Eryri Marathon weather problems provided a boost for parkruns
*Pictured above - the start of the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun.
Marathon weather problems provided a boost for parkruns.
Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. The amazing sunrise picture at Rhos parkrun was taken by run director Dougie Graham.
News of the exceptional but necessary weather postponement of the popular Eryri Marathon on Friday provided an unexpected boost to many North Wales parkruns, during a slight, but welcome window of opportunity on Saturday morning.
Conwy and Llandrillo yn Rhos parkruns were two fine examples of extra interest due to storm forecasts, with both venues reporting hundreds of visiting athletes from around the UK to the start of their respective events from runners and their supporters, who had already made and paid for their marathon travel plans.
The first three finishers at Rhos were all visitors and indeed seven out of the first ten were quality debutants, providing some very fast times and competition. Matthew Lock (Witney RR) was the first finisher overall in 16 minutes and 21 seconds, with JM15-17 youngster Henry Burton taking the second spot in 16.29, but Daniel Clarke (Daventry Road Runners) was a narrow third in 16.30, whilst Sam Lewis Jones (Parc Bryn Bach RR) was hot on Daniel’s heels in fourth place with a new course PB in 16.34.
*Matthew Lock (*above left) was the first finisher at Rhos parkrun with, Steve Owen (*centre) and Joe Culverhouse (*right).
The first female was visitor Kate Daniels (Evesham Road Runners) in 41st place overall in 20.25, and Mia Williams was second in 21.36, with Andrea Winkless (Barrow Runners) third on her debut in 21.44. *There were 545 finishers at Rhos
including 292 first timers.
*Stuart Culverhouse (*above left) with master vet Don Hale, and (*above right) run director and guide Richard Peevor with Barrie Dickenson.
North Wales Road Runners had six entrants with young Joe Culverhouse in fine form again in 10th place in 18.22, yet quite remarkably he had to settle for third place in his JM15-17 age cat. Joe’s father Stuart was 33rd in 20.00, with Richard Scamans running well in 64th place in 22.01. Jenny Appleton was 137th and third in her VW55 age cat in 24.16; and master vet Don Hale was second in his VM70 age cat in 260th place in 27.55, whilst James Jones finished in 352nd place in 30.06.
*GOG Triathlon had sixteen members involved and their top three were Graeme Tunstall 28th in 19.42; Richard Smith 67th in 22.12; and Steve Owen 90th in 22.38.
*Colwyn Bay AAC had five members running with young Josh Mottram their outstanding first finisher in 27th place in 19.30, and he won his SM20 age cat. Ian Taylor was 54th in 21.40, and Rebecca Downs was 63rd in 21.59, with veteran Chris Spillane next in 80th place in 22.26. *Porth Eirias Runners had four entrants with Llyr Jones 304th in 29.05; Paula Crutchley 374th in 30.52; May Wimbury 406th in 32.13, and Kevin Edge 478th in 36.41.
*Some other local runners of note included: Dave Munday 104th in 23.20; Bethan Wyn Jones and Amanda Durber who ran together with Bethan celebrating a new course PB in 28.26 and Amanda recorded 28.30; with Richard Peevor running as a guide with Barry Dickenson in 455/456th places in 35.01.
*Pictured above left - Dave Munday, with Amanda Durber and Bethan Wyn Roberts, and (*above right) A trio of friendly volunteers at Rhos parkrun.
*Conwy: It was another fast finish at Conwy parkrun where they too benefitted from the Eryri marathon overspill and welcomed 324 finishers overall.
And the first eight runners all dipped under 19 minutes. The first man home was young JW15-17 athlete Robert Carter (Bingley Harriers) with a new course PB in 18.05, with Warren Langler Watts (Stadium Runners) second on his debut in 18.07, and Nathan Bower (Chester Road Runners) third with a new course PB in 18.24.
The first female was another young Bingley Harriers athlete in JW11-14 Harriet Carter (5th place overall) to record a unique young family double in 18.36, with Anna Drinkwater second in 18.56, and Emma Wookey (Lliswerry Runners) third on her debut in 19.17.
*North Wales Road Runners had two master veteran entrants with Barrie Wells 125th in 25.59, and he won his VM70 age cat, whilst Rob Fryer was second in the same age cat in 189th place in 29.08. *GOG Triathlon had six members involved including their top three of Jose Eduardo Vega Perez, 59th in 22.59; Joshua White 67th in 23.39; and the ever-green super-vet Liz Evans147th in 27.00, and she won her VW75 age cat. *Porth Eirias Runners had two members running with Dawn Palmer Reid 207th in 29.29, and Ann Sutton 284th in 34.35.
*Prestatyn: Jamie Betts (Prestatyn RC) was the first finisher at the Nova parkrun in 18.53, with clubmate Sancho Edwards second in 19.14, and visitor Matthew Renney (Garden City Runners) third in 20.12. *The first two female finishers were also newcomers with Emma Hollindale first in 21.42, followed by Kimberley Morris in 23.00, and Joanne Henness third with a new course PB in 23.54.
*Prestatyn RC had sixteen athletes at Nova and their top three were Jamie Betts who finished first in 18.53; Sancho Edwards second in 19.14, and Daniel Williams 12th in 22.49. *NW parkrunners had four members involved including Daniel Williams 6th with a new course PB 20.59; Daniel Huws 267th in 24.25; Peter Bloomfield 65th with a new course PB in 29.11; and JW11-14 athlete Charlotte Bloomfield 128th in 43.19.
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