RUNNING: Colwyn Bay AC student Bryn Woodall wins national 1500m title in America

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Colwyn Bay AC member and student Bryn Woodall set a superb personal best time to win a national 1500m track championship title at the NAIA track finals in America last weekend.

The promising North Wales athlete, a former regular at the Conwy Parkrun who still holds the course record holder over their 5k route, is currently overseas on a student scholarship scheme, studying at Milligan University in the USA.

And last week he recorded a great new PB of just 3.41.93 over this distance to claim a prestigious title victory against quality opposition at the end of a busy season of athletics.

Sarah and Emma tackled the North Downs 50k ultra race

Ultra-distance and endurance athlete Sarah Ferguson Hudson and her friend Emma Vadhesha competed in the North Downs 50k race last week and despite the hot weather, they completed their gruelling challenge in style.

NWRRC member Sarah, later explained: “It was very hot and hilly. It eventually took us 7 hours and 50 minutes, but the scenery was stunning around the North Downs. Who knew it was so hilly down South? I ran with my lovely friend Emma, who got me into running in the first place.”

Sarah also confirmed, that although she normally runs in her ultra races with husband Ben, he is still recovering from injury. “Ben’s ankle is definitely on the mend, and we have booked into the Jubilee Half-Marathon in a couple of weeks, so he is hoping to improve on his time from the MK half. 

“This time though, it was just me and Emma at the North Downs event, and we stuck together all the way round, and we needed the chat to distract us.”

Visting Durham athlete smashes female course record at Penrhyn Parkrun

Penrhyn Castle Parkrun attracted 317 entrants last Saturday including visiting athlete Sara Ismail-Sutton (Durham City), who was not only 1st finisher overall, but also smashed the female course record on her debut in 17.45.

Despite the cool and blustery conditions Sara beat all her male rivals with ease, and was eventually followed by Aidan Thomas in 18.30, and VM60 veteran Graham Bale (Plymstock RR), who gave Aidan a hard chase in 3rd spot in 18.33.

Quite remarkably, the first three female finishers were all debutants, and with Sara taking the top-spot overall, the 2nd female place went to Anna Patrickson (City of Salisbury), in 21.56, with Patricia Ronksley (Stragglers), 3rd in 23.09.

Good turn-out at Nova Parkrun

Paul Fleming was the first finisher at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn which attracted nearly 300 athletes.

He recorded a fast time of 19.12, but he was pushed all the way by rivals Sam Ashton, who was 2nd in 19.21, and Jack Edwards, 3rd with a PB in 19.29.

The first female finisher (28th overall) was Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) in 2.42, with Gwennan Henstock 2nd (41st) in 24.02, and Sali Wheway 3rd (47th), with a new PB in 24.31.

Parkrun tour results

Prestatyn

Stuart Culverhouse won his VM50 age cat at Nova last weekend, and Darren Dentith was 27th with a good time in 22.26.

Penrhyn

Master vet Sandy Johnston won his VM75 age cat at Penrhyn Castle Parkrun with a positive performance in 52nd place in 25.53, and Cheryl Frost won her VM55 after finishing in 62nd place on her course debut in 24.20, with Jamie Tharme 146th in 28.03.

Newborough

Hannah Griffith made her course debut at the Newborough Forest Parkrun and won her VW45 age cat in 29.43.

Greenfield

North Wales Road Runners Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton made course debuts at the Greenfield Valley Parkrun last Saturday and both won their respective age cats with some good times.

Veteran Kay was 2nd female finisher in 14th place overall, and topped her VW60 age cat in 24.49, whilst master vet Mike enjoyed another VM70 victory in 32.46 in 44th place. After her run Kay said: “Uphill all the way back but a very picturesque valley.” There were 71 entrants.

Bank Holiday bonanza at most local parkruns

Review of Conwy on Tour members courtesy of Bryn Williams

Another busy one for Conwy on Tour members and well done to everyone who got out there and enjoyed a bit of exercise in the great outdoors.
Quite a few ‘new’ parkruns on the list this week, but the usual favourites Penrhyn and Nova at Prestatyn still drawing a big crowd of you and fair numbers of Conwy parkrunners also at Nant y Pandy and Greenfield Valley with most events experiencing big numbers swelled by bank holiday weekend.

Parkruns visited by Conwy parkrunners this week included: Birkenhead, Nant y Pandy, Nova Prestatyn, Penrith, Greenfield Valley, Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields, Penrhyn, Muncaster Castle, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Exmouth, Park in the Past, Victoria Dock, Burnham and Highbridge, and big kudos to Nicola, Oliver, Wayne, John and Dougie, who all volunteered at Penrhyn this weekend.

Prestatyn RC provided voluntary support at Nova Parkrun

Report courtesy of the Nova run director

Prestatyn Running Club members helped out with marshalling duties at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun last Saturday, and well done to the 298 people who ran, jogged, or walked the course, and joined us on a slightly breezy morning.

There were 61 first timers, 43 new PBs, and representatives of 30 different clubs took part, and the event was only made possible by 25 volunteers. We had parkrun milestones for Neil (25), and Sarah and Mary finished their 50th parkruns.