Trawsfynydd Lake race supported South Snowdonia Mountain Rescue Team

Report by Don Hale. Lake photos by John Hatton

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Over 200 athletes helped to raise thousands of pounds for the South Snowdon Mountain Rescue team on Sunday by competing in the North Wales SSSART Trawsfynydd 8.5-mile race around the Lake.

This popular annual event combined a challenging, undulating, yet picturesque road and trail course through (Eryri) Snowdonia National Park from near Blaenau Ffestiniog, and attracted numerous experienced fell and trail runners from across the UK.

Steffan Sayer (Menai Track & Field) was first finisher overall after recording an excellent chip time of just 54 minutes and 47 seconds, with Harty Woodford second in 50.51 and Dewi Pugh (Clwb Rhedeg Bro Dysynni RC) third in 51.18.

First female was Lydia Sharpe in 19th overall in 59.16, followed by runner-up Hannah Thomas in 59.51 and Layla Omar-Davies, third in 1.01.34.

North Wales Road Runners entered 10 members, collecting five podium places including two age category victories.

Jonathan Kettle was their first finisher in 9th place and 1st MV50 in 54.47, Stuart Culverhouse was 26th and 3rd MV50 in 1.01.03. with Will Evans 34th in 1.02.12.

Carla Green took 61st place and 9th female, finishing 3rd FV50 in 1.07.56. Adam Lemalle was 64th in 1.08.01, with Kay
Hatton 1st FV60 in 94th place in 1.12.40.

Club chairman and master veteran Kevin Slattery was 2nd MV70 and 131st overall in 1.16.02, Helen Hannam was 207th in 1.25.21 and Nia Lister 211th in 1.25.52. Elizabeth Driscoll placed 220th in 1.27.43, and Gwen Charlton 222nd in 1.27.58.

MARATHON

North Wales Road Runner Mal Preece crossed the big pond last weekend to compete in the famous Boston Marathon, and despite a gruelling race and some very windy conditions, he finished just a few seconds away from a great new course PB.

After the event he confirmed: “Very tough and windy conditions, 40/50mph headwinds, but pleased with the time. Just 23 seconds away from my PB of 3:22:27! Definitely a fast course with the right conditions. I’ll be signing up again for next year.”

On returning home, Mal later took part in the Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun on Saturday finishing 117th in 26.08.

Cheryl Frost (pictured above) from NWRRC smashed her previous personal best time at the Newport Marathon on Sunday with a determined run in 3 hours 46 minutes and 20 seconds despite suffering from cramp in the latter stages. She later confirmed: “I recorded a 9-minute PB but suffered from cramp from mile 21 but managed to finish.”

Varied mix of athletes at a busy Rhos Parkrun

Report by Don Hale

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Another bumper turn-out at the Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun last Saturday with a generous mix of top junior and senior club runners, plus numerous first-timers, social runners and walkers.

Six out of the first 10 finishers at Rhos were debutants, including many talented youngsters, all testing their paces against each other.

Surprisingly though, in a sprint finish, VM35 athlete Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) eventually claimed the top spot with a new course PB in 17 minutes and 11 seconds, whilst JM11-14 youngster Finlay Potter (Warriors Pentathlon &AC) finished just two-seconds behind Aled in 17.13, and Craig Connor (Chester Tri-Club) took 3rd in 17.16.

Visitor Vicki Cleall (Dragons RC Sale) was first female (34th overall) on her course debut in 21.40, and Rebecca Downs (Colwyn Bay AAC) took second in a CPB 22.55, with Olivia Mitchell third on debut in 23.36. There were 420 finishers.

North Wales Road Runners entered 13 with track athlete Steve Gardner leading the team home in 10th place overall with a new CPB in 18.38, and also won his VM60 age cat, with Stuart Culverhouse 21st in 20.42 and Paddy Walsh third in 21.03.

Tony Price Jones, on his 100th parkrun milestone, clocked a solid 26.07 in 115th place, marathon man Mal Preece posting 26.08.

Master vet Rob Fryer won his VM70 age cat in 26.17, and Hannah Griffith came 124th with a new PB 26.25. Don Hale was 138th and 2nd MV70 in 27.02, whilst Gethin Wyn Jones and his child buggy were 154th place in 27.38.

Elizabeth Driscoll and Winston recorded another excellent course PB 29.38, whilst super-vet Mike Hayton won his VM75 age cat in 29.53 in 205th place.

Meanwhile Carla Green acted as a welcome guide for VM65 entrant Barry Dickenson, and they finished together in 38.29, with Chris Davies 373rd in 39.27.

Other local runners: (12) Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) 18.47; (28), Morgan Kendall (Meirionnydd RC) 21.24; (31) Josh Mottram (Colwyn Bay AAC) 21.27; (35) Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AAC) 21.50; (44) Darren Dentith 22.24; (72/73) Lucas and
Iain Burgess together in 24.16.

CONWY

Debutant Barney Reese won the Conwy Parkrun in 17.56, and the first four male athletes were all visitors, and two out of the first three female finishers were also first timers.

Teenager Dominic Dennis Marray-Woods provided Reese with some stiff competition though, but eventually had to settle as the runner-up in 17.57, with Kyle Hurst third in 18.32.

Visitor Natasha Dent was tfirst female in 21.14, Mia Williams was second with CPB 22.10, and Hatty Matthews third on her debut in 22.26.

PRESTATYN

Tom Carter (Prestatyn RC) was the first across the line at the Nova Parkrun in 17.44, and club colleague Alex Ryder was runner-up in 18.20, with Mathew Baker third in 18.29.

Visitor Katie Parry (Leeds City) was first female (10th overall) with a CPB 20.57, with JW11-14 athlete Freya Roberts-Howie
next with a PB 24.50, and visitor Laura Hurrell (Meltham AC) took the third on debut in 27.23.

Prestatyn RC entered 24 members with Tom and Alex taking the first two spots, and Dafydd Montgomery was third club man in 20.45, with Nicki Triggs first female in 28.54; whilst club colleagues Eve Manifold and Tilly Jones finished together in 28.56. There were 211 finishers.

PENRHYN

Betsi Runaways athlete Jonathan Tyler won the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun with a new PB 17.06, with Andrew Douse second in a CPB 17.56, and debutant Daniel Clifford was third in 19.02.

First female was JW11-14 athlete was Celsi Jones (40th overall) in 24.31, and debutant Nicola Holgate took second in 24.42, with teenager Bethan Blake (Eryri Harriers) third in 24.45.