RUNNING NEWS – HALLOWEEN SPECIAL: Fast finish at popular Porth Eirias 10k race
Report by Don Hale
There was a very good turnout of over 400 mixed ability runners at the Porth Eirias 10k on October 31 on a near perfect morning – and it was won by Iain Best in just 32 minutes and 32 seconds.
Iain was closely tracked though by keen rival and local soccer star Aaron Dodwell, in fine form again in 34.56, and Conor Davies was third in 35.44. The first female finisher was another well-known local athlete in Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) in 37.49, who was 6th overall, with Suzie Richards runner-up in 39.37 and Zoe Jones third in 43.23.
North Wales Road Runners only had two entrants, but master veteran Rob Fryer won his M70 age cat in 191st place in 61.01, and Len Jackson was 228th in 63.30.
Colwyn Bay AAC also had two entrants with young Finley Williams winning his junior 11-19 age cat in 16th place in 41.16, and colleague Alan Flood 45th in 46.36.
GOG Triathlon had three members involved with Owen Wilson 81st in 50.09; Andria Grove 155th in 57.32 and Amanda Collins 278th in 67.34.
Prestatyn RC entered five members, and their top three finishers were Oliver Harrison-Jones 5th in 37.00; Paul Sanders 34th in 44.04 and Michelle Meredith-Roberts 51st in 47.25.
Special 10k social run for Kidney Wales
Event official Jon Hayward was pleased with the outcome of a special Coast to Castle 10k social run on Halloween, which helped raise welcome funds for Kidney Wales.
Jon later said: “Thanks to everyone who came along to my charity 10k run. It was a huge success, with lots of money raised. It couldn’t have gone any better. Big thanks to Andy and Kelly at Black Cloak Taproom, the guys at Tapps, and everyone at Black Cloak Runners for their support.”
Further donations can still be made at JustGiving: https://www.justgiving.com/…/jon-
hayward-kidney-wales…
Halloween fun with the prospect of a ‘World Record’ at Rhos Parkrun
Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie.
There were great turnouts at many North Wales parkruns for the Halloween celebrations, and they were especially noticeable at Llandrillo yn Rhos, where numerous topical and fancy-dress costumes were on display.
And well done to Rhos run director Dougie Graham who was up early with his team of volunteers to help decorate the start and finish area with special Halloween regalia.
The celebrations also included an amazing fire engine mock-up containing 10 parkrun entrants, which has now been tagged as a probable regional record, and it could even become a potential ‘world record,’ according to Dave Munday, who organises the NW
parkrunners website.
Dave later confirmed: “Yesterday on Halloween we definitely have a new North Wales parkrun record, and we will be waiting to hear if this is a ‘World Record’ at parkrun, for the fastest ten-person fire engine to complete the 5k course at Rhos. And congratulations to Emily Griffiss and the rest of the Dalzell Runners on this incredible effort.”
The first finisher at Rhos was international track athlete Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) in 17 minutes and 15 seconds, with Jeremy Pena a close second with a new course PB in 17.26 and Sion Hill third with a CPB 17.35.
The first three female finishers at Rhos all recorded new course PBs and included Bryony Shircore (Eryri Harriers) who was 21st overall in 20.35, with Andrea Rowlands second in 20.55 and Ffion Williams third in 21.03. There were 452 finishers.
North Wales Road Runners had six members involved with Benjamin Brummitt leading their team home in 72nd place in 23.28, with Sion Thomas 77th in 23.40 and master vet Don Hale 192nd and 3rd VM70 in 27.47. Nia Lister returned from her overseas adventures to finish 200th in 28.10, with debutant couple Carol Moss 373rd in 36.21 and husband Phil 381st in 36.23.
GOG Triathlon were well represented with 23 entrants and their top three were: Aled Hughes in first place overall in 17.15; Paul Garstang 10th CPD 19.31 and Richard Smith 36th CPB 21.32.
Some other local running results at Rhos included: Jonah Armstrong (66th in 23.16) and Sian Beck (138th in 26.00) from Prestatyn RC, Mike Pemberton won his VM70 in 144th place in 26.12; Bob Dickson was 178th and 2nd VM70 in 27.25; and Pam Grant ran with her friend Carol Wildgoose in 266/267th places in 30.09.
CONWY
Visitor Steve Payne (Caerphilly Triers) was first finisher at Conwy Parkrun in 18.08, and fellow debutant Cameron Bailey (Herts Phoenix AC) second in 19.37 and Matthew Hill third in 19.54. First three females all recorded new course PBs: Victoria Band in 21.58, Harriet Oakley 24.28 and Elen Jones 24.58. There were 186 finishers.
Adam Lemalle was the only NWRRC member at Conwy, finishing 12th overall in 21.45 and 2nd VM40 age cat. GOG Triathlon had Llinos Davies 110th and 2nd VW65 in 31.19, with colleague Sarah Marriott 139th in 33.42.
Other local runners of note included: Gwyn Williams (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners) 14th and 2nd VM55 in 21.55; Karl Morris (Eryri Harriers) 28th and 3rd VM45 in 23.11, Laura McKenzie (Betsi Runways) 56th in 25.47; and Bethan Wyn Roberts and Amanda Durber ran together again in 88/89th in 28.48, whilst Mandy Owen claimed 105th place in 30.37.
PENRHYN
Jonathan Tyler (Betsi Runaways) won the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun in 18.25, with Iolo Roberts (Eryri Harriers) second with a CPB 19.06 and Nicolas Seguin third in 19.27. Top female young Tamsin Seguin (Menai T&F), who won her JW15-17 age cat in 21.19 in 9th place overall, with Rebecca-Jane Law second in 23.19 and Sara Dinu third with a CPB 23.22. NWRRC member
Hannah Griffith finished 59th and 2nd VW50 in 26.49. There were 195 finishers.
PRESTATYN
Sancho Edwards (Prestatyn RC) was first man home at the Nova Parkrun in 19.09, with club colleague Lewis Pierce second CPB 19.37 and visitor Mike Owen took the third spot in 19.57. First was junior athlete Freya Roberts Howie, who won her JW11-14 in 24.15, and Abi Cole finished second with CPB 24.57, while Kameal Richardson was third in 24.58.