Longest Day for athletes who ran 10 different parkruns for Cancer charity

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

On the longest day of the year, last Saturday 21st June, two athletes completed a tough cancer charity challenge, by completing 10 x 5k runs on 10 different parkrun courses within 14 hours!

Daniel Huws and Dave Munday first began their incredible marathon fundraising event for MOVE Against Cancer on Ynys Mon, at Newborough Forest at 6am, and finally finished their gruelling day on home soil at the Nova Prestatyn course at about 8pm.

They were all run on genuine, varied and undulating 5k parkrun routes within North Wales, but as all the events started at 9am, and obviously they could only run in one live event, so after enjoying the splendour of the Newborough course, they quickly moved a few miles onto Nant y Pandy for a 7.15am start, prior to joining the live celebrations at Penrhyn Castle at 9am.

This was followed by a visit to the RSPB Conwy site for 10.30am, Pont y Bala for 12 noon, Llangollen at 1.30pm, the new Park in the Past parkrun at Wrexham for 3pm, Ruthin 4.15pm, Greenfield Valley at 6.45pm, and finally completing their challenge at Prestatyn at 8pm.

In between all these events, this intrepid pair also had to drive around the various venues and grab some food and drink en-route.

With the help of the charity, they have started an online fundraising page via JustGiving with an initial target of just £500 and hope their incredible achievements would perhaps encourage supporters to double or even treble some funds for this deserving cause.

The charity confirmed: “There’s increasing evidence that moving more during and after cancer treatment can significantly improve physical and mental wellbeing. MOVE is embarking on a mission to support & inspire people to MOVE Against Cancer.

“We deliver an 8-week online programme for 13 to 30-year-olds diagnosed with cancer. Our 5k Your Way initiative linked with parkrun, is a supportive community for anyone affected by cancer to go along to their local group and walk, jog, run, cheer or volunteer on the last Saturday of the month. We also have a variety of online resources. – http://www.moveagainstcancer.org

Gold for father and son veterans at the Welsh Masters T&F Championships

Report by Don Hale

Super veteran Dave Gardner won two gold medals at the WMAL Track & Field Championships at Yate on 8th June, with his veteran track star son Steve also striking gold following a great performance in the 800m race.

North Wales Road Runner Dave won the javelin event and his V85 age cat with what is expected to be another Welsh record and claimed another prestigious gold medal in the shot competition.

Steve was also on top form, striking gold in the 800m.

After the event Steve confirmed: “My dad won two gold medals at the weekend, winning the javelin, and most likely extending his current Welsh V85 age cat record with a throw of 16.13m pending ratification from Chris Pruski at Welsh Masters Athletics.

“His second gold medal was in the shot-putt with a distance of 6.96m. I competed in the 800m also winning a gold medal in a time of 2 mins and 26secs.

“There were some further excellent performances from North Wales athletes Joe Horner and Andy Weetman from Menai Track and Field, full results are on Roster Athletics website.”

Parkrun results round-up

Nova

Summary by the Nova run director: The weather cooled down, but it was still warm for the 263 people who joined us to parkrun at the Nova this morning. We had a sea of purple in our volunteer ranks thanks to St Asaph City Striders who provided most of today’s volunteers – Thanks team.

Next Saturday we will be joined by Nova Prestatyn 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer who will be celebrating their belated 3rd birthday with a beach themed celebration. More details to follow but any type of beachwear will fit in. There will also be a return for Lobster and Shark.

Nova main results

James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was the first finisher at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in 18.14, and visitor Tom Sirett (Ellesmere Port RC), was second on his debut in 18.25, whilst Dafydd Montgomery took the third spot in 19.40.

First female finisher was Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) in 22.40, and 23rd overall, with club colleague Lisa Lines second in 22.58, and Mary Ann O’Neil (Wrekin RRC) third in 23.31. There were 263 finishers.

Some Conwy on Tour runners at Nova included: Stuart Culverhouse, 8th overall and 1st VM50 in 20.48, Joe Culverhouse 19th in 22.03. Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 37th in 23.16, and Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) 95th overall and 1st VW70 in 27.12. John Stallard was 154th in 32.07, John O’Shea 163rd in 32.45, and Sue Williams 174th in 33.09, and 2nd VW60.

Penrhyn Castle

Summary by the Penrhyn Castle Run Director: Good luck to Dave Munday and Daniel Huws on their Longest day run with another seven parkruns to go and congratulations to Clare and Craig Upton from Telford who ran this morning to celebrate their 22nd wedding anniversary

Penrhyn main results

Will Williams (NWRRC) was first finisher at Penrhyn Castle Parkrun with a new course PB of 18.06, and Jonathan Tyler (Betsi Runaways) finished 3rd in 18.49. Nia Gwynn was first female finisher in 23.51 (46th overall), just one second and one place ahead of her junior rival Alys Pritchard in 23.52 (47th), and Rebecca-Jane Law (Eryri Harriers) was third (57th) in 24.36.

Some Conwy on Tour members included: Nia Lister (NWRRC) 85th, with a new course PB of 26.49, and Steve Mason recovered from his recent operation and ran the course with clubmate Hannah Griffiths in 104th and 105th places in 27.46 There were 250 finishers.

Newborough Forest

Newborough main results

Just over 200 mixed ability athletes took part in the Newborough Forest Parkrun last weekend, and the first finisher overall was visitor Ed Shepherd (Woodford Green AC), with a new PB of 18.00. Debutant,
Daniel Orme (Heanor AC), was second in 18.32, with George Croft third with a new course PB of 19.24.

The first female finisher was Angela Markley (Macclesfield), who was 12th in 21.17, with junior athlete Chloe Cattroll second (28th) in 24.08, and third was Cerys Jones just eight seconds behind in 29th, ahead of her sibling Siwan Jones in 24.47. There were 216 finishers.