DOZENS of North Wales runners of all ages and abilities took part in a special 24-hour track “Run for Ukraine” fundraising appeal, organised by Cybi Striders, on April 9-10.

Staged on the Treborth 400-metre athletic track, near Bangor, event organisers welcomed anyone to take part, with entrants invited to run as many, or as few laps as possible for a donation.

This was part of a unique challenge, which began at 9am on Saturday (April 9) morning and continued until the same time on Sunday.

A club official confirmed: “We are a small Anglesey-based running club who, like so many, have been appalled to see the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine unfold.

“This 24-hour run is our way of showing support and raising much needed funds for the people of Ukraine.”

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Kay Hatton and Cheryl Frost, from North Wales Road Runners Club, ran together for about 30 minutes and completed nearly four miles around the track, impressively completing their task within minutes of finishing the Conwy parkrun.

Kay said: “It was a real fun event organised by Cybi.

“They had chipped batons to count the number of laps done by each person, so a total distance could be recorded. They were also recording the total amount collected.

“Anyone could turn up for their half-hour slot and start at any time. There were runners and walkers, young, and not so young!

“Kev, the organiser was there for the 24 hours, and was hoping to run 20 minutes in every hour.”

Club colleague Helen Hannam also helped the appeal but opted to run her leg virtually from Rhos-on-Sea to Colwyn Bay.

Helen ran just more than three miles in her half-hour spell; an impressive effort, especially as it was less than a week after running in the Manchester marathon.

Nic Brook and his partner Gemma Brown also ran around the Treborth track, with Nic recording 7.71kms in 29.48, and Gemma 7.66kms in 31.13.

Donations can still be made to a JustGiving page, which currently has raised almost £3,000, by clicking here: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/cybi-striders.

Harry Driscoll the first Road Runner home at Conwy parkrun

Elsewhere, North Wales Road Runner Harry Driscoll was the first club runner back at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning, as he led home a strong team of 14 seniors and two juniors among a holiday crowd of some 200 finishers.

The talented team of mixed ages and abilities also claimed six age category wins and five second places in addition to recording several personal best times.

Harry finished fifth overall and won his SM20-24 age category in just 20 minutes and six seconds, and was nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest rival, veteran Sean Butler, who also won his MV60-64 category in 21.56 and was 18th overall.

Jamie Tharme battled a lack of sleep due to work commitments, but still enjoyed a dream run to finish 22nd and second in his MV40-44 category in 22.13.

He was just six seconds ahead of equally troubled clubmate Gethin Wyn Jones, who was 24th in 22.19.

Jamie later admitted: “A tired parkrun today after a 15-hour shift and a bad night’s sleep.”

Gethin added that he ran “slow and steady after feeling rubbish all week”.

In-form Cheryl Frost was also back at the parkrun, and turned in another positive performance in 34th place overall, winning her VW55-59 age category in 22.51.

Her running partner Kay Hatton also ran well to finish in 40th place in 23.26 and was second in the same category as Cheryl.

Newcomers Juana Hunter and Karen Butler made their mark; Juana won her SW30-34 age category in 26.12 in 85th place, while Karen Butler also won her VW60-64 category, and was just five seconds adrift in 87th place in 26.17.

David Spofforth ran with his son Ben again, and helped the youngster to his fourth consecutive parkrun personal best, this time knocking more than a minute off last week’s excellent result, to finish 90th overall and second in his JM10 age category, sharing the same time of 26.37 with his father Dave.

Veteran Don Hale was still plagued by injury so took it steady during his 140th parkrun and finished 95th and second in his MV65-69 category in 26.59.

Fellow master vet Mike Hayton was 102nd and 2nd in his MV70-74 category in 27.45, with Rachel Morris continuing her marathon training, and included the parkrun as part of her build-up, finishing 147th overall in 31.33.

Ian Turner made a welcome and emotional return to finish in 173rd place in 33.52, while youngster Elowen Spofforth and her mother Nicola celebrated their second family parkrun at Conwy, with both runners claiming new personal bests.

Elowen also won her JW10 category in 188th place and shared the time as her mother in 39.32.

A generous tribute was additionally paid at Conwy parkrun on Saturday to the late club veteran, athlete Gilbert Gillan, 69, who had previously completed 89 parkruns and 59 virtual runs, but sadly lost his battle with cancer the previous weekend.

This is the provisional results list from Conwy parkrun: www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults.

Krakow parkrun for Leslie

Meanwhile, Lesley Goodson ran as an international tourist in the Krakow parkrun in Poland last Saturday among 95 finishers and claimed second spot in her FV55-59 age category.

Lesley was 44th overall and the eighth female athlete in 25.33.

Karl runs in Aber Falls fell race

And Karl Morris took part in the Aber Falls (Aber Bach) fell race near Bangor last Tuesday night (April 5) in 36.11. The event included a challenging route of 4.8 miles and 350 ft of elevation.

Fundraiser for Snowdonia Search and Rescue

Gwennan Charlton also enjoyed a steady eight-mile run around Llyn Trawsfynydd last Sunday in one hour and 27 minutes as part of a fundraising event for the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team.

Easter Dash on the prom

Next Saturday morning (April 16) also marks the welcome return of the Easter 5k Dash on Llandudno promenade.

This popular event has not been run since 2019 due to COVID-19 problems, and a bumper crowd is expected for this year’s race to cheer on athletes from across the UK, while also fundraising for charities in the area.

Steve’s Gambian kit appeal proves a success

Meanwhile, Steve Forysth’s appeal for any unwanted running shoes and kit has also proved a huge success, with the first batch of donations delivered to underprivileged young sportsmen and women last week.

The North Wales Road Runner also helped organise the delivery of several carloads and boxes of kit to the Gambian Police Athletic Team, who began an urgent distribution to youngsters in readiness for a series of races in their country.

Steve was also able to send back several photographs from different groups who were absolutely thrilled to receive this kit from hundreds of North Wales supporters which included running clubs at Llandudno, Prestatyn, Deeside, Cheshire, to name just a few, plus numerous individual donations, and generous support from many parkrunners across the region.