Running: Conwy parkrunners on tour at Penrhyn Castle event

Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finney

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

With Conwy Parkrun out of action for about 14 weeks, a large group of over 30 members – and calling themselves Conwy on Tour – took part in the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun, with another party attending the Nova event at Prestatyn (both on Saturday, March 15).

The conditions were ideal that morning with bright sunshine and a slight nip in the air, and at Penrhyn some 300 mixed ability athletes enjoyed the challenging and hilly course, which included two large laps and two small laps of the spectacular grounds and woodlands.

One of the Conwy run directors, Gwyn Williams, who ran and helped rally the touring team commented: “Fantastic to see so many Conwy parkrunners traveling over to Penrhyn Parkrun to take part.

“Huge thanks to Steffan and his Penrhyn team for putting on a brilliant and very friendly event all under a beautiful blue sky.

“And it was nice to see a couple of Conwy regulars volunteering with Dougie Graham a familiar friendly face on the hill urging us all on (4 times), plus Michael (Pat) Finney, and others, and further congratulations to Dave Lloyd for completing his 50th at Penrhyn.”

Gwyn was also representing Colwyn Bay AC, had run this course some 14 times before, and performed exceptionally well again, finishing 38th in 21.49.

And a quartet of regular Conwy parkrunners and NWRRC members also took part, with Will Williams 12th overall, and 2nd VM50 in 19.28, with super vet Sandy Johnston 60th and 1st VM75with a superb time of 24.14, whilst master vet Don Hale made his course debut in 129th place in 27.45, and was 4th VM70 athlete, with fellow vet and debutant John O’Shea 3rd VM65 age cat in 32.23.

And a shout out too, to birthday boy John Stallard, another keen Conwy member who was at Penrhyn and finished 179th in 30.19, whilst probably the furthest traveller was Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon), who ran in the Cardiff Blackweir parkrun on Saturday and won her VW75 age cat with a new PB of 25.53.

First finisher at Penrhyn Parkrun was VM40 athlete James Smith (Leeds City), on course debut in 17 minutes and 9 seconds, with Dave Hughes 2nd in 17.25 and another debutant, Tom Battarbee, 3rd in 17.42.

Top female finisher was SW30 athlete Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders), 11th overall with a new PB of 19.27.

She was followed by Heather Osborne (21st) on her debut in 20.37, with Llio Owen 3rd (28th overall), in 21.14. There were 300 finishers.

Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshals. This a
link to the provisional results from the Penrhyn Castle parkrun:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/penrhyn/results/latestresults/

Nova Parkrun

The Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn attracted 265 runners and first overall was Tom Carter (Prestatyn RC) in 17.34, with JM15-17 teenager George Ledsham 2nd, after recording a great new PB time of 18.15, followed by Dafydd Montgomery, PB 19.30.

First female finisher was SW20 athlete Megan Lewis (Prestatyn RC), who ensured a club double in 23,57, (45th overall), with Caroline Ledsham 2nd, to celebrate a family double, with a new PB of 24.11, (48th), whilst Ceri Jones (City of Salisbury RC), claimed 3rd place in 24.47 (58th overall).

This event also attracted a number of regular Conwy parkrunners, who were also on tour, including father and son Stuart and Joe Culverhouse. Stuart finished in 6th place overall and 1st VM50 in 20.10, with JM11-14 youngster Joe running home in 10th place in 20.49 to win his own age cat.

Richard Scamans also hit good form to finish 20th with a new PB of 21.46 and he was 3rd VM50, Steve Mason was 105th in 27.45 and Tristan Owen also attended with some colleagues, and made an excellent
course debut, 18th overall in 21.37 and was 4th VM35.

This a link to the provisional results from the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/novaprestatyn/results/latestresults/

The Newborough Forest Parkrun welcomed 203 athletes, and 1st finisher overall was Robert Clarke (Salford Harriers), on his debut in 17.53, and Daniel Hughes (Red Rose RR), was 2nd in 18.25, with Paul Brooks (Stockport Harriers), 3rd on his debut in 19.30.

The 1st female athlete was Harriet Lowe (20th overall), in 22.59, with Rhian Jones 2nd (31st), in 24.01, whilst JW11-14 youngster Chloe Cattroll took the 3rd spot (32nd overall), in 24.04.

This a link to the provisional results from the Newborough Forest parkrun:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/newboroughforest/results/latestresults/

North Wales 5k track championships at Deeside

The North Wales 5km track championships will be staged at the Deeside Stadium, Coleg Cambria, on Friday 4th April (evening).

Age-categories are under 20, senior, 35-39, 40-49, 50-59,60-69 and over 70, for both men and women.

On the night, there are other non-championship races and field events: javelin, high jump and long jump.

To enter, (and the closing date is 30th March at 23:59), go to:
https://wales.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/nwend25/

Or contact: amy.edwards@welshathletics.org