Don Hale Blog

*Colwyn Bay athlete Bryn Woodall (*above) was on top form at Conwy Student Bryn provided a master class at Conwy after returning from America. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Talented youngster Bryn Woodall, who has just returned home to North Wales for the summer from his studies in America was the first athlete home at last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, which attracted a host of club and social runners from all over the UK. Bryn, who represents Colwyn Bay AAC, easily won his SM20 age cat with a fast time of 17 minutes and 43 seconds, with fell runner  Josh Keogh  winning his SM30 age cat in 2nd place overall in 18.02, whilst  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) finished 3rd in 18.15, and he won his VM35 cat. Anna Drinkwater  (Eryri Harriers) claimed the 1st female spot with a superb run finishing in 11th place overall in 19.39, and she won her SW25 cat. Meanwhile,  Hannah Whitelam Hodges  (Hallamshire Harriers), took 2nd place, and she was

*Pictured above - Benjamin  Brummit (*left), with Sion Thomas, and James Jones at the Coleslaw 10k. Good performances by North Wales Road Runners at the Colshaw 10k... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Seven Road Runners travelled to the leafy lanes in Cheshire last Sunday to compete in the Colshaw Hall 10k near Knutsford with most members pleased with some excellent results. Newcomer  Benjamin Brummit  made his club debut and he finished very well in 143rd place in 40.59, out of a massive field of nearly 700 runners. He was followed by  James Jones , who was 165th in 41.47, with  Sion Thomas  176th in 42.17.  *NWRRC veteran Kevin Higgins (*above left), with Cai Roberts and Kelly Alford. Veteran athlete K evin Higgins   ran in his 4th consecutive 10k race during his unique series, and he too was pleased with his time of 51.22, which was his best for over two years, and   Cai Roberts and Kelly Marie Alford   ran the course together an

*Ben and Sarah Hudson - pictured above - at the 70-mile Wall challenge. Ben and Sarah beat ‘The Wall’ and the weather to complete their 70-mile challenge...plus results from the Salomon Trail half-marathon. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Road Running couple Ben and Sarah Hudson beat ‘The Wall’ and the weather last weekend to complete a gruelling 70-mile ultra-marathon challenge from Carlisle to Gateshead, which covered some of the most spectacular, but difficult courses in the country. This dynamic duo, who are certainly no strangers to ultra events, began their efforts in the early hours of Saturday morning and eventually finished some 16-hours later.   The NWRRC pair ran together throughout the event, which included a tough journey via several notable north-eastern landmarks including Lanercost Priory, Walltown Quarry, The Sill, Hexham, and Newburn, before eventually crossing the finish line at Gateshead. The organisers claimed it was the UK’s most iconic ultra-

 *Pictured above - Stuart Culverhouse and his son Joe both win their age cats. Mixed bag of weather for over two-hundred entrants at Conwy parkrun...but Stuart and Joe completed a family double. Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Over two-hundred entrants at Conwy parkrun faced a mixed bag of weather last Saturday morning with cool, wet, and windy conditions, which made a mockery of the claim that it’s supposedly summer! North Wales Road Runners  Stuart Culverhouse  and his young son  Joe   Culverhouse , however, celebrated a family double with both members winning their respective age categories. Stuart, who led home a team of eleven, was the 1st NWRRC man home in 12th place overall in 20.54, and he won his VM50 cat, whilst Joe finished 28th, and won his JM11 cat in 22.34. Sandwiched in-between was  Steve Roberts , who braved a running vest but finished 2nd in his VM55 cat in 22.10, with  Martin Green  jogging around the 5k course in

*Welsh Master David Gibson is pictured (*above left) , after the race with his daughter Stephanie, who was the first F40 and fourth overall female. New Welsh Masters PB and record for David Gibson at Swansea half-marathon Two weeks after setting a Welsh M70 Half Marathon record in the Wales Masters v England HM match in Manchester, Welsh Master David Gibson , aged 72, of Tri Hard Harriers ran the Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday with a new PB of 87 minutes and 11 seconds, and setting a new Welsh M70 Half Marathon record (subject to official confirmation).  In addition, it is likely that this is the fastest UK M70 Half Marathon time this year-to-date.   At this event last year, David nearly collapsed at the finish owing to the after effects of Covid, so this year’s result is particularly pleasing.   *Two talented Welsh Masters and record holders (*above left), David Gibson, and (*above right), Dave Gardner from NWRRC, who set a new shot put record. Dave Gardener also set a new PB and We

*Gwen Charlton pictured above - after completing her gruelling trail marathon. Gwen Charlton completed the tough NW Pilgrims Trail Marathon in style...and news of Helen's charity runs. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Gwen Charlton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Road Runner Gwen Charlton took to the trails last Saturday to compete in one of the toughest, but scenic, races in the country, the North Wales Pilgrims Trail Marathon, and yet despite this extreme challenge, she ran extremely well and afterwards said, she was very pleased with her determined efforts. Gwen eventually completed her trek in a highly credible time of 7 hours 50 minutes and 58 seconds to finish in 158th place overall, and she was the 71st female athlete.  She later confirmed: “This must be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Absolutely stunning route along the top coast of Llyn Peninsula with lots of steps, fields, cows, sheep, wonky paths, rocks, gates, beaches,

*Harry Driscoll (*above), finished well  in 3rd place at Conwy. Five age cat wins for the Road Runners at a blustery Conwy parkrun...plus other parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Eighteen North Wales Road Runners took part in the Conwy parkrun last Saturday amidst a good mix of club and social entrants, and recorded five age category wins on a bright, sunny, but cool and blustery morning. Martin Green  continued his superb form, and he was the outstanding and runaway first parkrun finisher with a fast time of just 18 minutes and eight seconds, to win his VM45 age cat.  Harry Driscoll  was also on fire again, and he claimed 3rd place, and won his SM20 cat in 19.38, whilst  Carla Green  made it a hat-trick of early placing age cat victories, finishing 9th, and the 2nd female athlete in 20.35, to additionally win her VW50 age cat. Adam Lemalle  was 16th in 21.26, and 2nd in his VM40 cat, with  James Singleton  31st, and

*North Wales Road Running members are pictured (*above), just before the start of the 5k NW championship race at Llanrug in midweek. *Photo  courtesy  of John  Hatton. Eleven 5k NW championship medals for the Road Runners at Llanrug in midweek. Report by Don Hale. Photos from Llanrug courtesy  of Lesley Goodson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC) celebrated an exciting midweek 5k race at Llanrug last Wednesday night with eleven podium places in the NW championships, and collected four gold medals, four silver, and three bronze, with some fast times recorded! A high-quality field of top club runners pushed the pace throughout and the event winner was  Tom Roberts (Meirionnydd RC), who set a new 5k championship record in just 15 minutes and 25 seconds. In 2nd place was  Dion Griffiths  (Cardiff AC), in 15.42, with  Connor Rogers  (Wrexham AAC) in hot pursuit in 3rd, and he was only 3-seconds adrift in 15.45. * Martin Green (N