Nearly 4,000 runners tackle Conwy Half Marathon
Report by Don Hale
Conwy Half Marathon attracted nearly 4,000 mixed ability athletes from all across the UK to a most challenging race.
The route ran from Conwy Quay and then around the Great Orme and back, and despite a cold and often blustery wind, many still recorded some excellent times.
Crowds lined the majority of the route and they were aided by numerous partially closed roads, which helped to create a tremendous carnival-type party atmosphere en-route.
Andrew Davies (Malden Harriers) was eventual winner of this prestigious race, well organised by RunWales, in just 1 hour 8 minutes and 56 seconds.
He was followed by Harry Lupton (Liverpool Harriers) in 1.13.00, and Matthew Crehan (St Helens) in 1.13.57. In 4th place was Rowan Poots from Newcastle, in 1.15.05, who was the first finisher at Conwy parkrun the previous day; and well done to Stefan Sayer (Menai T&F) 5th in 1.15.29, and young Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) who was 26th with a new PB 1.21.05.
First female finisher was Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) in 1.20.39, with her club colleague Emily Jones second in 1.22.05 and Lorna Young (New Brighton) took the third spot in 1.22.22.
There was praise for many local runners including – Darren Dentith 736th in 1.45.31, Peter Johnson 2.11, John Stallard 2.15, James Jones 2.16 and Mandy Owen 2.46.
The most welcome celebrations however, and the biggest cheer of the day, went to former mountain racer Mark Davies, who also took part in this event after many years of extremely painful rehabilitation from serious injuries, following his partial recovery as a hit and run victim.
Mark was filmed on Sunday by BBC Wales during a special feature to be shown this week, and he bravely finished this most difficult course in a credible 3 hours 28 minutes and 17 seconds.
North Wales Road Runners entered a strong team with Jonathan Kettle leading the team home as a 90-minute pacer, with Steve Bozier also in good form in 1.30.18 in 161st place, closely followed by Will Evans
165th in 1.30.20, and Stuart Culverhouse 190th in 1.31.42.
Club chairman Kevin Slattery had an amazing run and he was 340th and won his VM70 age cat in 1.36.50, with Sion Thomas 386th in 1.38.19. Daniel Hennell finished in 464th place in 1.39.30, and super vet Sandy
Johnston won his VM75 age cat in 814th place in 1.47.03.
Cheryl Frost finished 3rd VW55 in 1.49.08, and Molly Evans celebrated a new PB 1.55.29, and Philip Moss
clocked 1.56.42. There were plaudits too for Jon Evans and Bob Hinds who both ran as two-hour pacers, with Jon running home precisely on time in 1.59.34.
Carol Moss finished well in 2.00.16, and Nia Lister in 2.03.00, whilst Gwen Charlton recorded 2.04.48, and Steve Roberts 2.05. Helen Hannam was pleased with her time of 2.08.23, and James Jones in 2.17.14.
Apologies to anyone missed out due to the large number of 3,375 listings.
This is a link to the provisional results from the Conwy half marathon:
https://www.runwales.com/e/conwy-half-marathon-8639/results
Karen runs for Wales at international cross-country match in Leeds
NWRRC veteran Karen Butler ran well as she represented Wales in the British and Irish Masters International cross country match in Leeds.
After the race, she confirmed: “Great course at Roundhay Park in Leeds. Found the downhills so difficult so took really cautiously.
“I think I was the only runner who preferred the tough going up rather than the slippy downhills. Had no intention of falling. As always, proud to run for Wales but this was a real challenge.”
Surgery pair complete an amazing 100k Sahara Desert Trek
Exclusive report by Don Hale
Two determined members of the Bodreinallt doctors’ surgery team at Conwy have just completed their extraordinary 100k Sahara Desert Trek, and helped to raise over £42,000 so far for St David’s Hospice.
Practice manager Sarah Corkish-Brown and Practice Nurse Emily Carr finally celebrated their success over the past couple of days and they were part of a group that fundraised for this essential local organisation.
Sarah’s sister and Emily’s mother, Mandy Carr (nee Corkish) passed away peacefully at St David’s Hospice in May 2024, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. The family were so grateful for all the support that Mandy received at the time, that they decided to do something completely outside of their comfort zone to help raise funds.
And following their return home, the pair confirmed: “Finally, after sleeping on the desert floor, after going to the loo in the wild, after very fine sand getting absolutely everywhere, after traversing the great expanse of the Sahara Desert, we have DONE IT! 100km for St David’s Hospice!
“What an incredible group of people with different stories to tell, with an amazing group of Nomads that were so funny and comforting. All together we have raised over £42,000 for the Hospice that cared for Mum so dearly at the end of her life.”
Back to ‘splash and dash’ at Conwy as Storm Claudia strikes
Report by Don Hale
What a difference a week makes as Storm Claudia replaced the previous Saturday’s bright sunshine, bringing 24-hours of heavy rain, and causing extreme flooding to many 5k parkrun courses, forcing several cancellations throughout the region.
Conwy Parkrun somehow survived but it brought an unwelcome return of the old ‘splash and dash’ riverside route with atrocious conditions underfoot.
Despite the weather issues, and a large influx of visiting athletes ready for the Conwy Half Marathon on the Sunday, Rowan Poots still managed a new PB as the first finisher in just 16 minutes and 32 seconds, with Cai Curtis Roberts second in 17.33, and visitor Jordan Dover (Didsbury Runners) third with a PB in 17.45.
First female finisher was Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) 5th overall in 20.02, and Tessa Hughes took the second place on her debut in 22.27, with another debutant in Amanda Carroll third, and she was just 10-seconds behind in 22.37.
Other notable Conwy results included: – Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) 21st place overall in 28.23; Darren Dentith 23rd in 23.55, and Bethan Wyn Roberts 93rd and 2nd VW55 in 28.23.
North Wales Road Runners entered five members and claimed four age cat wins with Stuart Culverhouse first man home in 22.58, with Cheryl Frost 28th overall and 1st VW55 age cat in 23.34; whilst Kay Hatton was 1st VW60 cat in 23.48 in 31st place. Master vet Rob Fryer won his VM70 cat in 27.09; with super vet
Mike Hayton in 120th place and 1st VM75 in 31.11.
NEWBOROUGH
Visitor James Smith was first across the line at the Newborough Forest parkrun with a very good debut time of 18.12, with Jos Poole second in 18.37, and James Richard Biggin (Hillsborough & Rivelina) 3rd in 19.00.
First female was JM15-17 athlete Tamsin Seguin (Menai T&F) in 20.45, and Kirstie Drakeford was second with a new PB in 21.14 and visitor Rebecca Neill finishing well in third place on debut in 22.09. There were 154 finishers in total.
PRESTATYN
James Jones made a good debut at the Nova Prestatyn Parkrun as first man home in 18.00.
Colwyn Bay athlete Iwan Robertswas 2nd with a new PB in 18.38, whilst JM15-17 athlete Seth
Williams finished third in 19.12.
A Prestatyn RC ladies trio took the first three female placings with Lisa Lines first in 21.30, and Megan Lewis second in 24.23 and Tilly Jones third despite a close finish, just one second and one place behind Megan.
The home club entered nine members, and the first finishers were Dafydd Montgomery in 6th place overall in 20.01, whilst David Hudd was 9th in 21.23, and Lisa Lines 10th in 21.30. There were 228 finishers.