It was another puddle-filled splash and dash at Conwy Parkrun on Saturday, but the challenging conditions and cold weather failed to deter numerous talented club and social athletes from having a go on this saturated 5k course.

The first three male finishers were all visitors, with the top placing going to Robin Stacey (York Acorn RC) in 17 minutes and 51 seconds, and he won his SM30 age cat. He was followed by teenager Cian Wood (Dudley & Stourbridge), who recorded a new PB of 18.05 and he won his JM15-17 cat, with Daniel Clarke (Daventry RR), on his debut, recording a good time of 18.42, and he finished second in the same age cat as Robin.

The first two female runners were young identical twins Gwen and Ella Hayes, with just 8-seconds separating the pair, who both recorded new PBs, with Gwen narrowly taking the spoils in 19th place overall in 22.01, with Ella 21st in 22.09, and they finished first and second in their respective JW10 age category. Alex Aldous took the 3rd spot in 24th place overall in 22.30, and she won her SW25 age cat.

North Wales Road Runners entered fourteen athletes and collected five age cat wins, two second places and one third, with Harry Driscoll leading the team home in 10th place in 20.48 and he won his SM20 age cat. Newcomer Phil Rogers also enjoyed a good result, finishing 20th overall in 22.06, and he won his VM60 age cat.

Meanwhile, Steve Roberts finished 26th in 22.43 and he won his VM55 cat, but he was involved in an exciting tussle with colleague Karl Morris who was just one place and one second adrift. Steve also won his VM55 with Karl claiming the third spot in his VM40 cat.

Veteran Rob Fryer and master vet Don Hale also shared a similar battle with Rob showing his good form of late, to finish 49th in 25.21, and he was 2nd in his VM65 age cat, whilst Don celebrated his best time of the year again, for the fifth successive week, in 52nd place in 25.41, and he won his VM70 age cat.

Karen Butler made a welcome return to parkrun finishing 70th overall in 26.39, and she won her VW65 cat, with master vet Mark Mason 92nd in 27.48, and he was 2nd in his VM70 cat. Ceri Jones chased Mark down, and she was only four-seconds and two places behind him in 27.52, with veteran John O’Shea 103rd in 28.20.

Gwennan Charlton set a new PB of 28.43 in 109th place, despite running in last weekend’s Eryri Marathon, and Samantha Williams gave parkrun her best effort following after a long break and she ran well in 131st place in 30.51, whilst another determined marathon competitor, Rachel Morris also enjoyed a steady recovery run in 163rd place in 34.46, with Steve Mason and his dog finishing 202nd in 47.50.

Praise was given to the Conwy run director and the hard-working team of volunteers and marshals.