BANANA-MAN took a narrow victory by just thirteen seconds at Conwy’s Christmas Eve parkrun last Saturday (December 24).

Banana-man, also known as local athlete and student Morgan Kendall, initially dominated the 5k event but in the end nearly let it slip, and only won by the skin of his teeth, as he was pursued by several other talented youngsters.

The parkrun also turned out to be a very colourful and joyous occasion and attracted 230 runners and walkers of all ages and abilities, with the majority dressed in special Christmas outfits.

Morgan Kendall won his SM18 age cat with a new course PB of 17 minutes and 36 seconds, with Matthew Baker second with another PB in 17.49, and NWRRC athlete Martin Green third in 18.27.

Some other exciting youngsters included teenage tourist Joshua Selfridge (Petts Wood Runners), who finished fourth on his debut in 18.38, and two Colwyn Bay AC athletes Alfie Shiland fifth, and the first JM11 runner in 18.44, with another top teenage athlete Bryn Woodall, who has just back from America in seventh place in 19.10, and James Smith (Menai T&F) eighth in 19.11.

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North Wales Road Runners entered fourteen members and claimed ten podium placings, which included five age category wins, four second, and one third place. Martin Green won his MV45 cat finishing third overall in 18.27, amidst a heavy training session, with Stuart Culverhouse tenth and first in his MV50 cat in 20.01.

Steve Mason was 16th overall and third in his MV45 cat in 20.26, with Carla Green 17th overall, and the second female finisher, whilst coming first in her VW50 cat in 20.33 to complete a family double. Cheryl Frost also continued her fine form to claim 45th place, and she was first place in her VW55 cat in 23.03.

And youngster Joe Culverhouse ran well to finish second in his JM11 cat, finishing 64th overall in 24.24, whilst last week’s club handicap winner Nicola Wylie claimed the second spot in her VW50 cat with another good run in 65th place in 24.32.

North Wales Pioneer: The start of the festive parkrun.The start of the festive parkrun. (Image: Don Hale)

Veteran Rob Fryer also celebrated a good outing to win his MV65 age cat in 74th place in 24.51. This week’s festive parkrun welcomed back several notable club runners including Charlotte-Rose Wilton-Jones, who celebrated a new course PB in 89th place overall in 25.57.

Another veteran athlete, Len Jackson, was delighted with second spot in his new MV65 age cat finishing 116th in 27.27, and master vet Mike Hayton was also second in his MV70 cat in 28.30, and in 136th place overall.

Mandy Owen took a break from some recent longer distance runs to record another positive performance at Conwy in 153rd place in 29.56, with Sue Smith coming home in 159th place in 30.16, and Hannah Griffith running with her dog Fred and others, was 165th in 30.38.

Praise was given to the race director Anthony and his hard-working team of volunteers. This is the link to the provisional results from the Conwy parkrun 25/12/22: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/.

North Wales Pioneer: People were invited to wear festive outfits.People were invited to wear festive outfits. (Image: Don Hale)