NORTH Wales Road Runner Martin Green was the runaway winner of the tough Mulberry half marathon race last Sunday (July 17).

Despite the warm conditions and an extremely hilly course, he still finished more than three-and-a-half minutes ahead of his nearest rival.

The athlete ran home in just one hour, 22 minutes and 16 seconds to additionally win his MV45 age category.

Martin also led a team of eight club runners on this challenging route, which started and finished on the beach next to Mulberry Marina before crossing into the Snowdonia National Park, and included the gruelling long gradient up the Synchant Pass before heading back towards Conwy.

Nick Brook (Eryri Harriers) finished third in 1.26.15, and he was second in his M45 category.

The ladies’ race was won by regular Conwy parkrunner Alice Johnston (Les Croupier) in 1.34.58, who also won her F21-34 category.

There were 161 finishers.

Road Runner Stuart Culverhouse was 17th overall with a steady run in 1.43.30, but he just missed out on a podium place, finishing fourth in his MV50 category.

North Wales Pioneer: Stuart Culverhouse climbs Synchant Pass. Photo: Steve JefferyStuart Culverhouse climbs Synchant Pass. Photo: Steve Jeffery

And Jamie Tharme made a last-minute decision to enter the race and finished third in his M40 age category, and in 32nd place overall in 1.54.16.

North Wales Pioneer: Jamie Tharme. Photo: Steve JefferyJamie Tharme. Photo: Steve Jeffery

Steve Roberts celebrated another determined run, finishing 40th overall, and second MV55 cat in 1.56.41, and Hannah Griffith claimed third place in F45, and was the 19th female runner in 2.17.12.

Cai Roberts, Kelly-Marie Alford, and Vicky Taylor ran much of the race with each other and they all finished together, with Cai in 100th place, and Kelly the 25th female, and Vicky 26th in 2.28.39.

North Wales Pioneer: (L-R) Vicky Taylor, Kelly-Marie Alford and Cai Roberts(L-R) Vicky Taylor, Kelly-Marie Alford and Cai Roberts

Provisional results from the Mulberry half-marathon: www.runwales.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/MULBERRY-HALF-2022.pdf.

Teenagers lead the way in hot conditions at Conwy parkrun

It was another hot, dry, and dusty race at Conwy parkrun last Saturday (July 16), where a considerable number of visiting athletes ensured it was a fast pace at the sharp end, with two teenagers eventually claiming their share of glory on this challenging 5k course.

Visiting youngsters Harri Kendall (Manchester Metropolitan University AC) and Morgan Kendall finished first and second respectively, with the two SM18-19 athletes dominating the event from start to finish.

Harri also claimed a new personal best of 17 minutes 47 seconds, with Morgan recording 18.06, followed by Osian Griffiths, the first SM30 in 18.35.

The first lady runner was Hailey Fletcher (Sedbergh School RC) in 20.38.

The event attracted more than 200 runners with many also preparing for local endurance events.

North Wales Road Runner Steve Mason continued his purple patch of form and claimed another great parkrun PB of 18.39 in this ultra-fast dash despite the conditions and finished fourth overall and first in his MV45 age category.

North Wales Pioneer: Steve Mason. Photo: Steve JefferySteve Mason. Photo: Steve Jeffery

Club colleague Chris Davies also enjoyed another good result in 11th place, and he was second in his MV35 cat in 19.38.

And Harry Driscoll won his SM20-24 age cat in 16th place overall with a good time of 20.10, whilst Cheryl Frost continued with her fine form and won her VW55 cat in 43rd place overall, and she was the third female runner in 23.15.

North Wales Pioneer: Cheryl Frost. Photo: Steve JefferyCheryl Frost. Photo: Steve Jeffery

Young Joe Culverhouse ran with his father Stuart and came second in in his JM11-14 cat in 23.53 with the pair sharing 51st/52nd places.

And veteran runner Rob Fryer finished in 70th place overall and third in his MV65 cat in 25.27, with fellow vet Don Hale recording 26.02 in 79th spot.

Newcomers Darren Griss and Ceri Jones finished in 180th/181st places, with Darren coming home in 34.30 and Ceri 34.37.

Provisional results at Conwy parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults.

Other North Wales Road Runners Club race results

*Penrhyn: Will Williams finished in second place overall at the Penrhyn parkrun on Saturday and won his MV45 age cat with a new PB of 18.56, and his club colleague Jamie Tharme finished 18th in the same event and came third in his MV40 cat in 22.56.

North Wales Pioneer: Will Williams. Photo: Steve JefferyWill Williams. Photo: Steve Jeffery

*Liverpool: Kevin Higgins ran at the Princes’ parkrun in Liverpool last weekend and finished in 169th place in 27.19.

*Doncaster: Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts took part in a fast Doncaster Town Centre 5K Dash for Vets last Wednesday night and finished 22nd out of 121 top athletes.

Afterwards, Llyr said: “It’s not what I wanted, but what I got.”

Josh plans to beat the train in charity appeal

Josh Mottram, a young runner from Llandudno Junction, is hoping to raise more than £1,000 to help fundraise for Conwy Connect for Learning Disabilities by trying to beat the train this week during a 5k dash to Caernarfon on Wednesday (July 20).

Josh said: “Conwy Connect is a great charity that organizes lots of activities that me and my friends can do together, like disco’s, youth clubs, surfing etc, and they give me work opportunities, and help to prepare me for my future.

“I started running with Ian my swimming teacher at Conwy parkrun a few months ago and really enjoyed it. I ran behind him all the way and then outsprinted him to get my PB of 22.10.

“We thought it would be fun to race the train at Caernarfon this year, and raise some money at the same time, and Ian thinks he can beat me - but we’ll see!”

You can follow Josh’s progress and help with his fundraising plan via this link: www.gofund.me/0de685d0.