Don Hale Blog

*Tracy Rogers (*above) on top form for records and the team manager's award. North Wales road records tumble again following some outstanding performances during the season. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Paul Brooks from NWRAC, has announced several notable records recently.  He confirmed: “In 2007  Marilyn Kitching  set an F35 NWRAC best in Farndon of 37.12. That has stood for 16 years - until recently, when  Tracy Rogers  equalled it at Wilmslow. And  Tracy has recently collected a Team Manager’s award for the 'Most Improved Athlete 2023'. Well deserved.   Many congratulations Tracy!" “And  Gordon Jones  (Prestatyn) ran a superb 1.25.14 at the  Caernarfon half marathon  on 10th September last. In doing so, he set a new NWRAC best for M65, breaking  Cliff Wilkinson's  previous record of 1.29.54, which had stood since 2000 at the  Lake Vyrnwy half marathon . Congratulations Gordon!   *Welsh record breakers - Gordon Jones (*above

*Crispin Backshall (*above), with his WA Volunteer of the Year award. Crispin Backshall is the Welsh Athletics - Volunteer of the Year - special awards for hard working promoters. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Report courtesy of Kay Hatton from NWRAC. Congratulations to Crispin Backshall for winning Welsh Athletics Volunteer of the Year Award at the WA Annual Awards Ceremony. Crispin is a stalwart officer on the NWRAC and is also on the committee of Colwyn Bay AC.  He works tirelessly in promoting and organising T&F events in North Wales as well as officiating at T&F, Road Running and Cross Country events. Such a well deserved award.  Menai T&F are also to be congratulated for being awarded Welsh Athletics Development Club of the Year for the second year running, particularly in recognition of their development work with youngsters and encouraging participation in all disciplines.  The club was also praised for involvement with the WA Juni

*Pictured above  - popular charity fundraiser and event promoter John Hatton. John Hatton's great support for local charity events. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Charity organiser, promoter and popular NWRRC official  John Hattton,  who has been involved with the organisation of two major fundraising events recently for local deserving causes, confirmed this week that £4.5k was raised on Sunday at the  Mental Elf 5k fun-run , and that a further £14k was raised at the recent  Conwy Dark Run  in October for  Ty Gobaith , which utilised the Conwy parkrun course from the RSPB centre. John praised the generous public support for both events, and from numerous volunteers and marshals, and  confirmed: “ The  Mental Elf 5k fun run  was a fantastic event, twice around the Eirias Park track in Colwyn Bay, then down to, and along the prom to the Toad, where turn-around Bob was there.  “I helped   Mind   charity to organise it, and we ma

Will Williams (*pictured above) on top form at the latest cross-country fixture at Shrewsbury. Road Running trio at another successful cross-country event at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Three members of NWRRC travelled to the PGL Centre at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, last Saturday afternoon, to take part in the latest highly successful cross-country fixture within the North Wales XC League. Will Williams  celebrated a podium result after claiming the 2nd spot in his respective MV50 age category following a determined run in the Senior Men’s race, finishing 49th out of 177 quality club entrants in a very respectable time of 30 minutes and 4 seconds.  Cheryl Frost  and  Kay Hatton  competed in the Senior Women’s event, which also attracted 158 top club athletes, with Cheryl 78th in 25.21, and 4th in her FV55 age cat, whilst Kay was 88th in 25.43, and she too finished

*Martin Green is pictured (*centre), with his wife Carla, and NWRRC chairman Kevin Slattery at the Conwy Sports awards. Martin Green wins Senior Sportsman of the Year award - and other prizes from race events for Carla and Llyr! Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner Martin Green  won a prestigious trophy   after being selected   as the deserved  Senior Sportsman of the Year  at the  Conwy Sports Awards  ceremony held in Llandudno last Friday night following another superb season of extraordinary racing results. And on Sunday morning, Martin’s wife  Carla Green  collected some additional family silverware after becoming the 1st female athlete at the  Running GP Oulton Park 10k  with a stunning performance in 23rd place overall, to win her FV50 age category in just 44 minutes and 1 seconds around this spectacular motor racing circuit. Meanwhile,  Llyr Ap Geraint-Roberts,  collected a very welcome, but surprise gold me

*Josh Keogh (*pictured above) was the first NWRRC finisher at Conwy. Cold and crisp at Conwy parkrun where athletes recorded some fast times... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was a very cold and crisp at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning where fourteen Road Runners took part in this popular event, despite an afternoon cross-country fixture at Shrewsbury, and some other competing fixtures. The NWRRC team packed well and collected four senior age category wins, one junior victory, plus four second places, and they also recorded a major PB time over this challenging 5k course, which again attracted some quality club and visiting social runners. Josh Keogh  returned to parkrun with a superb performance in 4th place, and he was 2nd in his SM30 age cat in just 18 minutes and 3-seconds. He was followed by  Jamie Tharme , who shook-off a recent nagging injury to finish in 22nd place overall in 22.07, with  Ri

Unique WMAL opportunity and special webinar offer about Men’s Health...with Elite82 and experts. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Welsh Masters Athletics are promoting a unique Men’s Health opportunity provided by Elite82, who are a local company based in South Wales, and are a High Performance and Movement specialist.   They are running an informative webinar on Tuesday 5th December between 7pm-8.30pm, and WMAL have arranged a special offer for interested persons, including a 10% discount deal!  In addition, there is an Early Bird offer with the sale ending on 24th November, of just £20, less the special discount for registrations.  *Check out the details of this special seminar on the link below:   https://www.elite82.co.uk/event-details/mens-health-the-facts-around-testosterone   Men's Health: The facts around testosterone: About the event: All questions answered by a qualified physician.  Male Hormone Cycle - Testosterone – How it works. Symptoms

*Some of the NWRRC team (pictured above) that competed in the Conwy half marathon race last Sunday. RESULTS UPDATED:  AND NEW VIDEO FOOTAGE. **Unique new videos from Conwy half-marathon courtesy of Chris Yorke at run Wales: Now available to view for FREE on  YouTube... *Conwy half-marathon 2023 quick start recoded on video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buKYDPqHaXQ Conwy half-marathon 2023. Runners wait on the bridge for the start: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjsf-x9uwAs   Runners beat the weather and tackled the Great Orme in half-marathon race...plus other race results. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another memorable morning at the Conwy half-marathon last Sunday as 2,513 runners battled against storm-force blustery winds and steady rain as they tackled a challenging and undulating course around Llandudno’s Great Orme and back. The event, well organised by  RunWales , was won in spectacular style however, by local