Don Hale Blog

*Some of the NWRRC team at the Eryri Marathon (*l-r), Kelly Alford, Steve Bozier, Karl Morris, Stuart Culverhouse, Cai Roberts and Vicky Taylor. A dozen hardy Road Runners competed in the tough Eryri Marathon...plus Mark Davies seen near the start line! Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Some other Road Runners (*above), with their friends and supporters. A dozen hardy and determined North Wales Road Runners competed in the popular Eryri Marathon last Saturday and additionally celebrated news of seeing their club colleague Mark Davies positioned near the start line following a serious accident earlier this year. This extremely tough encounter was run in very good conditions and attracted 2,228 endurance athletes, including many from top fell running and mountain racing clubs, with entrants all praising the incredible support from marshals and volunteers enroute, together with the spectacular scenery. *Pictured above (*left), Sarah Fergie Hudson and her husband Ben,

*Jonathan Kettle (*above) was the first  athlete home at the Toronto parkrun. Road Runner Jonathan Kettle  took part in the  Toronto Downsview parkrun  on Saturday morning, and he was the first man home in a fast time of 17.23, and he also won his veteran age cat.  This was Jonathan’s second racing success on his trip to Canada after finishing as the runner-up the previous weekend in the Niagara Falls half-marathon. After the parkrun, he said: “It was a beautiful morning but very windy and a lovely undulating route. ” *Other race results: Tooting: Helen Hannam  travelled to London last weekend and made her debut in the  Tooting Common parkrun , where she finished 4th in her VW45 age cat in 340th place in 28.02, amidst a massive entry of some 680 runners, After the run, she said: “A flat and fast course, and very welcoming with fab marshals. A very popular parkrun and I’m absolutely ecstatic with my time after recovering from illness, so looks like I’m back!” *Helen Hannam (*above) at t

*Martin Green (*in yellow vest) leads out the runners at Conwy parkrun. Busy parkrun at Conwy as visiting entrants negotiated the puddles...plus other race results at Tooting and Hyde Park. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It proved to be another busy half-term parkrun at Conwy again last Saturday despite many athletes taking part in the Eryri Marathon and other competing fixtures, but the Road Runners managed to turn out ten members and collected three 1st place age category wins, four 2nd places, and one third. Some 239 runners enjoyed the challenge of negotiating this problematic 5k puddle-filled course, which attracted mixed ability entrants from across the UK.  One such athlete was  Seth Kirby  (Steel City Striders RC), who was the first runner back on his course debut in 17 minutes and 48 seconds to additionally win his SM30 cat.  Dave Hughes  claimed the 2nd spot and won his VM35 cat with a PB in 17.5

*Some of the NWRRC members pictured at the 2023 event in Deganwy. DEGANWY DASH 5-MILER - ENTRIES NOW CLOSED! Rohan's Run - in loving memory of Rohan Ingley. *Pictured above - the late Rohan Ingley. FRIDAY 31st May 2024. START TIME 19:00  RACE LICENCE APPLIED FOR:  RACE HQ DEGANWY PROMENADE - Race Number collection from 5:00pm ENTRY FEE £12 AFFILIATED £14 NON AFFILIATED  ALL PROCEEDS GO TO YOUNG LIVES VS CANCER, this was one of Rohan's chosen charities.  This race starts and finishes on the Deganwy Promenade  This picturesque run follows the Conwy Estuary track to the RSPB reserve and returns along the same route.  *ENTRIES FOR THIS RACE HAVE NOW CLOSED AND HAVE REACHED THE 350 LIMIT . MEDAL FOR EVERY FINISHER  TROPHIES IN EVERY AGE CATEGORY This is the link to the entry details:   https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=6176 *The run directors are John Hatton and Carla Green from NWRRC. Other details are available via email : greenc72@gmail.com *This is my blog repor

*Mal Preece (*pictured above) was going well until he collected a hip injury during the Abingdon Marathon. Double trouble for Mal and Sarah at Abingdon Marathon. Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Two members of NWRRC took part in the   Abingdon Marathon   last weekend with   Mal Preece   running the full distance despite suffering a hip injury shortly after passing the half-way point, which scuppered any hopes of recording a new PB, and   Sarah Ferguson Hudson , who ran the last half just to help support her friend but was later reprimanded by an official for chatting too much! After the race, Mal confirmed : “I ran the Abingdon Marathon  ran  but  alas no PB for me today. It was a fantastic flat course. I was on for a massive PB at halfway 3.17, but my hip gave way. I recommend this course however, for anyone chasing a new PB time.” Sarah (*pictured right), added : “ I think everyone is aware that I may talk too much, but I think I

WELSH INTER REGIONS - North Wales cross-country team selections. Report courtesy of Bernie Jones. North Wales Teams have been drawn up based on the first North Wales League fixture and other recent performances and taking into account those who said they were not available. A team list is available via the following link : http://www.northwalesxc.com/.../10/Inter-Regional-2023.xlsx Please can you confirm your availability with the Team Managers. If you feel you should have been included and are available please also contact them. A full timetable and copy of the course maps is available here:   http://www.northwalesxc.com/.../Welsh-Inter-Schools-Inter... North Wales are helping host the event in Newtown so it would be fantastic if we can get the best teams out possible.  If you require any further information let me know Bernie Jones Secretary

*Noel Blatchford (*pictured above) won a silver medal at Pescara. Sad loss of international race walker Noel Blatchford after winning a silver medal at the Pescara Championships. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *Ian Richards reports on the sad and unexpected loss of European Masters silver medal winning veteran race walker Noel Blatchford after the Pescara T&F Championships.   It is with much sadness to have to inform you that race walker Noel Blatchford passed away on Friday 20th October in Pescara.  Noel competed in the 5000m walk W75 on the first Sunday of the European Masters Championships winning a silver medal. She took ill that evening and was admitted to hospital the next day where they discovered that she had suffered a stroke. She remained in hospital in Pescara during which time she suffered further strokes. Noel has been a regular at the International Masters championships as part of the Great Britain team, winning numerous medals over m

*Richard Eccles (*pictured above) enjoyed a good run and finished 9th in addition to winning his age cat at the Abergele 5k race. Gold medals and podium places for a quartet of Road Runners at Abergele. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Over two-hundred club and social runners competed in the Abergele 5k and 10k races on the town’s promenade last Sunday morning, where a quartet of Road Runners celebrated podium places and won two gold medals! NWRRC  entered two athletes in both the 5k, and 10 events, and they all recorded unexpected podium places, with two welcome age category victories and impressive gold medals for  Richard Eccles  and  Don Hale  in the 5k, and two third-placed finishes in their respective age cats for  Steve Roberts  and  Mike Hayton  in the latter 10k event.     *Richard Eccles (*above left) with Don Hale. The races were run concurrently over a relatively flat and fast course with all parti