IT WAS a rather soggy and spooky Conwy parkrun on Saturday morning (October 29), with mist and a steady drizzle.

Yet this heavy weather still failed to deter a hardy bunch of regular and travelling athletes from enjoying the Halloween special event.

Despite another waterlogged 5k course, with many runners wearing Halloween outfits, five youngsters, including one from Yorkshire and another from the West Midlands, ensured it made for a fast pace, with 12 runners beating the 20-minute mark.

Teenager Dion Griffith claimed first place, and also won his SM18-19 age category in just 16 minutes and 27 seconds.

He was followed by Alex Mosley (Doncaster AC) in 17.21 and second SM18-19, with youngster Alfie Shiland (Colwyn Bay AC) finishing third, but winning his JM11-14 age cat in 17.50.

The next two places also went to James Smith (Menai Track & Field), who was fourth overall and third in his SM18-19 cat in 18.07, and Cian Wood (Dudley and Stourbridge), fifth, but who won his JM15-17 age cat in 18.25.

Anna Drinkwater eventually took the prime position for the ladies in 19.53, and in 12th place overall, with debutant Ella Leonard recording 21.30 in 20th place, and Colwyn Bay junior Ella Grundy claiming the third spot, in 22nd place - she won her JW15-17 cat in 21.37.

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North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) entered eight club runners and claimed seven podium places, including two age category wins.

But it proved to be a tough challenge in trying to chase down the youngsters for Mark Jessett, who was the first club man home in sixth place overall.

Mark was still delighted with his time of 18.28 to win his MV35 age category, though.

Steve Mason was 10th in 19.28 and finished second in his MV45 cat, with Will Williams 13th in 20.10 - he won his MV50 age group.

Gethin Wyn Jones claimed second spot in his MV35 cat, finishing 28th in 22.22, and Adam Lemalle ran well again in 31st place in 22.33.

But he was third against both Mark and Gethin in the same MV35 cat.

Rob Fryer tried to shake off a niggling injury but still enjoyed his “puddle-run” in 63rd place overall, and he finished second in his MV65 cat in 25.41.

Meanwhile, Helen Hannam made a welcome return to parkrun and finished 97th overall.

She was the 23rd female finisher in 28.45 to claim third place in her FV45 age cat, with Rachel Morris putting in a determined display in 33.35 for 137th place.

Generous plaudits were given to race director, Gwyn Williams, and his team of volunteers and marshals, and to John Hatton, from NWRRC, who helped to organise and promote last week’s Dark Run.

This raised about £7,000 for Hope House and Ty Gobaith Children’s Charities.

This is a link to the provisional results from Conwy parkrun including a list of the volunteers: www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults.

Gwyn Williams said: “Well done to all 165 runners who joined us today and braved a ridiculously wet Saturday morning.

“I was genuinely considering cancelling as I drove down at 8am through sheet rain, but the volunteers were keen to soldier on, so that was that.

“We are very fortunate to have such devoted and hardy volunteers that turn out in all weathers to ensure that parkrun goes ahead.

“And a particular well done to Cheryl Frost (NWRRC) who completed her 100th volunteering stint, and to Conwy regular, Pete Freestone, on completing his 250th today, and tourist Nils Hollmann who chose a waterlogged Conwy parkrun to reach his own 250 milestone.”