Welsh Masters Athletics Photo special from the Inter-area indoor champs by Roger Garland.

By Don Hale

Welsh Master and photographer Roger Garland captures some of the action from the recent Inter-Area Indoor championships at Lee Valley...

 
 


  

 
 
 





 






 


 

 

 















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.

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Local athletes shine at the Bangor 10k and half-marathon races.

By Don Hale
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*Pictured above left Steve Bozier, with Gwen Charlton, and Kevin Slattery at the Bangor races last Sunday. Local athletes shine at the Bangor 10k and half-marathon races... Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   A large field of 633 club and social athletes took part in the Bangor 10k and half-marathon races on Sunday, well organised by RunWales, with many top locals claiming prestigious podium places. In the 10k event,  Martin Sunderland  (Bangor University) was the first finisher in 34.15, and he was followed by  James Coleman (Meirionnydd RC) in 35.58, and  Tomos Jones   (Rhedwyr Hebog) in 36.26. The first female was visitor  Katie Harries  in 41.14, and Bangor University’s  Poppy Jones  was the runner-up in 41.25, with  Margot Sayer  (Eryri Harriers) third in 43.50. North Wales Road Runner Steve Bozier   (*pictured right) won his VM45 age cat in 17th place out of 230 finishers in...
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North Wales parkrunners celebrated 22 years of UK events

By Don Hale
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*Dave Munday from North Wales parkrunners with fancy dress friends at Prestatyn to celebrate the anniversary of the first event in the UK. North Wales parkrunners celebrated 22 years of UK events Report by Don Hale. Rhos on Sea photographs by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog *Pictured above - the start of the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun, and (*below) Rhos officials in their commemorative tu-tu's and next is the line of young volunteers. Participants at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun maintained their top North Wales attendance spot once again last Saturday morning with many entrants wearing tu-tu’s or fancy dress costumes to help commemorate 22-years of UK parkruns. The picturesque 5k flat course along the promenade continues to attract numerous top runners determined to improve their personal best times over this short distance, and this week was no exception with visitor  Matthew Hammond  (Kimberley & District) claiming the first pla...
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Bright and breezy at the popular RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom.

By Don Hale
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*Members of the  Llandudno RNLI team pushed their inflatable craft around  the 5k course last Sunday and cheered on by hundreds of  spectators, Bright and breezy at the popular RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom... Report by Don Hale.  Most RNLI photos courtesy of Caitlin Faye photography. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   *Pictured above - the NWRRC team at the start of the RNLI 5k race. It was very bright and very breezy on Sunday morning for the popular Llandudno RNLI 5k race on Llandudno promenade, as some 355 mixed ability athletes and walkers, helped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for such a worthy cause. Well organised by  John Hatton  and  Catherine Tudor Jones  from the RNLI, this event was also well supported by many sponsors, and even the weather provided a welcome boost after the previous day’s heavy downpours, and later many participants praised the attendance of so many essential volunteers and marshals. And...
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Spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom for the RNLI.

By Don Hale
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*Pictured above and below - the fast start of the spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom at Llandudno for the RNLI. Spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom for the RNLI. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Caitlin Faye and others. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 It was a spectacular morning on Llandudno promenade last Sunday as bright warm sunshine greeted over 300 athletes and their supporters to an amazing 5k fundraising race for the town’s essential RNLI group Well organised by race director  John Hatton  and backed by a large and enthusiastic team of hard-working volunteers and marshals, this event attracted a wealth of elite, club and social runners, who recorded some very fast times in near perfect conditions; and this event also included some very popular junior races for children and their parents. John later confirmed:  “I have been working with  Catherine Tudor-Jones , who is the Community Manager. She was so thrilled the event went so well. Originally, th...
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Join the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices! October 17th 2026.

By Don Hale
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Join the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices! donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog 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 17th 2026, 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 penny goes towards supporting the vital work of Hope House and Tŷ Gobaith. Important ...
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Tom Owen and Son is a highly successful and long-established funeral business with amazing links to the Enigma Code and the stars of Coronation Street.

By Don Hale
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*Tristan Owen and his wife Kelly (*above) on the prom in Llandudno. Tom Owen and Son is a highly successful and long-established funeral business with amazing links to the Enigma Code and the stars of Coronation Street. Special Community Feature Story by Don Hale.   The firm is one of the oldest independent funeral directors in both Llandudno and the surrounding areas, and is the only company recognised by the Good Funeral Guide in the whole of North Wales. The company has continued to set the pace for decades with their high standards, and numerous innovations throughout this period. The business is now run by Tristan Owen, a fourth-generation family member, and his wife Kelly, who took over the helm at this highly successful enterprise over two-years ago. They remain determined to continue the legacy of its founder, who helped to shape the way the company has evolved over the past 90-plus years and  have become the energetic new faces of this respected long-established busin...
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Start of the Urban Night Races in Llandudno.

By Don Hale
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Start of Urban Night Races in Llandudno...   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Event organiser  Gwen Charlton  confirmed the start of the popular local night race series next week and said: “ The first of our Urban Night Races kicks off on Thursday 8th October, and we’re starting on our home ground in Llandudno!   "Hope to see lots of you there! It’s cheap to enter, with options to run solo, as a team or alongside a junior."  * Enter here:   https://pre-entries.co.uk/.../r/Cid3vRzXQzu3zml8waXgqQ
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Stiff competition as youngsters battled the buggy! North Wales Parkrun Results:

By Don Hale
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*Conwy parkrunners are pictured on the Cob with the Castle in the background North Wales Parkrun Results: Stiff competition as youngsters battled the buggy! Report by Don Hale. Conwy photographs by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   There was a keen battle for top placings at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning with James Yarwood and his twin buggy facing stiff competition from youngsters Finley Potter and Eben Jones. James  (Wrexham AAC) - pictured right - eventually claimed the top spot in 17.02, but he was pressed all the way around this picturesque 5k course by JM11-14 athlete  Finlay  in 17.21, and JM15-17 youngster  Eben  (Warriors Pentathlon & AC) in 18.11. And quite amazingly, the first ten finishers all dipped under 19 minutes! The first female finisher was  Samia Jones  (Menai T&F) on her debut (11th overall) in 19.24, and she was followed by  Elise 0’Neale with a new ...
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Welsh Masters Indoor Championship results from Cardiff - and news about Newport Harriers athletes.

By Don Hale
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The Welsh Masters Indoor Championship results from last weekend's events at Cardiff...and some additional news from Newport Harriers athletes in action. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Rod Davies from Welsh Masters Athletics has kindly compiled a list of the times and age category winners from last weekend’s – Welsh Masters Indoor Championships at Cardiff on 24/25/26th  January 2026. *The 400 & 1500m events were held on Jan 25th.  *Also details of individual results from Newport Harriers members: Newport Harriers Athletic Club   is with  Welsh Masters   and  Cardiff Met Athletics . Well done to our amazing Master athletes who competed this weekend - they all did fab  BMAF Indoor Pentathlon, 3k champs and open, at Cardiff on 24th January 2026. W70 Nicky B Pentathlon W55 Lou K 5th Pentathlon M60 Paul Y 6th Pentathlon and  400m W55 Juliet S 60m 200m400m M50 Jim M 200m400m LJ M40 Samson C...
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