Fast times and big numbers in Abergele 5k and 10k races
Report by Don Hale
Nearly600 elite, club and social runners competed in the Abergele 5k and 10k races on Sunday with many recording some very fast chip times in near perfect weather conditions along the promenade.
And quite a number of entrants remarkably took part in both events. In the earlier 5k with 196 entrants, Ed Slaughter (Swansea Harriers) won in just 15 minutes and 19 seconds, with Andrew Moore (Bangor University AC) second in 16.27 and Rhyl football referee Aaron Dodwell a very close third in 16.28.
First female finisher was Elinor Mattey (Parc Bryn Bach RC) in 18.13, with Hannah Thomas (Maldwyn Harriers) runner-up in 18.55 and Joanne Henderson (Denbigh Harriers) third in 19.05.
North Wales Road Runners’ three entrants each won their respective age categories. Master veteran Kevin Slattery was 29th and 1st VM70 in 21.27, Karen Butler was 1st F65 cat 23.14 as the 10th female finisher and Jenny Appleton topped the F55 as 12th female in 24.18.
In the 10k race, winner was Matthew Skaife (Mossley Hill AC) in 32.26. with Andrew Moore completing a unique runner-up double in 32.52, followed by James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) in 34.33.
Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) won the ladies race in 38.35, with Hannah Thomas achieving an identical second place double like Moore to clock 40.45, with Zoe Jones (Cybi Striders) third in 43.38.
North Wales Road Runners entered six members, although Joe Culverhouse held a dual registration with (Colwyn Bay AAC) and enjoyed an exceptional run to finish 9th overall and 2nd in age cat out of 386 entrants in the 10k.
International track star Steve Gardner was 10th and 1st M60 in 38.13. Stuart Culverhouse finished 32nd and 2nd M50 in 42.12 and second M50. Jenny Appleton – another dual race entrant – was 2nd F55 in 50.08 and Kay Hatton took 1st F60 as the 31st female athlete in 50.53; with master vet Rob Fryer 146th in 56.39. Full results on the RunWales website.
Conwy Parkrun celebrated 500th event in style
Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie
Conwy Parkrun commemorated their 500th parkrun event last Saturday morning with a bumper attendance backed by a host of visiting club and social members, followed by cake and celebrations.
There was a generous turn-out from Porth Eirias Runners, St Asaph City Striders, GOG Triathlon, NWRRC and many other local clubs. Talented local athlete Iain Burgess was first man home in 18.20, followed by debutant Jacob Andrews in 18.30 and fellow newcomer Owen McCarthy in 18.45.
Leading female was another local athlete (4th overall) in Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers) in 18.52, with Suzy Overton (Lindley RC) second with a new course PB 21.44 and debutant Toni Crook next in 21.48. There were 342 finishers.
NWRRC had five members involved including Paul Aubert 16th and 1st VM45 in 21.37, with Ceri Jones 89th and 3rd VW40 in 26.41. Hannah Griffith was 2nd VW50 cat in 27.10 in 107th place,Darren Griss was 205th in 32.23, whilst Steve Mason was a tail walker in 65.37.
GOG Triathlon entered six and their top four were Peter Jones 20th in 22.00, Andy Brazier 31st in 23.02, Paul Hooson 72nd in 25.43, and super vet Liz Evans was 1st VW75 in 28.44 after finishing in 133rd place.
Porth Erias Runners had an amazing 18 runners involved. Top 3: Chris Hammond 95th in CPB 26.48, Alan Hackett 160th in
30.02 and Charlotte Ward was 173rd in 30.47.
St Asaph City Striders also had a remarkable 39 runners out. Top 3: JM15-17 athlete Joshua Flemington 62nd in CPB 24.49, Dai Higgins 65th in 24.53 and debutant Elin Lokier 90th in 26.43.
Some other local runners of note: Simon Nixon (Denbigh Harriers) 25th in 22.21; Andrew Roberts 52nd in 24.21; Stephen Weedman 53rd in 24.22; Daniel Huws 61st in 24.48; Martin Cortvriend (Prestatyn RC) 25.15 in 69th place; John Stallard 124th in 28.25, Amanda Durber 138th in 29.12 and Pam Grant 3rd VW65 in 188th place in 31.30.
LLANDRILLO-YN-RHOS
There was another superb turn-out of visitors and locals last Saturday, with several fast runners recording some exceptional times
including debutant Rhodri Owen in 15.44, and his rival Adam Jones, just one second and one place adrift, with Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) third in CPB 16.38.
Lucy Armitage (Sale Harriers) smashed the female course record by 28-seconds (4th overall) in 16.45, with Andrea Rowlands second in CPB 21.13, and Rebecca Downs (Colwyn Bay AC) third in CPB 21.46. There were 382 finishers.
Other outstanding results included: Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) 7th in 18.12; James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) 9th in 18.14, Gordon Jones (Prestatyn RC) 19th in CPB 19.53 and Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) 102nd in 24.33.
North Wales Road Runners had six members including: Joe Culverhouse 8th in 18.13 and Paddy Walsh 44th in 21.48. Master vet Don Hale finished 172nd in 27.41 and Sean Butler recorded a CPB 28.32 in 190th. Veteran Len Jackson was 214th in 29.15, with Jenny Appleton a tail walker in 61.30.
GOG Triathlon entered 21 and their top three all recorded new course PBs: Aled Hughes 3rd in 16.38; Graeme Tunstall 11th in 18.22 and Daniel Lowndes 16th in 19.41. Colwyn Bay AAC had six runners with Owen Mac 26th in 20.36; Josh Mottram 27th in 20.38 and Rebecca Downs 43rd in 21.46. Porth Eirias Runners top 3: Barry Palmer 60th in 22.46; Pedro Gaspar 105th in 24.43; Paula Crutchley 240th in 30.10.
PRESTATYN
Home-based athlete Alex Ryder (Prestatyn RC) won the Nova Parkrun in 18.26, with Sancho Edwards second in 19.22 and Dafydd Montgomery (Prestatyn RC) third in 19.35. First femals was visitor Charlotte Menarry in 23.05, Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) was next in 23.23 in the exact same time as Erin Thomas.
Prestatyn RC entered 18. Top 3: Alex Ryder, Dafydd Montgomeryand Thomas Watkiss 6th in 20.12. There were other good club results from Andy Thomas 2nd VM60 in 25.43; Cathy Wood 102nd and 1st VW60 in 28.47 and super vet Grahame Shone 1st VM75 in 30.36. There were 141 finishers.