Surprise appearance by Ronnie O’Sullivan at Conwy parkrun

Martin was the first man back on a windy but dry 5k course, with numbers boosted by many tourists during this half-term weekend.

In total, the event attracted 233 mixed ability runners from various parts of the UK, including O’Sullivan, following his recent appearance at Venue Cymru.

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North Wales Road Runners back to their best as Conwy parkrun returns!

Martin led home 12 senior NWRRC club members and one junior, claiming eight podium places, including four first age category victories, two second, and two third.

He also won his MV45 age cat in 18 minutes and 12 seconds.

Will Williams was seventh overall in 19.43 and he too won his MV50 cat, with Steve Bozier 27th and 3rd in his MV45 cat in 22.21, with colleague Jamie Tharme close behind in 32nd place in 22.46.

Carla Green, despite being hard in training for her 10-mile road race the following day, opted to jog around in 25.18, and finished 2nd in her VW50 cat.

Dave Spofforth ran with his son Ben and the youngster won his JM10 age cat again, finishing 109th in 27.24, with his dad just one place and one second behind.

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Supervet Mark Mason claimed the 2nd spot in his MV70 cat in 27.37 in 112th place, and Elizabeth Driscoll marked a welcome return to parkrun with a steady run in 113th place and won her VW55 cat in 27.42.

Veteran John O’Shea finished in 124th place in 28.20, and Mandy Owen enjoyed another good parkrun in 145th place in 30.01, with newcomer Sye Channer 152nd in 30.23.

Master veteran Don Hale returned to parkrun after a long spell out with injury and trotted around for his first run of the year in 32.45 in 175th place, and he came 3rd in his MV70 age cat.

Medals galore for North Wales Road Runners at windy Rhyl races

THERE was a good turn-out of North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) members among many other elite athletes at the Rhyl five-mile and 10-mile races yesterday (February 19).

Several members celebrated podium places and age cat wins during a very windy series of events that also incorporated an Inter-Counties match, and the Regional Championships.

It was the latter 10-mile race that served as both a major North Wales Championship event and an Inter-Counties invitation match, where once again several NWRRC members, and other top local club runners won prestigious individual, and team medals.

In the five-mile race, Llyr Ap Geraint-Roberts finished in fourth place overall and claimed second place in his MV45 age cat in 27 minutes and 45 seconds, and Steve Roberts looked back to his best in 19th place in 38.52, and he also won his MV55 cat.

Veteran Len Jackson also ran well in 27th place in 42.23, and he was second in his new MV65 cat.

Rachel Morris however, was unlucky, and just missed out on a podium place finishing 51st overall, and 4th in her VW40 cat in 48.31.

In the 10-mile race, the Road Runners won six podium places including three first place age cat victories, in addition to winning numerous worthy NW regional medals, and several athletes were also included within the Inter-Counties team.

Martin Green following his 1st place finish at Conwy parkrun on Saturday, with another superb performance to finish 7th overall, and 1st MV45 in 52.33.

Iwan Evans was 39th in 1.01.21, and Martin’s wife Carla Green ensured another family double by winning her VW50 cat in 42nd place in 1.01.33.

Stuart Culverhouse had a strong finish in 68th place and he was 4th in his MV50 cat in 1.05.47, with Kay Hatton 102nd, and she deservedly won her new VW60 age cat in 1.15.15.

And Cheryl Frost gave Kay a good chase but eventually had to settle for 107th place and 2nd in her VW55 cat in 1.16.47, whilst Nicola Wylie was 109th and 3rd VW55 cat in 1.17.35.

Veteran Rob Fryer enjoyed a positive run in 113th place and 2nd MV65 in 1.18.04, and Kelly Alford, and her partner Cai Roberts ran together, with Kelly 116th in 1.19.56, and Cai just one place and one second behind.

Meanwhile, Kevin Higgins finished 128th in 1.24.12, with Hannah Griffith 139th in 1.27.16, and Mandy Owen 167th in 1.35.39.

NWRRC additionally enjoyed another spectacular occasion at the regional 10-mile championships held within the race, and collected four gold medals, three silver and two bronze medals overall in their respective age categories.

In the male section, Martin Green won a gold medal as the 1st M45 runner in 52.33, with Iwan Evans 3rd for a bronze medal in the same age cat as Martin in 61.21.

Stewart Culverhouse won a silver medal in his MV50 cat in 65.37, and Kevin Higgins claimed a deserved bronze medal in his MV60 cat in 84.12.

The ladies also celebrated some superb performances in the 10-mile championships, with Carla Green winning a gold medal in her FV50 age cat in 61.33.

Cheryl Frost struck gold in her FV55 cat in 76.47, and Kay Hatton also won a gold medal in her new FV60 cat in 75.15, whilst Nicola Wylie continued the success story with a welcome silver medal in her FV55 age cat in 77.35.

The North Wales men’s team won their Inter-Counties match ahead of Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Cheshire; and in the Ladies fixture, North Wales Ladies team were runners-up behind Cheshire, and ahead of Staffordshire, and Shropshire.

Other race results:

*Jersey: Josh Keogh won the JSAC West Park 10k at St Helier, Jersey, last weekend with a stunning run and a new PB of just 33 minutes and 45 seconds to also win his respective age category.

*Haverfordwest: Ben and Sarah Hudson took part in the Haverfordwest parkrun last Saturday and both NWRRC members won their respective age categories and claimed new course PBs.

Ben finished 3rd overall in 21.59 and won his MV45 cat, and Sarah was 19th and the 3rd female athlete, and she too won her VW40 cat with a new PB of 24.23.

After the run, Sarah said: “Rather tired legs from long runs yesterday, but 3rd for Ben, and 3rd Lady for me. A great fun course, more cross country than park run, but loved it!”

*Ludlow: Lesley Goodson enjoyed a good performance at the Ludlow parkrun where she finished as the 5th lady, in 37th place overall, and she also won her VW55 age cat in 29.44.