Conwy parkrunners enjoyed a run in the sun at their 400th event...plus other parkrun results.

*Pictured above - Stuart Culverhouse, and Carla Green head to the finish line at the 400th Conwy parkrun.

Perfect weather for 400 plus runners as Conwy parkrun celebrated its 400th event.

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

 

It was a perfect morning at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning with warm, bright sunshine, for over four-hundred athletes, walkers, and volunteers as they commemorated their 400th event.

Blessed with unusually good weather, very little wind, and with an atmospheric touch of mist in the distance surrounding the iconic Conwy Castle, people from all parts of the country boosted the number of local entrants to this regular run, with everyone determined to enjoy and celebrate this special occasion.

The event also helped to raise awareness of mental health issues and included a brief presentation by Conwy Mind at the start, who highlighted examples of their good work, and mentioned the many services available for people in need, backed by support from members of the Feel Mind Group.

John Hatton from North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC), who has both run and volunteered as an MC at Conwy since the start of these parkruns, worked hard to promote this occasion during several preceding days, and eventually he was also able to celebrate after achieving this memorable milestone.

Following the event, a delighted John confirmed: “I would just like to thank everyone who ran the 400th Conwy Parkrun this morning. With the 400th in mind, my objective was to get 400 participants, it was a fantastic morning, and we finally achieved a finishing total of 402. 

“It was a great atmosphere, the weather really was on good behaviour, however I did sweep the first stretch of puddles on Friday afternoon. Out of interest, the RSPB cafe manager came to see me, he thanked me for a record number of customers ever on a Saturday morning. Once again thank you for making this a very special Parkrun.”

Other parkrun results:

*Prestatyn: Mal Preece finished 9th overall at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn in 22.24, and he was 2nd in his VM60 age cat.

*Penrhyn: Three Road Runners took part in the Penrhyn Castle parkrun where Will Williams finished 3rd overall, and he won his VM50 age cat in 18.37, whilst Elizabeth Driscoll and Hannah Griffith ran together, where Elizabeth won her VW55 cat on her course debut in 26.52 in 55th place, whilst Hannah shared the exact same time, and she was 2nd in her VW50 age cat.

*Sharpham: Ben Hudson finished 14th in the Sharpham Estate parkrun, near Dartmouth, last Saturday, with a time of 23.12, and he was 3rd in his VM45 cat.

*See the additional PICTURE SPECIAL review: 

Don Hale Blog: PICTURE SPECIAL: Perfect weather for 400 plus runn... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2024/05/picture-special-perfect-weather-for-400.html?spref=tw

*John Hatton is pictured (*above left), with fellow athlete and volunteer John D'Albuquerque, and (*right) time-keepers Kay Hatton and Cheryl Frost.

*John Hatton and Conwy run director Gwyn Williams (back row, far left), with some of the many willing volunteers pictured within the start and finish area.

*Pictured above and below - parkrunners are ready to start the 400th Conwy event.

NWRRC entered fifteen members and collected four age cat wins, despite many runners taking it easy in preparation for the Chester half-marathon race the following day. Will Evans was the first club man home in 9th place overall in 20.02, and he also won his VM40 age cat. 

Adam Lemalle enjoyed another good run in the sun, finishing 18th in 21.34 and he was 3rd in his VM40 cat. Dave Jones ran his fastest parkrun this year in 23rd place in 22.06, and he too was 3rd in his VM50 cat, whilst youngster Joe Culverhouse continues to impress, and he easily won his JM11-14 cat in 27th place in 22.18. And Jamie Tharme recovered from his recent injury to put in a determined performance, finishing 38th in 23.00, and 2nd in his VM45 cat.

 

*Pictured above left - Joe Culverhouse, and Sandy Johnston with Steve Poupart.

Master veteran Sandy Johnston was back to his best and won his VM70 age cat in style recording an excellent time of just 23.04 in 40th place overall. Steve Poupart, however, ran Sandy close, and he was just one second and one place behind him, and 3rd in his own VM45 cat.

Richard Scamans finished 60th in 23.57, and Martin Green and Tony Price Jones ran together and jogged around the course, with Martin 65th in 24.07, and Tony was just one second and one place adrift. Carla Green was another athlete taking it steady for another race, and she ran back with Stuart Culverhouse. Carla won her VW50 cat in 24.11 in 69th place, with Stuart again just one second and one place behind.

Another master veteran in Mark Mason finished 3rd in his VM70 age cat in 144th place in 27.38, with fellow vets Rob Fryer and John O’Shea running home steadily, with Rob 162nd in 28.20, and John 196th in 29.56.

*NWRRC vets on parade (*above) at the Conwy parkrun after they finished their run (l-r): Rob Fryer, John O'Shea, and Mark Mason, and (*below), runners relax in the sun and catch up with old friends.

*The 1st finisher at Conwy parkrun was Andrew Moore on his debut in 17.45, and he won his SM18-19 age cat. Alison Campbell finished 2nd overall, and she was also the 1st female finisher, and she was only two-seconds behind Andrew in 17.47 and won her SW30-34 cat. Meanwhile, Cameron Morris finished 3rd in 18.45, and won his SM20-24. The 2nd female athlete was Alice Johnston, who is the daughter of NWRRC master vet Sandy Johnston, with promising junior Elin Evans the 3rd female finisher with a new PB of 21.40, and she also won her JW11-14 age cat. There were 402 runners.

*Alice Johnston is pictured right. *This is a link to the official results from Conwy parkrun’s 400th event: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/