North Wales athletes raced ‘Magic Triangle’ for glory at Pulford 10k
Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of John Hatton
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
A large number of North Wales athletes competed within a massive entry of over 600 elite runners last Sunday at the Pulford 10k, which was a qualifying race for the European Championships.
Formerly known as the Cheshire Elite 10k, this prestigious event was staged on the legendary Pulford loop, known in running folklore as ‘The Magic Triangle,’ and is considered one of the fastest routes in the UK, and measured to World Athletics standards.
The race was a high-quality event and consequently it attracted a star-studded entry and included some of the top runners in the country, who competed against each other in order to bid for international selection.
Despite all these facts however, it is understood that although many achieved excellent finishing times, only the first four female runners actually met the required time criteria, whilst the male entry narrowly fell short of the mark.
The first finisher overall was Logan Rees (Fife AC), in just 28 minutes and 37 seconds, with Scott Stirling (Falkirk Victoria Harriers) 2nd in 28.44, and in 3rd place was Alfie Manthorpe (Hallamshire Harriers), in 28.57.
The first female athlete was Beth Potter (Victoria Park/City of Glasgow AC), 52nd overall in 31.15, whilst Verity Ockenden (Swansea Harriers) was 58th in 31.32, and Phoebe Anderson (Herne Hill Harriers), finished 77th in 32.15, and quite remarkably, she was only one second and one place ahead of Jenny Nesbitt (Pontypridd Rodents AC).
Several North Wales athletes recorded some worthy podium places, and included Matthew Clowes (Wrexham AC), who was 19th in 30.09, and he finished 2nd in his VM35 cat, whilst Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC), also had an outstanding run, and won his VM50 age cat in 33.47 in 129th place.
And Martin’s promising young club colleague Harry Driscoll celebrated a good result, finishing 217th in 36.49.
Meanwhile, Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was 35th female, 253rd overall, and claimed the 3rd spot in her FV40 age cat in 37.51.
Some other notable local results included NWRRC members Will Williams, 258th in 37.51, Richard Eccles 342nd and 2nd in his VM55 age cat, and veteran Kay Hatton, 74th female, 414th overall, and 2nd FV60 in 47.30.
Special mention to the VM80 age cat winner Emyr Davies (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners), who put in a tremendous performance finishing 423rd overall in 50.32.
Praise was later given to the race organisers, Run Cheshire, and to all the volunteers and marshalls. This is the link to the provisional race results:
https://runcheshire.niftyentries.com/Results/Pulford-10K-2025
Record breaking numbers at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun
Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Nova parkrun.
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Nova Parkrun officials celebrated another record-breaking event last Saturday as some 327 entrants took advantage of the warm March sunshine over this 5k promenade course.
The overall numbers were boosted by another large contingent from ‘Conwy on tour’ members, in addition to numerous athletes from St Asaph City Striders from their Stride to 5 challenge team, and many others from the Your Way, Your Move Against Cancer squad.
The event also welcomed 80 first timers from 33 different clubs, and they recorded 44 new PB times.
First overall was Prestatyn Running Club’s VM45 athlete Stephen Skates in just 18 minutes and 12 seconds, but it was a very close finish against runner-up Gareth Griffith, despite a new PB in 18.15, with Jacob Colin 3rd in 18.42.
Top female finisher was VM45 athlete Jackie Lee (12th overall) in 21.07, followed by Laura Turley with a PB in 21.42, and Kayleigh Williams (45th), with another PB in 24.25.
Five members of NWRRC also took part, including some debutants, and Stuart Culverhouse ran with his daughter Sophia. Stuart was 7th overall in 20.07, and he won his VM50 age cat, with Sophia 118th, and she finished 2nd JW15.17 in 29.20.
Harry Driscoll finished 30th in 22.56, whilst his mother Elizabeth completed with the family dog Winston in 204th place in 34.02, and master vet Don Hale was 74th on his Nova debut in 26.33, and 2nd in his VM70 age cat.
After the parkun, the Nova run director thanked the 23 volunteers and marshalls who were on duty, and appealed for some extra support over the coming months and confirmed: “With the recent increase in numbers at our event, which is likely to continue for a few months, while Conwy Parkrun is unavailable, there may be a need to make a few ‘tweaks’ to try and make sure everything continues to run smoothly. This may include the need for a couple of extra volunteers each week so please get in touch if you would like to help us to keep making the parkrun magic happen.”
Plaudits were given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls. This a
link to the provisional results from the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/novaprestatyn/results/latestresults/
OTHER RESULTS:
*Penrhyn Castle parkrun: The Penrhyn Castle parkrun provided another welcome venue for 254 mixed ability athletes on Saturday, and with conditions excellent, many people also claimed new personal best times.
Course debutant VM35 athlete Nick Stobbs was the 1st finisher in a fast time of 17.16, and Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field) was 2nd in 17.42, with talented JM15-17 youngster Alfie Shiland (Colwyn Bay) was 3rd (14th overall) in 17.54.
For the ladies, SW20 athlete Llio Owen was the 1st female finisher in 21.24, followed by Paula Moure-Blanco (21st) with a new PB in 22.27, and young JW11 runner Holly Worth claimed the 3rd spot (24th) with a superb time of 22.34.
A trio of NWRRC members took part along with many other club and social runners, with Richard Scamans finishing 33rd in 23.27, with his second-best time at Penrhyn, and was 3rd iVM50, whilst super-vet Sandy Johnston won his VVM75 cat in 24.05 and VM65 John O’Shea claimed a new course PB in 32.07.
*Newborough Forest parkrun: Over 200 athletes enjoyed the picturesque setting at the Newborough Forest parkrun with Joe Worthington (Ackworth Road Runners), the 1st finisher in 20.12, with debutant Romeo Ciotec (North Norfolk Beach Runners), 2nd in 20.43, and Alex Hodkinson (Bolton Metro Tri Club), was 3rd, with a new PB in 20.56.
Enlli Parry (CDF Runners) was the 1st female finisher (11th overall), with a new PB in 22.19, with Harriet Lowe (18th), 2nd in 23.34, and JW11-14, Chloe Cattroll was 3rd, (20th) in 23.45.