The Nick Beer 10k proved a huge success for runners and charities - plus a unique photo special on a very cold day.

*Pictured above - the race leader Rhys Jones being chased by the pack, and (*below), the massed range of hundreds of runners provided a spectacular sight.

The Nick Beer 10k proved a huge success for runners and charities... plus a unique photo special on a very cold day.

*Report and main photos by Don Hale. 

Additional photos by John Hatton, and Hannah Griffith.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

*Many of the marshals and volunteers are shown ready for action.

The 33rd Annual Nick Beer Memorial 10k race proved another huge success for event organisers Always Aim High, the 744 finishers, and for a host of local charities, despite the bitterly cold weather and a blustery wind around the Great Orme.

Rhys Jones (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners) led from start to finish around this tough and very challenging course, and he ran home along Llandudno promenade to win in just 33 minutes and 9 seconds, but he was pushed all the way by rivals Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon), who was 2nd in 33.27, and Alex Homei 3rd in 33.36.

It was a close finish too for the ladies, with Tinka Vinks (Eryri Harriers), the 1st female athlete in 39.08, and Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders), 2nd in 39.39, with Lucie Truett (Buckley Runners), 3rd in 40.53.

North Wales Road Runners only entered two members this time as the majority of the club were busy marshalling around the course – thanks to co-ordinator Hannah Griffith – or they supported the race via the lead car, or at both the start and finish, but Rob Haines and Nia Lister both performed well on the day. Rob finished in 78th place in 43.14 minutes, whilst Nia was 436th with a new PB of 57.14.

*A team of 'Billy Goat' runners kept themselves warm around the Great Orme.

Several other local athletes, and parkrunners, were also pleased with their results including Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon), 2nd overall, and the winner of his M40 age cat in 33.27, James Yarwood (Wrexham AC), 5th and 4th in his MSen cat in 35.01, Stefan Sayer (Menai T&F), 7th, and 3rd in his M40 cat in 35.21, Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers), 15th and 2nd M50 cat in 36.20, with Simon’s wife Vicky Cole (GOG Triathlon), 43.09 and 2nd in her W40 cat, plus young Josh Mottram (Colwyn Bay AC), who was 3rd in his MU20 cat in 43.41, and a special mention must go to Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon), who won her W70-74 age cat in 54.43, and Pam Grant, who finished 3rd in her W65-69 cat in 64.40.

Always Aim High confirmed this was a non-profit event with money raised for local worthy charities and in particular for St David’s Hospice and St John’s Ambulance, and due praise was later give to all the many volunteers and marshals. 

And they added: "A huge thank you to this year's local race sponsors, Tom Owen & Son Funeral Director, Fleetsmart, Premier Toyota & Tesco Llandudno Junction. We really appreciated your support."

*Pictured above and below - the first three male and female finishers.

*This is a link to the provisional results from the Nick Beer 10k race:

https://my.raceresult.com/324530/results#0_3EF1B7

Some more action shots from the Nick Beer 10k race