Entrants to this Sunday morning’s spectacular – sold out – Conwy Half Marathon have been advised to ‘Run like you’ve never run before,’ at this iconic event, which starts in the picturesque capital of North Wales.
Voted in the top five most scenic half marathons in the UK by Readers of ‘Runners World’, this superb event, now in its 18th year, is considered by many athletes to be a classic race date on the calendar, with a start and finish on the bridge near the quayside, and in front of the 700-plus year-old Conwy Castle.
Last year the showpiece attracted over 4,000 runners with many personal best times (PB’s) recorded, and this year it is likely to prove just as popular, and it was sold out some time ago.
Local residents are advised to look out for plenty of road signs highlighting some essential road closures to ensure the safety of competitors, and organisers at RunWales have done everything possible to create a wonderful atmosphere and great race once again, which has attracted thousands of runners from across the UK.
The route runs along the road adjacent to the Conwy River as it proceeds towards Deganwy and the West Shore Llandudno. From there it goes along Church Walks towards Llandudno Pier, then around the Great Orme taking in views of the Isle of Anglesey, Puffin Island and the surrounding North Wales coastline, then back to Conwy and the finish line.
*Race HQ / Enquiries: www.runwales.com
Saturday 2:30pm – 4:30pm. Sunday 7:45am – 9:15am. On the quayside, It is just a one- minute walk from the start.
Report by Don Hale and Alex Irving
Rhos Parkrun photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie
Newborough Forest parkrun welcomed 234 entrants last Saturday, including several members from North Wales Road Runners, who included this particular event within their club championships.
Ed Slaughter of Porthcawl Runners led the overall field home in 17:12, followed by Woody Felton of Spectrum Striders RC in 18:18, while Aidan Thomas took third place in 19:07. The first female finisher was Harriet Wingfield, sixth overall in 19:50. Alice Horsfield was second in 21:24 and Holly Worth third in 22:18.
North Wales Road Runners entered six members competing for club championship points, led by Will Evans, 2nd VM45 in 10th place overall in 20:26.
Cheryl Frost was 51st and 1st VW60 in 25:34; followed by Kay Hatton 66th and 2nd VW60 in 26:41. Hannah Griffith was 107th and 3rd VW50 in 29:17, with Gwen Charlton 118th in 30:01; whilst master vet Rob Fryer was 139th and 1st VM70 in 31:14
Other club and local performances: Menai Track & Field was represented by William Elgan Jones, ninth overall in 20:11, while Cybi Striders’ James Hooton was 11th in 20:35.
James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC), together with his famous twin buggy, led the field home at the Rhos Parkrun in 17:06, with Robin Stacey of York Acorn RC second place in 17:16 and Jeremy Peña third in 17:47.
First female was Gemma Moore of Eryri Harriers, sixth overall in an excellent 17:56, with Lois Evans second in 20:06, while Francesca Pitton finished third in 20:57. There were 338 finishers at Rhos.
North Wales Road Runners were well represented, Gethin Wyn Jones leading the club contingent home in 41st place in 22:33. Mal Preece followed in 54th and 1st VM60 in 23:41, with Karen Butler 63rd and 1st VW65 in 24:02. Super vet Sandy Johnston was 86th and 1st VM75 in 24:58. Daniel Hennell finished 97th in 25:31, master vet Don Hale was 161st and 3rd VM70 in 28:02; whilst Sean Butler was 181st in 28:52 and James Jones 183rd in 28:54.
GOG Triathlon Club top three: Graeme Tunstall, fifth overall in 17:51. Richard Smith 26th in 21:32, Andy Brazier 27th in 21:36.
Prestatyn Running Club was represented by Ben Garnett, eighth in 19:38. Paul Sanders finished 39th in 22:26, Beth English 46th in 22:56 and Rachael Peel was 256th in 31:39.
Porth Eirias Runners entrants included Barry Palmer 44th in 22:49; Tal Michael 123rd in 26:47, Dawn Palmer-Reid 165th in 28:10, Paula Crutchley 254th in 31:37, Mary Wimbury 255th in 31:38 and Kevin Edge 277th in 33:40.
Other local runners of note were, Harri Jackson of Menai Track & Field, 18th in 20:42, Laura McKenzie of Betsi Runaways 32nd in 21:50, while Rebecca Downs of Colwyn Bay AAC 36th in 22:02. Further good performances: Andrew Roberts 59th in 23:49, Mike Pemberton 102nd in 25:51; Mandy Owen 189th in 29.11 and Nan Roberts 229th in 30:32.
Conwy Parkrun welcomed 178 entrants with Gwion Ifanfirst overall in 17 minutes 28 seconds, followed by Mathew Baker in 17:54. North Wales Road Runner junior Joe Culverhouse was third overall and 1st JM15-17 in 18:36, Michelle Farrell from GOG Triathlon Club, was top female and 21st overall in 23:29, with Susana Vicente second in 23:32, while clubmate Sarah Gallacher took third in 24:06.
Aforementioned NWRRC member Joe Culverhouse was first home for the club, with his father Stuart Culverhouse seventh and 1st VM50 in 20:23, with master vet Barrie Wells 36th and 3rd VM70 cat 25:21.
GOG Triathlon Club enjoyed a strong turnout, led by Michelle Farrell and Sarah Gallacher in the top women’s standings. Andy Jones was 15th in 22:07, John Farrell 18th in 23:11, Jan Feeley 38th in 25:23,and super vet Liz Evans was 41st and 1st VW75 in 25.44.
Other local runners of note: Prestatyn RC’s Katie Baker finished 30th overall in 25:07, while North Wales parkrunners included Siwan Tudur 49th in 27:00; Bethan Wyn Roberts 76th in 28:49; Jessica Bell-Davies 93rd in 30:51 and Steph Todd 169th in 44:34.
Ben Cook, representing Clayton-le-Moors Harriers, led a field of some 208 entrants home in 18 minutes 10 seconds at the Nova Parkrun. Christian Prince of Gator Athletics Club followed in second place in 18:51, with Thomas Green third in 19:30.
Several leading local club runners were also prominent, with Andrew Bromley fourth overall in 19:34, with Prestatyn RC’s Dafydd Montgomery fifth in 19:56 and Alex Ryder 16th in 21:51.
The first female was Tilly Jones of Prestatyn RC, 37th overall in 24:47. Aimée Williams was next in 24:54, while Sarah Davies finished third in 25:20, finishing 45th.
Other club performances included: Simon Nixon of Denbigh Harriers 17th in 22:00. Daniel Huws 30th in 24:26 and Geraint Jones 33rd in 24:38.
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