Quick midweek 5k dash to ‘Race the Highland train.'

By Don Hale don hale blog

*Pictured above - the powerful locomotive that challenged the runners.

Quick midweek 5k dash to ‘Race the Highland train.'

Report by Don Hale. 

Many photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson, and Prestatyn RC.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk




*Three NWRRC members at Dinas station (l-r): Gwennan Charlton, Daniel Hennell and Hannah Griffith, and (*above right), some Prestatyn RC members on the train.

 

Sometimes for many people, it’s just a race to catch the train, but last Wednesday night nearly 300 runners opted to ‘Race the Highland Train,’ in this very popular annual 5k event, with everyone enjoying a ride out to the start at Dinas station after departing from the initial assembly point at Caernarfon.

The conditions were good on this fast downward course, with a generous number of club and social runners taking part and naturally recorded some very good times. 

Meirionnydd RC took many of the plaudits with four club members in the first five places, including the top three, and the overall winner was Owen Roberts, in just 13 minutes and 59 seconds, with Ifan Dafydd second in 14.41, and Tomos Roberts third, yet he shared the exact same finishing time as Ifan.

Sam Gunning (Cybi Striders) managed to split the Meirionnydd RC lads after claiming the fourth spot in 15.04, with Cai Dafydd fifth in 15.47.

The first female finisher was Samia Jones (Liverpool Harriers) in 17.27, with Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) second in 18.04, and Ellin Haf Roberts (Eryri Harriers) third in 18.10.



*Some of the Prestatyn RC members (*above) at last Wednesday's event.

Prestatyn RC were very well represented and after the event they confirmed: “A large number of club members turned out for to Race the Train at Caernarfon. This race is always popular with our club members as is there is chip shop supper after the race.

“We had some great results with Danny winning the V40 category and Dave coming 3rd in the same category. Marc also came 1st in the V60 category, with Darrell 2nd in that category. Well done to all four.”

North Wales Road Runners also entered three members with Daniel Hennell 58th with a good time of 20.39, followed by Hannah Griffith 130th in 23.56, and Gwennan Charlton 177th in 26.07.


 


*Action shots towards the finish line back at Caernarfon - (l-r): Daniel Hennell, with Hannah Griffith, and Gwennan Charlton. (Photos Lesley Goodson).


*TEAM AWARDS: Meirionnydd RC won the male club award, with Cybi Striders second, and Prestatyn RC third. Cybi Striders however, won the mixed clubs prize with a combined time total of 1.07.13, and Eryri Harriers were second in 1.11.22, with Prestatyn RC third in 1.12.36; and Cybi Striders also won the female team award with Menai Track & Field RC second and Eryri Harriers third.


*This is a link to the provisional results for the Race the Highland Train.

https://www.tdleventservices.co.uk/en/results-embed.php?event=4141#0_280078

 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed on all posts

Most popular posts

Conwy Parkrun plans to re-start next week despite row over new course, plus the start and finish areas.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
Conwy Parkrun plans to re-start next week despite row over new course, plus the start/finish areas... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conwy parkrun has been given the go-ahead to finally re-start next Saturday following many weeks of controversy and harsh criticism by volunteers, sponsors, runners and supporters, over plans to change the existing start and finish areas, and alterations to car parking facilities. In 2019, Conwy Parkrun received tens of thousands of public votes and was elected as runner up in the global World Cup competition of parkruns, due to their friendliness, and for its picturesque 5k riverside course. This popular parkrun though has been out of action since last March mainly due to an extensive 12-week multi-million-pound renovation and upgrading scheme, which included essential work to the latter part of the new national cycle route from the railway bridge to the RSPB nature reserve, which is part ...
Read more

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

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*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, wit...
Read more

Conwy parkrun under threat due to new proposals - SAVE CONWY PARKRUN GROUP FORMED.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Pictured above - some of the new SAVE CONWY PARKUN group after their meeting last Saturday morning at the RSPB site at Conwy. *Blogstory about the SAVE CONWY PARKRUN campaign on the NWNW back page. Conwy parkrun under threat due to new proposals  Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The future of Conwy parkrun is currently under threat after Welsh Parkrun officials have decided to impose new changes to this picturesque 5k course, which include plans for a different start area on Conwy Cob, with alternative car parking arrangements. This parkrun has been out of action for about twelve weeks due to construction work on part of the course for a multi-million-pound cycle track, but just as runners were preparing to re-start their activities, they have now been hit a series of interventions, restrictions, and demands on the event organisers by parkrun officials who have continued the suspension of this popular event. Just a few years ago however, this event was vo...
Read more

Athletes set a hot pace in the heatwave at Penrhyn parkrun...plus other results.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
Athletes set a hot pace in the heatwave at Penrhyn parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Michael Finney. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There was a good turn-out of nearly 300 mixed ability entrants at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday despite scorching temperatures during this extraordinary heatwave period, including athletes from opposite ends of the UK. A large contingent of quality club runners set a hot pace right from the start over this roller-coaster of a 5k woodland course, with the first seventeen finishers all dipping under the twenty-minute mark, and the first finisher,  Rhodri Owen ( Meirionnydd RC), celebrated a great run in just 16 minutes and 7 seconds, and he also led home a clean sweep with club colleagues, who packed well and took the first five finishing positions. Ricky Challinor  finished in 2nd place, with  Russell Bentley  3rd in 16.52,  Geraint Pugh  was 4th in 16.53, and...
Read more

Public response to Conwy Parkrun's statement about recent behind the scenes activity.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
Response to Conwy Parkrun's potentially controversial statement about the latest behind the scenes activities... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Following the statement issued by Conwy parkrun officials on Thursday afternoon, it would now seem that their comments have attracted widespread controversy, confusion and much anger, with many volunteers and regular runners and supporters, demanding to air their personal views in response. This feature contains some varied reactions etc:   *I have therefore included a link and a copy of the parkrun statement from 29/5/25 which appeared on my blog, and on the Conwy Parkrun’s Facebook page from yesterday. And in addition, I have also included – in the interests of fairness and accountability – the latest updated statement from Conwy parkrun officials, which seems to have attracted further controversy and debate, together with the pubic reaction:   *This is a link to the original statement on my blog from Conw...
Read more

North Wales parkrun results and reports round-up...

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Pictured above - super vet Sandy Johnston (NWRRC) won his VM75 cat at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday. North Wales parkrun round-up: Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael Finnie. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   *Prestatyn:  There was another good turn-out of 248 finishers at the warm but windswept  Nova Prestatyn parkrun  last Saturday, with local SM30 soccer star  Aaron Dodwell  recording a new course PB and sharing the exact time of 17.58 with JM15-17 Northern Ireland visitor and junior athlete  Matthew Lamont , whilst  Nic Brook  (Eryri Harriers) took the 3rd spot in 18.26. The first female finisher was  Anna   Drinkwater  (Eryri Harriers) in 19.16, (6th overall) with  club  colleague  Gemma Moore , hot on her heels with a new PB in 19.29, whilst  Eve Manifold  (Eryri Harrier) was 3rd with a new PB in 22.03.  *There were 248 finishers. Some Conwy on Tour members at Nova include...
Read more

Hot, humid and windswept at Nova’s Prestatyn parkrun...plus other parkrun results round-up...

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Carla Green from NWRRC was the first female finisher at Nova. Hot, humid and windswept at Nova’s Prestatyn parkrun...plus other parkrun results round-up... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com It was a very hot and humid despite a very strong and blustery wind at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn last Saturday, with a generous attendance of some 255 mixed ability athletes and walkers, who all braved the refreshing sea breeze and sandy atmosphere. Two male visitors and course debutants grabbed their places in the top three as fast finishers with  Aaron Dodwell becoming the first male runner home on his debut in 18.44, with  Dafydd Montgomery  2nd in 19.17, and debutant  Harry Brewster  3rd on his debut in 19.30. The first female finisher was  Carla Green  (NWRRC), in 14th place overall, and she also won her VW50 age cat in 21.34. Prestatyn RCs  Lisa Lines  claimed the 2nd spot in 22.33, with  Sali Wheway  3rd with a new ...
Read more

NW Masters on top form at the Great North International 10k race.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*Four top female Welsh athletes at the Great North race (l-r): Emma Collins, Cheryl Frost, Kay Hatton and Carla Green. NW Masters on top form at the Great North Masters International 10k race. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *The Welsh team are pictured above at the Masters International race A strong team of top Welsh veteran athletes competed in the Great North 10k on Sunday amidst a massive entry of over 10,000 elite, club and mixed ability runners in this popular North-East challenge. The event also included a  Masters International Road Race  featuring age group teams representing Wales, England, Northern Ireland, and the UK Armed Forces. At the time of writing the enormous list of results was still awaiting full verification, and a further report may be added later, but several  North Wales  runners celebrated some amazing results with  Tomos Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) finishing 7th overall in ...
Read more

Fifteen medals and a Welsh Record on a great day for Wales within the Swansea Half Marathon.

By Don Hale don hale blog
Image
*The jubilant Welsh Masters team (*above) at the Swansea half marathon. Fifteen medals and a Welsh Record on a great day for Wales within the Swansea Half Marathon... Report and photos courtesy of the Wales team manager Bernie Jones. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   For the first time in a couple of years, the Master international events came back to Wales, and we were rewarded with a record number of top three finishers and a new Welsh Record by the ageless Swansea Harrier, Alan Davies, who broke his own M70 record with a great run of 81-51.    Phil Matthews, Parc Bryn Bach (M45), was first home in 5th place overall comfortably winning his age category. Along with Phil and Alan Davies. Welsh Athletes were first home in the M50 age group (Mark Jennings, MMRT) and M65 (David Warren, Cardigan).    There were also second places for Matt Rees, Swansea Harriers(M35), Dave James, Les Croupiers(M65) and David Gibson, Tri-Hard Harriers (M70).    In the Women...
Read more