Double trouble for Mal and chatty Sarah at Abingdon Marathon.

By Don Hale

*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 excelled myself today by being told off by a race marshal for chatting too much whilst running. I only ran the second half to keep my friend Emma Vadhesha company, as I am doing Marathon Eryri next Sat. I would definitely love to do the whole thing, and such a great atmosphere! 

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

The tough Nick Beer 10k race proved a great success once more with good numbers and a fast pace...

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above and lower - runners at the start of the Nick Beer 10k race as they depart Llandudno promenade ( *Photos by Don Hale ). The tough Nick Beer 10k race proved a great success once more with good numbers and a fast pace... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 The annual Nick Beer 10k race proved a hit once more with a massive 967 athletes completing a tough course from outside Venue Cymru and around the Great Orme before returning to Llandudno’s spectacular promenade, where spectators gave each entrant a warm welcome on a rather cool and breezy day. Visiting athlete  Hamish Morton  (Cambridge & Coleridge AC) was the first finisher overall in just 34 minutes and 55 seconds, and he was the 1st MSen, but he was one of four elite runners who ran away from the main pack and they all dipped under the magic 36-minute mark.  *Menai T&F athlete Steffan Sayer (*above) finished second in the Nick Beer 10k. Steffan Sayer  (Menai T&F) was the r...
Read more

Quality athletes and fast times at the new Padarn 5k race.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the start of the new Padarn 5k race last Wednesday night (photo courtesy of SportpicturesCymru). Quality athletes and fast times at the new Padarn 5k race Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   There was a good turn-out of mainly elite and club runners at the brand new Padarn Sbrint 5k dash in midweek, where the first eight finishers all dipped under seventeen minutes, and Meirionnydd RC claimed the first four places. Owen Roberts  was the overall winner following a great performance in just 15 minutes and 37 seconds, on this flat and fast course alongside Llyn Padarn at Llanberis, but he faced a stern challenge from club rival  Daniel Kashi  in 15.44, and colleagues  Ben Harding  (16.15) and  Lloyd Williams  (16.19) also battled for top placings. Some other notable local results included  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) in 8th place in 16.59 and  Harry Driscoll  (Meirionnydd RC)...
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

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

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

FAST TIMES AND AGE CATEGORY WINS AT MARSH TRACKS 5K

By Don Hale
Image
*Jonathan Kettle recorded a great new PB at Rhyl FAST TIMES AND AGE CATEGORY WINS AT MARSH TRACKS 5K AT RHYL Report by Don Hale. Photographs by Steve Jeffery.   Six members of North Wales Road Runners travelled to Rhyl last Saturday to compete in the second Welsh Athletics fixture of a series of 5k races on closed road circuits, with two male athletes claiming age category wins, and the four others finishing second in their respective categories. Held on the go-cart and cycling course at the Marsh Tracks, the event gave many athletes their first taste of live race action for about 15-months and provided a fast, flat, but twisting course in warm and humid conditions. * Ben Hudson (pictured above) with Jonathan Kettle (below) Jonathan Kettle  was the pick of the NWRRC team with a new personal best time of 16 minutes 30 seconds for 3rd place and he was 1st M45 cat winner in this high-quality field of top local runners. He was pleased with a great showing, but later admi...
Read more

Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletis.co.uk By the time you read this there will only be less than two weeks left to enter the British Masters Half Marathon Championships in Dumfries on the 20th  September. The course is on scenic undulating roads with little traffic. Promoted by a true running club the Dumfries Half Marathon charges a very realistic entry fee which is rare in this day and age.   The race limits its entry numbers which means the Championships are well catered for, however I advise entering now before the Half is declared full. Just follow these links:  https://www.eventsupnorth.co.uk/event/2076 And once entered register your entry on open track via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-hm/   As your Road Race Secretary, I want to support grass roots running clubs and I know Dum...
Read more

North Wales schoolboy Charlie Sheen to run 75-miles along the prom for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity.

By Don Hale
Image
*Charlie Sheen (*above), pictured during  one of his first runs on the prom. North Wales schoolboy Charlie Sheen to run 75-miles along the prom for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity. Introduction by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Rhos-on-Sea mum Rebecca Sheen is immensely proud of her schoolboy son Charlie who has decided to run the equivalent of almost three London Marathons over a period of just four-weeks, to help raise essential funds for the Liverpool based Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where his sister has previously attended and received treatment.  Charlie’s parents, family and friends, are obviously very supportive of his efforts, and have created a special JustGiving charity appeal page to receive any donations and have confirmed the details on social media.  * And next Saturday, Charlie is hoping to be accompanied  on his run by world champion boxer Natasha Jonas.  Rebecca added: " We are finishing Charlie's run next Sunday, we...
Read more

Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle - results round up.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun. Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A large turn-out of Bank Holiday visitors mixed with regular runners and walkers in the drizzle at most North Wales parkrun last Saturday morning. Some of these events also welcomed many participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group , plus representatives from several other notable cancer organisations for their regular monthly gatherings.  At Llandrillo yn Rhos , another bumper entry included many elite and club runners with seven out of the first ten finishers all debutants, and quite remarkably, the first eight all dipped under 18 minutes. James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy claimed another fast-dash result, and he was the first finisher overall once again despite the weather in ju...
Read more