Local athletes shine at Bangor 10k and half-marathon races

Report by Don Hale

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A large field of 633 club and social athletes took part in the Bangor 10k and half-marathon races on Sunday, which were well organised by RunWales, with many top locals claiming prestigious podium places.
In the 10k event, Martin Sunderland (Bangor University) was the first finisher in 34.15, followed by James Coleman (Meirionnydd RC) in 35.58, and Tomos Jones (Rhedwyr Hebog) in 36.26. The first female was visitor Katie Harries in 41.14, with Bangor University’s Poppy Jones runner-up in 41.25, and Margot Sayer (Eryri Harriers) third in 43.50.

North Wales Road Runner Steve Bozier won his VM45 age cat in 17th place out of 230 finishers in 41.54, and a few other notable local runners included Darren Dentith 30th in 45.59; and super vet Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) won her VW75 age cat in 53.57.
The half-marathon also attracted many quality runners from across the UK, and was won by Andrew Moore (Woking AC) in 1.15.44, with Conor Davies (Snail Club) second in 1.20.01, and Aidan Thomas (Bangor University) third in 1.21.04. The first female was Manon Wyn Coates (Cybi Striders) in 1.35.22, whilst Emma Stanley finished second in 1.36.08, with Zoe Jones (Cybi Striders) third in 1.37.15.
North Wales Road Runners club chairman Kevin Slattery won his VM70 age cat in 55th place out of 403 finishers in 1.42.55. Sandy Johnston was top VM75 in 1.57.09, whilst the enthusiastic Gwen Charlton completed her third run of the weekend after Rhos parkrun and cross-country, to be 85th female in 2.18.33. Paul Garstang (GOG Triathlon) won his VM60 in. 1.32.45.

Other race results

NWRRC member Kevin Higgins took part in the Everton FC 10k on Sunday, clocking 60.02. And congratulations to promising athlete and student James Gardner, who outsprinted his talented track star father Steve Gardner over the last 100m of the Sheffield 10k to finish just one-second ahead of him in 648th place in 46.16, amongst over 5,000 mixed ability entrants.

North Wales parkrunners celebrated 22 years of UK events

Report by Don Hale. Rhos on Sea photographs by Michael (Pat) Finnie

Participants at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun maintained their top North Wales attendance spot once again last Saturday morning with many entrants wearing tu-tu’s or fancy dress costumes to help commemorate 22 years of UK parkruns.
The picturesque 5k flat course along the promenade continues to attract numerous top runners determined to improve their personal best times over this short distance, and this week was no exception with visitor Matthew Hammond (Kimberley & District) claiming first place in 17 minutes and 16 seconds.
Sion Hill finished second overall with a new PB 18.01. The third person’s name remains unknown, yet JM15-17 athlete Benjy Rothnie celebrated a good fourth place in 18.33.

The first female finisher (8th overall) was Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in a CPB of 18.44 less than a week after dipping under three-hours in the Berlin Marathon. Elin Jones was second in 20.22, with Mia Williams third in 21.35. There were 343 finishers.
North Wales Road Runners had six members involved including: Mal Preece 24th and 1st VM60 in 20.42, with Benjamin Brummitt 56th in 23.39, and Gethin Wyn Jones (this week without his child buggy) claiming a CPB in 97th in 25.58.

Master vet Don Hale was 128th in 27.30, while Hannah Griffith and Elizabeth Driscoll ran together in 158/159th places in 28.37.
GOG Triathlon had nine runners, and their top three were: JM15-17 debutant athlete Chris Porter 28th in 21.21, Andy Jones 29th in 21.23 and Andy Brazier 36th in 21.54.

Porth Eirias Runners had seven members involved and their top three were: Barry Palmer 99th in 26.12; Tal Michael 101st with a CPB 26.16; and Llyr Jones 137th in 27.48.
NW Parkrunners had eight members and their top finishers were: Darren Dentith 33rd in 21.44; Sharon Bowman 95th in 25.50; and Sarah Gardiner 208th in 31.12. Some other notable runners included: Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 35th in 21,50; Mike Pemberton 96th in 25.56; Mandy Owen 161st in 28.39; and Freddie Spillane (Colwyn Bay AAC) 164th in 28.44.

CONWY PARKRUN

The name of the first finisher at Conwy remains a mystery, but the second athlete was debutant Steve Marshall in 19.18, and Billy Bibby was third in 19.35; with debutant Shelley Childs (Vorsprung), fourth in 19.37. First female was teenager Victoria Bland (16th overall) CPB 22.20; and Vicky Cleall (Dragons RC Sale) was a very close second in 22.22, with Helen Catherine Saunders third on her debut in 22.45. There were 177 finishers.
NWRRC had four members and a family involved including: Richard Scamans 14th overall and 3rd VM55 in 22.16, Rob Fryer 1st VM70 in 68th place in 28.29; Ceri Jones 113th place in 32.34; and Gwen Charlton ran with her JM10 son Hugh in 130/131st places in 34.10; and Gwen’s other children Edward and Daniel Charlton also ran together in 117/118th in 33.04.

GOG Triathlon’s top three finishers were: Jan Feeley 32nd in 24.55; Rob Stewart 64th in 28.04; and Simon Blain 79th in 29.11.
Porth Erias Runners top two finishers were: Chris Hammond 78th in 29.10 and Mark Evans 121st in 33.06. Some other local runners of note included: Gwyn Williams (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners) who finished 11th and 1st VM55 in 21.35; Sean Gavin 53rd in 27.05; John Stallard 58th in 27.30 and Anthony Howe (Abergele Harriers) 69th in 28.38.

PRESTATYN

Mathew Baker was first man home at the Nova parkrun, but the second finisher’s name remains unknown, and Timothy Ford (Whiterock Runners) was third in 19.39. Katerina Williams was first female finisher (18th overall) on her course debut in
22.53, and JW11-14 athlete Freya Roberts-Howie took the second spot in 24.04, with Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) third in 24.49. *There were 231 finishers at Prestatyn.
Prestatyn RC entered 20 and their top three finishers were: Dafydd Montgomery 11th in 21.33; David Ellis 15th in 22.25 and Alex Ryder 16th in 22.26. NW Parkrunners had seven entrants. Top 3: Daniel Williams 12th CPB 21.34; Steve Weedman 81st in 28.17 and Dave Munday 99th in 29.36.