Popular athlete Dave Hughes runs 100 miles for Pancreatic Cancer charity
Report by Don Hale
Well done to popular local athlete and restaurant owner Dave Hughes who has completed an amazing 100-mile running challenge to help raise funds for Pancreatic Cancer in memory of his father-in-law Alun Yu.
Dave, who jointly owns the Paysanne restaurant at Deganwy, finally achieved his mileage target at Conwy Parkrun, where he was welcomed by family members on the finish line with the exciting news that his sterling efforts are now close to raising nearly £1,000 via his JustGiving charity page for this worthy cause.
On his fundraising page he explained: “This year, I lost someone special – my father-in-law – and it was only six weeks after he was hospitalized. We had no clue at all that anything was seriously wrong. There were no obvious signs, no warning, and it was all such a shock. We wished for more time, but pancreatic cancer gave us none.
“Pancreatic Cancer is often diagnosed too late. By the time symptoms appear, options are limited. Early detection could mean longer lives, better outcomes, and more time.
“That’s why during November I began raising funds to support research, improve early screening, and help others avoid sudden goodbyes. Every donation, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to earlier diagnosis, better treatment.
“Please donate if you can. Share if you can’t. Together, we can make a difference for families. Cancer doesn’t feel real till it happens to someone close. Half of people with the disease die within three months of diagnosis. With research underfunded and left behind, people are left with only hope to hold onto.
“That’s why we really need your support this cause during Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month. Donate now and you could help put a test in the hands of every GP, and together we can raise awareness of the disease and the signs and symptoms, so that people can get a crucial diagnosis, sooner. Thank you so much for your support!”
This is a link to Dave Hughes’ Pancreatic Cancer fundraising page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/david-hughes-18
North Wales duo complete gruelling Sea to Summit Challenge
Report by Don Hale
Two veteran female athletes from North Wales Road Runners completed the gruelling Sea to Summit Offa’s Dyke Challenge on December 8
This was a very demanding race for club colleagues and friends Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton, and the event covered 14-miles and some 3,700ft of ascent, and took the pair 3 hours and 40 minutes.
After the event, Kay said: “Cheryl and I have just finished the Challenge. It was a race, but
most of us either ran/walked as there were numerous steep gradients and was very muddy!”
Festive demands and weather kept numbers down at NW parkruns
Report by Don Hale
It was a cool, damp morning at most of the local parkruns on December 7, with numbers down at the majority of them, probably due to festive demands and the problematic weather conditions, with some flooding on numerous 5k courses.
Conwy may have suffered the most, with entrants down for the third week on the trot, and only 80 determined athletes – including 24 visitors – completed the swampy riverside route at the RSPB, whilst Nant y Pandy’s event was cancelled altogether.
The new Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun still remains a novelty but entrants were down from last week’s launch of 501 to 345, and the stats were very interesting with 240 first timers, and nearly half of the previous week’s entrants recorded new PB’s this week.
Prestatyn
Local soccer player and referee Aaron Dodwell scored a notable victory at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in just 18 minutes and 35 seconds, with Sam Ashton second in 19.17 and Alexander Suayan third, with a new PB in 19.21.
Jenna Bagnall (Prestatyn RC) was the first female finisher (31st overall), and her club celebrated a trio of top female placings with Megan Lewis second in 24.55 and Tilly Jones third in 25.08.
The Prestatyn RC host club entered 20 members, with Dafydd Montgomery their first finisher in 5th place overall in 20.08, and Alex Ryder next in 22.10, with VM65 Reg Jones third in 24.24; and plaudits went to VM85 super-vet Roger Harrison Jones, 134th in 43.45
Penrhyn
Rhodri Owen led home 134 entrants at the Penrhyn Castle Parkun in 16.01, and Russell Bentley (Kent AC) was second in 16.13, whilst the third finisher remained unknown.
JW15-17 youngster Tamsin Seguin (Menai T&F) was the first female (13th overall) in 20.25, and Rebecca Avanessiav was second on her debut in 21.42, with another young JW11-14 athlete Annabella Wise third in 23.21.
Other local runners included Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC), 7th in 18.21, and Steffan Sayer (Menai T&F) 28th in 22.43.
Llandrillo-yn-Rhos
A number of elite athletes attended the second Rhos Parkrun on Saturday along with a plentiful number of visitors and first timers, who all helped to boost the number of course PBs and 15 out of the first 20 finishers were all debutants.
Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) was first with a dazzling display in just 16 minutes and 50 seconds to set a new course record on his debut.
And SW20 athlete Emily Hanlon was also on fire to finish second overall and first female in 18.06, with JM15-17 youngster and debutant Seth Williams third.
Debutant Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was second female finisher (6th overall), and 1st VW40 in 19.15, with another promising JW11-14 runner in Lois Evans third on debut in 20.48; whilst winner Simon Cole’s talented wife Vicky Cole, was fourth lady and yet another debutant in 21.09.
North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC) entered nine members, whilst the GOG’s had 18, and many others represented several local clubs, including Porth Eirias Runners.
For NWRRC, Jonathan Kettle finished 4th in 18.30, Stuart Culverhouse was 13th in 20.12, with Sion Thomas 27th on his 50th parkrun in 21.17.
Richard Scamans was 55th in 23.27; Barrie Wells 87th and 2nd VM70 in 25,00, Rob Fryer 140th and 3rd VM70 in a new course PB 26.55: Don Hale was 147th in 27.37; Molly Evans 169th and 3rd SW20 in 28.37, and veteran John O’Shea was 276th in 34.23.
It was also good to welcome partially-sighted athlete Daniel Owens, who ran well together with his guide Gwyn Williams. Daniel finished 124th in a new course PB 26.18, with Gwyn respectfully, one place and one second close behind.
And an extra well done to Kevin Edge (Porth Eirias Runners) on competing his 250th parkrun, and to debutant Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers), who won his VM65 age cat in 37th place in 22.24.
Other local debutants: SM20 Joshua Peevor 16th in 20.22; Daniel Huws 77th in 24.18; and Mike Pemberton 9th in 25.18.
For GOG Triathlon, Simon Cole was the overall event winner, leading home a strong team with Daniel Jones 19th in 19.41, and Steve Owen 20th with a new course PB in 20.45. Vicky Cole was first female club runner home, with Michelle Farrell second in 48th place with a new course PB in 23.04, and Lizzie Irvine finished third in 49th place with a new PB of 23.16.
Conwy
Alun Brown (GOG Triathlon) was the first finisher at the Conwy Parkrun in 19.34, with long-distance visitor Samuel Lewis (Breakfast club Glasgow) second on his debut in 21.27, and PJ McGough third with a new PB 21.59.
First female was Elen Jones (7th overall) in 22.27, and Mia Williams (9th) claimed the second spot in 22.50, with another long-distance traveller in Claire Townsend (Brighton Outdoor Fitness) 3rd (19th) in 25.55.
Praise too for popular GOG Triathlon veteran Liz Evans 4th female and 1st in her new VW75 age cat after celebrating her birthday this week in 26.50.
North Wales Road Runners entered three members and each finished second in their respective age cats, with VM44 athlete Paul Aubert fourth overall in 22.05, VM40 Karl Morris enjoyed a good outing in 12th place in 23.55, and SM30 James Singleton was 18th in 25.49.
Other local runners included: John Stallard 32nd in 29.44; Bethan Wyn Roberts 38th in 30.14; and Pam Grant finished 43rd in 31.15.