Eryri Harrier tops female field at latest Rhos Parkrun
Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael Finnie
It was another jam-packed and fun-filled occasion at the new Llandrillo yn Rhos (Y Promenade) Parkrun last Saturday following a record-breaking attendance on Christmas Day.
Despite the freezing temperatures and a generous covering of heavy frost around the region, with the icy conditions causing the cancellation of rival events at Conwy and Nova, the Rhos Parkrun, possibly aided by a light layer of sand at key points, got the green light, much to the delight of 576 eager entrants.
And many runners later expressed their gratitude to run director Dougie Graham and his RD colleagues in addition to the welcome support of the hard-working team of volunteers and marshalls, who all braved the freezing cold to ensure this event was made available to all.
Once again, this parkrun attracted hundreds of newcomers, and produced some outstanding displays, some incredibly fast times, and PBs. It was also boosted by the addition of many members from GOG Triathlon, North Wales Road Runners, Porth Eirias Runners, and others, plus a large contingent from the 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer group.
The first three finishers at Rhos ran nip-and-tuck around this flat, and picturesque 5k course, with just 10-seconds separating their heroic efforts; but visitor Kieran O’Brien (St Helen’s Striders) eventually took the honours, recording 17 minutes and 44 seconds, just ahead of fellow debutant Mark Pemberton in second place in 17.48 and Callan Coughlan (Serpentine RTC) third despite a new PB 17.54.
Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was first female finisher (7th place), with a new PB 18.11, and visitor Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) – daughter of NWRRC super vet Sandy Johnston – came home 10th and was second female in 19.01. Another visitor Kate Bird flew around the course to finish 3rd (16th overall), in 19.51.
North Wales Road Runners results: Joe Culverhouse 21st place overall and 2nd JM15-17in 20.03; Stuart Culverhouse 25th and 2nd VM50 in 20.16.. Richard Scamans continued to impress with another excellent run in 85th place in 22.54, and super vet Sandy Johnston was 134th and 1st VM75 in PB 4.26. Master vets Rob Fryer and Don Hale also ran well, Rob winning his VM70 cat in 26.31, and Don 2nd VM70 after finishing 234th in 27.26. Keen veteran John O’Shea claimed 432nd place in 33.56.
GOG Triathlon: Paul Garstang first club finisher in 27th with a PB 20.18. Andy Jones was 32nd in 20.46, with Rob Stewart 142nd in a PB 24.40. Evergreen star super vet Liz Evans topped her VW75 age cat, taking 154th place in 25.20, while daughter and father pair Caitlin and Steve Owen ran the course together. Cailtin finished 258th on debut in 28.03, Steve just one place and three-seconds behind.
Porth Eirias Runners: Jasper McQueen 41st in 21.20, with VM65 athlete Alan Hackett second in 27.46, and
Steve Buckland third in 304th place in 29.18.
Other local results: Iain Burgess 5th with PB 18.02; Amelia Anderson (Tri-stars Conwy) 52nd and PB in 21.42; Birthday boy Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 57th and 1st VM65 age cat in 22.02; Darren Dentith 68th in 22.27. And Morgan Kendall (Meirionnydd RC) was 71st in 22.31, and quite remarkably, shared the exact same time with his young colleagues and rivals Harri Jackson (Menai T&F) 72nd and James Smith 73rd.
Prolific young charity fundraiser and JM11-14 athlete, Charlie Sheen finished 96th on his CD in 23.23; and Tony Parvin was 115th in 23.56; Mike Permberton was 159th in 25.29; and Anne Mynott (Colwyn Bay)
194th on CD in 26.20.
*This is a link to the provisional results from the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun:
https://www.parkrun.org.uk/ypromenadllandrilloynrhos/results/latestresults/
NEWBOROUGH
The visiting Delamere family played an extraordinary role at the Newborough Forest parkrun on Saturday with talented junior athlete William Delamere first finisher overall in just 16 minutes and 38 seconds, and this JM15-17 athlete easily won his age cat.
His younger brother, JM10 runner Thomas Delamere, finished equally well in third IN A PB in 19.41, and surprisingly, he ran the course with his father John Delamere (Southport Waterloo), who finished 4th, and he shared the exact same time as Thomas; and yet, not to be outdone by her siblings, JW11 athlete Lucy Delamere finished 8th overall and First female finisher with a PB 20.34.
Second female was visitor Anamarie Lascu in 21.36, and in third place Liz Proctor (Bolton United Harriers) with a new PB in 21.44.
Arwel Lewis (Eryri Harriers) made his course debut, finishing in 25th place and 1st VM65 in 22.56. GOGs’ Andrew and Sarah Ellwood took part. Andrew finished 82nd in 28.11 and Sarah 147th in 32.51. There were 216 finishers.
NANT-Y-PANDY
Just 83 entrants at the Nant y Pandy Parkrun last Saturday including 43 newcomers, but they all enjoyed a great time thanks to the amazing team of volunteers.
First three were all visitors, with Jonathan Tindall first, closely followed by James Allen in 18.17 and young JM15-17 runners Jonty Brown (Buxton AC) in 18.59.
JW15-17 athlete Evie Bayman was the first female finisher (12th overall) on debut in 23.12, with Rachel Tindall second in 24.52 and VW45 Kate Brown (Buxton AC) third in 25.57.
PENRHYN
SM20 athlete Huw Gwynn was First man home at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun on Saturday with a new PB 17.04. Andrew Douse took second spot in 18.37, with Nicholas Seguin third in 18.40.
Visitor VW60 Helen Mitchell was first female in 23.36, with Helen Cridland second on CD in 24.14 and JW11-14 Anna Bella third in 24.31.
There were four GOG Triathlon members at Penrhyn: Simon Blain 57th in 25.57; Stephanie Conway 76th in 27.42; Megan New 117th in 30.23 and Cheryl Stewart 138th in 32.02. There were 201 finishers.