North Wales ‘Cowfest’ event proved a major success
Report by Don Hale. Photos by David Airey and others
coastandcountry.blog
The popular North Wales version of Cowfest staged at Erddig Hall, near Wrexham, proved a huge success last Saturday and attracted over 400 parkrun entrants from across the UK.
This particular 5k run with similar Cowfest functions at Crathes Castle in Scotland, and at Dinton Pastures in England, was a multi-gathering for all keen UK parkrun tourists, alongside individual regional events.
All three venues welcomed many hundreds of parkrunners in fancy dress and with particular emphasis on the cow theme, welcoming many ‘Cowell’ chasers and tourists.
Dave Munday, who organises the parkrun North Wales Facebook site, helps to promote the tourism angle and encourages many parkrunners to try different NW venues said: “I really enjoyed the Cowfest, and many of the dedicated parkrunners at this event, were members of a small group collecting valuable points as tourists.”
And the Erddig parkrun Run Director Anna Clarke, who had the challenging task of organising her dedicated team of volunteers confirmed: “What a fabulous event! Cowfest 2026 was a success. I just wanted to say thank you so much to each and every one of you who came to celebrate this event with us.
“Whether you’ve completed 100 different parkrun locations or not, parkrun is for everyone but today was made extra special by the number of visitors we had, who were all keen to show off their cow outfits and mingle with friends from across the globe.
“A huge shoutout to Erddig NT/YG, who allowed us to host this event but also for their support and volunteering with the overflow carpark which ran very smoothly.
“The event couldn’t have worked without the volunteers, and it was fabulous to see so many regulars and tourist volunteers working side by side. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many barcode scanners! From set up to close down, token sorting and report writing. And please also see on Facebook, just a small selection of photos, with thanks to David Airey.
“Thank you to you, the visitors who made today extra special. We had Airey Airways, and a whole host of locations who came to run, including some from Australia. We also had our highest number of participants today too and lastly Arla. Thank you to you for letting us borrow your calf and squishy cows. They certainly were a hit for photographs!”
Hundreds of runners set a hot pace along the prom at Rhos
Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie
coastandcountry.blog
Numerous elite and club athletes set a hot pace on a very warm and breezy morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday, along with a generous mix of social runners and walkers, who enjoyed the picturesque 5k promenade route.
Last week’s first placed finisher James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) returned to claim victory yet again complete with his twin buggy, and he just managed to outpace rival Dominic-Dennis Marray-Woods, with James recording another good time of 17 minutes and 9 seconds, Dominic just 9 seconds adrift,and Rob Evans (NWRRC) finished third with a new course PB 17.56.
The first female was Isabel Redfern (Colwyn Bay AC) on her debut in 19.41, and young JW11-14 athlete Lois Evans ran extremely well again in second place in 19.46, with Charlotte Walker third with a new course PB in 22.05. There were 482 finishers..
And it was good to note that two partially-sighted athletes also took part at Rhos with Daniel Owens guided around the course by one of the Run Directors in Chris Spillane in 147th place in 25.45; and Barry Dickenson guided by Katie Doyle in 375th in
35.19.
NWRRC had six members involved with Rob Evans leading the team home, closely followed by Jonathan Kettle, 4th and 2nd VM 50 in 18.15, with Will Williams sprinting back to form in 29th place and 3rd VM50 in 19.56. Paddy Walsh was 48th in 21.14, Steve Roberts 86th in 23.27 and master vet Don Hale finished in 185th and 2nd VM70 in 27.19.
GOG Triathlon’s first finishers included: (5) Paul Mannington on his debut in 18.21; (32), Geran Hughes in 20.01 and (49) Andy Jones in 21.15.
Porth Eirias Runners: (77) Barry Palmer in 22.57; (130) Pedro Gaspar 25.21; (196) Zara Parry CPB 27.40; and (216) Kevin Baines 28.20.
Other notable local results: (40) JM11-14 Charlie Sheen CPB 20.30; (73) Darren Dentith 22.39; (92) Amelia Anderson 23.26; (93) JM10 Hugo Yarwood CPB 23.27 and (98) Steve Poupart CPB 23.50.
Penrhyn
A unique family double at the Penrhyn Castle parkun saw Nic Brook and his partner Gemma Moore, who both represent Eryri Harriers, finish first male and female. Nic ran home in 18.16 and won his VM50, whilst Gemma was third overall and first in age cat in a CPB 18.50.
Jacob Watson was the second male finisher with a CPB 18.37, and the second and third female athletes included Laura Williams CPB 23.11, and Jasmine Blight CPB 23.59. There were 242 finishers
Conwy
Entrants finally returned to the original start and finish at the RSPB Nature Reserve for the Conwy Parkrun with JM15-17 athlete George Ledsham the first man home in a CPB in 18.11, followed by Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) in 18.43, and visitor Adam Davies (Stragglers) in 19.16. There 213 finishers.
Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) was first female in 20.27, with Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) second in 21.22, and visitor Alice Anderson third in 23.24. NWRRC: Richard Scamans 36th and 1st VM50 in 23.55, Ceri Jones was 96th in 28.25, and super vet Mike Hayton came 130th and 1st VM75 in 31.20.
GOG Triathlon had eight members involved including: Craig Rutter 15th in 21.27; Andy Brazier 30th 23.03; and super vet Liz Evans 77th and 1st VW75 in 26.23.
Other notable local results included: (7) Rhys Pugh with CPB 20.28; (14) Dave Spofforth 21.24; (26) Ian Taylor (Colwyn Bay AC) 22.33; (74) Mike Pemberton 26.13; (94) John Stallard 28.17 and (104) Bethan Wyn Jones 29.04.
Prestatyn
Local soccer star Aaron Dodwell enjoyed a great result at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn with another impressive performance as the first finisher in 17.33, with Sam Ashton second in 18.07 and teenager Jack Richards third in 18.44. First female was Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) in 23.03, with visitor Ruth Hamilton second in 25.05 and Chloe Hart (Oldham & Royton Harriers AC) was third with a CPB 25.32. There were 287 finishers.
NWRRC: JM15-17 Joe Culverhouse 4th overall CPB 18.48, Stuart Culverhouse 13th and 3rd VM50 in 20.51
Prestatyn RC entered 15 members, and the first three finishers were: Jonathan Puleston-Jones 10th in 20.17; Robert Grima 15th CPB 21.21 and Jamie Betts 26th in 22.39.