NEARLY 300 mixed ability and top club runners took part in the challenging Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon, and Half-Marathon races, run together on March 24 in cool, breezy conditions.

The metric half-marathon (13.1 kms/8.13 miles) attracted 87 runners including five members of North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC), who collected three prestigious age category wins, and one second place, in addition to recording new course PB times.

Veteran Rob Fryer led the team home with a strong and determined performance to win his M65-69 age cat as the 17th male (21st overall), in one hour, 11 minutes and 19 seconds.

Master vet Don Hale also won his M70-74 cat as the 18th male (23rd), in 1.13.00, which was his longest run for over four years, and confirmed a surprise age cat double, following his win at Conwy parkrun the previous day.

Carol Moss confirmed a welcome hat-trick of age categories victories at Colwyn Bay, after deservedly winning her own W55-59 cat as the 12th female athlete (41st), in 1.18.15.

Master vet Mike Hayton also enjoyed another good run finishing as the 37th male (57th), in 1.24.52, and he was second in his M70-74 cat, and Rachel Morris finished as the 40th female (81st overall) in 1.40.

A total of 12 NWRRC members competed in the Metric Marathon (26.2 kms/16.3 miles), and celebrated four age cat wins, two second places, and one third, with Steve Mason celebrating a podium place in third place overall in 1.48.21.

He also won his M45-49 age cat, with Iwan Evans seventh, and second in the same cat as Steve in 1.50.29.

Newcomer Michael Roberts was the ninth male athlete (10th overall) in 1.53.13, and he won his M55-59 age cat, with Mal Preece 17th (21st), and he also won his M60-64 cat in 2.03.25, and Ben Hudson also enjoyed a good result after finishing 19th (24th), and he was third in his M45-49 cat in 2.04.19.

Veteran Kevin Slattery was second in his M65-69 cat with another positive run finishing as the 23rd male (29th) in 2.07.06, and Sarah Ferguson Hudson ran well as the 10th female athlete (39th), in 2.09.21, and she was fourth in her W45-49 ag cat.

David Jones was the 32nd male (43rd overall), in 2.11.34, with Cheryl Frost finishing as the 14th female (53rd) in 2.15.10, and she won her W55-59 age cat.

Another newcomer Philip Moss was the 72nd male runner (112th) in 2.38.66, whilst Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennel ran together, with Sarah finishing as the 52nd female athlete (131st), in 2.46.13, with Daniel just one place, and one second behind.

Other race results: Malta: Stuart Culverhouse competed in the Valetta half-marathon last Sunday in Malta, and he ran back in a very good time of one hour and 36 minutes.

Afterwards, he said: “My first race abroad but not my quickest, but it was never going to be.

“I have had calf niggles for a while, plus it was so hot out there, but a great experience.”

*Cheshire: Will Williams took part in the Cheshire Elite 10k race on Sunday but unfortunately, he was not at his best due to a chest infection but bravely continued after a brief stop, and eventually he finished in 211th place in 41.39.

*Newborough: Sion Thomas ran well at the Newborough Forest parkrun and he finished seventh overall in 21.40, and he won his VM40 age cat.

*Prestatyn: Tony Price Jones made his debut at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun last Saturday and won his VM40 age cat with a strong performance, finishing fourth in 22.40.

Fast times at Conwy parkrun despite cold and blustery conditions

Despite a bitterly cold day, and a strong blustery wind, nearly 200 entrants still braved the elements and recorded some fast times over the challenging but relatively dry 5k course at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning (March 23).

NWRRC entered 13 members, and collected three age cat victories, plus three second, and one third age cat placing.

Adam Lemalle was the first NWRRC man back in 21.54, in 15th place, and he was 2nd in his VM40 cat, with Stuart Culverhouse 21st overall, and he too finished 2nd in his VM50 cat in 23.42.

Master veteran Don Hale won his MV70 age cat after finishing 46th in 25.41, and Richard Scamans was 53rd in 26.30.

Veteran Rob Fryer enjoyed a steady run in 58th place, and he was third in his MV65 cat in 27.02.

Hannah Griffith and Elizabeth Driscoll ran the course together, with Hannah finishing in 65th place, and she was second in her VW50 age cat in 27.25, whilst Elizabeth won her VW55 cat, and she was just one place and one second behind Hannah.

Kelly Marie Alford and Gethin Wyn Jones also ran around together, with Kelly finishing 84th in 28.43, with Gethin again, just one place and one-second adrift, and it was good to see master veteran Mark Mason heading back to fitness again, with a determined run in 87th place in 29.45, and he was 2nd in his MV70 age cat.

Veteran John O’Shea also enjoyed a good work-out after finishing 106th in 30.25, with Helen Hannam 112th overall, but she won her VW45 age cat in 30.47, and Steve Mason was a tail walker volunteer again this week, finishing 190th in 47.58.