Mixed emotions due to a new start for Conwy parkun

Mixed emotions due to a new start for Conwy parkun - plus other results.

By Don Hale don hale blog July 23, 2025

*Pictured above - mixed runners are shown on the second lap on Conwy Cob.

Mixed emotions due to a new start on the Cob for Conwy parkun - plus other results...

Report and photos by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

Conwy parkrun finally returned to action last Saturday morning following a long four month break due to construction work on part of the picturesque 5k course, and delays caused by the controversial introduction of a new start position on the Cob.

Nearly 300 runners from past and present, together with numerous visitors, turned out to witness activities at this new start position, which is now half a mile away from the original start/finish, and situated about half-way down, and along the lower section of the Cob.

Most runners and walkers were naturally pleased to see the event return, but the new arrangements attracted mixed feelings from the majority of participants, both before, during, and after this revised event, with nearly everyone still remaining at a loss to understand the reasoning for the need for this new start following 10-years of award-winning success.

*Some Porth Erias Runners and friends are pictured above and below just before the start of the revised Conwy Parkrun on the Cob.

There were complaints too about the car parking at Tesco, and visiting runners and their families left to find their own way to the Cob, plus extreme congestion at the start, and a potential danger to pedestrians and cyclists, who had been unaware of this event starting, and were faced with a large mass of runners, who completed a full lap before heading off towards Deganwy.

*Some further action photos of various runners as they finish the first lap of the Cob from the new start before heading off down the track towards Deganwy.

The Save Conwy Parkrun group had observers around the course and explained that many complaints had been expressed about the dangers of access to the Cob, particularly for newcomers, claiming that about twenty runners and their families were seen climbing over the barriers onto the flyover to try and reach the Cob.

Parkun officials however rejected any complaints about any potential safety issues and were very pleased with the way everything had gone. They also played down any complaints over car parking and believed there were no dangers in getting to the Cob, or with crossing any roads. They said the reason for the change was due to previous problems at the entrance to the RSPB.

Mixed emotions for runners.

Clubs and local organisations were well represented, with many participants curious about all the problematic changes, which have caused quite a stir of mixed emotions throughout the community for the past month or more.

Visiting teenager, JM1-17 athlete James Titmas (Reading AC), set a fast pace from the off on his Conwy debut, and he raced home to the normal finish back at the RSPB Nature Reserve on the new track in just 16 minutes and 41 seconds. In second place were fellow debutants Steven Cannell in 17.39, and Josh Spencer third in 18.14.

The first female finisher was another visitor in Emily Atkins (South Derbyshire AC) on her debut in 21.42, and in 32nd place overall; whilst Katherine Gregson took the second spot in 22.12 (37th), and Mia Williams (42nd overall) came third with a new PB in 22.32.

The new arrangements and the humid conditions seemed to provide a pleasing fast course for everyone with the first fourteen runners all dipping under twenty-minutes, and there were 36 new personal best (PB) times, with the first man home nearly a minute ahead of his nearest rival!

*North Wales Road Runners entered six members with Steve Roberts leading the team home in 41st place in 22.27, and he also won his VM60 age cat. Karl Morris was 51st with a fine run in 22.56, with super veteran Sandy Johnston63rd in 23.31, and he won his VM75 age cat.

Meanwhile, master vet Rob Fryer returned to parkrun with a good performance in 112th place, and he was second in his VM70 cat in 26.19, with another returnee, Gethin Wyn Jones, just one place and one second behind Rob, whilst Rachel Morris was welcomed back, and despite struggling a bit with her fitness due to the break, she still finished well in 269th place in 39.52.

*Some other Conwy parkrunners included: Romeo Ciotec (North Norfolk Beach Runners), 25th in 20.57, and he was second in his SM30 age cat; Marcus Jones 27th in 21.13; David Spofforth 29th, and the third VM40 in 21.20; Tris Owen 61st in 23.24; Dylan Roberts 65th in 23.32; Barry Palmer (Porth Eirias Runners) 68th in 23.46; Bethan Wyn Roberts (Parkrunner PB), 154th in 29.05: John Stallard 165th in 29.37, and super vet John D’Albuquerque (GOG Triathlon) was second in his VM75 age cat in 192nd place in 30.45. *In addition, many local clubs were also well represented with thirteen GOG Triathlon members, including John D, and there were eight Porth Eirias Runners. *There were 292 finishers.

Other parkrun results:

*Penrhyn: There was a very large turnout of 307 finishers at the popular Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday and the first male and female finishers were both junior athletes. First back around this challenging lapped course was JM15-17 athlete Dion Baston with a great new PB of 18 minutes and 30 seconds, with Andy Savage (Cybi Striders), second in 19.05, and Griff Roberts (Eryri Harriers), third in 19.08. *The first female at Nova was JW10 athlete Evelyn Edwards on her course debut in 19.44, with Molly Ralphson (Trawden AC), second on her debut in 20.22, and Elin Jones third in 21.14.

*Other Conwy on Tour members included: Colwyn Bay runners Josh Mottram and Ian Taylor, with young Josh 28th overall, and he was second in his SM18-19 age cat in 22.13, with Ian 37th in 23.19. And NWRRC runners included: Daniel Hennell who was 85th on his debut in 26.21, and Nia Lister 99th in 26.59, and she also won her VW35 age cat, whilst Dougie Graham finished in 267th place on his debut in 38.11.

*Josh Mottram and Ian Taylor (*above) ran well again at Penrhyn parkrun.

*Ruthin: The first finisher overall at Ruthin was Shane Boxall (Southend on Sea AC) on his debut in a very fast time of 16.57, with Jason Walsh second and claiming a new PB in 19.34, and Steffan Jones (St Asaph Striders), finished third in 20.07. *The first female finisher was Victoria Boxall (Leigh on Sea Striders), who was fifth overall on her course debut on 20.20, with Carla Green (NWRRC), 6th overall, and winning her VW50 age cat in second place in 20.57, and JW11-14 athlete Beatrice Roberts finished 9th overall in 21.44. Meanwhile, Carla’s clubmate, Kay Hatton (NWRRC), also won her VW60 age cat in 18th place in 23.14. *There were 86 finishers.

*North Wales Road Runners Carla Green and Kay Hatton ran well at Ruthin.

*Prestatyn: Local footballer Aaron Dodwell scored again this week at the Nova parkrun in Prestatyn and claimed a new course PB of just 17.49, with Findlay Sullivan (Blackburn Harriers), finished second on his debut in 17.54, whilst Craig Matthews (Ilkeston RC), took the third spot on his debut in 18.11. *Erin Thomas was the first female finisher with a new PB in 21.17, and Eve Manifold (Prestatyn RC) was second in 21.49, with JW11-14 athlete Nia Manson (West Cheshire AC), third on her debut in 23.12. *Stuart Culverhouse (NWRRC) was 18th overall, and second in his VM50 age cat in 20.51, with his friend Darren Dentith 30th, and third in the same age cat as Stuart in 22.16. *There were 261 finishers at Nova.