CONWY parkrun finally returned as predicted last Saturday following another unfortunate break from action due to Welsh Government Covid-19 restrictions... and it even ended up on TV!

The parkrun events were only approved by the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford the day before, after the ruling for people attending outdoor events was suddenly increased from 50 to 500.

This meant a slightly belated seventh anniversary birthday bash celebration at the RSPB starting point for just short of 200 enthusiastic runners on a cold morning that was also filmed by ITV Wales.

It turned out to be a rather fast and furious event that attracted numerous elite athletes in addition to a host of fun runners, including 19 first timers, and numerous local athletic club members.

The quality at the top end of the run included seven out of the first eight finishers recording new parkrun personal bests, and the first 19 runners all dipped under the 20-minute barrier.

Simon Cole, who won the very first Conwy parkrun in January 2015, was again the first man home and ran about 40-seconds faster than his original dash.

Representing GOG Triathlon, he narrowly won his VM40-44 age cat in 17 minutes 11 seconds, and he was just two-seconds ahead of rival James Yarwood (Abergele Harriers), who was second overall and won his SM30-34 cat with a personal best of 17.13.

Sam Lewis Jones (Parc Bryn Bach Running Club) finishing third overall and he was first in his VM35-39 cat with another pb of 17.20.

North Wales Road Runners entered 16 members and claimed 11 age category podium places, with Stuart Culverhouse and Mike Hayton winning their respective sections, in addition to seven second-placed results, and two in third.

Mark Jessett was the first club man back in sixth place overall with a superb new pb of 17.44 and he was second in his VM35-39 age cat.

Jonathan Kettle, heavy in training mode, was eighth and the second MV45-49 in 18.27.

Steve Mason was 15th and third in his VM45-49 cat in 19.37, with Stuart Culverhouse 21st and first VM50-54 cat in 20.22, and Steve Roberts 26th and second M55-59 in 21.36, whilst Jamie Tharme continued to impress in 33rd place and the second MV40-44 in 22.31.