North Wales athletes scoop medals at the Masters 3000m race

Report by Don Hale. Photos supplied courtesy of Chris Hollingshead

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Two top North Wales track athletes collected prestigious medals whilst representing Wales v England at the recent Masters 3000m international meeting staged at the Deeside Stadium.
Talented veterans Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC) and Steve Gardner (NWRRC) both celebrated good performances. Green was 2nd MV50 in 9.49, for a silver medal, whilst Gardner collected another gold after winning his MV60 cat in 10.10.
After his race, Gardner confirmed: “I came 6th overall and 1st V60 in 10 mins 10 seconds at the above meeting against England. Comprising MV50-54; 55-59; and 60 to 64-year-old athletes in one race.
“I was trying to get as close as possible to 10 mins dead (the current V60 Welsh record) but dropped off the lead group pace over the last 2 laps. It was a bit too ambitious realistically, but I still achieved a 27 second PB, and the performance will rank me the fourth fastest in the UK so far this year, so I’m very happy with that.” Geran Hughes (GOG Triathlon) enjoyed a solid performance in his veteran age cat and finished well in 11.38.
Athletics coach and team event official, Chis Hollingshead, said: “Congratulations to athletes from England Athletics Masters and Welsh Athletics Masters who competed in the 3000m track races in Deeside. Conditions were perfect, and the two races were fantastic to watch, and run in.
“The age group winners were: – M50: Nick Shasha (England) M55: Chris Nicoll (England). M60: Steven Gardner (Wales). W35: Nicola Sutton (England). W40: Emma Raven (England): W45: Joanne Henderson (Wales). Thanks to all the runners who support the masters programme, team staff Keri Lees and Emma Hollinshead for England, Bernie Jones and Luke Northall for Wales, and Deeside AC for hosting. Last night wouldn’t have been possible without you.”

Records broken – but thankfully no bones – at the fast Tryfan Downhill Dash

Report and photo courtesy of race organiser Mike Blake (Eryri Harriers).

Records were broken, but thankfully no bones, at the Tryfan Downhill Dash, which saw many experienced mountain and fell runners taking part.
Dark Peak’s Euan Patton, not content with having the cheek by taking 39 seconds off my 34-year record of 8 minutes in 2023, he went a massive step again, by taking a further 35 seconds off his own record finishing in an unbelievable 6.46.
He finished ahead of three times winner Michael Corrales (The Goats) in 9.25. Insane, the word on the street is, that his feet never actually touched the ground, and Sam Gunning took third place in 9.29.
The first lady was another re-known descender in Bethan Billing from Eryri Harriers, by taking 5th place overall – she took the 2nd fastest female time ever recorded of 11.51 – and gave her the U/19 and U/23 records, while Ali Thomas added the F60 record to her F40 and F50 records, da iawn pawb.

PADARN 5K

Entries are open for the new Padarn 5k at Llanberis on Wednesday 2nd Sept (7.15pm start). Described as a super flat and fast out and back course along the Lon Las Peris cycle track. *New 5k in beautiful Llanberis – the Padarn 5km entry link:
https://in.tdlentries.co.uk/padarn-sbrint-5k1785852150140

North Wales parkrun results round-up

Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat Finnie)

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LLANDRILLO-YN-RHOS

It was bright, sunny and very warm at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun on Saturday, August 22, which was enjoyed by another bumper attendance of 516 runners and walkers, with many travelling from different parts of the UK and even abroad.
Conor Davies first finisher overall in 16 minutes and 45 seconds, with Welsh international track star Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) second with a new PB of 17.03, and Iain Burgess third, following another excellent PB in 17.17.
The first female finisher was teenage debutant Lexi Dundas (26th overall) in 20.08, and Alison Russell (Spectrum Striders) was second on her debut in 21.28, but it was a close contest with Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) third with CPB 21.31. Many entrants also wore tu-tu’s due to the event falling on the 22nd of the month.
North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC) had eight members involved, including: Will Evans 7th, and 2nd VM45 CPB 18.40; Stuart Culverhouse 25th and 2nd VM50 in 20.02, Richard Scamans CPB 21.20 in 35th and Darren Griss CPB 24.32 in 116th.
Super-vet Sandy Johnston ran well again following his recovery from a knee problem in 128th place and he won his VM75 age cat in 24.49. And Ceri Jones was another CPB athleties, finishing 159th in 26.00, with master vet Don Hale 216th and 2nd VM70 in 27.24, whilst James Jones was 305th in 29.55,
GOG Triathlon had nine members running – top three: Aled Hughes second overall in 17.03; Andy Jones 43rd in 21.38 and Andy Brazier 48th in 21.55.
Colwyn Bay AAC: young Josh Mottram 31st in 21.11; Ian Taylor 65th in 22.33 and Rebecca Downs 89th in 23.40. Porth Eirias Runners included Jasper McQueen 91st in 23.44, and he also ran as a guide with Daniel Owens. Tal Michael was 205th with a new PB 27.04; and Llyr Jones 241st in 28.04.

Some other notable local runners included: Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 52nd in 22.04, Andrew Roberts (North
Wales parkrunners) 67th PB 22.37. Dave Munday 99th in 24.00.

CONWY

On August 22, JM11-14 youngster Josh Humphries took second place on his course debut in 18.18, with Grant Little (Chelmsford AC) third in 18.33. First female was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) in 19.13 (4th overall) in 19.13, with debutant Josie Oliver second in 22.51, and Claire Bond (Leeds & Bradford Tri Club) third with a new course PB in 23.10. Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC) enjoyed an easy recovery run following his track success the previous evening, finishing 18th in 22.28. There were 210 finishers.
NWRRC master veteran Rob Fryer finished 2nd VM70in 110th place in 30.34; and GOG Triathlon entered five members, including super-vet Liz Evans 50th and 1st VW75 in 25.54, with Andria Grove 96th in 29.14, whilst Amanda Collins was 96th in 34.55.

PRESTATYN

First-timer Oliver Williams (Le Croupiers) was the first finisher at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn on August 22 in 16.32, and Jonny Roberts took second with a new PB 19.03, with Adam Jones-Booth third in 19.52. Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) was first female finisher in 23.10 (24th overall) with Michaela Swan second on her debut in 23.40, and Tilly Jones (Prestatyn RC) was third in 23.56. Prestatyn RC entered 19 members with Robert Grima their first counter in 5th place in 20.36, with Alex Ryder 15th in 22.00, and Jamie Betts 22nd in 22.57. There were 262 finishers at Nova.