No sand, so fast times and plenty of visiting athletes at Rhos Parkrun
Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie
There was another very good turn-out at the new Y Promenade, Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun last Saturday where, following the council clear-up of the sand last week on parts of the course, two new event records were smashed, whilst others recorded 114 new personal best times in total among the 406 finishers.
There were some 226 newcomers to this popular fourth event, with many wearing festive attire to add to the usual warm and friendly atmosphere of this fast and furious parkrun.
Talented visiting Wrexham AAC athlete Connor Rogers set a new record on his course debut as the first overall finisher in just 16-minutes and one second over this flat 5k and picturesque route, and the first female once again was Emily Hanlon (GOG Triathlon), who also set a new event record after finishing third overall in a new PB of 17.47.
Sandwiched in between, in second place overall was young SM20 athlete James Smith who additionally claimed a new PB 17.43. James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was fourth a new PB, despite running with his child buggy in 17.58, while Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was 7th overall in a PB 18.34.
With Hanlon first female and Moore second, it was good to see superb award-winning veteran athlete and coach Rhian Roxburgh (GOG Triathlon) taking third spot on course debut in 16th place overall in 19.46.
North Wales Road Runners entered 10 members.
Steve Bozier led the team home in 12th place and 3rd VM45 with a new PB 19.25.
NWRRC collected six new PBs overall: Stuart Culverhouse 15th and 2nd VM50 with a PB 19.45;Paddy Walsh 46th in 21.34; Richard Scamans 64th in 22.41; master vet Barrie Wells 109th and 1st VM70 in new course PB 24.38. He was followed by fellow master vets Rob Fryer 145th, with a new PB 26.12, Don Hale 180th and course PB in 27,23; veteran Len Jackson debuted in 27.50; whilst veteran Alan Davies finished 227th with PB 28.59; and super vet Mike Hayton was 232nd and 1st VM75 in PB 29.07.
Other notable results: 17th Steven Owen (GOG Triathlon) PB 19.58; 22nd Bryn Woodall (Colwyn Bay AC) – home for Christmas from studies in America – course debut 20.13; 35th was Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) with baby buggy on debut in 21.08; 53rd was Amelia Anderson (Tri Stars Conwy), who celebrated her 100th parkun on her Rhos debut in 21.58.
In 54th place was Darren Dentith with a PB 21.59, whilst his SM20 son Thomas Dentith on his course debut, finished 60th in 22.24, and his JM15-17 younger son Samuel was 124th on debut in 25.11; and master vet Martin Cortvriend (Prestatyn RC) enjoyed a promising debut in 25.28.
Prestatyn
Dafydd Montgomery (Prestatyn RC) won the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in 19.12, very closely followed by
Chris Francis (3M Gorseinon RRC) with a new course PB of 19.17, and Caleb Dore, third with another PB in 19.25.
Visitor and debutant Daisy Rae (Aldershot, Farnham & District) was first female (21st overall) in 22.45, and Prestatyn RC’s Lisa Lines was second in 24.14, with Michelle Meredith-Roberts third in 25.03. There were 215 finishers.
Prestatyn RC entered 23 members with Montgomery leading the team home withJonathan Puleston-Jones second male finisher and 8th overall in 20.36, and teenager Oliver Birch-Jones was third and 11th overall in 21.14, with Lisa Lines first club female finisher in 35th place overall in 24.14.
Conwy
Young Cai Curtis Roberts was top finisher at the Conwy Parkrun in 17.17, with David Penney second in 18.06, and JM15-17 athlete Deri Hockley (Eryri Harriers) took third on course debut in 19.39.
Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was first female in 4th place overall, clocking 19.51, with young club colleague Efa Baines second, just one place and five-seconds adrift, and Montana Hull third with a new course PB 22.15.
North Wales Road Runners’ two competitors both won their respective age cats, with super vet Sandy Johnston 1st VM75 and 27th place overall in 25.07, and colleague Gwen Charlton 35th and 1st VW35 with a new course PB 26.43.
Other notable local results: 17th and 1st VM55 Gwyn Williams (Colwyn Bay AC) in 22.17; 19th James Singleton 22.32; 23rd Lizzie Irvine (GOG Triathlon) in 23.27; 33rd and 1st VW75 veteran Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) 26.25; and 41st and 1st VW55 Bethan Wyn Roberts 27.50; John Stallard 48th in 28.49. There were 92 finishers.
Penrhyn
SM20 youngster Aidan Thomas was first finisher at Penrhyn Castle Parkrun in 18.12, with visitor Matthew Jones (Ripley RC) second in 18.27 and Jared Humphries (Tonbridge Canoe Club) 3rd on his course debut in 18.28.
Teenage visitor Taliska Faulkner (Queensbury RC) was first female in 23rd place overall in 23.20, with debutant JW11-14 Efa Gwyn second in 24.26, and Natalie Etches third in 24.33. There were 140 finishers.