TWENTY-five members of North Wales Road Runners took part in the annual Christmas handicap race on Sunday, but they had to battle with cool and very blustery head and sidewinds as they negotiated a challenging four-mile course along part of the Great Orme.

Following a tough route out from West Shore and climbing up the Orme to the old WW2 gun sites and past what’s known as ‘Millionaires Row,’ the runners then turned via a further muddy track before returning back to the start.

 

Steve Mason. Photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton

Steve Mason. Photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton

 

This popular event, well organised by John Hatton, Martin and Carla Green, and a team of willing volunteers and marshals attracted a bumper attendance, which included newcomers and many seasoned athletes.

And with runners graded at the start based on their parkrun or 5k times, the handicap race was eventually won by Helen Hannam in 33.02, with Rachel Morris 2nd, and relative newcomer Nia Roberts 3rd. The first male finisher was Steve Roberts (4th), with runner-up Steve Mason (5th), and Richard Scamans the 3rd male, (6th overall).

 

Steve Roberts. Photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton

Steve Roberts. Photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton

 

The final finishing positions were: 1 Helen Hannan, 2 Rachel Morris 3 Nia Anna, 4 Steve Roberts, 5 Steve Mason, 6 Richard Scamans, 7 Mark Mason, 8 Hannah Griffith, 9 Gwennan Charlton, 10 Samantha Williams, 11 Sarah Jones, 12 Dave Jones, 13 Daniel Hennell, 14 Cheryl Frost, 15 Kay Hatton, 16 Tony Gibson, 17 Iwan Evans, 18 William Evans, 19 Don Hale, 20 Carol Moss, 21 Karl Morris, 22 Steve Poupart, 23 Sion Thomas, 24 Gethin Jones, 25 Mike Hayton.

Club entrants later donated various tins and other essential goods to the local foodbank as part of their regular festive support.

Meanwhile, in Prestatyn, Stuart Culverhouse finished fourth at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn on Saturday with a good run in 20.38 and he won his VM50 age cat.