Bright and breezy at RNLI 5k on Llandudno promenade
Report by Don Hale
Photos: Caitlin Faye photography
It was very bright and very breezy last Sunday morning for the popular Llandudno RNLI 5k race on the town promenade as some 355 mixed ability athletes and walkers helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for such a worthy cause.
Well organised once again by John and Kay Hatton and Carla Green in association with RNLI officials and several sponsors, the weather provided a welcome boost after the previous day’s heavy downpours, and later many participants praised the attendance of so many essential volunteers and marshals.
This event attracted a host of top local running clubs, elite athletes, plus fun run entrants, and provided an ideal opportunity for the public to pay their respects, and to show their support to the RNLI.
Andrew Douse (Cybi Striders) was the overall race winner after battling a swirling and gusty headwind for the first 2k from near the paddling pool to the pier, before the course directed entrants back down the prom, then out past the Lifeboat Station towards Penrhyn Bay, and then returning back towards the finish.
Andrew recorded a very good chip time of just 16 minutes and 36 seconds, but played nip and tuck all the way with rivals James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC), a close second in 16.45, and Oliver Harrison-Jones, third in 16.51. Young Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) was 6th in 17.44, and an even younger Joe Culverhouse (Colwyn Bay) clocked 18.05, and won his U20 age cat.
The first female finisher was Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) in 18.19, with Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) second in 18.49, and Fiona Horne (Menai T&F) third in 20.04.
North Wales Road Runners were one of several local clubs involved, entering 17 members and celebrating with 10 prestigious podium placings, including three age category wins, three second places and three third.
Will Evans led the team home in 15th place overall and 2nd VM45 in 18.44, with Stuart Culverhouse 1st MV50 in 29th position in 20.09. Master vet Kevin Slattery won his MV70 section in 59th place in 21.58, and Steve Roberts finished 67th and 2nd MV60 in 22.24.
Kay Hatton was the 21st female finisher in 90th place overall and 3rd FV60 in 24.00, and fellow veteran Karen Butler won her FV65 in 24.27 in 96th place.
Super-vet Sandy Johnston won his VM75 cat in 24.53 in 100th place, Hannah Griffith was 119th in 25.46. Tony Gibson 123rd in 25.57. Nia Lister 125th in 25.55, Gwen Charlton 128th in 26.21; and master vet Don Hale took 3rd VM70 in 142nd spot in 27.14.
Helen Hannam was 150th in 28.08, Kevin Higgins finished 169th in 29.04, with master vet Rob Fryer 192nd in 29.54. Dougie Graham took 223rd in 32.48; and super-vet Mike Hayton was 2nd VM75 in 256th, posting 38.05.
GOG Triathlon had five members running including Paul Hooson 115th in 25.36; Paul Astle 129th in 26.25 and Sam Evans 135th in 26.44. Colwyn Bay AAC had five runners and their top three were Josh Mottram 21st in 19.38; Marcus Jones 45th in 21.06, and veteran Ian Taylor, 57th in 21.56. Porth Eirias Runners entered 13 and their top three finishers included Chris Hammond 139th in 26.48; Kevin Baines 141st in 26.55 and Llyr Jones 148th in 27.56.
*This is a link to the provisional results, from which the above draft details were taken.
https://rnli.niftyentries.com/Results/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-
2026?raceid=1&club=North+Wales+Road+Runners
NORTH WALES PARKRUN ROUND-UP
Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie, John Hatton, and Rhos parkrun officials
LLANDRILLO-YN-RHOS
Nearly 400 athletes and walkers took part in a very wet and windy Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun last Saturday morning, which attracted a generous number of additional volunteers and six pacers from North Wales Road Runners.
This local athletic club boosted the run director’s established team of supporters and their regular and excellent team of volunteers and marshalls, with credit given to everyone involved on such a horribly wet day.
Visitor Simon Croft (Red Fose Runners) was first overall in just 16 minutes and 13 seconds, followed by Sion Hill with a new course PB in 18.19 and Richard Conder (Low Fell RC) third on his debut in 18.22. First female finisher (4th place overall) was Emma Knowles with a CPB 18.23, with visitor Natty Sinclair second in 21.19 and fellow visitor Andrea Rowlands third in 21.23. There were 396 finishers.
NWRRC had 10 members running including six time pacers (*P) and the team included: Paddy Walsh 37th in 21.41; (*P) Mal Preece 40th and 2nd VM60 in 21.54; Steve Mason 58th in 23.19; master vet (*P) Kevin Slattery was 74th and 1st VM70 in 24.03; (*P) Stuart Culverhouse 131st in 26.53; master vet (*P) Don Hale 206th and 3rd VM70 in 29.09; (*P) Hannah Griffith 287th in 32.42; Gethin Wyn Jones 293rd in 33.19; (*P) Helen Hannam 333rd in 36.17 and Molly Evans 354th in 39.24.
GOG Triathlon entered nine members and their top three included Graeme Tunstall 6th in CPB 18.38; Peter Jones 13th in 20.03 and Steve Owen 21st in 20.42; whilst colleagues Michelle and John Farrell ran well together again in 22.51. Colwyn Bay AAC had six runners with Rebecca Downs 49th in 22.30; debutant Lukas Pusnovas 57th in 23.17; and youngsters Edward and Daniel Charlton, Edward took 67th place on debut in 23.46, whilst Daniel was 142nd in 27.23. Porth Eirias Runners entered six, and their top three were – Jasper McQueen 35th in 21.26; Zara Parry 128th in 26.41 and Kevin Baines 159th in 27.52.
CONWY
Debutant David Williams (Royal Sutton Coldfield AC) was first finisher in 17.56, followed by JM15-17 athlete Harrison Leonard with a CPB 18.47 and visitor Rob Mooney (Chorlton Runners) in third place in 20.12.
Fellow Chorlton runner Alex Buckley was first female on her debut in 21.06, with teenage visitor Victoria Band second in 22.56, and Hannah Mackay third with a CPN 23.41. There were 152 finishers.
GOG Triathlon had six members running and their top three all won their respective age cats including Scott Butterworth 11th in 22.00; Geran Hughes 13th in 22.22; and Liz Evans 36th in 25.26.
PRESTATYN
There were just over 200 finishers at the Nova Parkrun where Mathew Baker was first over the line in 18.03, and Sancho Edwards was second with a CPB 19.02, with Jacob Colin a close third in 19.06. Top female was visitor Zoe Hudson (CSSC Sports & Leisure) in 23.09, with two Prestatyn RC members claiming the second and third spots, Eve Manifold in 23.37 and Megan Lewis 23.46.
Prestatyn RC entered 22 members and their top three were: Jamie Betts 7th in 20.31; Dafydd Montgomery 15th in 21.51 and Alex Ryder 19th in 22.18; and praise to super-vet Mike Davis, 127th place and 1st VM75 in 31.57.
There were 208 finishers.