Eight GOGs tackled the Conwy Christmas Eve parkrun.

Eight GOGs tackled the Conwy Christmas Eve parkrun.

Special report and photos by Don Hale.

 

Eight members of the GOG Triathlon club took part in the special Christmas Eve parkrun last Saturday and claimed four podium placings including one age cat win, and three second spots.

Andy Jones was the first club runner back in 30th place in 21.50, with Andy Brazier next home in 58th place and 2nd in his MV55 cat in 24.03. Bryn Phillips also claimed 2nd place in his MV40 cat in 25.45, and he finished 87th overall. Steven Owen, however, was hot on Bryn’s heels in 88th place, and both shared the same finishing time.

Nicola Tomlinson won her VW40 age cat in 94th place overall in 26.18, and Gary Jones was 102nd in 26.49. Teenage student Caitlin Owen made a welcome return from her studies at Cheltenham and enjoyed a muddy but festive run back on home soil in 123rd place in 27.43, and she also claimed the 2nd spot in her respective SW18 age cat, with Wayne Roberts finishing 163rd in 30.36.

 

*OVERALL RACE REPORT:

Banana-man finished ahead of the bunch at Conwy’s Christmas parkrun.

Special report and photos by Don Hale.

*Student Morgan Kendall - aka Banana-man - was the first runner back.

It was a unique experience at Conwy’s Christmas Eve parkrun when Banana-man, aka local athlete and Durham University student Morgan Kendall was the first runner back wearing a bright yellow costume and finished just thirteen seconds ahead of the chasing bunch!

The teenage prospect initially dominated the 5k event but in the end nearly let it slip, and only won by the skin of his teeth, as he was pursued by several other similarly talented youngsters, who were enjoying a festive break.

The parkrun also turned out to be a very colourful and joyous occasion and attracted 230 runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, with the majority dressed in special Christmas outfits

Morgan Kendall won his SM18 age cat with a new course PB of 17 minutes and 36 seconds, with Matthew Baker 2nd with another PB in 17.49, and NWRRC athlete Martin Green 3rd in 18.27. 

Some other exciting youngsters included teenage tourist Joshua Selfridge (Petts Wood Runners), who finished 4th on his debut in 18.38, and two Colwyn Bay AC athletes Alfie Shiland 5th, and the 1st JM11 runner in 18.44, with another top teenage athlete Bryn Woodall, who has just back from America in 7th place in 19.10, and James Smith(Menai T&F) 8th in 19.11.

 

*Praise was given to race director Anthony and his hard-working team of volunteers. This is the link to the provisional results from the Conwy parkrun 25/12/22:

https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/