Don Hale Blog

 *Pictured above - many members of the NWRRC team at the Caernarfon half marathon last Sunday. Wet and windy at Caernarfon for the half marathon championships... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There was a good entry of more than six hundred elite, club and social runners at the Caernarfon half marathon last Sunday, which was staged in unusually wet and windy weather but saw the top male and female athletes retain their titles. This event was also part of the  North Wales Regional Half-Marathon Championships , and it also attracted many top athletes from all around the UK, and it was well organised by RunWales. Tomos Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) was the overall winner in 1 hour 11 minutes and 26 seconds, with  Chris Pownall (Cybi Striders) second in 1.15.42, and  Steffan Sayer  (Menai T&F), third in 1.15.45. *The first female finisher was  Emma Alofs  (Cybi Striders) in 1.27.49, and  Eleanor Ashcroft  (Denbigh H...

  *Pictured above - friendly volunteers at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun (l-r): Cheryl Frost, John Hatton and Carla Green Tail end visitors boosted the numbers at North Wales parkruns...plus other results... Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   At the tail end of the holiday season, and with the weather still reasonable, most North Wales parkruns still recorded bumper attendances boosted by a host of visiting athletes. At the  Newborough Forest parkrun , seven out of the first ten finishers were all visitors from varied parts of the country, and they also recorded some excellent times.  The same applied to nearby  Nant y Pandy , with six out of the first ten finishers making their course debuts, and many other events also reported increased number from travelling runners. It was good to note that a promising young athlete in  Josh Mottram  (Colwyn Bay AC), celebrated his 100th parkrun last Saturday at  Conwy  by finishing 3rd overa...

Quest for the Hallowed Key: A compelling story of adventure, danger and magic by Krissy Millington.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 A compelling story of adventure, danger and magic - promoted by Coast and Country magazine...This is a link to the AMAZON PROMOTION :   https://amzn.to/41zUYjy About the book:   The lives of two young brothers who have little in common are changed forever when they visit their aunt and uncle on a remote Yorkshire farm. Their quest is to find a precious Hallowed Key and keep the world safe. With the help of an enchanted Lamb, mighty Dragon, fearless Wolf, and aristocratic Ram, they courageously battle the dark forces of the evil Mawkrons and, in so doing, forge an unbreakable bond. Settle down for a page-turning, exciting tale of adventure and magic. About the author:   Krissy is a retired secondary school teacher and Special Educational Needs Coordinator. She studied with the O.U. and at Exeter University to become a science teacher. Sti...

WINLLAN AVENUE, LLANDUDNO LL30 2YX. (£170,000):   Enfys Estates are delighted to bring to the market a spacious three-bedroom, two reception room mid terrace house, For Sale with No Onwards Chain.    https://enfysestates.co.uk/property/winllan-avenue-llandudno-ll30/1122305/   Situated on the West Shore of Llandudno, close to all local amenities and transport links that Llandudno has to offer and within walking distance of spectacular beaches, the famous Victorian pier and easy access to the wonderful Great Orme. Being conveniently located, there really is something for everyone with this property.     In brief, the spacious accommodation comprises of- Entrance hallway, spacious lounge with bay window, dining room with storage cupboard with access to the combi boiler, fitted kitchen with space for a fridge/freezer and washing machine with plumbing, and access to the rear yard. To the first floor are two double bedrooms both with feature fireplaces and one si...

*The late Helena Tipping, pictured above at the World Veterans 10k championships held in Vancouver, Canada, in 1986. Stop the Cancellation of Running Events in Wrexham - and please sign the petition... Important introduction by Don Hale: 5/9/2025.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 *My thanks to my running colleague Martin Green who has alerted me to an extraordinary decision made by Wrexham County Council Borough Council, to try to cancel running events on Wrexham Industrial Estate,  and  in the Isycoed area, which will affect many events including the famous Helena Tipping 10k race , which helps to raise tens of thousands of pounds for worthwhile charities. Martin said:  “Would appreciate if any of my running friends could sign this petition, as some council official is trying to ruin a race that’s been going longer than me.”   And  Mike Edwards, a r etired chartered surveyor and local government officer, runner, cyclist and swimmer,  has just organised...

 *Pictured above - Gwennan Charlton and her family at the Penrhyn Castle event. Penrhyn Castle Dark Run Join the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices! donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Get ready for a magical evening at the stunning Penrhyn Castle as we light up the night for a truly special cause. The Dark Run is a family-friendly event in support of Hope House Children’s Hospices, offering a fun and unique 3K route (or 1.5K for little legs) through the beautiful castle grounds – all after dark!   October 18th 2025, 6pm Our warm up will begin at 6.10pm and at 6.30pm sharp we will start the run! Every participant will receive a bespoke glow-in-the-dark medal and a goody bag to remember the night. Dress up in your brightest, most glowing outfits (optional, but encouraged!) and help us bring light and hope to local families who need it most. We kindly ask each runner to raise as much as they can – every pe...

*Pictured. above - flashback to a previous Conwy Dark Run for charity. Conwy Dark Run 2025. Join the Conwy Dark Run – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices! donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Get ready for a magical evening at the Conwy Quay as we light up the night for a truly special cause. The Dark Run is a family-friendly event in support of Hope House Children’s Hospices, offering a fun and unique 4K route (or 2K for little legs) with the estuary backdrop – all after dark! October 25th 2025, 6pm.   https://www.hopehouse.org.uk/conwy-dark-run-2025 Our warm up will begin at 6.10pm and at 6.30pm sharp we will start the run! Every participant will receive a bespoke glow-in-the-dark medal and a goody bag to remember the night. Dress up in your brightest, most glowing outfits (optional, but encouraged!) and help us bring light and hope to local families who need it most. We kindly ask each runner to raise as much as they can – every pe...

  *Pictured above - Australian author Joy Bloomis. Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon (2).   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Australian author - Joy Bloumis:  The Storms You Walk Through: A Memoir of Roza Hamer.   *This book is now available on Amazon:  https://amzn.to/4lXUnzo *Promoted by Coast and Country magazine:  https://amzn.to/3I3KO3W   Exclusive report by Don Hale. Promoted by Coast and Country online magazine. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Occasionally, within my role as a journalist, author, and general nosey parker, I come across certain individuals who have a remarkable background and an amazing story to tell.  Octogenarian Joy Bloumis, from Victoria, in Australia, is one such person, who has just published an incredible new book about a mysterious and dramatic episode in her life that finally reveals the facts about an amazing young woman’s daring journey just b...