Report by Don Hale

The Deganwy Dash was voted the Best Sporting event of the year within Conwy County at the annual Conwy Sports Awards last Friday night at Venue Cymru.

Well organised by John Hatton and Carla Green from North Wales Road Runners, this popular annual 5-mile race from Deganwy Quay to the RSPB Nature Reserve, and back via Conwy Cob, always attracts over 350-plus mixed ability runners who raise thousands of pounds for charity.

The main charity includes generous donations to Children’s Cancer Charities, and for the past few years it has been run in memory of a young local student Rohan Ingley, who sadly lost his life due to cancer, and has been known as 'Rohan's Run.'

Award officials praised the dedicated work and organisation of this event and the amazing support given by volunteers and sponsors, and paid particular tribute to both John and Carla, whilst highlighting the enormous totals raised for this worthy cause.

This year’s event was held on a warm and sunny evening with a record number of entries, that included many athletes travelling from near and far to enjoy a spectacular race.

The NWRRC pair received their prestigious award from Sean Conway, an adventurer and extreme endurance athlete, who was the guest of honour and the event speaker.

*This is a YouTube link to sections from the Conwy awards ceremony:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIrv_GNyYUA

Veteran track sprinter Michael Finnie won his age cat at the Indoor 60m dash

NWRRC veteran track athlete Michael Finnie won his M65 age cat at the North Wales Indoor Open 60m dash at the Deeside Indoor Athletics Centre at Coleg Cambria, Deeside, last Saturday.

He braved the challenging weather conditions en-route caused by Storm Bert, to take part in the sprint event, and he was just a fraction of second down on his previous best time, but said he was still pleased with his fine result of 11.23 seconds.

After the event, he admitted that unfortunately the road conditions had restricted the number of competitors, but confirmed: “Not bad, since I haven’t been able to train much due to weather and flu the past week. I think I was a quarter of a second slower than my best.”

Michael is hoping to improve on his performance in January during the North Wales Indoor Championships at the same venue.

Another competitor at the weekend venue was Wrexham AAC master vet athlete Paul Brooks, from the North Wales Regional Athletics Council, who took part in the throwing events, and he too was slightly down on his previous efforts.

Paul admitted: “Slightly disappointed at the Indoor meeting in Coleg Cambria today. Two warm-ups and three throws of 6.73, 6.82 and 6.91. I was hoping for 7m! I can’t complain too much as it’s the best since January, and I haven’t trained all week with the weather. Onwards to the indoor champs in January. Thanks to Amy and all the officials for another fine meeting.”

Other race results:

*Cheshire: Martin Green finished 2nd overall but won his MV50 age cat at the Oulton Park half marathon on Sunday with another superb run finishing in 1.18.06.

*Wilmslow: Harry Driscoll competed in the Wilmslow 10k race on Sunday and enjoyed a good result finishing in 286th place in 38.34.

Storm Bert was the only winner as various parkruns and local events hit

Storm Bert was the only winner last weekend as heavy rain and gale force winds forced the postponement of numerous sporting events, and in particular some fell and trail races, plus a host of popular parkruns across the area.

Planned parkruns at Nova Prestatyn, Penrhyn Castle, Newborough Forest and Conwy, to name but a few, were all cancelled on either Friday night, or early Saturday morning, on essential health and safety grounds, to help protect both volunteers and many hundreds of participants.

At Penrhyn Castle they announced on Friday afternoon: “Unfortunately owing to the weather forecast we’ve been informed that parkrun is cancelled this Saturday.”

And the same applied at the Nova Prestatyn venue, which is run along the promenade, when they confirmed: “Evening Folks. With Storm Bert joining us in the morning and having watched the forecasts over the last few days, I have taken the decision to cancel tomorrow’s event. With 30mph winds and gusts up to 50mph predicted from the early hours right through the morning and heavy rain, it is not a day to be enjoying our usual fresh sea breeze.”

At Conwy, where the course starts at the low-lying RSPB Nature Reserve and follows a riverside route towards Deganwy and back, run director Bethan Wyn Roberts said on Friday night: “At the moment I cannot make a decision as to whether or not the event will proceed in the morning.

“The weather conditions over the next few hours will dictate the decision, so please check the page before setting out to Conwy in the morning. I am sure you will agree the safety of the volunteers is paramount and that will be the deciding factor for me.”

And just before 7am on Saturday, Bethan sensibly confirmed on their parkrun Facebook page: “Due to the deteriorating weather conditions and the health and safety considerations required for the benefit of all concerned Conwy Parkrun is cancelled this morning.”

*Quite amazingly, one parkrun that did take place and involved a NWRRC member was at Merthyr in South Wales, where Steve Mason was a winner at the Merthyr Leisure Village parkrun on Saturday, after finishing 7th overall on his course debut in a fast time of 21.14 to win his VM50 age cat.

Entries now open for the popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race

The popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race will be held on Saturday 18th January 2025, with a 1pm start from Llandudno Pier, and will follow an undulating route via Penrhyn Bay, and Rhos on Sea prior to finishing close to Colwyn Bay Pier.

Entries are now open online, and the Race Headquarters will be at Studio 2, Leisure Centre, Eirias Park, and opens at 11am. Transport to the start in Llandudno will be at 12.15pm prompt from Race HQ for a 1pm start from Llandudno Pier

Medals will be awarded to all finishers, and the closing date for entries is 11th January, with no entries accepted on the day. Many prizes will be awarded for various age categories, together with some team and individual trophies. A 3k fun-run will also take place for entrants aged 9 years and over, with an 11am start at Colwyn Bay Pier.