THE classically trained mezzo-soprano and Welsh soloist, Sioned Terry, will be a special guest at this month’s Deganwy Dash – now known as “Rohan’s Run”.

Sioned will perform shortly before the start of this special tribute race to an extraordinary young student.

Sioned, from North Wales, has shared the stage with a host of musicians, singers, and entertainers, in addition to numerous Welsh male voice choirs.

She has also performed on two separate occasions for the royal family, and at many top sporting events, including a special performance for the Welsh Commonwealth Games team.

Sioned told race organisers John and Kay Hatton and Carla Green that she is delighted to have been invited to perform, and possibly even run, at this particular five-mile race immediately prior to the 7pm start, and said she had a very special reason for attending.

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The event will both commemorate and celebrate the life of an extraordinary young man, Rohan Ingley, who tragically lost his long battle with leukaemia in August 2018, aged just 17.

And quite remarkably, Sioned was once Rohan's music teacher, prior to her seeking a highly successful singing career, and so she still retains a very personal interest, and is determined to pay her own tribute to her former scholar.

This challenging but picturesque five-mile race starts on Deganwy promenade and will take runners along the Conwy Estuary footpaths towards the Cob and Conwy Castle, and then crosses the footbridge to the RSPB Nature Reserve, before returning via the reverse route.

This popular race, formerly known as the Deganwy Dash will now be known as Rohan’s Run and all proceeds from the race will be donated to CLIC Sargent and Ronald McDonald House, Cancer in Children charities.

Joint race directors John and Kay Hatton and Carla Green, said they felt honoured to be asked to take on this tribute race and admitted to feeling very humble after getting know Rohan’s family, and to fully understanding just what they had been through.

Rohan, from Abergele, was a highly talented all-rounder, who excelled at sport and music, and was a very popular student at the King’s School in Chester.

His father and mother, Sanjay, and Aradhana, together with his sister Shreya, wanted everyone to know just how much Rohan’s short life was appreciated by so many people.

They thanked the race team for their incredible support and said they were very much looking forward to this year's event, which unfortunately has been delayed for the past two years due to Covid restrictions.

The family however, admitted they never fully realised Rohan’s popularity until he first started to become ill, and additionally, Sanjay praised generous and continuous support for his young son from Rohan’s friends, fellow students, parents, and teachers.

Sanjay said: "He was an exceptional person, and despite being on regular chemotherapy for leukaemia, his achievements outside of academics included a Grade 7 for drums and piano, and he also played cricket for the NE Wales county team, the King’s School team, and for St Asaph Cricket Club.

“And additionally, he had accolades in the past for karate, chess and even swimming, and achieved a gold medal at national level.”

Rohan’s name has since been commemorated at the King’s School, where the 'Rohan Ingley Centre' has recently been built.

It is a new Pastoral Centre utilising the latest state of the art facilities. It comprises of an impressive medical centre, a learning support department, and a counselling service.

Entries are now open for this event and hosts North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) are hoping to attract runners of any age or ability to this revived five-mile Deganwy Dash/Rohan's Run, to be staged on June 24 (secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=4754)

Conwy parkrun welcomed bumper entry to Bank Holiday weekend event

It was an excellent bank holiday weekend turnout of athletes at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday (June 4), where two visiting club runners took the honours by claiming the first and second placings among a bumper entry of 230 finishers on a warm but windy morning.

Matt Darnley (Bramhall Runners) was the first man home to win his VM40 age category in 18.34, followed by Richard Gallois (Kingfisher Harriers), who also won his VM45 cat in 18.58, with Chris Morgan taking the 3rd place in 19.07, and he finished 2nd in the same age cat as Richard.

The first female runner was Alice Johnston (Les Croupiers), and 1st SW30 cat with a new PB of 19.36.

North Wales Road Runners had several top members missing due to a variety of reasons and entered ten athletes and one junior, but still managed to claim three age category wins, three second places, and one third.

Stuart Culverhouse was the first senior club man home in 13th place overall in 20.27 and he was third in his MV50 cat, and he was closely followed by Gethin Wyn Jones, who was just 10 seconds adrift in 14th place and second in his MV35 cat in 20.37.

Jamie Tharme finished in 32nd spot but knocked nine seconds off his previous personal best in 22.05, and he was also second in his MV40 cat.

Steve Roberts made Jamie work hard for his PB and finished just six seconds behind him in 34th place, but won his MV55 age cat in 22.11.

And Cheryl Frost continued her fantastic form as the third female finisher, and 45th overall in 22.49, to win her VW55 cat.

Junior runner Joe Culverhouse won his JM11-14 age cat once more with another fine performance, finishing in 76th place in 24.41, with veteran Rob Fryer improving each week to claim 96th place in 26.03, and he was also third in his MV65 cat.

And another vet, Michael (Pat) Finnie made a rare parkrun outing in 143rd place, and ran with master vet colleague Mike Hayton, with the pair recording 29.14, and Mike also took the second spot in his MV70 cat.

Meanwhile, Rachel Morris returned to parkrun following a four-week injury lay-off and finished 171st in 31.34.

Another injured runner, Steve Mason, took the one man and his dog prize as the “Tail Walker”, finishing in 59.26 in 230th place.

Elsewhere, NWRRC senior member Steve Forsyth won the Ruthin Memorial playing fields parkrun last weekend in 17.07, and he was also first in his MV40 age category.

Steve also knocked two seconds of his time from last week’s parkrun result at Portobello.

Meanwhile, three NWRRC members enjoyed good performances at the Jubilee Bridge 10k race last Sunday.

Kevin Higgins continued with his fine form and finished 239th in 51.07, and Kelly-Marie Alford was 316th and the 56th female runner in 53.33, with Cai Roberts 330th in 53.52.

John Dalzell and Gwennan Charlton also represented the club in the Llyn Brenig Trail 9.5-mile race on Sunday (June 5).

John finished in 32nd place in 1.16.18, and Gwennan was 72nd and the 25th female runner in 1.40.32, whilst also claiming fourth place in her respective F30 age cat.

This is the link to the provisional results at Conwy parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults.