Milder conditions, plus another major local race, boosted parkrun numbers...plus parkrun results round-up

*Steve Gardner (*pictured above) finished 7th and won his VM60 age cat

Milder conditions, plus another major local race, boosted parkrun numbers...and parkrun results round-up...

Report by Don Hale.

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025

 

The Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun proved a magnet for visiting athletes once again, which this week was boosted by hundreds of people travelling to the area for the Twin Piers 10k race held later that day.

Thankfully, the weather conditions were much better than in recent times, with bright sunshine and milder temperatures, that probably inspired a flurry of personal best (PB times) and proved an ideal warm-up for the afternoon event.

The first three male finishers at Rhos were all first timers with Tony Coyne (Belle Vue Racers) the first man home on his course debut with a great performance in 17 minutes and 56 seconds. He was followed by Mickey Armstrong in 18.21, and Danny O’Reilly (Chester Tri Club) in 18.36.

The first two female finishers were also newbies, with teenager Olivia Jones enjoying a good debut outing in 20.31, whilst Carol Baker (Eden Runners) was second in 21.08, and Mia Williams third with a new PB in 21.31.

*North Wales Road Runners only entered five members this week due to so many club athletes competing in the latter Pier2Pier race over parts of the same course at Colwyn Bay. 

Steve Gardner though, made his second appearance at Rhos, and recorded an excellent new PB of 19.22, and he additionally won his VM60 age cat. Master vet Don Hale also claimed a new course PB of 27.07, and he was third in his VM70 cat. 

And it was good to welcome back Vicky Taylor, who is gradually regaining her fitness again. She finished well on her return to Rhos in 251st place in 30.08, whilst veteran John O’Shea was another runner in form, and he claimed a new course PB in 340th place in 33.43. Meanwhile, Richard Scamans ran with his dog as a warm-up for the 10k and he was 416th overall in 40.32.

 

*Vicky Taylor (*pictured above left), with John O'Shea, and Richard Scamans.

*GOG Triathlon only had 9 members at Rhos, mainly due to the same reasons as NWRRC, with Andy Jones their first man home in 20th place in 20.41, and third in his VM50 age cat; with Steve Owen next in 27th place, and second VM40 in 21.09; and it was great to see Craig Rutter back at parkrun following a long term injury. He ran exceptionally well given his previous problems and he finished 52nd on his course debut in 22.17. *The first female GOG athlete to finish at Rhos was veteran Megan New in 250th place overall with a new course PB of 30.16. 

*GOG Triathlon member Steve Owen (*above left) and his club colleague Craig Rutter, are pictured at some other races, but ran well at Rhos this week.

*Some other notable local results at Rhos included: Andrew Roberts 79th, with a new PB in 23.38; Martin Cortvriend (Prestatyn RC) 84th with a new PB in23.44; Chis Spillane (Colwyn Bay AC) 143rd in 26.08; and Pete Brocklehurst 180th in 27.30. *There were 450 finishers at Llandrillo yn Rhos.

 

*Conwy: Visitor James Lucas (No excuses Flo & CO) was the first finisher at the Conwy parkrun on his course debut in 18.35, with another first timer in JM15-17 youngster Tyler Hewsey taking second place in 19.59, and Gethin Jones third, with a new PB in 20.18. 

And two of the first three female placings were also taken by visitors, including Holly McIntosh (Stone Master Marathoners), who was the first lady on her course debut (7th overall) in 22.55, with Alison Davies second in 26.22, and Katie Eckford was third on her debut in 27.01.

*Some other results of notable local runners included: Bethan Wyn Roberts and Amanda Durber, who again ran the course together with Bethan 35th in 28.11, and Amanda 36th, but they both shared the exact same times; with Anthony Howe (Abergele Harriers) 53rd in 29.36; John Stallard 54th in 29.38; and veteran Pam Grant 57th in 30.03 *There were 100 finishers overall at Conwy.

*Pictured above left - Bethan Wyn Roberts and Amanda Durber, with (*right) John Stallard. 

*Prestatyn: The Nova parkrun at Prestatyn attracted almost 300 entrants last Saturday, and included 18 members from the host club, Prestatyn RC, who dominated the main finishing positions in both the male and female groups.

Luca Bennett however was the first overall finisher in19.35, but there was just 3 seconds between the next three male Prestatyn RC team-mates, with Oliver Birch Jones, second in 19.52, Jamie Betts, third in 19.53, and David Ellis fourth in 19.55. 

*Tilly Jones led the Prestatyn RC ladies team home (33rd place overall) with a new PB in 23.43, with colleagues Beth English second with a PB in 24.03, and Lisa Lines third in 24.32.

And it was interesting to note that the Prestatyn super vets of Gareth Hughes. Graham Shone and Mike Davies also dominated the VM75-79 age category, with Gareth finishing 75th in 26.53, Graham 130th in 30,34, and Mike Davies finished 165th in 32.13. *There were 292 finishers altogether at Nova.

 

*Penrhyn: Rhodri Owen was eventually deemed to be the first finisher overall at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun, following an extremely fast finish, and he shared the exact same time as second placed  Adam Jones in 16.19, with Gavin Jones third in 16.20, and Russell Bentley fourth in 16.23 

*Tilly Edwards set a new PB of 19 minutes as the first female (15th overall) with Leah Caffe (Peckham Dogs) second with a new PB in 24.07,and Lucy Garrod third in 24.14. *There were 165 finishers at Penrhyn Castle.