Runners completed tough Cybi Coastal Marathon for RNLI teams

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Over 200 very determined and experienced trail and endurance athletes took part in the Cybi Coastal Marathon which helps to fundraise for two exceptional RNLI teams.
This extraordinary 25k event, which both started and finished at the Holyhead RNLI Station, took competing runners along one of the most scenic routes on Yns Mon, and followed a very challenging course along the stunning Ynys Cybi coastal trail, which is also forms part of the Welsh Coastal Path.
RNLI coxswain Mark gave one of his crewmen, Reece, a good luck handshake as he set off, before the procession of runners then headed towards Penrhos, before tackling the undulating coastal path.
From there, athletes crossed through stunning locations such as Silver Bay, Rhoscolyn and Trearddur Bay, before the final climb up Mynydd Twr. This gruelling route included everything from nature reserves, sandy beaches, mountains and more.
The first finisher overall was Stuart Jewell (Clwb Run Wales) in 3 hours 22 minutes and 6 seconds, with Chris Pownall (Cybi Striders) second in 3.25.43 and Daniel Hughes third in 3.39.37.

The first female finisher was Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in 3.41.39, Amy Mckechnie (Queensbury RC) was runner-up in 4.01.33, with Tracy Dawn Cooper third in 4.11.08. There were 234 finishers.
Chris Pownall gave an insight into this challenging race: “Another brilliant day completing a full lap of the stunning Holyhead Coastal Path. I kept things steady over the first 20 miles, making sure not to burn out before the tough final stretch – full of hills, technical trails, and of course, the mountain.
“During that time, I moved from 4th to 2nd, steadily picking off places and weaving through the 25km runners. The mountain section was slow and brutal, but I managed to finish strong and hold on for second place.”
The RNLI officials also added some background: “We do this to help raise vital funds for our two local and incredible RNLI teams. Our little island is a beautiful location surrounded by some of the UKs best sea spots, this in turns also comes with risk and without the teams on the shores keeping us safe then we’d all be at risk.
“We as a team will continue to make this event non profitable and push hard to raise as many funds and awareness as possible for our two local stations, and the risks they protect.”

Road Running duo in mountain race

Two North Wales Road Runners took to the hills at Capel Curig to compete in the Ogwen Yr Helgi Du 10k mountain race.
Described as being the perfect opportunity to enjoy some stunning, if not spectacular views, in Eryri’s Ogwen Valley, entrants were offered a varied choice of three very different but challenging distances for the more experienced athletes to consider, including 10k, 125k and 40k races.
The intrepid duo of Vicky Taylor and Nia Lister opted for the 10k – an out and back route – which followed the historic Eryri Slate Trail, through the Valley, with the Glyderau and Carneddau dominating the landscape. 
They both performed well, with Nia 35th overall out of 74 finishers, in 1 hour 6 minutes and 34 seconds, with Vicky 38th in 1.07.40 and 3rd in her F50 age category.
The first three finishers in the 10k included two top female athletes, with Alice Grange overall winner in 50.30, Olivia Bramwell 2nd in 52.03 and Jamie Hamilton Williams 3rd in 53.19.

This is a link to the provisional 10k results: https://my.raceresult.com/352305/results

Hat-trick of age category wins for NW trio at Nant y Pandy Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

Three NWRRC members (pictured above) each won their respective age categories at the Nant y Pandy Parkrun.

Carla Green was third female athlete in 24th place in 23.53, and won her VW50 age cat.
Veteran Kay Hatton won her VW60 in 26th place overall with a new course PB 24.40, and master vet Mike Hayton was 112th and won his new VM75 age cat on debut in 31.55.
The first finisher at Nant y Pandy was SM20 athlete Sam Gunning, with a PB in 17.11, with debutant Joel Chick second in 17.33, and visitor Nathan James (Chester RR) third in 18.49.

First female was Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) in 22.40 (15th overall), Helen Lowery was second (19th) in
23.05 and Carla Green was third (24th – 1st VW50) in 23.53. There were 160 finishers.

Other parkrun results

Penrhyn

There was a good turn-out of 248 finishers at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun, visiting athlete SM18-19 teenager Freddie Cushing (Northampton AC) first on debut in just 17 minutes and 2 seconds. Phil
Lynes took second place in 18.33, with Iolo Owen third in 18.50.
The first female finisher was JW11-14 athlete Tamsin Seguin (Menai T&F) in 19.58 (10th overall), with debutant Hannily Cooke a narrow second (19th) in 21.22 and JW11-14 athlete Evie Hodgkinson (South Leeds) third (20th) in 21.26. There were 248 finishers.
Local runners at Penrhyn included: Laura McKenzie (Betsi Runaways) 41st in 23.52, Anne Mynott (Colwyn Bay AC) 79th in 26.03, Pete Brocklehurst 84th in 26.25; identical twins Karen and Amanda Durber ran together, and finished in 116th and 117th in 28.38 and 28.42, whilst Dougie Graham claimed
a new PB of 34.34 in 187th place.

Prestatyn

There was a good scrap for top spot at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn on August 2, with Andrew Walmsley (Chorlton Runners), finishing well in 17.22, narrowly ahead of Andrew Bromley (Prestatyn RC) in 17.46; with visitor Danny O’Reilly (Chester Tri-club), third on debut in 18.31.

VW40 athlete Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was the first female finisher in 19.50, (6th place overall), with Eve Manifold second (19th) in 22.04, and Neha Tamara-Patel third (27th) on debut in 22.42.
Some other well-known local characters at Prestatyn included, charity fundraisers Dave Munday (5k to 50k) 38th in 23.57, and his colleague Daniel Huws 52nd in 24.26, with master vet Martin Cortvriend (Prestatyn RC) 57th, and winning his VM70 age cat in 24.53. There were 268 finishers.

Newborough

Visiting athlete Rob Webb (Rossendale Harriers), made a successful debut at the Newborough Forest parkrun as first man home in a fast time of just 17 minutes and 38 seconds. Kieran De’Ath finished 2nd with a new PB in 18.54 and Matt Parkes took third place in 19.18.

Vikki Robertshaw (Blackburn Harriers) was the first female finisher on debut in 20.39 (8th overall), whilst Felicity Elliott was second (19th) with a new PB in 22.14, and Hannah Smith (Lymm Runners) finished in 3rd place (20th) on her debut but shared the exact same time as Felicity. There were 257 finishers.

York

Llandudno athlete Kevin Higgins (NWRRC) travelled to York with 5,500 other runners in their annual 10k event. This was the fourth time he has taken part and this year he recorded a decent time of 61.28.