Jonathan Kettle finished second in Niagara Falls half-marathon.

By Don Hale

*Jonathan Kettle (*above right) as the race runner-up is pictured on the podium with the winner at the Niagara Falls half-marathon.

Jonathan Kettle finished second in Niagara Falls half-marathon.

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk

 

Jonathan Kettle flew the flag for Wales with pride last Sunday (22nd Oct) as he finished in second place overall at the Niagara Falls half-marathon following another stunning performance with an excellent time.

The veteran North Wales Road Runner, who has been working away in Canada recently, celebrated a great effort in some very challenging weather conditions, but he was pleased to secure 2nd place and won his MV45 age cat in 1 hour 16 minutes and 55 seconds, in a top quality event that attracted 1,154 entrants. 

Jonathan ran hard throughout and finished about two-minutes behind the winner, a local athlete, Jonathan Bradnam in 1.14.51, but he was almost four-minutes ahead of the 3rd placed finisher B Yang in 1.20.40. After the race, he confirmed: “It was a very cold, rainy, and a windy race on a flat course, with simply amazing views over the falls and the Niagara River.”



*Pictured above - Jonathan Kettle's awards from last Sunday's race.

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

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

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

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

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

Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th Sept on Llandudno prom.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom and (*below) members of the RNLI team at Llandudno near their lifeboat station. Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th September on Llandudno prom. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog There are just a limited number of entries still available for the RNLI  5k charity race set for Llandudno Promenade starting at 11am on Sunday 20th September 2026. Race organiser  John Hatton  challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for this popular charity run, hosted by  Llandudno RNLI!  *Description:  A fast and flat course for both distances. The race starts and finishes on Llandudno Promenade, close to the Lifeboat Station. Entries are limited to 350 entries for the 5km and 100 entries for the 1km starting at 10.30am. *Race HQ:  RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat Station, Colwyn Road...
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

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