PARKRUN PORTHCAWL 5K

DONOVAN WilliamsHole took the 250th staging last Saturday of Porthcawl 5k Parkrun, writes Tony Poole.

In still and dry conditions out on Porthcawl seafront, the Bridgend runner swept to victory in a time of 17 minutes 34 seconds.

It was just 15 seconds outside the personal best (pb) that he set when winning the 210th Porthcawl event last April.

It was also his third Porthcawl victory in 15 visits to the seaside town.

Runner-up Richard Dando (Bridgend) clocked 17:52 while Jordan Groves (unattached) was third in 18:05.

The next 10 finishers were also inside 20 minutes, and these competitors were Daniel Gurmin (Swansea Harriers) 18:05, Andrew How (Hendre Lake Running Club) 18:26, Graeme Rand (Bridgend) 18:43, Dave Bennett (Porthcawl Runners) 18:52, Gethin Edwards (Pontyclun Road Runners) 19:02, Rob Hunt (Bridgend) 19:31, Dafydd Jones (unattached) 19:47, Nicholas Venables (Llanelli AC) first-time competitor 19:48, Nick Stocker (Bridgend) 19:59 and Adrian Phillips (unattached) 20:00.

Top female in 22nd place was ever-consistent Deborah Goule (Porth- cawl Runners) 20:39 from Fleur Jones (Cornelly Striders) 22: 31 (41st), Elaine Wharmby (Pegasus RC, Cardiff) pb 22:32 (42nd), Tracy Jenkins (unattached) pb 22:49 (48th) and Clare Hughes (Bridgend) 22:55 (51st).

Once more a field of 382 competitors were grateful to the sterling efforts of 30 dedicated volunteers.

And thanks were also heaped on Stuart Emberlin of the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl for providing accommodation for event equipment.