Llandudno Urban Night race success despite the rain
Report by Don Hale
The Llandudno Urban Night Race attracted a good number of mixed ability male, female and junior orienteers despite the rain, and this was the first of an exciting new series of similar races planned for many North Wales towns this winter.
There was keen competition for honours in Llandudno, and the overall senior male winner was Michael Corrales, a top fell and mountain runner with 970 points, and in second place was Thomas Prebble with 860 and Paddy Walsh a close third on 840.
Jenny Williamson was the female winner with 830 points, Debbie Morgan a close second on 820 and Sarah Barnwell third with 740.
Juniors: 1 Chris and Griff Near 740 pts. 2 Grace Emery-Jones, Hayley Turner And Phoebe 560, 3 Harrison and Adrian Leonard, 550.
Team: 1 Andy Brazier and Steve Owen 720 points, 2 Andrew Thomas and Rachel Evans 700, 3 Jim Lewis, Elowen and Finn 630, and they finished level on points with Penny Butterfield and Nat Skye in fourth place.
Llandudno race organiser Gwen Charlton was pleased with the outcome despite it being a rather wet night in town, and afterwards said: “Thank you to the 78 of you who came along to the first Urban Night Race of the season!
“What a great evening despite the rain! Next up Bangor! Our next event is on Thursday 5th November (7pm start). Pre-entries are now open.”
JAPAN
North Wales Road Runner Nia Lister took part in the Sunshine Beach parkrun near Kyoto in Japan at the weekend during her family holiday and birthday celebrations.
After her run Nia confirmed: “There were 33 runners and I came 11th overall and 3rd female in 28.23. It was very wet, but the course was a nice flat with fast three loops along the lake side. I was 40 a few days ago, so I thought I’d treat myself to a holiday and a parkrun abroad!”
AMERICA
Just a week or so after competing in the Pisa half marathon in Italy, GOG Triathlon couple John and Michelle Farrell went globe-trotting yet again, this time to Atlanta, USA, to take part in the Northside Beltline parkrun during a short break, with Michelle claiming the first female spot in a time of 23.44.
John later said: “On our travels again, on the way to Miami, Michelle convinced me to stop off at Atlanta to do a parkrun! Brilliant route and lovely people and we even met fellow Welsh travellers as well as the brother of a friend of Michelle’s! You couldn’t write it! Last week Pisa, this week Atlanta! Oh, and Chelle was First Lady lol!”
Marathon weather problems provided a boost for parkruns
Report by Don Hale
News of the exceptional but necessary weather postponement of the popular Eryri Marathon on Friday provided an unexpected boost to many North Wales parkruns.
During a slight, but welcome window of opportunity on Saturday morning, Conwy and Llandrillo yn Rhos parkruns were two fine examples of extra interest due to storm forecasts, with both venues reporting hundreds of visiting athletes from around the UK to the start of their respective events from runners and their supporters, who had already made and paid for their marathon travel plans.
LLANDRILLO-YN-RHOS
The first three finishers at Rhos were all visitors and seven of the first 10 quality debutants, providing some very fast times and competition.
Matthew Lock (Witney RR) was the first finisher overall in 16 minutes and 21 seconds, with JM15-17 youngster Henry Burton second in 16.29. Daniel Clarke (Daventry Road Runners) was a narrow third in 16.30, whilst Sam Lewis Jones (Parc Bryn Bach RR) came fourth with a new course PB 16.34.
First female was visitor Kate Daniels (Evesham Road Runners) in 41st place overall in 20.25, Mia Williams was second in 21.36, with Andrea Winkless (Barrow Runners) third on debut in 21.44. There were 545 finishera, including 292 first timers.
North Wales Road Runners had six entrants with young Joe Culverhouse 10th place in 18.22, yet quite remarkably having to settle for third place in his JM15-17 age cat. Joe’s father Stuart was 33rd in 20.00, with Richard Scamans 64th in 22.01. Jenny Appleton was 137th and 3rd VW55 in 24.16; and master vet Don Hale took 2nd VM70 in 260th place in 27.55, whilst James Jones finished 352nd in 30.06.
GOG Triathlon had 16 members involved and their top three were Graeme Tunstall 28th in 19.42; Richard Smith 67th in 22.12 and Steve Owen 90th in 22.38.
Colwyn Bay AAC: Josh Mottram 27th place and 1st SM20 in 19.30, Ian Taylor 54th in 21.40, Rebecca Downs 63rd in 21.59 and veteran Chris Spillane 80th in 22.26.
Some other local runners of note included: Dave Munday 104th in 23.20; Bethan Wyn Jones and Amanda Durber ran together in 28.26 and 28.30; and Richard Peevor ran as a guide with Barry Dickenson in 455/456th places in 35.01.
CONWY
Another fast finish at Conwy Parkrun where they too benefitted from the Eryri Narathon overspill and welcomed 324 finishers overall.
And the first eight runners all dipped under 19 minutes. First home was young JW15-17 athlete Robert Carter (Bingley Harriers) with a CPB 18.05, with Warren Langler Watts (Stadium Runners) second on debut in 18.07, and Nathan Bower (Chester Road Runners) third in CPB 18.24.
First female was another young Bingley Harriers athlete in JW11-14 Harriet Carter (5th place overall) to record a unique family double in 18.36, with Anna Drinkwater second in 18.56 and debutant Emma Wookey (Lliswerry Runners) third in 19.17.
North Wales Road Runners had two master veteran entrants with Barrie Wells 125th and 1st VM70 in 25.59, whilst Rob Fryer 2nd VM70 in 189th place in 29.08. GOG Triathlon had six members involved including top three Jose Eduardo Vega Perez, 59th in 22.59; Joshua White 67th in 23.39; and evergreen super-vet Liz Evans 147th and 1st VW75 in 27.00.
PRESTATYN
Jamie Betts (Prestatyn RC) was first in the Nova Parkrun in 18.53, with clubmate Sancho Edwards second in 19.14 and visitor Matthew Renney (Garden City Runners) third in 20.12. The first two female finishers were also newcomers with Emma
Hollindale first in 21.42, followed by Kimberley Morris in 23.00 and Joanne Henness third in a CPB 23.54.
Prestatyn RC had 16 athletes out and their top three were Jamie Betts, Sancho Edwards and Daniel Williams 12th in 22.49.