Nearly 4,000 runners tackled the Conwy half-marathon.

*Pictured above - some members from NWRRC are shown near the start.

Nearly 4,000 runners tackled the Conwy half-marathon.

Report by Don Hale. Photos by Pat Finnie and others.

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025

Conwy half marathon attracted nearly 4,000 mixed ability athletes from all across the UK to a most challenging race from Conwy Quay and then around the Great Orme and back, and despite a cold and often blustery wind, many still recorded some excellent times.

Crowds lined the majority of the route and they were aided by numerous partially closed roads, which helped to create a tremendous carnival-type party atmosphere en-route. 

Andrew Davies (Malden Harriers) was the eventual winner of this prestigious race well organised by RunWales, in just 1 hour 8 minutes and 56 seconds. 

He was followed by Harry Lupton (Liverpool Harriers) in 1.13.00, and Matthew Crehan (St Helens) in 1.13.57. In 4th place was Rowan Poots from Newcastle, in 1.15.05, who was the first finisher at Conwy parkrun the previous day; and well done to Stefan Sayer (Menai T&F) who finished 5th in 1.15.29, and young Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) who was 26th with a new PB in 1.21.05.

The first female finisher was Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers) in 1.20.39, with her club colleague Emily Jones second in 1.22.05, and Lorna Young (New Brighton) took the third spot in 1.22.22.

*A mixed assortment of local club and social runners at the half-marathon, and (*below) Mark Davies who bravely completed the race for Headway, the brain injury charity.

*There was praise for many local runners including - Darren Dentith 736th in 1.45.31, Peter Johnson 2.11, John Stallard 2.15, James Jones 2.16, and Mandy Owen 2.46.

The most welcome celebrations however, and the biggest cheer of the day, went to former mountain racer Mark Davies, who also took part in this event after many years of extremely painful rehabilitation from serious injuries, following his partial recovery as a hit and run victim. Mark was filmed on Sunday by BBC Wales during a special feature to be shown this week, and he bravely finished this most difficult course in a credible 3 hours 28 minutes and 17 seconds.

*Steve Bozier (*above left), with Stuart Culverhouse and Will Evans.

*North Wales Road Runners entered a strong team with Jonathan Kettle leading the team home as a 90-minute pacer, with Steve Bozier also in good form in 1.30.18 in 161st place, closely followed by Will Evans 165th in 1.30.20, and Stuart Culverhouse 190th in 1.31.42.

Club chairman Kevin Slattery had an amazing run and he was 340th and won his VM70 age cat in 1.36.50, with Sion Thomas 386th in 1.38.19. 

*Helen Hannam (*above left), with (*right) Jon Evans and Bob Hind who were the two-hour pacers at the Conwy half-marathon.

Daniel Hennell finished in 464th place in 1.39.30, and super vet Sandy Johnston made it a unique family double after his daughter Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers), was the first female finisher, and Sandy won his own VM75 age cat in 814th place in 1.47.03. 

Cheryl Frost finished 3rd in her VW55 cat in 1.49.08, and Molly Evans hit top form and celebrated a new PB in 1.55.29, and Philip Moss 1.56.42. There were plaudits too for Jon Evans and Bob Hinds who both ran as two-hour pacers, with Jon running home precisely on time in 1.59.34.

Carol Moss finished well in 2.00.16, and Nia Lister in 2.03.00, whilst Gwen Charlton recorded 2.04.48, and Steve Roberts 2.05, whilst Helen Hannam was pleased with her time of 2.08.23, and James Jones in 2.17.14. *Apologies for any potential errors or omissions due to the large number of 3,375 listings.

*Mandy Owen (*above) looked in good form in the half marathon.

*This is a link to the provisional results from the Conwy half marathon:

https://www.runwales.com/e/conwy-half-marathon-8639/results 

Karen Butler ran for Wales in the International cross country match in Leeds.

NWRRC veteran Karen Butler (*pictured left) ran well as she represented Wales in the British and Irish Masters International cross country match in Leeds at the weekend. 
After the race, she confirmed: "Great course at Roundhay Park in Leeds. Found the downhills so difficult so took really cautiously. 
"I think I was the only runner who preferred the tough going up rather than the slippy downhills. Had no intention of falling. 

"As always, proud to run for Wales but this was a real challenge. It was a true XC course, and not for the feint hearted. Bernie Jones, the team manager does a fab job for Welsh Masters, so huge respect for him."