RUNNING NEWS: Rescue team well supported at Trawsfynydd race

Report by Don Hale. Photos by John Hatton

Over 300 athletes tackled the challenging Trawsfynydd Multi-Terrain Race on April 13. which helped to raise essential funds for the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team.

Described by race officials as a beautiful multi terrain 8.6-mile race around Trawsfynydd Lake in the Eryri/Snowdonia National Park, this event was staged over a relatively fast course, yet it included one rather challenging hill and a mixed tarmac and trail course.

All proceeds were donated to this worthy Search and Rescue Team, which is a charity, wholly dependent on donations from the public, and is run entirely by volunteers, who are on call-out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to help those in need in the local area.

The first finisher overall was Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field), who recorded an excellent time of just 50 minutes ad 47 seconds, with Dave (Bus) Hughes (Eryri Harriers) 2nd in 51.25, and Deio Roberts was 3rd in 53.46.

Top female finisher was Alaw Beynon Evans (Les Croupiers) in 54.04, whilst Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was 2nd in 58.55, with Hannah Thomas (Maldwyn Harriers) 3rd in 59.17.

There were many notable performances amongst the 319 starters and plaudits were given to several North Wales Road Runners, including Kevin Slattery, who won his MV70 age category in 46th place in 1.06.41, and Kay Hatton, 1st FV60 in 1.12.26 in 77th place, and 13th female finisher.

The team was led home by Adam Lemalle in 1.04.19, with Sion Thomas 75th in 1.12.25, and Kevin Higgins 172nd in 1.24.10. Hannah Griffith was 151st in 1.21.49, Elizabeth Driscoll returned to racing in 176th in 1.24.23, with Vicky Taylor 178th in 1.24.49, Nia Lister 182nd in 1.25.37, and Helen Hannam 195th in 1.27.05.

*This is a link to the provisional results:
https://sssart.niftyentries.com/Results/Trawsfynydd-Multi-Terrain-2025

Half term boost by visitors at Penrhyn Parkrun

Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie, and others

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

It was another bumper entry for the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun on April 12 as some 329 mixed ability entrants from all parts of the country boosted this half term event.

On a lovely warm and sunny morning and braving a rather challenging and undulating 5k lapped course, visitor Matthew Sayers (North Herts RRC), was the first finisher on his debut in just 18 minutes and 19 seconds, with fellow debutant Matthew Jones (Ripley RC) runner-up in 18.22.

Leading female finisher was visitor Nicola Archer on her debut (7th overall), in 19.00, with Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) 2nd in a superb new PB 19.06, and 1st in SW25, whilst club colleague Gemma Moore, finished 3rd in 19.25.

North Wales Road Runners entered four members with super-vet Sandy Johnston winning his VM75 age cat in 67th place in 23.49, whilst master vet Don Hale claimed a new course PB, despite a heavy fall, in 115th place in 26.30, and was 2nd VM70.

Fellow master vet Mike Hayton enjoyed another good performance in 187th place and 3rd VM70 in 29.43, whilst Elizabeth Driscoll ran with her dog Winston, and she was 298th in 38.19.
*Other Conwy runners results at Penrhyn: Gwyn Williams 32nd in 22.08, Steve Owen 38th 22.22, Andy Brazier 71st 24.03, Simon Blain 95th 25.18, Rob Stewart 109th with a PB in 26.06, Liz Evans 121st in 26.50 and 1st VW75, John Stallard 170th in 28.50 and Alison Shepherd was 301st in 38.52.

*And I would like to add a personal footnote to thank the entire medical team and volunteers at Penrhyn who patched me up after a heavy fall near the finish, with particular praise to Dr Anna Drinkwater.

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

Newborough

Junior JM15-17 athlete William Delamere was first finisher at the Newborough Forest Parkrun in 16.50, with Jordan Cooper (Macclesfield Harriers), 2nd with a new PB in 17.30, and Alex Jago claimed the 3rd spot in 18.10.

And four JW11-14 runners also took the first four places in the female age category with Lucy Delamere 1st, (22nd overall), in 21.32, Elise Hare 2nd (30th), on her debut in 22.03, whilst Rosa Kellaway finished 3rd (34th) with a new course PB in 22.31 and Chloe Cattroll was 4th in 23.35.

Prestatyn

There were 229 entrants at the Nova Prestatyn Parkun with first finisher, visitor Richard Wortley, coming home in 18.07, with Stephen Edwards 2nd with a new PB in 18.20 and debutant Timothy Beedles taking the third spot in 18.41.

Best female finisher was Lisa Lines (Prestatyn RC) in 23.38, with Sabina Davies 2nd in 25.37 and Emily Owen 3rd in 25.38.

NWRRC members included: Stuart Culverhouse 6th with a new course PB of 19.51, with his son Joe winning his JM11-14 age cat in 12th place with a new PB of 20.32, and Steve Mason and his dog Coco completed the course in 221st place in 1.02.31.

Regional running round-up by Conwy Parkrun director Gwyn Williams

Parkrun venues attended this week included: Jesmond Dene, Nant y Pandy, Penrhyn, Hafan Pwllheli, Pont y Bala, Chasewater, Newborough Forest, Dolgellau, Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields, Dalby Forest, Greenfield Valley and Nova Prestatyn.

And away from parkruns, one group ran around the Orme, whilst the Dalzell Runners took on the gun sites route on the Orme. The Porth Eirias Runners continued their weekly meets with a group run around Llanddulas, whilst our usual car park marshal Sue Williams ran in Rhodes whilst on holiday.

Great to see so many of you running in groups, parkrun is as much about the social aspect as it is about the physical aspect so well done you all on getting out there and encouraging one another to get out and stay active.

I attended Penrhyn where there were huge numbers taking part. They recorded 329 finishers, the second highest ever attendance at Penrhyn, just shy of the record 341 that attended the event in August 2017.

As has been the case since our pause, there was a large contingent from Conwy making up the numbers.

What was particularly great to see was 7 Conwy regulars (Carla, Ann, Steph, John, Simon, Dougie and me) volunteering there. I see that both Michelle Farrell and Robert Fryer volunteered at Nova Prestatyn too, well done guys.