AMONG the latest newcomers to join North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) this year is Murray (Sandy) Johnston, who is not only a superb master veteran athlete, but he is also a talented and experienced musician.

Sandy is a well-known and popular figure at Conwy parkrun, and at many races together with his daughter Alice, and he regularly won his previous VM70 age cat there, and also at many events, and from last month after celebrating his 75th birthday, he has now moved into his new VM75-79 section.

He joined NWRRC from Les Croupiers earlier this year and has already made his mark with several notable age cat victories on the road, and recorded many incredible times for his age, with some results now expected to be adopted into Welsh Masters records.

He said: “It's my great desire that NWRRC should one day enter and experience what many consider to be the premium annual athletics event in Wales, the fabulous Welsh Castles Relay, starting at Caernarfon Castle, and finishing 20-legs later, on the following day, at Cardiff Castle, possibly, as a mixed team, but with enough strong runners to give a good account.

“This requires some organisation and intent, but is well worth the investment, for a truly wonderful and unique experience. I'd be happy to liaise, advise, etc, should this ever come about.”

Student Bryn provides a Conwy masterclass at Conwy after returning from America

Bryn Woodall, who has just returned home to North Wales for the summer from his studies in America was the first athlete home at last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, which attracted a host of club and social runners from all over the UK.

Bryn, who represents Colwyn Bay AAC, easily won his SM20 age cat with a fast time of 17 minutes and 43 seconds, with fell runner Josh Keogh winning his SM30 age cat in 2nd place overall in 18.02, whilst Aled Hughes (GOG Triathlon) finished 3rd in 18.15, and he won his VM35 cat.

NWRRC had 14 entrants at Conwy, with Mark Jessett leading the team home with a dazzling display in 5th place in 18.36, and he was 2nd in his VM35 cat.

Steve Gardner continued his recent track form, and he was pleased to finish 8th in 19.32, and won his VM60 age cat, with Stuart Culverhouse also in top form and recording a good time of 20.50 in 13th place, and he was 2nd in his VM50 cat. 

Steve Mason finished 19th and won his VM45 cat in 21.09, and he shared the exact same time with Sion Thomas, who celebrated a new PB in 20th place. Adam Lemalle was another runner enjoying a deserved purple-patch of good form and he finished 22nd in 21.30.

Young Joe Culverhouse claimed 2nd place in his JM11-14 age cat after finishing 35th in 22.57, and Richard Scamans was in very close pursuit, and he was just two places and two-seconds behind Joe. Master vet Barrie Wells had a great result and easily won his VM70 cat in 49th place in 23.58, and fellow master Don Hale was 72nd overall, and 2nd in the same age cat in 26.13.

Helen Hannam was welcomed back to parkrun and responded with a positive run in 85th place and she too finished 2nd in her VW45 cat in 26.49, with Vicky Taylor 109th in 28.42, and another master vet in Mark Mason ran home in 134th place in 30.01, and he was 3rd in his VM70 cat, whilst Rachel Morris, fresh from her Snowdon adventure finished in 195th place in 35.09.

Other parkrun results:

*Prestatyn: Carla Green won her VW50 age cat at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn with another fine display in 20.42 and finished as the 2nd female and in 5th place overall.

Her club colleague Elizabeth Driscoll also ran well in 82nd place, and she was 2nd in her VW55 cat in 29.16.

*Penrhyn: Martin Green was 6th overall at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun and won his VM45 age cat in 17.13, with his young colleague Harry Driscoll recording a new course PB of 19.07 in 13th place, and he was 3rd in his SM20 cat.

*Alnwick: Ben and Sarah Hudson went on their travels again last Saturday following last week’s ultra-marathon, and this time, they made their debuts at the Alnwick Castle – Pastures parkrun.

Ben finished in 14th place in 24.18, whilst Sarah completed her 50th parkrun, finishing 48th overall, and she was 2nd in her VW45 age cat in 29.00.

*Ruthin: Mal Preece together with his wife and son took part in the Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields parkrun, and he won his VM60 age cat after finishing 25th in 23.22.

His teenage son Euan also enjoyed a great run in 7th place overall on his debut, and he was 2nd in his JM15-17 age cat in 20.04, and Mal’s wife Mandy finished 75th, and 4th in her VW60 cat in 36.31.