Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - The prolific South Yorkshire author Mac Mckechnie. Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Star-Bound, The Red Kite and Seasons of Faith.   Published by North Wales based firm:   www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk   *Mac Mckechnie is a prolific writer who has already published several fascinating books  including  his new science fiction book - STAR-BOUND, plus his  compilation  book SEASONS OF FAITH, and an interesting children's book - THE RED KITE, and says he many other  thrilling  sci-fi projects in the pipeline. Read Mac’s fascinating new book - Star-Bound - now available on Amazon via this link:   https://amzn.to/4eVKVZN   ABOUT THE AUTHOR : Mac Mckechnie. *Read Mac’s fascinating new book - Star-Bound - now available on Amazon via this link:   https://amzn.to/4eVKVZN Mac Mckechnie lives in Barns...

    An important win for Kinmel Bay in seven-goal thriller. Kinmel Bay FC (4) v Llandudno Junction FC (3) at Y Morfa 30th Nov 2024. Report and photos by Barrie Griffiths. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   An important win for KBFC in this very closely fought league match placing KBFC 7th and Junction 5th with the postponed Mochdre (2nd in league) game to be played.  Looking back to previous Junction matches in Jan the Bay win was 5-3; in March Bay lost 3-2, in April Bay won1-0 so these are closely fought and intense matches well played by good teams and this being no exception with 7 goals netted in total. The photos are in match sequence and most goals are included. Some injury time added time to the match; Connor Morris opened the score for KBFC with the first of his 3 goals when assisted by Sean Sheridan in the 29th minute for Junction to soon equalise then take the lead when Jack Nettleton assisted by Tomos Rhys-Williams scored on the 33rd mi...

*(*Above) - Flashback to a previous Twin Piers 10k with members of NWRRC. Entries are now open for the popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race...18th January 2025. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race will be held on Saturday 18th January 2025, with a 1pm start from Llandudno Pier, and will follow an undulating route via Penrhyn Bay, and Rhos on Sea prior to finishing close to Colwyn Bay Pier. Entries are now open online, and the  Race Headquarters will be at Studio 2, Leisure Centre, Eirias Park, and opens at 11am.   Transport to the start in Llandudno will be at 12.15pm prompt from Race HQ for a 1pm start from Llandudno Pier Medals will be awarded to all finishers , and the closing date for entries is 11th January, with no entries accepted on the day.  Many prizes will be awarded for various age categories, together with some team and individual trophies. A 3k fun-run will also ta...

*NWRRC members are pictured above with their trophies. (*Photo John Hatton). Glittering annual trophy afternoon for North Wales Road Runners... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   It was a glittering afternoon of trophies and celebrations for members of North Wales Road Runners at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club last Sunday following the club’s annual festive handicap race at Rhos on Sea. Kay Hatton  was this year’s MC, ably assisted by her colleague  Cheryl Frost,  with all the prizes awarded following an excellent carvery lunch.  One of the very first awards went to Mike Hayton and Kay Hatton , who were the winners of the earlier Christmas handicap  race at Rhos on Sea. *Club veterans Mike Hayton and Kay Hatton (*above), were the Christmas handicap race winners from earlier in the day The first male awards  went to the individual group winners and included: Group C –  Rob Fryer , and runner-up  Daniel Hennell .  Steve Mason ...

*North Wales Road Runners are pictured (*above) just before the start of the festive handicap race on the promenade at Rhos on Sea. Christmas cracker at the NWRRC handicap race. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Twenty-four members of NWRRC took part in the annual Christmas club handicap race, which this year was staged from the Rhos on Sea clock tower to the renovated far end of the promenade and back over a 4.5-mile course. Well organised with times recorded and verified by  Carla Green  and  Elizabeth Driscoll , with support from other members, the handicap rules this time included each runner having to hand in their watches and mobile phones, and the need to predict their finishing times, so that no one knew their exact pace, or whether their estimated times were likely to be accurate, until they actually reached the finish line. The top three female winners , who were the closest to their times included the winner –  Kay Hatto...

*Pictured above - birthday boy Kevin Slattery celebrated his 70th birthday at Conwy parkrun with a superb run, and he won his new VM70 age cat. Six age cat wins for the Road Runners at a mild Conwy parkrun...and special celebrations for Kevin Slattery. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   North Wales Road Runners turned out nineteen members this week on a very mild morning, but on puddle-filled course from the RSPB Nature Reserve, which again attracted a generous attendance of nearly three-hundred mixed ability and social runners. Steve Mason  led the NWRRC team home in 5th place overall as they claimed six age cat victories, including his own VM50 age cat win in 18 minutes and 56 seconds.  Birthday boy  Kevin Slattery , the club chairman, celebrated his both his 70th birthday, and winning his respective, and new VM70 age cat, after finishing 12th overall in 21.43, and this week he was joined in the parkrun by his son...

The British Masters International Cross-Country races in Belfast. Report by Ifan Lloyd. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The British Masters cross country international is my most cherished cross-country event of the year. Always an honour to represent my country and wear the red of Wales.  And a very special day it was in Belfast last Saturday to take first place and gold in the men 65-69 age category. It’s taken 25 years since my first race in this event back in 1999 to win an individual gold medal.  I had always aspired but never quite achieved. It was also special to compete against such great athletes in my race. It doesn’t get easier as you progress up the age categories!          *Pictured above and right, Welsh Master Ifan Lloyd with his medal and shown tackling a large hill at the Belfast cross country races. A special shout out to my team-mates from Wales: Gordon Jones, Dave Watson, and  John Foster...