Popular Fairy Freckled Cow trail race cancelled at short notice.

By Don Hale

Popular Fairy Freckled Cow trail race cancelled.

Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

The popular Denbigh Harriers organised Fairy Freckled Cow Trail Race around the Alwen Reservoir for 2023 has sadly had to be cancelled at short notice! 

An event official confirmed on Monday (19/6/23) that Natural Resources Wales (The leaseholder from Welsh Water of land around the Alwen) is not willing to issue a permit to use the tracks and footpaths used during the race. 

Without this permission the race cannot be held this year and all participants who have already registered and paid for the race will be refunded their entry fee. This race was scheduled to be part of the regional North Wales trail championships.

For next year Denbigh Harriers are confident of meeting Natural Resources Wales’ stricter criteria and that permission to run the race will be granted for 7th July 2024.




 

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 parkrun results round-up

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the start of the Rhos on Sea parkrun. North Wales parkrun results round-up Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat Finnie). donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was bright, sunny and very warm at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday, which was enjoyed by another bumper attendance of 516 runners and walkers, with many travelling from different parts of the UK and even abroad. Conor Davies  was the first finisher overall in 16 minutes and 45 seconds, with Welsh international track star  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) second with a new PB of 17.03,  and Iain Burgess  third, following another excellent PB in 17.17.  *The first female finisher was teenage debutant  Lexi Dundas  (26th overall) in 20.08, and  Alison Russell  (Spectrum Striders) was second on her debut in 21.28, but it was a close contest with  Ellie Evans  (Cybi Striders) third with a new course PB, and she was o...
Read more

Records broken, but thankfully no bones, at the fast Tryfan Downhill Dash...

By Don Hale
Image
*Some of the award winners and competitors from the Tryfan Dash race. Records broken, but thankfully no bones, at the fast Tryfan Downhill Dash... Report and photo courtesy of race organiser Mike Blake (Eryri Harriers). donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Records were broken, but thankfully no bones, at the Tryfan Downhill Dash, which saw many experienced mountain and fell runners taking part! Dark Peak’s  Euan Patton , not content with having the cheek by taking 39 seconds off my 34-year record of 8 minutes in 2023, he went a massive step again, by taking a further 35 seconds off his own record finishing in an unbelievable 6.46. He finished ahead of three times winner  Michael Corrales ( The Goats) in 9.25 .  Insane, the word on the street is that his feet never actually touched the ground, and  Sam Gunning  took third place in 9.29.   The first lady was another re-known descender in Bethan Billing  ( Eryri Harriers), by...
Read more

North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Martin Green and Steve Gardner in the red vests for Wales against England in the Masters 3000m race at Deeside. And (*below) some other action shots. North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race... Report by Don Hale.  Photos and results supplied courtesy of Chris Hollingshead. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Two top North Wales track athletes collected prestigious medals whilst representing Wales v England at the Masters 3000m international meeting at the Deeside Stadium last Friday night. Talented veterans’ Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) and  Steve Gardner  (NWRRC) celebrated good performances, with Martin finishing second in his MV50 age cat in 9.49, whilst Steve won his MV60 cat in 10.10. After his race, Steve Gardner confirmed:  “ I came 6th overall and 1st V60 in 10 mins 10 seconds at the above meeting against England. Comprising MV50-54; 55-59; and 60 to 64-year  - old athletes in one ...
Read more

Special 5k memorial run for Jon Dalzell on Llandudno prom

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - some of the many Dalzell Runners and supporters on the prom at Llandudno last Monday for their memorial 5k run. And (*below) some action shots of numerous entrants. Special 5k memorial run for Jon Dalzell on Llandudno prom Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Jonathan Kettle and Dalzell Runners. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Dozens of local runners took part in a special 5k run last Monday evening on Llandudno promenade to help keep athlete Jon Dalzell’s memory alive. This unique event commemorated the fact that the former North Wales Road Runner tragically lost his life three-years ago, yet, for the past two years, members of the supportive Dalzell Running group, have since organised a social run with hospitality, to share recollections of his short but amazing life. Jonathan Kettle,  who was a close friend of Jon’s, and is now a coach with Dalzell Runners, later confirmed:  “Monday 17th August will be three years since we lost ...
Read more

RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run - Sunday 20th September 2026 -last few places available.

By Don Hale
Image
  *Flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom. RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run 2026 Sunday 20th September 2026   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Race organiser John Hatton challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for charity runs, hosted by Llandudno RNLI! But if you want to run, you need to hurry and sig up asap as places are now limited to popular demand! And John also added: " Just working on a race for next year 5k RSPB.  I came up with the idea, when I was invited to a site visit by the Contractors, Jennings.   "I have spoken to Helen the manager and she is really keen, we can have cafe as race HQ plus of course the toilets, it will help put back what they have lost over the time with the new course at Conwy." 💙 Sign up today and be a lifesaver! https://rnli.niftyentries.com/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2026   *Just giving link if you want  to donate only https://www.justgiving.com/...
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

New Golden Welsh record for Steve Gardner at the Masters finals.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Steve Gardner won a gold medal and set a new Welsh record in the 800m race during the Masters T&F Inter-Area meeting. New Golden Welsh record for Steve Gardner at the Masters Inter-area finals at Yate... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner, who has represented Team GB at various track championships at home and abroad, claimed a great new PB, set a new Welsh record and struck gold in the 800m race at the Masters Inter-Area T&F championships at Yate. This time competing for  Welsh Masters Athletics , veteran Steve was one of nine top Welsh athletes who won their respective age categories at this prestigious event, and he also smashed the current Welsh MV60 cat, subject to ratification, after finishing second in his race in 2 minutes 15.34 seconds, and he was only just behind World record holder  Rob McHarg  of Scotland. *Pictured above right - S...
Read more

OLD MANCHESTER & THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

By Don Hale
Image
                                  An old lady newspaper seller Old Manchester & the Industrial Revolution Report by Don Hale. Manchester, like so many other major cities throughout the country was completely transformed by the Industrial Revolution. It led to the rapid construction of canals, railways, housing, and scores of factories - many were built close to rivers and made extensive use of waterpower.   The city soon became a magnet for people seeking accommodation and work. And part of this labour force included many Irish immigrants, who started to arrive in great numbers from about 1852, followed by the Italians in1865, and numerous other foreign workers. The unprecedented growth of cotton mills and the increasing demand for additional labour continued to swell the population of Manchester.  In 1811, the regions census figures showed a population of 79,459; and by 1838 it had more t...
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

Spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom for the RNLI.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above and below - the fast start of the spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom at Llandudno for the RNLI. Spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom for the RNLI. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Caitlin Faye and others. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 It was a spectacular morning on Llandudno promenade last Sunday as bright warm sunshine greeted over 300 athletes and their supporters to an amazing 5k fundraising race for the town’s essential RNLI group Well organised by race director  John Hatton  and backed by a large and enthusiastic team of hard-working volunteers and marshals, this event attracted a wealth of elite, club and social runners, who recorded some very fast times in near perfect conditions; and this event also included some very popular junior races for children and their parents. John later confirmed:  “I have been working with  Catherine Tudor-Jones , who is the Community Manager. She was so thrilled the event went so well. Originally, th...
Read more