Visiting athlete set hot pace in the sun at Conwy parkrun...plus Pat Finnie back in action.

*Another great performance by Mark Jessett (*above) at Conwy.

Visiting athlete set hot pace in the sun at Conwy parkrun...plus Pat Finnie back in action...

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

 

There was another large entry for the Conwy Bank Holiday parkrun last Saturday which again attracted a host of mixed ability social and club runners from all parts of the UK and abroad.

Run in bright, and very warm sunshine, visiting athlete Alastair Campbell (Stroud & District AC) soon set a hot pace over this picturesque but dusty 5k course, and he was the 1st runner home in 17 minutes and 23 seconds, and won his MV35 age cat. 

Despite a strong challenge throughout, Alastair remained narrowly ahead of Road Runner Mark Jessett who finished in 2nd place overall in 17.53 and 2nd MV35 cat, with David Clarke 3rd and 1st MV40 cat with a PB of 18.09. There were 316 finishers.

Praise too was given to MV70 master veteran Sandy Johnston (Les Croupiers) who ran well last week for Wales at the Chester half-marathon and won his age cat at Conwy parkrun with another great run in just 22.50.

Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) and a former NWRRC runner, (*pictured left) was the winner of her VW35 age cat and the 1st female finisher in 19.40 and in 11th place overall, with Beatrice Cordingley (Sale Harriers) 2nd, and the winner of her SW30 age cat, 17th overall, with a new PB of 20.00, whilst Tracey Holdcroft was the 3rd female, 45th overall, with a PB of 22.31 and the winner of her VW50 age cat.

Mark Jessett led a team of thirteen NWRRC members home and he was followed by Stuart Culverhouse, who finished 19th, and 3rd MV50 cat in 20.05, with Tony Price-Jones just three-seconds and one place behind, and Steve Bozier was 23rd and 2nd MV45 cat in 20.50.

Endurance runner Karl Morris was back to his best and finished in 43rd place in 22.28, and Richard Scamans was 56th in 23.13, with Adam Lemalle 64th in 23.29.

    

*Steve Bozier (*above left) with Adam Lemalle.

Veteran Barrie Wells enjoyed a good run finishing in 81st place and he was the 3rd MV65 cat in 24.23, Gethin Wyn Jones was 102nd in 25.15, whilst master veteran Mark Mason maintained his recent positive form to finish 2nd in his MV70 age cat in 144th place in 27.36.

  

*Gethin Wyn Jones (*above left) with master veteran Mike Hayton.

Another master veteran Mike Hayton enjoyed a steady run in 174th place in 28.43 as the 3rd MV70 cat, with fellow master Don Hale running home in 187th place in 29.05, and Rachel Morris was pleased with her marathon recovery plan to finish 250th in 33.15.

*Pictured last Christmas at the Conwy parkrun with run director Gwyn Williams (*above left) with NWRRC stalwart John Hatton.

* Conwy parkrun run director Gwyn Williams was delighted by this latest well-attended parkrun event and the subsequent results and confirmed: “That was a warm one! Great see so many taking part today on a glorious bank holiday weekend. Shout out to Amanda Durber on her 300th parkrun, and to Julie Peverell on hitting her 250, great to see the dedication by you both.

“We had a group of gentlemen joining us from Outdoor Lads, a friendly group of gay, bisexual, and trans-guys who were camping up in Llanrwst on a weekend of adventure and outdoor activities. 

“We also had a big group joining us today from NWRC (North Wales Recovery Communities) in their distinctive orange Hogan’s running shirts. NWRC are an organisation that aim to create a network of recovery communities that support individuals to establish and maintain abstinence from long term substance misuse.

“Fantastic stuff and great to see three of the group achieve PBs today, made up for you, keep at it guys! It’s also great to see the positive effect parkrun has on our communities, and so proud to be part of this event and really enjoy seeing you guys enjoy yourselves.”

 

*Praise was given again to the Conwy run director, and to all the volunteers and marshals, who made the parkrun event such a success. *This is the link to the provisional results:

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

 

*Pat Finnie (*above) had a good run on his return to action in London.

Other race results: *London: NWRRC member Pat Finnie enjoyed his break in London last weekend and claimed 3rd place in his MV65 age cat on his debut in the Highbury Park parkrun, finishing in 218th place overall in 25.54. This was Pat’s first parkrun since last July and following his recovery from injury. And after the event he said: “I was in London yesterday and did the Highbury Park run, which was a five-lap course. I took it easy and managed to finish in 25.54. Slowly getting back.”