ROHAN’S Run, formerly known as the Deganwy Dash, attracted a bumper attendance last Friday night (June 2).

This was to help both commemorate and celebrate the life of Rohan Ingley, who tragically lost his life to leukaemia in August 2018, aged just 17.

More than 300 runners turned out in magnificent sun-drenched conditions on Deganwy promenade to run this challenging five-mile dash, which followed the Conwy Estuary towards Conwy Castle, and then onto the RSPB nature reserve via the Cob and back.

The event attracted some of the best club athletes in North Wales, a fact later confirmed by some exceptional results, with the prom and large parts of this challenging course packed with friends, relatives, and supporters, who generated a terrific atmosphere.

North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) has 26 members running, and several others involved with both the organisation, marshalling, and volunteering duties.

The results later confirmed nine podium places, including five age category wins, two second, and two third placings.

Josh Keogh was the first runner home in third place overall in 28.05, and he was just six seconds ahead of Jonathan Kettle, who finished fourth, and he was the winner of his MV45 age cat in 28.11.

Will Williams also enjoyed a good run out in seventh place in 29.51, and he too won his MV50 cat, whilst Richard Eccles completed an excellent quartet of early finishers by winning his MV55 age cat in 13th place overall, in 31.09.

Stuart Culverhouse finished third in his MV50 cat in 25th place in 32.57, with Tony Price-Jones 27th in 33.03, and newcomer Will Evans was 33rd in 33.46.

Ben Hudson claimed the 39th spot in 34.35, and Sion Thomas was 49th in 35.38.

Meanwhile, Steve Roberts had another fine run in 56th place in 36.29, and Steve Poupart was just one place and six seconds behind him.

Another newcomer Dave Jones ran home in 70th place in 37.43, with Richard Scamans 79th in 38.35, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 93rd in 39.57.

Nicola Wylie continued her remarkable form to claim first place in her FV55 age cat in 98th place overall in 40.12, and Kelly-Marie Alford was another female athlete in excellent form, and she finished 98th in 40.58.

Veteran Tony Gibson was back on track, and was pleased to finish 114th in 41.37, with fellow veteran Rob Fryer 118th in 41.55.

Hannah Griffith was 120th and second FV50 cat in 42.11, and master veteran Mark Mason finished 2nd in his MV70 cat in 146th place in 44.40, and veteran Len Jackson was 175th in 46.42.

Helen Hannam pulled out the stops with a determined finish and claimed 178th place in 47.02, with newcomer Carol Moss 180th in 47.03.

And master vet Don Hale finished 3rd in his MV70 age cat in 203rd place in 48.36, with Vicky Taylor 212th in 49.51, whilst Rachel Morris was 243rd in 53.15.

Other race results:

*Abersoch: Four NWRRC members competed in the HR Abersoch 10k race on Saturday, with Harry Driscoll finishing 34th in 41.42, and Kay Hatton winning her FV60 age cat in 162nd place in 50.22, with Mandy Owen 467th in 1.07.43, and Mike Hayton 557th in 1.20.41 and 2nd MV70 cat.

Perfect conditions as records smashed at Great Orme Fell Race

The annual Great Orme Fell Race (Y Gogarth) was held last Tuesday evening (May 30) in some extraordinary warm weather conditions with dozens of experienced fell, endurance, and club runners enjoying some spectacular views, as they smashed several established records.

Staged over as challenging 4.1-mile, (6.6kms) course, with 1,306ft (398m) of elevation, organisers welcomed a perfect evening for racing, with many entrants travelling from far afield just to take part in this ever-popular event, which included both junior and senior races and varied age categories.

NWRRC had five members involved in the race, and they all competed well, and paid tribute to the race organisers and the picturesque route selected.

Ultra-distance and endurance athlete Karl Morris was the first club man home in 42 minutes and 55 seconds, followed by Steve Bozier in 44.15, and Sion Thomas in 46.38.

Helen Hannam and club colleague Nicola Wylie, who were both recovering from injuries, took it steady and ran much of the course together with Helen recording a time of 1.12.25 on her Strava, with Nicola finishing a few seconds adrift.

Afterwards, Steve Bozier, from NWRRC said: “That was one hot tough race, but well worth doing it!”

Helen Hannam said: “A great fell race with Nicky. It was tough, so I took it easy but great fun. I got completely lost and ended up nearly last but such a laugh.

“I've not done fell running for about 30 years, but I really enjoyed it.”

Nicola Wylie added: “My thigh was a little painful, so we took our time. I got lost but thanks to some Prestatyn AC runners we were found. What a hilarious race, and so much fun.”

*The category winners and record breakers (old records in brackets) in finishing order were as follows: - 1st Gavin Roberts 30.27 MO, 2nd Noa Vaughan 32.56, 1st U19, 3rd Ben Sergent 33.06 1st U17; 6th Jez Brown 34.38 (34.59) M50; 8th Joanne Henderson 35,09 (39.30) F40; 13th Matthew Fortes 36.21 M40; 31st Efa Baines 41.02 F U/19; 33rd David Baugh 41.19 M60; 38th Sarah Barnwell 41.50 F 50, 47th Gee Outten 42.49 FO; 69th Anne Mynott F60 46.23 (47.31); and 77th John Jones 47.43 M75.

Visitors travel from far and wide at Conwy parkrun

Conwy parkrun welcomed numerous visitors including social and club runners, from as far afield as Perth in Australia, last Saturday (June 3) to enjoy the picturesque course and the bright, warm, sunshine of North Wales.

And it was another first-time runner to this event who again took the plaudits with an amazing dash from start to finish along this dry and extremely dusty 5k course.

Connor Rogers (Wrexham AC) won his SM25 age category, and he was the first runner home in a very fast time of 16 minutes and 17 seconds.