Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former midwife Sharon Buckley.

By Don Hale


*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 Sunday morning to proudly see Sharon cross the finish line, close to Conwy Castle, on a cool, damp, and blustery morning, to welcome her back, after she recorded a superb time on her half-marathon debut, and to see her collect her finisher's medal.


*Sharon was thrilled after collecting her half-marathon finisher's medal on Conwy Quay.

Prestigious and historic award for services to the community.

John also highlighted another historic and prestigious award given to Sharon from Conwy Town Council, for her dedicated service which stated: ‘In 2015, Conwy Town Council initiated the Honorary Bailie title upon community members who have demonstrated exceptional service to their local community, in accordance with Edward I's 1284 Charter for Conwy.
‘Today, we proudly announce the investiture of Mrs Sharon Buckley with this esteemed recognition. Mrs Buckley, a dedicated healthcare professional, has devoted 39 years to serving as a Community Midwife and nurse. 
‘Her unwavering commitment and dedication have touched countless lives. Sharon's exceptional contributions extend beyond her career, encompassing charity events, support for hospices, and fostering unity within the community. She stands as a beacon of inspiration, embodying the essence of service.’

NOTE: Read about the NWRRC members in the Conwy half-marathon;

Don Hale Blog: Six podium places for the Road Runners in the toug... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2024/11/six-podium-places-for-road-runners-in.html?spref=tw




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

INTER-AREA WELSH MASTERS ATHLETICS TEAMS FOR THE LATEST CHALLENGE AT YATE ON 2/8/26.

By Don Hale
Image
INTER-AREA WELSH MASTERS ATHLETICS TEAMS FOR THE LATEST CHALLENGE AT YATE ON 2/8/26. These are the male and female teams for the Inter Area Challenge at Yate on Sunday 2nd August 2026, as provided by Brett Davis, a director of WMAL. www.welshmastersathleteics.co.uk donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog. Message from Brett Davis: Hi everybody, He re is the final team list after a couple of late injuries,  plus an update on the vests situation. Joe/Adrian - I am giving the vests to Rhiannon who will get them to Louise at the fixture.  I will message you about any online payments that happen after now but would help if I have a phone number (or 2`) to link you in via Whatsapp. Full MEN's and WOMEN's vest details below the team: Brett Davis.
Read more

A fast start and finish by some quality visiting athletes at the Rhos parkrun - plus other North Wales parkrun results and reports.

By Don Hale
Image
*The start of last weekend's Rhos parkrun. A fast start and finish by some quality visiting athletes at the Rhos parkrun - plus other North Wales parkrun results and reports... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog  *Pictured above  - Members and supporters of the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer Group at the Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning.  Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. The Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun welcomed over 500 runners, walkers, and volunteers to their Saturday morning event last weekend, including many members from the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group, for their regular monthly gathering. It proved to be a very warm but blustery day and attracted numerous quality athletes and visitors from all parts of the UK and abroad.  Six out of the first ten finishers were all first-timers and it was a keen battle for top placings with visitor  Harry Hammon  (Bramhall Runners) just hanging o...
Read more

RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run - Sunday 20th September 2026 -last few places available.

By Don Hale
Image
  *Flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom. RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run 2026 Sunday 20th September 2026   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Race organiser John Hatton challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for charity runs, hosted by Llandudno RNLI! But if you want to run, you need to hurry and sig up asap as places are now limited to popular demand! And John also added: " Just working on a race for next year 5k RSPB.  I came up with the idea, when I was invited to a site visit by the Contractors, Jennings.   "I have spoken to Helen the manager and she is really keen, we can have cafe as race HQ plus of course the toilets, it will help put back what they have lost over the time with the new course at Conwy." 💙 Sign up today and be a lifesaver! https://rnli.niftyentries.com/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2026   *Just giving link if you want  to donate only https://www.justgiving.com/...
Read more

Urgent last minute course change for the windswept Holyhead 5-mile NW championship race

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the NWRRC team at Holyhead (*above l-r): Will Williams, Steve Roberts, Mike Hayton, Nia Lister, and Rob Fryer; and (*bottom row): Hannah Griffith, Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton. Urgent last minute course change for the windswept Holyhead 5-mile NW championship race Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   The course for the popular annual Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race had to be changed last weekend at the last minute due to a high tide and strong blustery winds that were constantly battering waves against the outer defensive walls. This event, which was also part of the  North Wales 5-mile championships , was therefore quickly amended to just 4-miles, which at least allowed the run to continue for medals, despite a shorter, but safer route for the 171 runners. Samuel Gunning  (Cybi Striders) was the overall winner in 20 minutes and 36 seconds, but it proved to be an exciting tussle for honours with his rivals  Cai Llew...
Read more

Blooming Great news for the Joshua Tree charity following a large donation from the organisers of the Deganwy Dash.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - John Hatton in the white shirt is shown holding  the  fundraising cheque for nearly £4k for the Joshua Tree, along with his colleague Carla Green (*far right) and (*far left) Lee Talbot from Brown & Brown, was available together with a charity official and other race sponsors. Blooming Great news for the Joshua Tree charity following a large donation from the organisers of the Deganwy Dash. *John Hatton and Carla Green with race sponsors and the Joshua Tree cheque. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Fundraising  was blossoming this week with some blooming great news for organisers of the Joshua Tree charity following the presentation of a large cheque for £3,955.37 from John Hatton the run director of the popular Deganwy 5 mile Dash. John and his club and event colleague Carla Green were on hand to present these funds to the deserving charity watched by race sponsors from Specsavers, Brown & Brown, MKM and Jennings Civil Engi...
Read more

Badger and Fox star in wildlife video

By Don Hale
Image
Badger and Fox star in wildlife video Report and video by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Video No 3: Badger and Fox star in NW wildlife video. The unusually warm spring weather and more recent hot summer days and nights, has encouraged a host of rural wildlife to seek a regular supply of food and water, as they try to keep cool and look after partners and new youngsters. A large and popular private garden close to the Vardy and open fields in North Wales has therefore proved a welcome port of call for a variety of foxes, badgers, squirrels, hedgehogs and other visiting animals. And this recent spell of record-breaking hot and humid conditions seems to have enhanced the demand for urgent supplies, with several twilight attendees enjoying a regular feast of choice. Many animals though have already been callers over several years, despite battling against winter blizzards, just to seek an essential crust or two, and the property owners have been able to ...
Read more

Enjoy a Fizzy Friday courtesy of Porth Eirias charity run, jog or walk on 4th Sept.

By Don Hale
Image
donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Enjoy a Fizzy Friday courtesy of Porth Eirias charity run, jog or walk.   The Fizzy Friday 5K is back! Friday 4th September | 6:30pm | Llandudno Run, jog, walk or sparkle your way around Llandudno Promenade in support of the Ruth vs Billy Fund, supporting people & families at war with bowel cancer. EVERYONE WELCOME! Fancy dress encouraged Fizz stops along the route After-party included Fun first. Finish times second. Book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../friday-fizzy-5k-fun-run...
Read more

Ben and Sarah competed in the 5 and a bit mile race

By Don Hale
Image
Ben and Sarah Hudson (*pictured above) competed in the 5 and a bit mile race Race warm up for marathon training. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   North Wales endurance athletes Ben and Sarah Hudson were back in action again last weekend at the Run Cheshire Huxley 5-miler - and a bit race – as part of a warm up for their forthcoming marathon training. Ben finished in 131st place in 36.07, whilst Sarah was 165th in 40.15.  After their run Sarah confirmed:  “A fab morning at the Huxley 5-miler, with a few extra miles thrown in for good measure. I tried  to channel my inner  Josh Kerr  but could not quite cling on for a sub-40-mins result but loved it all the same… in my defence I was going 5 times as far!” This is the link to the Coast and Country online magazine post: https://www.coastandcountry.blog/post/ben-and-sarah-tackled-the-5-mile-and-a-bit-race-at-huxle  
Read more

Runners were on track to Race the Highland Train at Caernarfon in midweek

By Don Hale
Image
*The North Wales Road Running  team at the Race the Train event in midweek, pictured left to right: Jonathan Kettle, Helen Hannam, Hannah Griffith, Nia Lister, and Daniel Hennell. Runners were on track to Race the Highland Train at Caernarfon in  midweek... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Nearly three-hundred club and mixed ability athletes took part in the popular annual Race the Highland Train 5k dash last Wednesday night at Caernarfon. Departing from the Highland railway station in town, 278 runners, then travelled by train to the next station along the line at Dinas, before returning on foot to take on the challenge of trying to beat the train back to its start, along a mainly downhill and very fast course. A trio of runners from  Meirionnydd RC  claimed the first three finishing places with some excellent times including  Owen Roberts, the first man home in just 14 minutes and 13 seconds, with  Gavin Stuart...
Read more

Personal and professional care provided by Tom Owen and Son, independent family-run funeral directors in Llandudno, Conwy and Colwyn Bay

By Don Hale
Image
Kelly and Tristan Owen with some of their team at Tom Owen and Son.  Personal and professional care provided by Tom Owen and Son, independent family-run funeral directors in Llandudno, Conwy and Colwyn Bay A special Coast and Country online promotional  feature. coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   *Funeral Directors  Tristan and Kelly Owen at Tom Owen and Son. It Takes a Team - by Tristan Owen - a director of Tom Owen and Son. A special local business feature.   As a small family funeral directors, people often expect to see Kelly or me when they come to Tom Owen and  Son. In many ways, that is exactly as it should be.  Families place a great deal of trust in us, and being personally involved in the care we provide is something we take very seriously.  But no small family business can run well without good people around it.   A funeral home may look calm from the outside, but behind every funeral there are many quiet acts of ...
Read more