Orienteering night shift for club quartet.

By Don Hale


*North Wales ladies on the town (above l-r) Elizabeth Driscoll, Hannah Griffith, Tessa Bushnell and Gwennan Charlton.


Orienteering night shift for club quartet.

 

Four female members of NWRRC took part in a unique Urban Orienteering event around Llandudno last Thursday night as part of a new and exciting series of races organised by Eryri Harriers.

Gwennan Charlton, who was a member of this talented quartet confirmed: “You are given a map and set of checkpoints, then you visit as many of these as possible within a one-hour time limit. Hannah Griffith, Tessa Bushnell, Elizabeth Driscoll, and me, teamed up, and finished as the second team, a close 10 points off the winning team. The next instalment of the urban orienteering series will be held in Conwy on 23rd of March.” 

Don Hale is a former award winning investigative journalist and now a best-selling author who has created a very popular blog post linked to numerous social media sites. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025.

Comments

Post a Comment

Most recent posts

North Wales veteran athlete Steve Gardner sets the fastest 2000m steeplechase time this year!

By Don Hale
Image
*Steve Gardner (*above centre) on the podium at the  BMAF championships at Derby last weekend where he set  the fastest time this year in his particular  V60 event. North Wales athlete Steve Gardner sets the fastest 2000m steeplechase time this year at V60. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner and Welsh Master Steve Gardner competed in the BMAF championships at Derby over the weekend and set the fastest time this year in the 2000m steeplechase race in his respective veteran age category. The Team GB member and track champion at various distances over the past few seasons was delighted with his outstanding gold medal performance in this three-day event at Derby’s Moorways Stadium, and he finished in first place overall, and he was the first V60 athlete in a mixed gender event. After his race, Steve confirmed:  “ Leading the race from gun to tape, I finished six seconds faster tha...
Read more

Wild, wet and windy for North Wales parkrunners

By Don Hale
Image
Wild, wet and windy for North Wales parkrunners... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was wild, wet, and very windy at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun on Saturday, which may have helped to reduce the number of entrants at this venue, and at many other similar events this weekend. The conditions however, failed to deter another excellent turn-out of volunteers, walkers and supporters, who faced some strong blustery winds along this exposed 5k promenade course. Several talented and fast-paced young runners battled for glory again with just six-seconds separating the first four finishers, which also included two first-timers. Henry Pickard  was the first finisher overall in his debut in 16.56, with fellow visitor  Ben Rogers  second in 16.59, and  David Williams  (Royal Sutton Coldfield AC) was third in 17.00, whilst  Matthew Feetenby  (Ely Runners) finished a close fourth in 17....
Read more

The amazing story of UK runner and doctor Sam Allen, and his recollections and photos, as a first responder at 9/11 Ground Zero

By Don Hale
Image
  9/11: How an English doctor, returning from an Amazonian adventure, was caught up in the events of 9/11. The amazing story of UK runner and doctor Sam Allen and his recollections  and photographs as a first responder at 9/11 Ground Zero. * Check out this list An incredible true story from an unexpected first responder at Ground Zero from SPECIAL AMAZON OFFERS - Coast and Country online magazine https://amzn.eu/d/0aenc5sJ #amazonfinds via @Amazon * Pictured above - the horrific scene at Ground Zero in New York. Introduction by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog N EW 9/11 BOOK BY SAM ALLEN MD:   This is the true tale of two distant members of the same family who were brought together through the audacious terrorist attack on New York’s Twin Towers on what became known as 9/11. *Published by North Wales firm  Coast and Country  and now available on Amazon. 9/11: How an English doctor, returning from an Amazonian adventure, was c...
Read more

Five Miles From Home, a global rowing challenge including the Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club and Deganwy Rowers

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - The  Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club Rowers and (*below), the Deganwy Rowing Club team Five Miles From Home, a global rowing challenge A special report by Graham Jones featuring the exploits of The Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club Rowers and Deganwy Rowers in a global competition. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Held between 15:00 (BST) 2nd September and 15:00 (BST) 6th September, the  "5 Miles From Home"  rowing event is a global time-trial challenge where participants complete a five-mile distance in their local waters. It is a  unique global challenge connecting the rowing and paddling communities. The event is organized by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, with support from the Welsh Sea Rowing and Irish Sea Rowing Associations and as the name suggests, crews have to row exactly 5 miles (8,047 meters or 4.345 nautical miles). Ever-changing conditions experienced along the Conwy coast during the time period meant that cre...
Read more

NEW Word Search puzzle books by Val Crowson - Volumes 1 & 2 each of 100 puzzles now available on Amazon.

By Don Hale
Image
Special Coast and Country online magazine book reviews. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog NEW Search for the Words puzzle book by Val Crowson - Volumes 1 & 2 each of 100 puzzles now available on Amazon. Search for the Words Volume 1: A collection of 100 distinctive and individually created word searches just for you. Enjoy! By South African author and puzzle book creator Val Crowson.   This unique book is an interesting collection of 100 distinctive and individually created word searches. The Words can be found horizontally, vertically or backwards, but not diagonally. The letters that make up these words can be used more than once and can overlap. Circle the remaining letters to reveal the hidden answer in each puzzle.   *This is the link to the book now available on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3RcI9ta   Search for the Words Volume 2: A collection of 100 distinctive and individually created Word Searches by author Val Crowson.   Another ...
Read more

North Wales parkrun results and reports round-up

By Don Hale
Image
*The start of the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun (*above) last Saturday. North Wales parkrun results and reports round-up Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There were good numbers again at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning where a number of talented athletes dashed around this fast and flat promenade course to record some excellent finishing times. JM15-17 debutant  Daniel Lindsey  was the first finisher overall with a great performance in just seventeen minutes dead, and he was one of four runners who all dipped under the eighteen-minute mark, with the first eleven finishers all beating twenty-minutes! This event however, was not just speed and plaudits should be given to the dedicated team of volunteers, tail walkers, and general walkers who regularly devote their time each week for the benefit of others, and enjoy attending every week. Tom Elland ...
Read more

Gold medal and charity winners at the Caernarfon half-marathon championships.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the NWRRC team at the Caernarfon half-marathon and NW championships. (l-r): Rob Fryer, Stuart Culverhouse, Adam Lemalle, Steve Roberts, Nia Lister, and Kay Hatton. Gold medal and charity winners at the Caernarfon half-marathon championships... report by Don Hale and photos by John Hatton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog A large field of some 720 quality and mixed ability athletes tackled the undulating Caernarfon half marathon last Sunday with many raising funds for local charities and other worthy causes. This event, well organised by  RunWales,  also included the North Wales half-marathon championships, and consequently attracted some of the top local club runners who competed for medals and glory.   *The first three male and female medal winners at the Caernarfon half marathon are shown above. Tom Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) was the outstanding race winner in 1.09.25, with  James Nicholls  (Wrexham AAC) second in 1.13.0...
Read more

Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former midwife Sharon Buckley.

By Don Hale
Image
*John Hatton (*above left), with Sharon Buckley at the Conwy half-marathon. Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former community midwife Sharon Buckley. It was a proud moment this weekend for athletics coach, MC and promoter, John Hatton as he saw his new running protegee  Sharon Buckley – a well-known former North Wales midwife - cross the finish line at the challenging Conwy half-marathon with a remarkable time. John, who is heavily involved with North Wales Road Runners , Conwy parkrun , and is also a keen supporter and promoter of a host of charity events, confirmed: “Over the last 6 months I have been training Sharon, who is 60, to run her first half-marathon which she did today in 2.34.17, which is a fantastic achievement. “Sharon was a highly respected midwife in North Wales, and at one time she received an award as the top midwife in the Betsi Cadwalader Health Board for her dedicated service to the community.” *John Hatton was on hand last ...
Read more

Fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race - results round-up by Don Hale

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - father and son Stuart  and Joe Culverhouse. Fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race Report and results by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race in midweek with 151 mixed ability athletes competing for honours. David Brilley  (Buckley RC) was the first finisher overall in just 17 minutes and 11 seconds, but he was challenged all the way by  Lloyd Richmond  (Denbigh Harriers) in 17.43, and  Osian Tulloch  (Deeside AAC) in 17.56.  The ladies race was equally competitive with sisters  Ella and Gwen Hayes  (Deeside AAC) battling for the top two places, with Ella eventually winning out in 19.13, with Gwen second in 19.25, and  Joanne Henderson  (Denbigh Harriers) third in 19.51. *NWRRC   member  Stuart Culverhouse , and his son  Joe Culverhouse  – who this time was competing for his second claim club (Colwyn Bay AAC) –...
Read more

Christmas cracker at the NWRRC handicap race...plus other race results.

By Don Hale
Image
*North Wales Road Runners are pictured (*above) just before the start of the festive handicap race on the promenade at Rhos on Sea. Christmas cracker at the NWRRC handicap race. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Twenty-four members of NWRRC took part in the annual Christmas club handicap race, which this year was staged from the Rhos on Sea clock tower to the renovated far end of the promenade and back over a 4.5-mile course. Well organised with times recorded and verified by  Carla Green  and  Elizabeth Driscoll , with support from other members, the handicap rules this time included each runner having to hand in their watches and mobile phones, and the need to predict their finishing times, so that no one knew their exact pace, or whether their estimated times were likely to be accurate, until they actually reached the finish line. The top three female winners , who were the closest to their times included the winner –  Kay Hatto...
Read more