Osian is runaway winner at Eirias Park cross-country race

Report by Don Hale

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025

Another good turnout with some excellent performances by a host of experienced club runners at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, on November 1 for the second highly competitive match of the season in the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country League, sponsored by Grand Prix Express.

Elite senior male athlete Osian Perrin (Menai T&F) was runaway winner of the Senior Men’s race in just 26 minutes and 28 seconds, over a minute ahead of nearest rival Ed Slaughter (Bangor University), second in 27.31, with Dan Kashi (Meirionnydd RC) third in 27.40.

The Male Over 65 race was won by John Jones (Shrewsbury AC) in 20.14, with Andy Clarke (Oswestry Olympians) second in 20.18, with Dylan Huws (Eryri Harriers) third in 20.32.

Notable results in the Over 65s event from: Pete Hough (Shropshire Shufflers) 1st MV70 and 5th overall in 21.18, Emyr Davies (Hebog) 1st MV80 and 33rd in 26.48, whilst Roger Harrison-Jones won his VM85 cat in 36.41 and VM75 runner John D’Albuquerque (GOG Triathlon) finished a strong 46th in 36.41.

FV45 athlete Alison Lavender (Oswestry Olympians) enjoyed the sweet smell of success in the Senior Women’s race with a good time of 17.07, while Deeside duo Heather Watson was 2nd and first U17 finisher in 17.35, and Mia Roberts came 3rd in 18.20.

Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) won her FV40 age cat in 18.43; and Kay Hatton (NWRRC) finished 59th and 3rd FV60 cat, with GOG Triathlon’s Liz Evans 1st FV70 cat and 93rd overall in 26.05.

Bernie Jones, secretary of the NW XC League said: “A big thank you to Russell Godwin and Vicky Ronald, and all their volunteers from Colwyn Bay. Whilst the wind was strong, particularly early on, the rain did hold off for most of the day. As usual, the Eirias Park course provided a tough challenge for all the runners.

“Good to see Osian Perrin using the North Wales senior cross-country league as a warm-up for the Cardiff Cross. He went off like a train, settled down in the middle, and came back even faster. He told me it was good preparation for facing the Kenyans! Equally, it was good to see Ali Lavender go even better in the second fixture and repeating her victory at St Asaph.“

The next XC fixture is at Bala (parking LL23 7NG) on Saturday 22nd November and is being hosted by Meirionnydd RC.

New ‘Own the Night’ campaign to make running safe for women

Aaron Haggas, run leader from Black Cloak Runners, has confirmed some details about the launch of a new initiative to help keep female runners safe at night.

He said: “A campaign aimed at making running safer for women by raising awareness and empowering communities to support female runners was launched this past Sunday with the Black Cloak Taproom hosting the North Wales Launch.

“Launched by Welsh Athletics, Own the Night is a national campaign, that confronts the truth head on. Running should feel free, safe, and equal but for many women, the reality is very different. Every autumn, as the clocks go back and nights draw in, women across Wales face growing concerns about safety when running in the dark.

“Runners from the Black Cloak Runners and Porth Eirias Runners worked together to host and support the event, with members volunteering in a number of roles from marshalling, tail walking to hosting a raffle in aid of Welsh Women’s Aid. 

“A 3k and a 5k run was enjoyed by 85 runners along the promenade of Colwyn Bay with the only challenge being the rain and wind which could not spoil the event. 

“Afterwards runners and volunteers came together to enjoy some refreshment whilst discussing women’s safety, and how to make our streets safer.”

Conwy Dark Run raised over £9k for Hope House and Ty Gobaith hospices

Report by Don Hale

Despite very challenging weather conditions with heavy rain and strong winds, over £9k was still raised at the Conwy Dark Run for Hope House and Ty Gobaith Children’s Hospices.

This popular event followed on from a very similar success – in better conditions – the previous Saturday at Penrhyn Castle Dark Run, which raised about £10k for the same worthy organisation.

John Hatton, MC at both fundraising events and one of the event organisers reported: “Conwy Dark Run was held on a very wet night, but it made £9k for Ty Gobaith. It was a very busy day, with the Penrhyn Parkrun, rush home for lunch, then over to Conwy to help to set up everything. I really enjoyed it though, and thanks were given to all the supporters, fundraisers, volunteers and marshals. Plenty of great photographs from both events can be viewed, courtesy of Caitlin Faye Photography on Facebook.”

Wet and windy parkruns still attracted plenty of tourists

Report by Don Hale

Another wet and windy day for most North Wales parkrunners last Saturday, November 1, yet it still failed to deter a wealth of keen visitors and participants to many a ‘splash and dash’ 5k course.

Conwy was no exception where 225 hardy entrants braved the elements and waterlogged riverside route to record some exceptional times given the circumstances.

First runner home remained unknown at the time of writing, but there was just six-seconds between the second and third finishers, which included visitor Jonty Brown (Buxton AC) on his debut in 18.13, with Jonathan Kettle (NWRRC) third in 18.19.

Visitor Beatrice Cordingley (Sale Harriers) was 1st female finisher (7th overall) with a new PB in 19.45, with Amy Rollinson second in 22.43, and Lizzie Irvine (GOG Triathlon) third following a close finish in 22.46.

The Culverhouse family ran at Conwy with Stuart 14th and 2nd VM50 in 20.20, wife Lucy 141st in 31.44, and their son Joe 1st JM11-14 and 19th place overall with a new PB 21.16. Lucy’s sister Elinor Chapman
(Penny Lane Striders) was 146th in 32.11.

Other notable local results Gwyn Williams (Colwyn Bay AC) 22.22: Darren Dentith 48th in 24.22; Bethan Wyn Roberts and Amanda Durber 100th and 101st both in 28.28, Peter Johnson 118th in 29.34.

Penrhyn Castle Parkrun

Rhodri Owen was 1st in just 16.22, Phil Lynes second in 19.10 and JM15-17 athlete Deri Hockley (Eryri Harriers) third in 19.25.

JW15-17 youngster Tamsin Seguin (Menai T&F) was first female finisher (5th overall) in 20.00, debutant Ali Young second in 20.17, and visitor Taliska Faulkner (Queensbury RC), third with a new PB in 21.41. John O’Shea (NWRRC) was 141st in 33.23. There were 207 finishers.

Regular Conwy runner Gareth Southworth continued his holiday in Australia with a superb victory at the Naracoorte Lake Parkrun in 21.47, almost two minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

Nova Parkrun Prestatyn

Alex Ryder (Prestatyn RC) was first finisher at the windswept Nova Parkrun in 19.11, followed by JM15-17 athlete George Ledsham in 19.26, and visitor Chris Morgan (Brighton Phoenix) in 19.53.

Lisa Lines (Prestatyn RC) was 1st female (13th overall) in 22.46, with Myra Jones (Valley Striders) second in 23.28, and Mia Williams 28th on her debut in 24.04. Prestatyn RC entered 17 members, and there were 228 finishers altogether.

Nant-y-Pandy

Visitor Tomasz Pyznar (Parkrun World Tourists) was the first man home at the Nant Y Pandy Nature Reserve Parkrun, where tourists and debutants, made up the majority of the 62 finishers.

Tomasz finished well in 19.09, with Irfon Rowlands second in 20.51, and Carwyn Jones
(Cybi Striders) third in 21.29.

A hat-trick of visiting athletes took the top three female placings and the event also recorded the unusual fact that seven of the first 10 finishers were all debutants, with Lucy Vamplew (Ackworth RR) taking the first female spot (14th overall) on debut in 25.42, and Lesley Gleeson (Chippenham Harriers) finished second in 27.12, with Karen Hulme (Edge Pistols) third in 27.49.