Wild, Wet, and Windy for North Wales Parkrunners: 12/9/26
Updated: 4 days ago
Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie.
A Challenging Day for Runners
It was wild, wet, and very windy at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun on Saturday. The weather may have kept some participants away, but it didn’t stop the dedicated volunteers, walkers, and supporters. They braved the strong winds along the exposed 5k promenade course.
Despite the conditions, several talented young runners put on an impressive show. Just six seconds separated the first four finishers, which included two first-timers.
Henry Pickard was the first finisher overall in his debut, clocking in at 16:56. Fellow visitor Ben Rogers followed closely behind in 16:59, while David Williams from Royal Sutton Coldfield AC finished third in 17:00. Matthew Feetenby from Ely Runners came in fourth at 17:05. Special mention goes to James Yarwood from Wrexham AAC, who finished sixth in 18:01.
The first female finisher, Gemma Moore from Eryri Harriers, placed eighth overall with a time of 18:25. Rebecca Downs from Colwyn Bay was the runner-up in 22:29, and Katerina Williams secured third on her debut in 22:37. In total, there were 350 finishers at Rhos.
Local Clubs Shine
North Wales Road Runners had six runners at Rhos. Chris Davies finished seventh with a new course PB of 18:02, winning his VM40 age category. Richard Scamans placed 35th in 22:04, while Paddy Walsh was 36th in 22:11. Jenny Appleton also performed well, finishing in 78th place in 24:31 and taking second in her VW55 category. Master vet Don Hale came in 128th at 27:01, also finishing second in his VM70 category. Hannah Griffith rounded out the team in 249th place with a time of 32:32.
GOG Triathlon entered eleven runners, with their top finishers being Andy Jones in 26th place at 21:10, Jose Eduardo Vega Perez in 38th on his debut at 22:14, and Steve Owen in 41st at 22:24. It was great to see Llinos Davies back in action, achieving a new course PB of 33:40 in 262nd place.
Colwyn Bay AAC had three runners at Rhos. Josh Mottram was their first finisher, placing 16th in 19:59 and coming second in his SM20 age category. Rebecca Downs was 42nd and the second female overall in 22:29, winning her VW45 category. Ian Taylor finished 49th in 22:43.
Notable Local Runners
Several other local runners made their mark. Rhys Pugh finished 21st in 20:39, while Daniel Owens achieved a new course PB in 54th place at 22:58. Dave Spofforth was 61st with a similar course PB of 23:24. Marcus Jones finished in 90th place at 25:03, and Pete Brocklehurst came in 107th at 25:52. Steffan Griffiths finished 163rd in 28:12.
Conwy Highlights
At the Conwy parkrun, veteran visitor David Chaplin was the first finisher in 19:35. JM15-17 junior athlete Elijah Bunton secured second place with a new course PB of 20:01, and Tom Woodall took third in 20:28. Kristin Luke from Eryri Harriers was the first female finisher in 23:26, followed by Sarah Thomas, who achieved a new course PB in 24:43, and Ellen Chaplin, who finished third on her debut in 25:07. There were 154 finishers at Conwy.
NWRRC had two members running, including Adam Lemalle, who finished 7th in 21:38, taking second in his VM40 age category. Paul Aubert was 10th in 21:48, also finishing second in his VM45 category.
Other Local Runners
Notable local runners included Andy Brazier from GOG Triathlon, who finished 15th in 22:55, winning his VM55 age category. Karl Morris from Eryri Harriers was 16th in 22:57. Bethan Wyn Davies and Amanda Durber ran well together, finishing 81st and 82nd in 28:45. Pam Grant finished 108th and was first in her VW65 category with a time of 31:31.
Penrhyn Castle Results
At the Penrhyn Castle parkrun, young Noa Vaughan was the first finisher in 16:28. Visitor Jack Walsh took second in 18:31, while Chris Wilden finished third with a new course PB of 18:48. Mabli Baines from Eryri Harriers was the first female finisher (7th overall) in 19:56. Lottie Rowedder from Herts Phoenix AC came in second in 21:26, and Rhiannon Amy Willmot finished third in 23:09.
GOG Triathlon had two runners, with Jason Burke finishing 92nd in 28:56 and Dinah Hazeldine 65th in 44:45. Cybi Striders also had two members involved, with Ieuan Llywelyn Jones finishing 79th in 28:01, and Chris Williams in 148th at 37:27.
Prestatyn Nova Results
At the Nova parkrun, Sancho Edwards was the first finisher in 19:47. Dafydd Montgomery from Prestatyn RC took second in 20:23, while Jonny Roberts finished third in 20:36. The first female was visitor Emma Mills, who finished 5th overall in 21:32. She was followed by Natalie Pointon in 26:05 and first-timer Pantiro Boonpati, who came in third at 26:39. There were 187 finishers at Nova.
Prestatyn RC entered seventeen members, with the first few club finishers being Dafydd Montgomery in 2nd place at 20:23, Jack Hughes in 9th at 22:02, and Paul Sanders in 12th at 22:40. Kudos to VW60 vet Cathy Wood, who finished 104th in 31:34, and VM75 vet Mike Davis, who came in 110th at 32:11.
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