John and Michelle’s emotional run at the Pisa ‘Leaning Tower’ race
Report by Don Hale
GOG Triathlon couple John and Michelle Farrell finally recovered from their recent injury problems to compete in the spectacular International Pisa half-marathon last weekend.
Described by the organisers as one of the few sport events that donates all the proceeds to charity, it’s also one of the fastest half marathons in Italy, with a unique arrival including the Piazza dei Miracoli, where the famous leaning tower awaits runners at the end of the race.
The popular and talented GB international athletes, who have both battled a spate of various injuries for much of this year, ran the course together and finished well in 1 hour 56 minutes and 50 seconds
On his return home John confirmed: “Who better to run the Pisa half Marathon with but my beautiful best friend and wife Michelle Farrell, after a year of recovering from injury for both of us, to actually complete it was going to be a challenge. But the surroundings and atmosphere carried us through. What a beautiful place Pisa and Lucca are. Quite emotional at the end but we’re back and we did it together!”
Two North Wales Road Runners competed in the North Wales cross country league fixture at Llanerch, St Asaph recently, with veteran Karen Butler finishing second in her FV65 age category and 81st overall out of 145 entrants in 33 minutes and 45 secs;
whilst colleague Gwen Charlton was pleased to finish 121st in 39.38. *Full results on the NWCCL Facebook page.
NWCCL – Fixture 2 Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay: Bernie Jones, the secretary/referee of the North Wales cross country league provided an update on their next event and confirmed: “We’re quickly onto the second fixture, which is at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay on Saturday 31st October 2026. If any athletes who aren’t registered who want to run, please let me know at the latest by Wednesday 28th October and I will arrange for the numbers to be ready and put in your wallets.
“This second CC fixture at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay will also include a short FUN RUN for any under 8’s who want to run after the last of the morning races. No entry, just join in the fun. And parents can do it as well.
“Also, if you are interested in representing North Wales in the Welsh Inter Regions in Newtown on 21st November, please let team managers John Messum, Emma MacArthur, or myself know asap. We will be selecting the teams in the next couple of weeks.”
Tough challenge for volunteers at North Wales parkruns
Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie
LLANDRILLO-YN-RHOS
It was wild, wet and very windy at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun and at most other North Wales events last Saturday morning with entrants later praising the hard-working run directors, volunteers, and marshalls for turning out on such a challenging day.
Once again, the visiting speed merchants ignored the conditions to record numerous top 5k finishing times, but James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) and his sturdy twin-buggy claimed first place yet again with a fast finish in just 18 minutes and 5 seconds.
Quite remarkably, the first six finishers all dipped under 19 minutes with JM15-17 athlete Joe Culverhouse (NWRRC) taking the second spot with a determined effort, and he was only two seconds adrift of Yarwood, with Sion Hill third in 18.76.
The first female finisher was visitor Sarah Wingfield (16th overall) in 20.41, with Andrea Rowlands second in 21.31 and Abbie Robinson third in 21.44. There were 326 finishers at Rhos where Dougie Graham commemorated his 250th parkrun volunteering role.
NWRRC entered five members including: Joe Culverhouse 2nd in 18.07; Steve Mason 65th in 24.10; Steve Roberts 70th and 3rd VM60 in 24.22; Kay Hatton 84th and 1st VW60 in 24.52; with master vet Don Hale 177th in 28.18.
GOG Triathlon had a remarkable 28 entrants, their top three being young Gwion Brown 7th and 1st SM20 on course debut in 19.21; Paul Manington 9th and 1st VM45 in 19.52 and Paul Garstang 12th and 1st VW60 in 20.14.
Four members of the Cole family were in action at Rhos, Simon Cole running with his son Lewis – who recorded a new PB 30.47 – and Vicky Cole accompanying other son Finley in 24.01 (PB).
Colwyn Bay AC had six runners, and their top three were: Josh Mottram 23rd and 3rd SM20 in 21.23 and third SM20; Ian Taylor 34th in 22.14 and Rebecca Downs 38th in 22.26. Other local runners of note were Ben and David Spofforth 57/58th in 23.35; Mike Pemberton 122nd in 26.51 and Amanda Durber 157th with a new course PB 27.45.
CONWY
Gavin Roberts (Eryri Harriers) was the runaway leader at the Conwy Parkrun in 17.58, with team colleague Anna Drinkwater second overall in 19.44 and Aidan Thomas third in 20.47. The second female finisher was teenager Victoria Band in 23.35, with Dana Lanceman third on her debut in 24.07. There were 141 finishers.
GOG Triathlon entered five members, and their top three all won their respective age cats: Joshua White 20th in 24.26 and 1st SM30; Tracey Haseldine 24th and 1st VM55 in CPB 24.47 and Liz Evans 35th and 1st VW75 in 25.41.
NWRRC member Vicky Taylor finished well in 89th place and 3rd VW55 in 31.25. John Stallard was 55th in 27.40 and Pam Grant 96th and 2nd VW65 in 33.02. Porth Eirias Runners: Tal Michael 64th in 28.48; Chris Hammond 72nd in 29.45; May Wimbury 108th in 34.41 and Roy Warden 130th in 34.16.
PRESTATYN
There was only six seconds between first and second at the Nova Parkrun with Tom Carter (Prestatyn RC) first in 19.03, with Tony Wood (Denbigh Harriers) second in 19.09 and Mathew Baker third in 20.14. And the first female finisher also represented Prestatyn RC, with Michelle Meredith-Roberts running home in 24.16, ahead of Catherine Jones CPB 24.24, whilst Katy Welsh was third on her debut in 25.45. There were 193 finishers.
The Prestatyn club had a tremendous entry of some 29 runners and included three members in the top 10 with: Tom Carter 1st in 19.03, Alex Ryder 7th in 22.17 and David Hudd 9th in 22.29. Super vet Mike Davis placed 105th and 2nd VM75 in 31.53. There were also three members of the new NW parkrunners group with Daniel Huws 43rd in 26.06; Charlotte Bloomfield 162nd in 41.00; and Catrin Williams 170th on her debut in 44.55.
PENRHYN
Teenager Cai Dafydd won the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun with a CPB 17.05, with Steffan Sayer (Menai T&F) second in 17.48, and Cameron Nightingale third on his debut in 18.08. The first six all dipped under 19 minutes. First female was Kate Browning with a CPB 20.49, Helen Morgan (Eryri Harriers) was second in 23.06, with Zoe Brookes third on her debut in 23.23. There were 186 finishers. Endurance athletes Ben and Sarah Hudson also ran. Ben was 20th and 3rd VM45 in 22.42, with Sarah 41st, and 2nd VW45 in 22.42.