RUNNING NEWS: North Wales duo ran Snowdon race with stars – Parkrun: Aaron scores again!

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

Two North Wales Road Runners took to the great mountain at the weekend and competed in one of Europe’s toughest endurance challenges – the Castell Howell 48th International Snowdon Race.

This extraordinary event included over 1,000m climb of Yr Wyddfa attracted an international array of stars, club runners, plus an elite list of top mountain and fell runners, with standard, international and elite events taking place.

Master veteran and NWRRC chairman Kevin Slattery, a VM70 athlete, completed his gruelling run up and down Mt Snowdon on Saturday afternoon in just 1 hour 53 minutes and 49 seconds, and finished second in his age cat, with club colleague Stuart Culverhouse, a very close seven-seconds behind in 1.53.56.

Stuart’s run was even more remarkable, as he also took part in the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn on Saturday morning, before running the Snowdon race in the afternoon.

He said: “I must admit I had horrible blisters on my feet and used the parkrun as a kind of fitness test to see if I could manage the afternoon run!

And after the race, he confirmed: “Ras Ryngwladol yr Wyddfa/ International Snowdon Race 2025. Kevin looking fresh as a daisy after a fantastic run completing the up and down of Snowdon in a gun time of 1.53.49 and finishing second in his age cat. I was a further 7 seconds behind Kev. A great experience with both of us running the race for the first time.”

The first three finishers overall were all from Italy, Luca Magri the winner in 1.06.11, Michael Galassi second in 1.06.58 and Roberto Giacomotti third in 1.07.39.

The first three elite female finishers were 1st Nancy Scott in 1.20.31, Beatrice Bianchi second in
1.21.58, and Eve Pannone third in 1.22.13; and the winning club Welsh teams were: 1st Eryri Harriers, second Rhedwyr Hebog Runners, and third Mynydd Du Mountain Runners.
This s a link to the provisional results from the Snowdon races:
https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4140#0_AF93D1

Mixed emotions due to a new start for Conwy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

Conwy Parkrun finally returned to action last Saturday morning following a long four-month break due to construction work on part of the picturesque 5k course, and delays caused by the controversial introduction of a new start position on the Cob.

Nearly 300 runners from past and present, together with numerous visitors, turned out to witness activities at this new start position, which is now half a mile away from the original start/finish, and situated about half-way down, and along the lower section of the Cob.

Most runners and walkers were naturally pleased to see the event return, but the new arrangements attracted mixed feelings from the majority of participants, both before, during, and after this revised event, with nearly everyone remaining at a loss to understand the reasoning for the need for this new start following 10-years of award-winning success.

There were complaints too about the car parking at Tesco, and visiting runners and their families left to find their own way to the Cob, plus extreme congestion at the start, and a potential danger to pedestrians and cyclists, who had been unaware of this event starting, and were faced with a large mass of runners, who completed a full lap before heading off towards Deganwy.

The Save Conwy Parkrun group had observers around the course and explained that many complaints had been expressed about the dangers of access to the Cob, particularly for newcomers, claiming that about 20 runners and their families were seen jumping over the barriers onto the flyover to try and reach the Cob.

Parkun officials, however, rejected any complaints about potential safety issues and were pleased with the way everything had gone. They also played down any complaints over car parking and believed there were no dangers in getting to the Cob, or with crossing any roads. They said the reason for the change was due to previous problems at the entrance to the RSPB.

Mixed emotions for runners.

Clubs and local organisations were well represented, with many participants curious about all the problematic changes, which have caused quite a stir of mixed emotions throughout the community for the past month or more.

Visiting teenager, JM1-17 athlete James Titmas (Reading AC), set a fast pace from the off on his Conwy debut, and he raced home to the normal finish back at the RSPB Nature Reserve on the new track in just 16 minutes and 41 seconds. In second place were fellow debutants Steven Cannell in 17.39, and Josh Spencer, third in 18.14.

The first female finisher was another visitor in Emily Atkins (South Derbyshire AC) on her debut in 21.42, and in 32nd place overall; whilst Katherine Gregson took second spot in 22.12 (37th), and Mia Williams (42nd overall) came third with a new PB in 22.32.

The new arrangements and the humid conditions seemed to provide a pleasing fast course for everyone with the first 14 runners all dipping under 20 minutes, and there were 36 new personal best (PB) times, with the first man home nearly a minute ahead of his nearest rival!

North Wales Road Runners entered six members with Steve Roberts leading the team home in 41st place in 22.27, and also won his VM60 age cat. Karl Morris was 51st in 22.56, with super veteran Sandy Johnston 63rd and 1st VM75 in 23.31.

Meanwhile, master vet Rob Fryer returned to parkrun with a good performance in 112th place, and he was second VM70 in 26.19, with another returnee, Gethin Wyn Jones, just one place and one second behind Rob, whilst Rachel Morris, despite struggling a bit with her fitness due to a break, still finished well in 269th place in 39.52.

Some other Conwy parkrunners included: Romeo Ciotec (North Norfolk Beach Runners) 25th in 20.57 and 2nd SM30; Marcus Jones 27th in 21.13; David Spofforth 29th and 3rd VM40 in 21.20; Tris Owen 61st in 23.24; Dylan Roberts 65th in 23.32; Barry Palmer (Porth Eirias Runners) 68th in 23.46; Bethan Wyn Roberts (Parkrunner PB), 154th in 29.05: John Stallard 165th in 29.37 and super vet John D’Albuquerque (GOG Triathlon) was second VM75 in 192nd place in 30.45.

In addition, many local clubs were also well represented with 13 GOG Triathlon members, and there were eight Porth Eirias Runners. There were 292 finishers.

Other parkrun results:

Prestatyn

Local footballer Aaron Dodwell scored again this week at the Nova Parkrun in Prestatyn and claimed a new course PB of just 17.49, with debutants Findlay Sullivan (Blackburn Harriers) second in 17.54 and Craig Matthews (Ilkeston RC) third in 18.11.

Erin Thomas was the first female finisher with a new PB in 21.17, and Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) was second in 21.49, with JW11-14 debutant athlete Nia Manson (West Cheshire AC), third in 23.12.

Stuart Culverhouse (NWRRC) was 18th overall and 2nd VM50 in 20.51, with Darren Dentith 30th and 3rd VM50 in 22.16. There were 261 finishers.

Penrhyn

There was a very large turnout of 307 finishers at the popular Penrhyn Castle Parkrun last Saturday and the first male and female finishers were both junior athletes.

First back around this challenging lapped course was JM15-17 athlete Dion Baston with a great new PB of 18 minutes and 30 seconds, with Andy Savage (Cybi Striders) second in 19.05, and Griff Roberts (Eryri Harriers) third in 19.08.

First female was JW10 athlete Evelyn Edwards on her course debut in 19.44, with Molly Ralphson (Trawden AC), second on debut in 20.22, and Elin Jones third in 21.14.

Other Conwy on Tour members included: Colwyn Bay runners Josh Mottram and Ian Taylor, with young Josh 28th overall and 2nd SM18-19 in 22.13, with Ian 37th in 23.19.

And NWRRC runners included: Daniel Hennell, 85th on debut in 26.21, and Nia Lister, 99th and 1st VW35 in 26.59, whilst Dougie Graham was 267th on his debut in 38.11.

Ruthin

First finisher overall was Shane Boxall (Southend on Sea AC) on debut in a very fast time of 16.57, with Jason Walsh second, PB 19.34, and Steffan Jones (St Asaph Striders), third in 20.07.

Top female was Victoria Boxall (Leigh on Sea Striders), fifth overall on course debut in 20.20, with Carla Green (NWRRC) 6th overall and 1st VW50 in second place in 20.57, and JW11-14 athlete Beatrice Roberts finished 9th overall in 21.44.

Meanwhile, Kay Hatton (NWRRC), won her VW60 age cat in 18th place in 23.14. There were 86 finishers.