Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - the start of the Caernarfon 10k race last Sunday. Course record smashed at the Caernarfon 10k race. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson, Chris Yorke and Mick Hall. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Some members of the NWRRC team at the Caernarfon 10k (l-r): Back row - Mike Hayton, Ben Hudson, Rob Fryer, and Stuart Culverhouse, and (front row) - Carla Green, Kay Hatton, Cheryl Frost and Sarah Ferguson Hudson.   The conditions were perfect last Sunday as a star-studded line up of elite and top club runners at the Caernarfon 10k race set a fast pace right from the start, with the course record later smashed during an exciting event, which also included an Inter-Counties championship match. Race organiser  Chris Yorke  from  RunWales  confirmed: “Well done to everyone who completed in today’s Caernarfon 10k. Wow what a race on this super-fast 10k course! The top 3 runners all broke the course record! with  Swansea Harrier ...

*Pictured above - the talented GOG duo of John and Michelle Farrell. ‘Czech’ mates and a bronze medal at the World Cross Duathlon championships... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *The successful GB team pictured above at the championships.   Talented North Wales athletes John and Michelle Farrell were ‘Czech’ mates after competing well for Team GB at the World Triathlon/X-Terra age group competition during the Cross Duathlon championships, staged recently in Prachatice within the Czech Republic. The talented and experienced pair, who are well-known GOG Triathletes were representing Great Britain after first qualifying to be part of the elite Age Group Team and last week travelled to the Prachatice Centrum, which is about a two-hour drive west of Prague. The event included a tough trail run, closely followed by a very challenging mountain bike race, and when John first carried out a practice recce of the course, the day before the main event, he nervously ...

Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com An Eclectic Mix of 7 Short Stories – Murder, Mystery & Intrigue. By William Austin Johnson & published by North Wales company. www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk About the book of short stories:   They say that Silence is Golden, so, when it’s time to read your book, that is just what you want, some peace and quiet to absorb each and every word, each line, each sentence, and each paragraph, and each chapter until the very end.  That is exactly why the code in all libraries is silence please. Of course, most books are of one particular subject from beginning to end. There is also the saying that Variety is the Spice of Life, and this book is exactly that. Seven short stories in one book for the reader to indulge in, and seven different scenarios. Seven different nightcaps, before you drift off to sleep. Of course, I’m not asking t...

The Amazing success of Welsh Master IFAN LLOYD (*pictured above): Special report courtesy of Bernie Jones. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com One of Wales and Great Britain’s top masters. A privilege to put the questions to him and share his story with everyone. Take the time to read the story - it’s well worth it.   Ifan Lloyd is one of Wales’ most respected athletes competing at all distances from track all the way up to ultra marathon.    He has achieved success over many, many years and here he tells us a little about his running career. *Read full spotlight below.  https://tinyurl.com/Masters-Spotligh-Ifan Read some of my  previous blog articles about IFAN  LLOYD: *Welsh Master Ifan Lloyd tells of his drama in the Comrades Marathon..and WMAL duo faced England. By Don Hale: don hale blog: 23/06/2025. Don Hale Blog: Welsh Master Ifan Lloyd tells of his drama in the ... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025/06/welsh-master-ifan-lloyd-tells-of-his.html?spref...

 *Pictured above - Bernie Jones (*centre) with Ian and Amanda Broadhurst. Welsh Athletics Award of Honour presented to Ian and Amanda Broadhurst... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Special report and photos courtesy of Wrexham AAC President Bernie Jones. The Welsh Athletics Award of Honour were presented to Ian and Amanda Broadhurst during the Northern league at Queensway by Wrexham AAC Club President Bernie Jones. Amanda has been a member of Wrexham since she was 13 and has served the club with distinction as an athlete and coach. A versatile athlete who won the Welsh U15 Pentathlon; U17 & U20 Heptathlon; and Welsh Senior Heptathlon in 1990 Amanda has continued to serve her club well.  She has represented Wales and Great Britain and has medalled at Welsh, British, European and World Masters Championships across a variety of events. She generously gives her time to coaching the current and next generations not only for club members but athletes across Norrh Wales. Amanda i...

*Pictured above - the NWRRC trio each won their respective age categories at the Nant y Pandy parkrun, (l-r): Carla Green, Mike Hayton and Kay Hatton. Hat-trick of age category wins for NWRRC trio at Nant y Pandy parkrun...plus other results... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Three NWRRC members each won their respective age categories at the Nant y Pandy parkrun on Saturday morning. Carla Green finished well as the third female athlete in 24th place in 23.53, and she also won her VW50 age cat. Veteran  Kay Hatton  was also in top form, and she won her VW60 cat in 26th place overall with a new course PB in 24.40, and master vet  Mike Hayton  was 112th, and he won his new VM75 age cat on his debut in 31.55. *Nant y Pandy:  *The first finisher at  Nant y Pandy parkrun  was SM20 athlete  Sam Gunning , with a PB in 17.11, with  Joel Chick  second on his debut in 17.33, and visitor  Nathan James  (...