Parkrun rowers in pace challenge with athletes at Llandrillo yn Rhos
Report by Don Hale
The Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun team welcomed some surprise members from Colwyn Bay Rowing Club to their January 31 event – AKA the ‘parkrun rowers’ – who waited just offshore and set a challenge to try to keep pace with some of the tail walkers along the adjacent but very sandy promenade course as they headed towards the Porth Eirias turn point.
The event also greeted the 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer group, who attended Rhos Parkrun as part of their regular monthly meeting.
The 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group at Rhos Parkrun
First four finishers at Rhos on Sea were all visitors, who were among about 50 newcomers to this exciting new venue.
Local football figure Stephen Cheung, formerly of Llandudno Albion fame, enjoyed a successful course debut in 18 minutes and 15 seconds, with Lewis Hall second in 18.35 and Thomas Parry third in 18.44.
First female was talented SW30 Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) with another very impressive display in just 19.06 (7th overall), with debutant teenager Olivia Jones second in 20.44, whilst Llio Owen came third in a new PB 21.10. There were 401 finishers.
North Wales Road Runners entered nine members with international track star Steve Gardner leading the team home in 5th place overall to win his VM60 age cat with a new course PB of 18.57.
He was closely followed by Will Williams, 6th with a new PB of 19.01, and 1st VM50. James Jones was 99th in 25.50, with in-form master veteran Rob Fryer 113th and 2nd VM70 in 26.30; with fellow master Don Hale 138th and third VM70 in 27.37.
Charlie Owen returned to running, making his course debut in 244th place in 32.22, whilst another first-timer Elizabeth Driscoll and her dog Winston, jogged around the course, finishing 268th in 33.01. Veteran John O’Shea celebrated a new course PB in 33.37 in 279th place and Gethin Wyn Jones ran around with his child buggy in 285th in 34.05.
GOG Triathlon entered eight members, and their first counter was Paul Algieri, 36th in 23.05; with Rob Stewart 48th with a new PB in 23.58 and Andrew Ellwood 94th, PB 25.42.
And it was good to note many Porth Eirias Runners involved, with Barry Palmer 55th in a PB 24.21, Pedro Gaspar 132nd in 27.22 and Alan Hacket 164th in 28.51.
Some other local athletes at Rhos included: Darren Dentith 39th in 23.12; Tony Parvin 51st in 24.17; Andrew Roberts 53rd in 24.18; Dave Munday 75th with a new course PB 24.53, Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC), who jogged around in 79th place in 25.01; Mike Pemberton 91st in 25.30; and praise again to partially-sighted athlete Daniel Owens and generous guide Eleanor Ashcroft, who ran together in 97/98th places in the shared time of 25.49.
PRESTATYN
There was a good turn-out of 195 mixed ability athletes at the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn on January 31, including 20 members from host club Prestatyn RC, where course debutant Drew Darlington was the first finisher in 17.28, and Mathew Baker was second despite a good battle with his rival, and was only four-seconds, and one place behind; with Simon Price third with a new PB in 18.26.
Home based Prestatyn RC member Eve Manifold was the first female athlete in an excellent 22.06 (10th overall), with Millie Robinson second with a new PB of 23.23 and Lisa Lines (Prestatyn RC) third in 24.19.
Other notable results included: NWRRC father and son Stuart and Joe Culverhouse. Stuart was5th overall and 1st VM50 in 20.35, whilst young Joe was 1st JM15-17 in 6th place in 20.53.
RUTHIN
Three North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC) enjoyed their morning at the Ruthin Parkrun on January 31, with veteran ladies Cheryl Frost, Kay Hatton and master veteran Mike Hayton all celebrating good performances.
Cheryl was the third female finisher and 1st VW60 in 22.44, Kay 2nd VW60 and fourth female in 23.36; and Mike 1st VM75 in 29.16.
PENRHYN CASTLE
Lawrence And Hopey was first finisher at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun in 20.02, with Colin Ball second with a new PB 20.20, whilst teenager Jake Hamilton took third spot with another PB in 20.38.
First female was Jessica Bibby (15th overall) in 22.25, but Rhiannon Amy Wilmott was just one place and two-seconds adrift, with Cerys Jones third with a new course PB 24.38. There were 176 finishers.
CONWY
Top three finishers at the Conwy Parkrun were all visitors including Sion Edwards, first man home in 17.25, with Lucas Jablonski second in 28.45, and Sean Davies third in 19.10.
Annie Gould Magee was first female with a new course PB in 24.15 (18th overall), and veteran Alison Davies was second in 25.53, with Gwen Charlton (NWRRC) third in a PB 26.42.
Some other notable results for local athletes: Paul Aubert (NWRRC) 12th and 1st VM45 in 22.44, Claire Parsley 37th in 26.57;
John Stallard 60th in 29.02; and Bethan Wyn Roberts and Amanda Durber ran well together in 62/63rd in 29.26. There were 104 finishers.
Steve records best ever 10k time at South Liverpool
Two North Wales Road Runners recorded very good results in the Liverpool South 10k on February 1.
The event was held at the Wavertree Park and Stadium and the course included laps of the athletic track and the park.
Steve Bozier claimed his best ever 10k time of 39.31 to finish in 27th place overall and club colleague Kevin Higgins was pleased with his effort of 57.49.
Deganwy Dash charity entries are quickly selling out
Report by Don Hale
Entries for the Deganwy 5-mile Dash are now open, but runners are advised to enter early as numbers are extremely limited to just 350 due to the popularity of this special fundraising event for Children’s Cancer charities.
The event on Friday 29th May 2026 at 7pm, starts and finishes on Deganwy Promenade, and follows a picturesque course along the river estuary and around Conwy Cob to the RSPB Nature Reserve, where it then turns and returns home along the same route to the finish.
Race director John Hatton confirmed this week: “The Deganwy Dash is now live and open for entries. The aim of the race is to still raise money for Cancer in Children. Joshua Tree is our main recipient for money plus as before, Young Lives vs Cancer.
“We do our best, and work closely with the people of Deganwy who support this charity race, and maintain the name of the Deganwy Dash, as they have their own popular Prom Day, the following day – Saturday – and they also provide toilets.”
This is the link for Deganwy Dash entries: https://in.tdlentries.co.uk/2026-deganwy-dash