.04, and David Morris 3rd in 1.14.56. There were 796 finishers.
First female athlete in the half-marathon was Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in 1.26.13, and Jenna Seddon finished 2nd in 1.29.59, with Carla Green (NWRRC) 3rd in 1.31.48.
The event also included the Dragons Dash Kids 1.3- mile race, for kids.
*This is a link to the provisional results from both the 10k and half-marathon races:
https://my.raceresult.com/325060/results
Winner Gavin Roberts broke V40 record at Dolgarrog Pipe Dream
Report courtesy of race official Craig Jones
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Last Saturday (St David’s Day, March 1st) saw the completion of the challenging 21st Dolgarrog Pipe Dream fell race, and the first counter of the North Wales Series.
It was a record turnout, with 139 runners in total. The weather was perfect, with sunny skies and no wind, and a course that was ideal underfoot.
Gavin Roberts (Calder Valley) won overall, breaking the V40 record, taking 44 seconds off the mark set by Math Roberts last year. Placed third overall by the top of the steps, Gavin overhauled the front two to take the lead and the win.
Kieran Wynne-Cattanach was 2nd in 34.05, with Rhys Jones (Hebog) 3rd in 34.31.
The ladies race was won by Ruth Calcraft (Run Free Fell Runners), in 40.37, not too far ahead of second placed previous British champion Bronwen Jenkinson in 41.10.
Thanks to all who took part, and most importantly the marshals on the hill and in the village, without whom the race couldn’t go ahead. A healthy contribution was made to the funding of the community centre.
*This is a link to the provisional results:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10164172666327891&set=g.1980265982071801
Bright and sunny on St David’s Day for penultimate Conwy Parkrun
Report by Don Hale. Parkrun photos courtesy of Bethan Wyn Roberts
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
It was a beautifully sunny morning at Conwy Parkrun last Saturday for St David’s Day as 246 athletes, with some in fancy dress, took part in the penultimate event – at least for the time being – over this picturesque 5k course.
Extensive construction work is now expected to commence from 8th March onwards, and for a period of about 14-weeks which will temporarily impact on part of the existing parkrun and riverside route, from near the RSPB Nature Reserve to the Conwy Cob access bridge.
An alternative course is currently under consideration for this outstanding period, but meanwhile, and until any other details are confirmed, entrants from many parts of the country made the most of the half-term break to enjoy a pleasant run in the sun.
The t-shirts of runners from York, Cardiff, Brighton, Stoke, Droitwich, Salisbury and Shropshire, as well as many others, including representatives from local clubs and running groups, were prominent, with many also recording personal best times (PBs), over a relatively dry surface.
Run Director Bethan Wyn Roberts later said: “Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus I bawb. Thanks to everyone who acknowledged our patron saint this morning, and I couldn’t resist a quick photo of Dougie Graham, the Draig Goch!
“Congratulations also to Siobhan on her 50th Parkrun, and to a very smart Rhys Pugh, who celebrated his 100th Parkrun wearing a suit from PromAlly, a social enterprise that gives formal wear to young people who are financially struggling. You are all heroes, but as always, the superheroes were wearing high viz.”
The 1st finisher overall was VM35 athlete Alistair Canaway with a new PB of 17 minutes and 38 seconds, with SM20 Lewis Hall 2nd with a PB of 18.37. The 3rd place remained unknown at the time of writing, but SM20 Harry Driscoll (NWRRC) claimed 4th spot in 19.06.
For the ladies, SW18 teenager Olivia Jones was the 1st female finisher (5th overall), with a PB of 19.56, and she was followed by JW11-14 junior Catrin Evans in 21.53 (15th overall), and SW20 athlete Amelia Anderson (Tristars Conwy), who was 17th overall, with a PB of 22.05.
Plaudits were given to the run director Bethan Wyn Roberts, MC John Hatton, and to all
the many volunteers and marshalls. This is a link to the provisional results:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/
Other local parkrun results
Nova Prestatyn: 1st Michael Scott 18.22, 2nd Sam Ashton (18.37), 3rd Dafydd Montgomery 19.37. The first three female athletes were: (9th overall) Eve Manifold 21.50 (29th) Jane McDonell 25.12 and (30th) Christine Wyn Jones (Deeside AC) 25.23.
Penrhyn Castle: 1st Jonathan Tyler (Betsi Runaways) 18.19, 2nd Luke Squirrel (Petts Woodland Runners) 18.40, and 3rd Nicolas Seguin 19.37. The first three female athletes were: Clare Carr (21st overall), 23.24, Nea Weston (26th) 24.15, and Charlotte Welch (33rd) 24.45.
Newborough Forest: 1st Elliot Taylor (Western Tempo) 17.52, 2nd Ellin Haf (Eryri Harriers), who was also the 1st female finisher in 18,52, and 3rd was Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) in 19.12. The second and third places female athletes included: Ishbel Holt (23rd overall) 24.24 and Anna Hume (24th) in 24.31.