Top marks to American student Bryn Woodall on a very heavy Conwy parkrun course...

*Bryn Woodall (*in white vest) just ahead of Steve Mason.

Top marks to American student Bryn Woodall as he celebrated his 100th parkrun on a very heavy Conwy course...

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.

 

Colwyn Bay athlete Bryn Woodall was the first runner back at a very heavy Conwy parkrun on Saturday, where the talented teenager celebrated another superb result and his 100th parkrun, during a break from his studies and running adventures in America.

Bryn also won his SM18 age cat and incredibly, he dashed around this saturated course in just 15 minutes and 38 seconds - which is the third fastest time ever - and he finished the best part of three minutes ahead of his nearest senior rival Jonathan Kettle from NWRRC, who finished 2nd overall in 18.21, with JM15-17 runner Ciaran Keyworth, 3rd in 18.59. 

*Bryn Woodall (*above left) with Jonathan Kettle, who ran very well but had to settle for second place to Bryn.

The first female runner was Kirsty Stevenson (Stone Masters Marathon) in 21.26, with Lizzie Irvine (GOG Triathlon) 2nd in 23.47, and Lisa Allsup 3rd in 25.02.

North Wales Road Runners entered eleven members and collected seven podium placings including two age category wins, but their numbers were depleted due to other fixtures at Wrexham and Tatton Park on the same day. 

Jonathan Kettle led the team home amongst 158 entrants of mixed abilities, and from all parts of the UK, and even some from Australia, but despite his best efforts, he could only finish second to an outstanding young athlete.

*Dave Spofforth (*above left) with John Dalzell.

Jonathan won his MV45 cat in 18.21, with Steve Mason 4th, and 2nd in the same age cat at Jonathan in 19.09. Dave Spofforth had a good run finishing in 12th place in 21.53 and claimed the 2nd spot in his MV40 cat. 

John Dalzell was 16th overall in 22.15, and Martin Green trotted around the puddles in 21st place – saving his energy for the afternoon cross country event – but still finished strong in 21st place in 22.35.

*Martin Green (*above left) with Jamie Tharme.

Ben Hudson made a welcome return to parkrun after his recent world travels and was pleased with 24th place in 23.34. Jamie Tharme was another holiday returnee, and he too was satisfied with his run finishing in 35th place overall in 24.32.

*Ben Hudson (*above left) with Mandy Owen.

Newcomer Barrie Wells finished 3rd in his MV65 age cat in 54th place in 26.34, and another new member Mark Mason, also celebrated another MV70 age cat win in 28.20 in 78th place overall. 

And it was good to see Mandy Owen back at Conwy and running well again in 94th place in 30.02, and she also finished 3rd in her VW45 age cat, with Sue Smith (*pictured below) was 99th in 30.16, and claimed the 3rd spot in her VW55 cat.

*Praise was given to Conwy parkrun race director Gwyn Williams and to all the volunteers and marshals who bravely supported all the runners on another very wet day underfoot, and plaudits were given to veteran runner Ken Poulter who completed his 100th parkrun to add to his 100th time of volunteering duties. 

*This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy:

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