*Michael Finnie (above) came to the rescue as an ice-breaker at Conwy parkrun last Saturday.
Ice-breaker Michael Finnie and his stick created a safe passage for parkrunners at Conwy.
Report by Don Hale.
North Wales Road Runner Michael Finnie had to use a large stick to break up all the icy puddles at Conwy parkrun last Saturday to eventually allow the event to start safely on another very cold and frosty morning.
Michael's innovative idea, came as a huge relief to 176 eager and enthusiastic entrants, who feared the worst over this very challenging, muddy, and puddle-filled 5k course. And his unique plan, backed by run director Sharon Hughes, confirmed a determination to provide a safe route following last week’s late cancellation due to similar problems.
Steve Poupart (above left), with Joe and Stuart Culverhouse (below). Joe also celebrated his 100th parkrun this week with another promising run.
Nine Road Runners took part in this week’s parkrun, and they were led home by Steve Poupart, who finished 19th overall in 22 minutes and 36 seconds, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat. Youngster Joe Culverhouse and his dad Stuart ran the route together with Joe finishing 4th in his JM11-14 age cat in 23.12. This was Joe's 100th parkrun, and Stuart was just one place, and second behind, and he was 2nd in his VM50 cat.
Daniel Hennell enjoyed another good run despite a slight knee problem, and he finished 34th in 24.01, whilst master vet Don Hale celebrated his best parkrun time since last November, to win his MV70 age cat in 51st place in 25.27.
Three other club vets also celebrated good performances in their respective VM65 age cats, with Rob Fryer improving each week in 62nd place in 26.22, and he was 3rd in his cat, with Len Jackson making a rare parkrun appearance, and finishing 90th in 28.08, and John O’Shea was 112th in 30.30. Steve Mason was a tail walker again with his lively dog Coco in 171st place in 49.30.
**Welsh Master veteran Rob Fryer (*above).
*The first male finisher was Sam Liddell VM35 in 19.35; with Paul Hulland VM45, 2nd on his debut in 19.45; and Billy Thomas (GOG Triathlon) SM25 was 3rd with a new course PB in 19.54.
*The first female finisher was Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers), who was 4th overall in 20.01; with promising youngster Rosie Parsley 21st overall, the 2nd female finisher, and the winner of her JW11-14 age cat in 22.53, with Josie Morgan3rd, and 45th overall in 24.52.
*Praise was given to the run director Sharon Hughes and to all the volunteers and marshals and particularly on such a cold morning. These are the provisional results:
Other results:
Ruthin: Carla Green was the second female finisher at the Ruthin Memorial Playing Fields parkrun, on Saturday, but won her VW50 age cat in 20.54 in 5th place overall.
*Llangollen: Karl and Rachel Morris went on tour to the Old Railway Trail parkrun at Llangollen last Saturday after their run at Oswestry was cancelled. They both performed well with Karl finishing 12th overall out of 96 entrants, and he was 2nd in his VM40 age cat in 22.37, whilst Rachel celebrated her first 3rd placed parkrun finish in her VW40 age cat, and she was 87th in 37.17.
*Karl and Rachel Morris (above), at the Old Railway Trail at Llangollen.
*Erddig: Ben and Sarah Hudson also hit the road running, and they made their debuts at the Erddig Hall parkrun, near Wrexham, with Ben finishing 17th in 22.40, and he was 2nd in his VM45 cat, with Sarah 27th overall, the 5th female finisher in 24.22, and she won her VW45 age cat.
*Ben and Sarah Hudson (above) at the Erddig Hall parkrun near Wrexham.
*Prestatyn: Nia Lister was another parkrun tour debutant, and she finished 2nd in her VW35 age cat at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn, finishing 47th overall in 28.29.