Llyr competes well for GB at European Duathlon Championships

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

North Wales Road Runner Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts competed for Great Britain last Saturday in the European Triathlon Duathlon championships in Poland.

Llyr performed extremely well, yet returned home slightly disappointed despite a brave effort, where he finished in the top 10 in his respective age category and recorded his quickest time ever in both the running and cycling events,

The prestigious bi-annual championships were held this year in Rumia, Poland, and attracted about 500 top athletes from across the continent to this popular location, which the organisers say has a rich tradition of staging major Triathlon and Duathlon championships.

After returning home, Llyr confirmed: “This was the European Duathlon Championships, and I participated in the Sprint event with a 5k run followed by a 20k bike race, and then another 2.5k run.

“I was in the second group after my first run, then it stayed as it was. The bike race was quick, as it was flat, and at some points, we were travelling at over 45 kph, which is very fast for a Duathlon.

“I was in the 50-54 age group race, where I came 7th and completed my events in a time of 1 hour 1 minute and 50 seconds.

“Overall, I was happy with my performance, which was my quickest time ever, but in the last part of the race, I didn’t hit the run hard enough. I should have, but still happy with an improvement in my placings from two-years ago, so I’ll take that!”

Musician Sandy hit the right note in Wrexham 10k

Talented musician Sandy Johnston (pictured above) hit the right note at the challenging Wrexham 10k race last Sunday morning where he won his VM75 age cat with an excellent time.

The NWRRC athlete said: “After a concert in Aberystwyth on Saturday night, I did the rather hilly Wrexham 10k. Not too displeased with a 49.56 clocking, though I thought I’d run faster, and an age cat win. There was a good turn-out of over 1000 runners and a nice rural course.”

Prestatyn’s Nova Parkrun proves very popular again

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

The Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn was one of the best attended local parkruns last Saturday morning with 285 entrants including local club athlete Tom Carter, who was the first finisher with a new PB in 17 minutes and 15 seconds. The first three finishers all recorded new course PBs.

Tom was pushed all the way by rival Matthew Baker, who was just 4 seconds adrift, with JM11-14 junior Seth Williams 3rd in 19.00.

The first female was SW20 athlete Eve Manifold (23rd) with a PB in 21.23, with Abbey Young 2nd (29th), with a new PB in 21.58, whilst teenager Erin Thomas (34th), finished in 22.15 on her debut.

Some other local results at Nova included: Youngster Josh Mottram (Colwyn Bay AC) 17th with a PB in 20.58, Richard Scamans (NWRRC) 22nd with a new PB in 21.20, Darren Dentith 30th in 22.01, Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AC) 40th in 22.59, Dave Munday (Airey Airways) 42nd in 23.05, Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon), on her course debut recorded a superb time of 25.19, and she also won her VW70 age cat; whilst master veteran Don Hale (NWRRC) returned to action again following injury in 26.41, and was 2nd VM70, with fellow Road Runner Steve Mason and his dog Coco acting as course sweepers in 61.12.

Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls. All the
other results from Nova can be found on this link:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/novaprestatyn/results/latestresults/

Parkrun News

There was another good turnout of 222 finishers at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun last Saturday, but at the time of writing the identity of the 1st finisher remained unknown.

In second place was Rhodri Owen in 16.11, with Adam Jones 3rd in 16.22.

Top female finisher was Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers), with a new course PB of 19.04 in 12th place overall, with Katie Reynolds (Edinburgh University AC) 2nd (13th), with a new PB of 19.30, and Laura Mckenzie (Betsi Runaways) 3rd (44th) in 23.41.

Some Conwy tour results at Penrhyn included: Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) with a new PB in 18.16, and master veteran Mike Hayton (NWRRC) finished 115th and knocked over a minute off his previous time to record a new course PB in 28.40, whilst GOG Triathlon members included: Aled Hughes 5th with a PB 17.57, Steve Owen 19thm PB in 20.25, Andy Jones 26th in 21.16, Andy Brazier 37th in 22.56, and Merf Jones 63rd with another PB in 25.23.

Conwy Parkrun director Gwyn Williams reports on his visit to Nova Parkrun

For me, Saturday’s choice was Nova Prestatyn Parkrun, a firm favourite with Conwy tourists since our pause. I knew there would be loads from Conwy there and instantly bumped into Ian Taylor and Josh Mottram.

I’d only ran at Nova previously once before, about 4 years ago on a slightly different course, so I was keen to give the ‘new’ course a try. I’m sure most of you have already been but what a great and quick coastal parkrun with loads of supportive and encouraging volunteers cheering everyone one.

The event has grown considerably since my last visit. It was great to see so many faces from Conwy Parkrun past volunteering, with Rachel Fleming on finish tokens and Jan Carfoot barcode scanning, both were regular participants and valued volunteers for many years at Conwy, and nice also to see Conwy regular Robert Fryer continuing his volunteering at Nova.

Had a quick chat with Martin, run director about the popularity of the course and how the volunteers have done a great job adapting to coping with big numbers. Seems like they’re taking it all in their stride.

It was also nice also to see Don Hale back parkrunning after his nasty fall at Penrhyn a couple of weeks ago, we parkrunners are a hardy bunch! Sorry if I didn’t catch you for a photo, there were so many from Conwy there it was difficult to get everyone.

Anyway, thanks Martin and team, really enjoyed my run today and managed to clock my highest ever age graded score. A great, quick, and friendly course.

Other ‘tour’ results

Peter Johnson took part in the Henley Wood Parkrun near Oswestry and finished well in 28.42, whilst identical twins Amanda and Karen Durber ran the course together in the Greenfield Valley Parkrun, and they both crossed the line in 29.41.

Mike Pemberton also recorded a good time of 24.53 at the Old Railway Trail Parkrun at Llangollen, and Hannah Griffith made her debut at the Monsall Trail Parkrun in Derbyshire in 25.49, and won her VW50 age cat.

Mal Preece performed well in the Burgess Park Parkrun, which was his first parkrun of 2025 ahead of his London Marathon race, and he was pleased with 22.01 and 3rd VW60.