Tough day on the rolling hills for hardy athletes in the Eryri Marathon

Report by Don Hale

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025

It was a very tough day for the 2,208 hardy athletes and volunteers on the rolling hills around Snowdonia last Saturday as they battled gale force winds, hail, and driving rain at times for the gruelling Eryri Marathon.

And, as if the unpredictable weather was not bad enough, the varied range of mixed ability, but mainly experienced competitors from far and wide, also faced a series of picturesque but undulating challenges over roads, rough tracks, and steep mixed terrain descents.

Michael Kallenberg (Swansea RAF) was a high-flyer though, and he soon landed the top prize as the first finisher overall in 2 hrs 33 mins and 56 seconds, followed by runner-up Ifan Dafydd (Meirionnydd RC) in 2.35.44, with Nicholas Barry third in 2.40.59.

The first female finisher was Ceri Merwood (CDF Runners) in 2.58.47, whilst Emily Jones (Les Croupiers) was runner-up in 3.07.52, with Tinka Vinks (Eryri Harriers) third in 3.10.38.

There were some notable performances too from Welsh athletes, David Cole (Cardigan RC) in fourth place in 2.42.56, and Michael Roderick (Tri-Hard Harriers) seventh in 2.49.21. And praise was given to all the dedicated volunteers and marshals around the course.

North Wales Road Runners entered 11 members, Steve Bozier leading the team home in 238th place with a new marathon PB of 3.40.24, with Rory Middleton 258th and making a rare appearance in 3.42.07, and Dave Jones enjoyed a great marathon debut run in 4.03.17.

Two master veteran athletes in club chairman Kevin Slattery and Sandy Johnston finished within one place and four-seconds of each other, with Kevin 836th in 4.25.30, and 1st VM70, with Sandy clocking 4.25.34, but unfortunately, he had to settle for 2nd VM70, as there was no VM75 plus award!

Karl Morris finished well in 1055th place in 4.39.03, with Cheryl Frost 250th female in 4.40.13, Elizabeth Driscoll 363rd female in 4.59.48;, Adam Lemalle 1490th in 5.12.19, Hannah Griffith 437th female in 5.14.01 and Gwen Charlton 674th female in 5.56.25.

And a huge well done to Llandudno athlete Mandy Owen, who bravely ran this difficult course, and she was pleased to finish in 6.30.52 as the 751st female.

GOG Triathlon had four members competing in the Eryri Marathon with Aled Hughes 46th in 3.09.40, Graeme Tunstall 142nd in 3.26.29, Steven Owen 195th in 3.35.14, and plaudits to Steven’s daughter Caitlin Owen, who completed her debut marathon run as 704th female in 6.03.59.

Wild, wet and windy for the Porth Eirias 10k

Report by Don Hale

It was wild, wet and windy for 183 runners at the Port Eirias 10k last Saturday, yet many athletes still recorded some excellent times.

Gareth Griffith was first finisher overall in just 37 minutes and 10 seconds, pushed all the way by runner-up Rhodri Williams (Cybi Striders) in 37.21. with Christopher Jones (Abergele Harriers) third in 38.21.

Emily Grandfield (TTT RC) was first female finisher (10th overall) in 42.42, Mia Williams was second (21st) in 46.10, with Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) third (24th) in 46.23.

North Wales Road Runners had five members competing and enjoyed three podium finishes with Stuart Culverhouse 9th in 42.38, and 2nd VM50, with Daniel Hennell a superb 20th in 45.53, and master vet Rob Fryer continued his recent purple-patch with another VM70 age cat win in 62nd place in 56.31, veteran Len Jackson took 90th position in 60.56, and another master vet Mike Hayton posted 69.34.

And well done to club members Helen Hannam and Nia Lister who were essential tail runners.

GOG Triathlon participants included Daniel Jones 8th and 3rd VM40 in 42.30, with Matthew Collins 77th and 3rd VM60 in 58.53.

Porth Eirias Runners placings and times: Alan Hackett 111th in 63.54, Rhian Allen 118th in 65.31, Elaine Doga 146th in 77.17 and Anne Owen 149th in 83.03.

Parkrunners beat the weather in North Wales

Report by Don Hale

It was one of those horrible early morning days when you wonder why you ever climbed out of bed, as gale force winds and rain challenged my senses for a parkrun, and/or for any other events last Saturday morning.

With a variety of competing races across North Wales, many club runners probably opted for other challenges, yet at so many parkruns across the region, this extraordinary void was quickly filled by numerous social runners visiting during the start of the half-term break.

Conwy Parkrun welcomed people from all parts of the UK and beyond, but first man home was local athletic star Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon), who beat the elements to record a positive time of 17 minutes and 13 seconds over the twisting 5k course. He was closely followed by Cai Curtis-Roberts in 17.38, with visiting debutant Callum Eldridge (Elswick Harriers), third in 19.20.

The first female finisher at Conwy was visitor Sophie Hunt who celebrated her debut (10th overall) in 20.31, with fellow visitor Jo Buckley (Bingley Harriers) second (14th) in 21.43, whilst promising young local athlete Amelia Anderson (Tristars Conwy) deservedly took third place with an excellent run in 22.46 and won her SW20-24 age cat. There were 184 finishers.

There were six GOG Triathletes at Conwy, Cole first home in 17.13 won his VM40 age cat, followed by Andy Brazier 22nd and 3rd VM55 in 22.37, Joshua White 24th in 22.43; Simon Blain 45th in 24.51, Stephanie Conway 61st in 26.11; with Dinah Hazeldine 169th and 3rd VW60 in 42.01.

Porth Eirias Runners: 29th Barry Palmer 23.30, 35th Jasper McQueen 24.11, Charlotte Ward 65th with a new PB in 26.26.

Other local runners included: 18th Rhys Pugh 22.20; 37th Tristan Owen 24.26 and third VM35; 40th Jim Anderson on his course debut in 24.36; Don Hale (NWRRC) 82nd and 2nd VM70 in 27.59; Bethan Wyn Roberts 93rd and 2nd VW35 in 28.30, Anthony Howe (Abergele Harriers) 120th in 30.53.

Penrhyn Castle Parkrun

Visitor Matthew Lock (Whitney RC) was first finisher at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun with a fine debut outing in 17.01, closely followed by Sam Lewis Jones (Parc Bryn Bach RC) in 17.18, whilst another tourist in Joe Smith (Bromsgrove & Redditch AC) took third spot in 17.37.

Carla Green (NWRRC) was 1st female (16th overall), and won her VW50 age cat in 22.07, with visitor Cara-Leanne Farley (Run4all Neath) marking her debut with 22.49 and Catherine Holloway (Chiltern Harriers) third in 23.37. Veteran John O’Shea (NWRRC) was 149th in 33.00. There were 222 finishers.

Nova Parkrun Prestatyn

Sam Ashton was first home at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in 18.41, with Alex Ryder (Prestatyn RC) second in 18.53 and Tobo Brogden third with a new PB in 20.54.

Kayleigh Williams (8th overall) was 1st female with a new PB 22.30 and Lorna Siddons also ran a new course PB (22nd) in second place in 24.24, with Ellen Duckers third (23rd) on debut in 24.42. There were 236 finishers.

Newborough

Tourist James Raven (Cardiff AC) was the first finisher at the Newborough Forest Parkrun with a solid debut time of 18.53. William Elgan Jones came second in 20.35 and Cameron Hume a very close third on debut in 20.40.

First female was visitor Emma Raven (Central AC) in 20.55, Felicity Elliott took second place in 22.17, with young JW11-14 athlete Chloe Cattroll third in a great new PB of 22.50.

Macclesfield 10k

Kevin Higgins (NWRRC) completed the Macclesfield 10k race last Sunday in a time of 58.25.