Spectacular 5k fundraising race on prom for the RNLI
Report by Don Hale. Photos by Caitlin Faye
It was a spectacular morning on Llandudno promenade last Sunday as bright warm sunshine greeted over 300 athletes and their supporters to an amazing 5k fundraising race for the town’s essential RNLI group.
Well organised by race director John Hatton and backed by a large and enthusiastic team of hard-working volunteers and marshals, this event attracted a wealth of elite, club and social runners, who recorded some very fast times in near perfect conditions; and this event also included some very popular junior races for children and their parents.
John later confirmed: “I have been working with Catherine Tudor-Jones, who is the Community Manager. She was so thrilled the event went so well. Originally, the RNLI said they wanted a fun run, but I said no, we will do a 5k and a fun run, which they are so pleased with. It’s been a lot of hard work, but it will be easier for next year’s race.”
In the 5k race, the impressive vests from GOG Triathlon, Cybi Striders, NWRRC, Colwyn Bay AAC, Betsi Runaways, Dalzell Runners and Porth Eirias Runners, to name but a few, all helped to create an incredible atmosphere, with the first 17 runners all dipping under 20 minutes!
Visiting athlete Samual Conkie (Vale Royal AC – pictured above left with sponsor) was the outstanding runaway winner with an excellent performance, including a very fast time of just 16 minutes and 38 seconds to additionally win his male Under-21 age category.
Promising local athlete Harty Woodford claimed the runner-up spot with a determined run in 17.31 to win his Senior Male 21-34 age cat, with Mark Jones (Cybi Striders) third in 17.50, and he also won his respective FV40.
Cybi Striders took the first three finishing places in the ladies event headed by Emma Alofs (6th overall) in 19.06 and she was the first female and also won her FV35 age cat. Llio Jones was second (13th) in 19.36 and first Senior Female 21-34, with Jessica Bibby third (23rd) in 20.57 and 2nd F21-34.
Carla Green (NWRRC) enjoyed a good run despite her heavy marathon training schedule, and was fourth female (26th) in 21.13, and won her FV50 age cat.
North Wales Road Runners had a great day out and celebrated with 13 podium places including eight outright age cat wins, three second, and two third placings:
The first NWRRC club man home was Will Evans in 9th place in 19.25 and he won his VM45 age cat; Stuart Culverhouse 14th in 19.38 and 1st VM50; Carla Green 26th and 1st FV50 21.13, Steve Roberts 33rd and 2nd VM60 in 21.43; Super vet Sandy Johnston 58th and 1st VM75 in 23.08; Kay Hatton 59th and 1st FV60 in 23.13; Cheryl Frost 65th and 1st FV55 in 23.43; Adam Lemalle 69th in 23.58; Karen Butler 73rd and 1st FV65 in 24.07, Hannah Griffith 82nd and 3rd FV50 in 24.55; Nia Lister 84th in 25.15; Tony Gibson 91st in 25.41; Helen Hannam 94th in 25.51; Rob Fryer 98th and 1st VM70 in 26.03; Gwennan Charlton 108th in 26.38; Gethin Wyn Jones 117th in 27.27; Don Hale 119th and 2nd MV70 in 27.28; Elizabeth Driscoll 122nd and 3rd FV55 in 27.33; Dave Jones 124th in 27.33; Mike Hayton 130th and 2nd V75 in 28.33 and Sean Butler 160th in 30.55.
Other notable local results: Josh Mottram 16th in 19.49 and 3rd U21; Darren Dentith 39th 22.05; Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AC) 46th 22.29; John Jones (Eryri Harriers) 56th 22.53; Tony Parvin 70th 23.59; 97th Peter Johnson 25.49; Tristan and Kelly Owen ran together in 151st/152nd places in 29.49; Rachel Morris 183rd in 32.55: Kevin Edge (Porth Eirias Runners) 34.47. Plaudits too to VM80 competitors Dennis Smith and Jack Thomas (Buckley Runners), with Dennis recording a good time of 34.42 in 210th place, and Jack 218th
in 35.48.
This is the link to the provisional results from the RNLI 5k race:
https://rnli.niftyentries.com/Results/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2025#
Good results and keen competition at various North Wales parkruns
Report by Don Hale
Some very good results including numerous personal best times at various parkruns across North Wales last weekend, with some keen competition for placings, particularly amongst the ladies, and well done to JW11 athlete Martha Brown at Nant y Pandy, who finished a close second overall, and first female in 19 minutes and 18 seconds.
Visitors took the first two places at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday with Ed Slaughter (Porthcawl Runners) top spot with a new PB 16.27, Martin Sunderland (Woking AC) second in 17.12, and Andrew Moore a narrow third in 17.16.
The first female finisher were all visitors and debutants with Katie Cotton (Long Eaton) first in 21.54 and Talisha Faulkner (Qeensbury AC) a close second in 21.57, with Charlotte Skipper (Vegan Runners) third in 23.03. There were 199 finishers.
Prestatyn RC member Dafydd Montgomery was first finisher at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in 18.52, followed by Paul Fleming second in 19.40, with Caleb Dore third with a new PB in 20.15. Another Prestatyn member Lisa Lines (10th) was first female finisher with a new PB 21.41, whilst Mary Ann O’Neil was runner-up (24th) in 23.31, and Sian Jones third (32nd) with a PB in 23.59. There were 239 finishers.
GOG Triathlon athlete Simon Cole was the first finisher at the Conwy Parkrun with a very fast finish in just 16 minutes and 52 seconds, and Elin Jones was first female with a new PB in 20.40. North Wales Road Runners included – James Singleton 59th in 24.51, with master vet Rob Fryer 84th and 1st VM70 in 26.38, veteran John O’Shea 177th in 33.50.
Other local results included: Tristan Owen 36th in 31.09, John and Michelle Farrell (GOG Triathlon
members) 52/53rd places in 24.03, with Mike Pemberton 58th and i1st VM65 in 24.48t.
Aidan Thomas won the Nant y Pandy Parkrun, recording 19.11, and talented JW11-14 athlete Martha
Brown was second, just seven-seconds adrift in 19.18, with debutant Andrew Lapin third in 19.22. With Martha claiming the first female spot overall, Gwennan Rees was second female (18th) on her debut in 24.41, and Christina Emmerson (Heald Green Runners) 3rd (24th) with a new PB in 25.59. There were 89 finishers.
First finisher at the Newborough Forest Parkrun was Jacob Hiom (Cuth’s RC) with a new PB in 19.25, with Tomos Roberts second in 20.28, and third Andrew Twemlow with a new PB in 20,43. And it was a close finish for the first three female athletes with Siwan Jones taking top honours (14th) with a new PB in
23.49, and Cerys Jones was second (16th) in 23.52, with Tiegan Ward (Brecon AC) third (18th) in 23.57. There were 159 finishers.
Other results:
Stuart Culverhouse (NWRRC) finished 6th at the Ruthin Memorial Parkrun in 19.52 and he won his VM50 age cat, and his friend Darren Dentith was 15th in 22.12, with Simon Nixon 12th in a great new PB 21.31.
Gareth Southworth made his debut at the Battersea Park Parkrun finishing in 285th place in 22.56.
Kevin Higgins (NWRRC) enjoyed two good runs over the weekend with starting at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun in 27.37, his best parkrun time in over 13 months, and then on Sunday he took part in the Aintree 10k near Liverpool, and ran 56.33, beating his recent time at the Bury 10k, to claim his fastest 10k in over 14 months.