CATCH-UP – North Wales parkrun news: Saturday, April 11

A large group of North Wales athletes took the early morning ferry from Holyhead on April 11 to take part in some different Irish parkruns around Dublin.

Organised by Dave Munday, there were numerous events within a short distance from the ferry port that were just reachable for a prompt 9am start, followed later, by a day of celebration in that great city.

Bright and breezy for plenty of visitors at North Wales Parkruns

Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie

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There were plenty of visitors and first timers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun on April 11, where a variety of mixed ability athletes and walkers celebrated some bright sunshine on a cold and windy morning.

The first three finishers were all visitors, each recording excellent debut times with Oliver Bernstein first man home in 16 minutes and 59 seconds, followed by fell runner Michael Corralles second in 17.25 and Patrick Connors (Lordshill Road Runners) 3rd in 17.29.

There were some great performances too by local athletes Iain Burgess, 5th with a new course PB 17.35, and 2nd VM40 and Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) 9th in 18.10, and 1st VM50.

First female finisher at Rhos was visitor Beatrice Cordingley (Sale Harriers) with a new course PB 19.34, whilst Ant Woodbine took the secondon her debut in 20.56, and local athlete Amelia Anderson (Conwy Tristars) finished third amd 1st Sw20 in 21.07. There were 427 finishers.

North Wales Road Runners entered 12 with Paddy Walsh 23rd in a CPB 20.51, followed by Carla Green, 29th and 1st VW50 in a CPB 22.03. Richard Scamans was 46th in 22.03 and veteran Steve Roberts 83rd and 3rd VM60 in 23.54.

Tony Price Jones made a massive improvement in recent form to finish 103rd with a CPB 24.39, and Steve Mason continued his own amazing recovery to finish 126th in 25.29. Master vet Rob Fryer was 1st VM70 in 144th place in 26.11, and fellow master Don Hale was 175th and 2nd VM70 in 27.17.

Nia Lister set a CPB of 28.09 in 209th place, and Elizabeth Driscoll and dog Winston also claimed a CPB 30.18; meanwhile John O’Shea was 336th in 34.27, and Richard Eccles finished 340th on debut in 34.51.

Some other local results included: (22) Gareth Southworth (Cybi Striders) 1st VM60 in 20.44, (48) Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AAC) 22.05; (57) Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) in 22.38; (75) Daniel Owens and his guide Jasper McQueen (Porth Eirias Runners) who celebrated a CPB 23.32.

There were also several GOG Triathlon members involved, with Steve Owen (31) in 21.14; veteran Paul Algieri (61) in 22.50; Simon Blain (89) in 24.02; and John Farrell (106) in 24.45.

FLINT CASTLE PARKRUN

A North Wales Road Runners Club trio of veterans made their debuts at the Flint Castle on April 11, where Cheryl Frost won her VW60 age cat in 22nd place, and was 5th female in a very good 22.59. Cheryl was followed by colleague Kay Hatton in 37th and 2nd VW60 in 24.17, whilst Mike Hayton won his VM75 in 29.32.

First finisher overall at Flint was visitor Peter Woodward (Forest of Dean AC) on his debut in 16.44, with another debutant in Paul Jones (Shrewsbury AC) second in 17.05, and Nathan James (Chester RR) third in 18.44. First female and(10th overall) was Linsey Clegg (Horsforth Harriers) in 20.56, with JW11-14 athlete Jasmine Rogan (Warriors Pentathlon & AC) second in 22.05, and Louise Bromley (Telford Harriers) third on her debut in 22.21. There were 241 finishers.

CONWY

Two visiting athletes were among the first three finishers at the Conwy Parkrun with Anthony Hatchard (Exmouth Harriers) claiming TOP PLACE narrowly ahead of rivals Pete Vale (Bromsgrove & Redditch AC) in 19.15 and top track runner Steve Gardner (NWRRC) in 19.18.

First female finisher was course debutant Eleanor Beever (25th overall) in 23.34, ahead of Anna Blackwell in 24.02 and Talin Keoshgerian PB 24.25.

Other results included: Karl Morris (NWRRC) 24th and 2nd VM45 in 22.59; and club colleague Hannah Griffith was 73rd and
3rd VW50 in 28.11; whilst John Stallard was 82nd in 29.04 and Rachel Morris 92nd and 3rd VW45 in 30.51.

GOG Triathlon results: Andy Jones 16th in 21.49; Jose Eduardo Vega Perez was 20th in 22.05; super vet Liz Evans 1st VW75 in 63rd place in 27.06: and Llinos Davies was 117th and 2nd W65 in 34.42. There were 165 finishers.

PENRHYN CASTLE

Chris Pownell (Cybi Striders) was first finisher at Penrhyn Castle Parkrun on his course debut in 17.54, with fellow debutant Nicholas Hall second in 18.23, and visitor Adam Burnett (Chorlton Runners) third with a CPB 18.50.

Top female (23rd overall) was visitor Hayley Fairclough (Penny Lane Striders) with a new course PB in 21.18, and Rebecca Neill took 2nd with another CPB in 22.11, with Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) third in 22.29.

NWRRC ultra-running couple Ben and Sarah Hudson enjoyed their parkrun outing. Ben was 35th and 3rd VM45 in 22.58, and Sarah finished well in 72nd place and 3rd VW45 in 25.14. There were 245 finishers.

PRESTATYN

Mathew Baker won the Nova Parkrun at Prestatyn in 18.04, teenager Jack Richards was second with a CPB 18.41, with visitor Aaron Saxton (Manchester Tri Club) a close third on debut in 18.51.

First female was Michelle Meredith-Roberts (46th overall) with a CPB 23.56, and JW11-14 athlete Freya Roberts-Howie was second in a CPB in 24.52, with Claire McKenna third, CPB 25.12. There were 288 finishers