WARM tributes have been made following the death of a veteran athlete and event volunteer from Glan Conwy, who has been a familiar face for decades at a host of sporting and community events.

Iorwerth Roberts was a regular member of the Conwy parkrun family, both as a runner and as a volunteer, dedicated to his marshalling duties, who always cheered on and encouraged hundreds of runners every week from his usual spot at the castle turn on the parkrun course.

He was one of the longest-serving parkrun volunteers and joined shortly after the first event, and remained a member of Eryri Harriers, and always wore his club vest with pride at both parkruns and at all major races.

Sadly, he died on March 29 following a long period of ill health.

Iorwerth was previously honoured with a prestigious “special recognition” prize in 2017 at the Conwy Sport Awards, where his services to running and volunteering were recognised.

A keen marathon runner, he competed in every Snowdonia Marathon from 1982 until 2018, when he was then in his 70s.

He became the only man to have run the first 30 Snowdonia Marathon race, which is recognised as one of the UK’s toughest, and hilliest marathons.

In addition, he also took part in several other tough marathons at Jungfrau in Switzerland, and the Swiss Alpine Marathon.

READ MORE:

North Wales Road Runner claims top 10 finish at Italy race

His friend Russell Owen confirmed: “He had been unwell and in hospital for the past five months. He was a well-known character within the North Wales running community.

“He was a familiar face at road, fell, and mountain races, both as a competitor and/or a marshal.

“He was also a volunteer on the Ffestioniog railway for many years and he was a very active member of his community in Glan Conwy. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word.”

Conwy parkrun officials added: “Iorweth was an accomplished runner. He was a proud Eryri Harrier and would wear his club colours at races.

“He would regularly volunteer for Eryri organised races and could often be found manning a checkpoint on a windy or rainswept hill-top in his distinctive Hi-Viz oil skin jacket.

“He was a respected and much-loved member of our Conwy parkrun family. He will be greatly missed.

“We held a minutes’ round of applause in his memory at last Saturday’s parkrun. Nos da Iorweth, diolch am bopoeth gyfaill.”

Soggy parkrun at Conwy for Easter holiday visitors

It was another soggy 5k course at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday (April 1) as a variety of club and social runners opted to run this puddle-filled event, which was boosted by many Easter holiday visitors from all parts of the UK.

The first runner home at Conwy parkrun was Nic Brook (Eryri Harriers) who had a tough battle for honours with talented junior Oshi Adey, and debutant Dave Hughes.

Nic eventually won his MV45 age cat in 17 minutes and 50 seconds, but he was only five seconds ahead of Oshi, who won his JM15-17 cat in 17.55, with Dave third despite a course PB in 18.18.

NEWSLETTER: Get the latest stories from the Colwyn Bay, Conwy and Llandudno area sent straight to your inbox by signing up here.

The first female runner was Libbie Read (Heaton Harriers) who was 13th overall, and she also won her SW25 age cat in 20.49, with Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) and her baby buggy 19th overall and first VW35 in 21.51, with Emma Mills 24th, and first SW 20 in 22.09.

This week’s attendance also included several cast member runners from the Welsh National Opera, cast who were touring locally, and there was also a minute’s silence acknowledged by the 252 starters as a tribute to Iorwerth Roberts.

North Wales Road Runners Club (NWRRC) entered 17 athletes, but many of them took things easy due to another busy weekend of fixture clashes.

Steve Mason led the team home finishing 4th overall with a great new PB of 18.28, and second in his MV45 cat, and he was followed by Steve Gardner, who was fifth in 19.15, and he won his MV60 cat with another PB.

Harry Driscoll enjoyed another good outing and easily won his SM20 age cat in eighth place in 20.07, and his mother Elizabeth Driscoll completed a family double by also winning her own VW55 cat in 115th place overall in 27.13.

Club debutant Sion Thomas was pleased to finish in 25th place in 22.11, and returnee Steve Poupart was just two seconds and one place behind.

And Kay Hatton continued her top form and won her VW60 cat in 23.09 in 40th place.

Josh Keogh and Martin Green jogged around the course with Josh 46th in 23.24, and Martin finished one place and one second behind him.

Gethin Wyn Jones claimed the third spot in his MV35 cat in 54th place in 23.43, with Richard Scamans 72nd in 24.37, and another returnee Tony Gibson finished in 93rd place in 25.44.

Mark Mason led home some fellow master veterans finishing 125th in in 27.43, and he was second in his MV70 age cat, with Mike Hayton in close pursuit in 133rd place and 3rd MV70 in 28.10.

John O’Shea was 140th in 28.22, with master vet Don Hale knocking another minute plus off last week’s result during his recovery plan to finish 148th in 28.51, and Rachel Morris continued her marathon preparations with a steady run in 205th place in 34.55.

Busy running fixtures planned for Easter Saturday

Easter Saturday (April 8) will see a bumper attendance of runners at both the Conwy parkrun and the Easter 5k Dash on Llandudno promenade with less than a couple of hours between the two start times.

The parkrun from the RSPB centre will start as usual at 9am and the 5k Dash will start at 10.30am, with this latter event will be preceded by a children’s fun run.

This fast and flat 5k Promenade Dash is now firmly established on the local running calendar, and as always, there will be Easter eggs and other seasonal goodies on offer, plus a medal waiting for runners at the finish.

The route uses an accurately measured fast and flat out and back course along the Llandudno promenade.

It's suitable for experienced runners and beginners alike, and for the more experienced athletes, it's a good chance to record a PB, whilst for beginners it's a nice, flat introduction to 5km races.

The event also includes a short children’s race, with chip timing and the events will help to support many charities.

A number of visiting runners are expected to take part in both events.