Bright and sunny for St David’s Day penultimate parkrun at Conwy.

*Pictured above - Runners approach the finish at Conwy parkrun with their refections highlighted in the usual puddles on the course.

Bright and sunny for St David’s Day penultimate parkrun at Conwy...

Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Bethan Wyn Roberts.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co,uk

It was a beautifully sunny morning at Conwy parkrun last Saturday for St David’s Day, as 246 athletes, with some in fancy dress, took part in the penultimate event – at least for the time being - over this picturesque 5k course.

Extensive construction work is now expected to commence from 8th March onwards, and for a period of about 14-weeks which will temporarily impact on part of the existing parkrun and riverside route, from near the RSPB Nature Reserve to the Conwy Cob access bridge.

An alternative course is currently under consideration for this outstanding period, but meanwhile, and until any other details are confirmed, entrants from many parts of the country, made the most of the half-term break to enjoy a pleasant run in the sun.

The t-shirts of runners from York, Cardiff, Brighton, Stoke, Droitwich, Salisbury and Shropshire, as well as many others, including representatives from local clubs and running groups, were prominent, with many also recording personal best times (PBs), over a relatively dry surface.

*After the event, run director Bethan Wyn Roberts said: “Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus I bawb. Thanks to everyone who acknowledged our patron saint this morning, and I couldn’t resist a quick photo of Dougie Graham, the Draig Goch! 

“Congratulations also to Siobhan on her 50th Parkrun, and to a very smart Rhys Pugh, who celebrated his 100th Parkrun wearing a suit from PromAlly, a social enterprise that gives formal wear to young people who are financially struggling. 

“You are all hero’s, but as always the superhero’s were wearing high viz.” 

*Volunteers (*above) await the arrival of parkrunners at the finish funnel.

 

*The 1st finisher overall was VM35 athlete Alistair Canaway with a new PB of 17 minutes and 38 seconds, with SM20 Lewis Hall 2nd with a PB of 18.37. The 3rd place remained unknown at the time of writing, but SM20 Harry Driscoll(NWRRC), claimed the 4th spot in 19.06.

For the ladies, SW18 teenager Olivia Jones was the 1st female finisher (5th overall), with a PB of 19.56, and she was followed by JW11-14 junior Catrin Evans in 21.53 (15th overall), and SW20 athlete Amelia Anderson (Tristars Conwy Junior Tri-Club), who was 17th overall, with a PB of 22.05. 

 

*Well-known local runner and volunteer Dougie Graham (*above left), as the Draig Goch at Conwy parkrun, and (*centre), Rhys Pugh celebrated St David's Day in style, together with his 100th parkrun, by wearing a suit! And pictured (*far right), the popular run director Bethan Wyn Roberts.

 

*Plaudits were given to the run director Bethan Wyn Roberts, MC John Hatton, and to all the many volunteers and marshalls. This is a link to the provisional results:

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

 

Other local parkrun results:

*Nova Prestatyn: 1st Michael Scott 18.22, 2nd Sam Ashton (18.37), 3rd Dafydd Montgomery 19.37. The first three female athletes were: (9th overall) Eve Manifold 21.50, (29th) Jane McDonell 25.12, and (30th) Christine Wyn Jones (Deeside AC) 25.23.

*Penrhyn Castle: 1st Jonathan Tyler (Betsi Runaways) 18.19, 2nd Luke Squirrell (Petts Woodland Runners) 18.40, and 3rd Nicolas Seguin 19.37. The first three female athletes were: Clare Carr (21st overall), 23.24, Nea Weston (26th) 24.15, and Charlotte Welch (33rd) 24.45.

*Newborough Forest: 1st Elliot Taylor (Western Tempo) 17.52, 2nd Ellin Haf (Eryri Harriers), who was also the 1st female finisher in 18,52, and 3rd was Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd RC) in 19.12. The second and third places female athletes included: Ishbel Holt (23rd overall), 24.24, and Anna Hume (24th) in 24.31.