John Hatton performed a clean sweep at a waterlogged Conwy parkrun.

 

*John Hatton (*above) performed a clean sweep at Conwy parkrun to help reduce numerous large puddles at the start of a waterlogged course.

Report by Don Hale.

 

Over two-hundred mixed ability runners took part in last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, but once again they had to contend with very muddy and waterlogged conditions underfoot, with the start area only improved late on due to volunteer John Hatton sweeping out some of the large puddles!

John’s determined action with a stiff brush improved the safety of this popular event, and for the second time in recent weeks, only the innovative actions of willing individuals meant this popular run could begin on time! 

*Pictured above - Hard working NWRRC official and parkrun volunteer, and MC John Hatton, sweeps the puddles at Conwy parkrun. 

(*Photo credit Michael Finnie).

Despite the challenging conditions, this run attracted several top juniors, and senior athletes, who ran hard to record new course PB’s, and ensured a fast pace was maintained from the off!
At the time of writing however, the name of the first runner home still remained unknown but there was only eleven seconds between the next three finishers, and they all recorded new PB’s!
Youngster Alfie Shiland (Colwyn Bay AC) was 2nd in just 17 minutes and 36 seconds, and he also won his JW11-14 age cat, with Alastair Canaway (NWRRC), 3rd, and the 1st VM35 cat in 17.43. 

 

*Alastair Canaway (*above left), with Sion Thomas, and Adam Lemalle.

And it was good to note that the 4th spot went to the 1st female athlete, Alison Campbell, who won her SW30 age catin 17.47, with junior Catrin Evans (9th), as the 2nd female on her debut in 20.34, and she won her JW11-14, and Ella Grundy (Colwyn Bay), (15th overall), won her JW15-17 age cat in 3rd place in 21.38.

North Wales Road Runners entered thirteen members and collected three age cat victories, in addition to one second place, and two thirds. Alastair Canaway was the first club runner to finish, and he led the team home. He was followed by Sion Thomas, who celebrated a new course PB of 21.23, in 12th place overall, and he was 3rd in his VM40 cat.

Adam Lemalle also claimed a new sub 22 minute PB with a determined run and he was 16th in 21.41, with Karl Morris hot on his heels, and he was just one place and seven-seconds behind Adam in 21.48. 

 

*Karl Morris (*above left), with Kay Hatton, and Nia Lister.

Kay Hatton won her VW60 age cat with an impressive display, and she finished 35th overall in 23.53, and master veteran Barrie Wells was also on top form and won his MV70 cat, finishing 37th overall in 24.07, and fellow master vet Don Hale was 56th, and the 2nd MV70 cat in 25.30.

Veteran Rob Fryer had a good run, and he was 72nd in 26.47, whilst Stuart Culverhouse and his young daughter Sophia ran together and finished 94th in 28.30. Nia Lister was 96th in 28.34, and recovering master vet Mark Mason,finished 104th and 3rd in his VM70 age cat in 29.01. John O’Shea was another club veteran who was pleased to finish 117th, following a recent back injury in 30.00, with Rachel Morris enjoying a steady run in 162nd place in 34.16.

 

*Master veteran Mark Mason (*above left), with John O'Shea, and Rachel Morris.

*Praise was given to the run director Mark Jessett, and to all the marshall’s and volunteers, and especially to John Hatton for sweeping out some of the puddles from the early part of the course.

 

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

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

 

*Other results:

Shrewsbury: NWRRC member Will Williams visited the Quarry parkrun at Shrewsbury last Saturday and finished 12th in 18.26, and he was 2nd in his VM50 age cat. Afterwards he confirmed: “I went to the Shrewsbury parkrun with my son in law and granddaughter. It involved a couple of spicy hills on this one!”

*Pictured (*below), Will Williams with his son in law and granddaughter, and (*right), Will in action with the pack at the Shrewsbury parkrun.