Sarah and Emma tackled the hot North Downs 50k ultra race.

By Don Hale


*Pictured above - Emma Vadhesha and Sarah Ferguson Hudson.

Sarah and Emma tackled the hot North Downs 50k ultra race in style...

Report by Don Hale. 

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

 

Ultra-distance and endurance athlete Sarah Ferguson Hudson and her friend Emma Vadhesha competed in the North Downs 50k race last Saturday and despite the hot weather, they completed their gruelling challenge in style.

NWRRC member Sarah (*pictured right), later explained: “It was very hot and hilly. It eventually took us 7 hours and 50 minutes, but the scenery was stunning around the North Downs. Who knew it was so hilly down South? I ran with my lovely friend Emma, who got me into running in the first place.”


Sarah confirmed that she normally runs in her ultra races with her husband Ben, but he is still recovering from injury and explained: “Ben’s ankle is definitely on the mend, and we have booked into the Jubilee half-marathon in a couple of weeks, so he is hoping to improve on his time from the MK half. 


"This time though, it was just me and Emma at the North Downs event, and we stuck together all the way round, and we needed the chat to distract us.”




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

Your comments are welcomed

Most recent posts

Course problems continue for volunteers at Nant y Pandy parkrun on Anglesey

By Don Hale
Image
Course problems continue for volunteers at Nant y Pandy parkrun on Anglesey... Information and photos courtesy of Nant y Pandy officials. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog We're missing you at Nant y Pandy parkrun but unfortunately, what was supposed to be a 4 week closure to repair our zig-zag bridge, has become a more complex project and we don't know how long it will take before we can resume our event in Llangefni.   As you can see from the photos, it is possible to get out to the lake, but it is far from an accessible path, so if you're planning a 'not parkrun', please take care! We were directed to a notice in the car park this morning warning that the main path to the railway bridge (Richard's marshal point 3) will be closed Monday-Friday 7:30am until 5:30pm from 10th April until 20th June. Whether this is connected to the repairs we are waiting for we are unclear at the present time. Nant y Pandy parkrun and Nant Y Pandy 5k Your Way, M...
Read more

Runners battled the elements at the new Llandudno 10 miler and half marathon

By Don Hale
Image
*North Wales Road Runners at the start of the Llandudno 10 mile and half marathon. Over 1,000 runners beat the weather at the new 10 mile and half marathon races... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was wild, wet, and windy for over 1,000 hardy athletes on Sunday for the Victorian 10 mile and half marathon races which started with a loop along Llandudno promenade before heading out towards Colwyn Bay, and a reverse route home. The mass pack of runners had to negotiate a challenging course and a fierce and swirling headwind, with some heavy showers thrown in for good measure along their tough journey. And yet despite the brutal conditions it still failed to deter numerous elite entrants with M35  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) winning the half marathon race in a very good chip time of just 1 hour 16 minutes and 43 seconds. He was followed by M50  Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) in 1.18.57, and M35...
Read more

Bumper Easter attendances at North Wales parkruns.

By Don Hale
Image
    *Pictured above - The start of the Easter parkrun on Conwy Cob Bumper Easter attendances at North Wales parkruns. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   There was a bumper Easter Saturday holiday attendance of 623 mixed ability runners and walkers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun, and most of the other NW events also reported some similar and excellent numbers, and fast finishing times. At Rhos, the entrants were welcomed by a team of hard working volunteers dressed in Easter Bunny style outfit, and the first eighteen finishers quite amazingly all dipped under the 18-minute mark, with just a few seconds separating the first three runners, including debutant  Sam Ashton  the first man back in 17.12, with fellow debutant  Drew Darlington  second 17.16, and  Jeremy Pena  third with a new course PB in 17.58.  *Eleanor Ashcroft  was the first female finisher (33rd ove...
Read more

Plenty of visitors at blustery North Wales parkruns.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - some of the many volunteers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun who commemorated the WWF and nature theme. Plenty of visitors at blustery North Wales parkruns. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was cold and blustery for many hundreds of parkrunners across North Wales last Saturday morning, but many events still reported good attendances and fast times. At  Llandrillo yn Rhos,  where they commemorated WWF and a nature theme, they again celebrated with a generous number of 443 participants, including plenty of visitors from across the UK. The first finisher was debutant  Aidan Thomas,  who was the runaway leader, finishing in just 17 minutes and 22 seconds. The second placed athlete remained unknown, but  Jeremy Pena  took the second spot in 18.41.  *The first female was visitor  Emma Knowles  (9th overall) who enjoyed a great debut run in 19.10, with  ...
Read more

COWFEST 2026 comes to North Wales in June 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Dave Munday from parkrun North Wales has provided details of a unique series of events including one that's available in North Wales in June! Cowfest 2026 We are delighted to announce the four locations for Cowfest 2026 on 20th June. What is a Cowfest?! It's an annual gathering for UK tourists.  Curious to learn more? Search this page for highlights and details from previous years!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739 Scotland - Crathes Castle South - Dinton Pastures Wales - Erddig North - Ushaw Historic House You will find each event listed in the events section, where we will be sharing the latest updates and information for every location. We look forward to seeing you at Cowfest on 20th June 2026. Dave Munday:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739/user/1239379759
Read more

Easter Bonnet Competion on the promenade organised by Llandudno Lions Club - Saturday 4th April at 2pm.

By Don Hale
Image
Easter Bonnet Competion on the promenade organised by Llandudno Lions Club - Saturday 4th April at 2pm. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Llandudno Lions will be holding their Annual Easter Bonnet completion on the promenade in Llandudno on Saturday 4th April at 2pm. There is NO entry fee and anyone of any age can enter with various prizes including Easter Eggs available. This event will provide fun for all the family. *Full details are shown on the poster above.
Read more

Artist Elizabeth Haines confirms her Open Studio dates over the Easter holidays with some exciting new paintings and pastels.

By Don Hale
Image
*Headland Moon (*above) by Elizabeth Haines. Artist Elizabeth Haines confirms her Open Studio dates over the Easter holidays with some exciting new paintings and pastels. Special Coast and Country arts spotlight. coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com The much admired Pembrokeshire artist Elizabeth Haines will be staging an Open Studio event on Easter Saturday, Sunday, and Monday with a showing of many of her exciting new works created during the snow towards the end of last year. *Pictured above left - Shrubs in Snow, and High Moon. Elizabeth explained:  “Many of my paintings are based on the Preselis, where I’ve lived for 50 years. They may evolve from studies of a particular place - my sketchbooks are full of drawings of the landscape both at home and abroad, as well as anything else which seizes my attention. I draw all the time. “My picture subjects evolve from things which I have seen and contemplated: often I start again on top of a discarded image, some of which may ...
Read more

Welcome to parkrun North Wales - an exciting new initiative from Dave Munday.

By Don Hale
Image
Welcome to parkrun North Wales Dave Munday launches an exciting new online site for NW parkrunners. Special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   This an exciting new initiative from the well-known, popular parkrunner and local  athlete Dave Munday, who is ready to provide a regular summary of all North Wales parkruns. He explained this week:  " This is the site I am using for the round-up of all 17 North Wales parkruns, stats on numbers attending etc.  "The parkruns are continuing to grow in North Wales, and this group is for regular local parkrunners and visitors to our wonderful events throughout the region.  "Weekly stats and information will be shared, but please use it to tell your own parkrun journey, achievements and milestones, and also to connect with other parkrunners." *For more details please check out this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739
Read more

TIME TO TAKE ON THE BEAST - the Beast of Bryn - charity races on 23rd August 2026

By Don Hale
Image
Beast of Bryn 2026 :  23 August 2026 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Beast of Bryn 2026 (Bwystfil Y Bryn): Info from Paul Bulmer. https://beastofbryn.fullonsport.com/event/beast-of-bryn-2026/profile We are delighted to be hosting the Beast of Bryn 2026 (Bwystfil Y Bryn) BRAG (Bryn Residents Action Group) established this race in 2011 and it quickly grew in size and reputation. Much of the history of the race can be found on the BRAG  website . The management of the race was outsourced for a few years, but since 2024 has been fully managed by  BRAG. The event is held under UK Athletics rules with the registration number TR-26-5. We have two distances to choose from – approximately 6.5 miles (10.5km) or 10.5 miles (17km) with total climbs of approximately 288 or 556 Meters. The 10.5-mile route can also be part of the  Welsh Athletics Masters Championship  for affiliated runners. The route passes through the mountains of Afan Forest Park, with stunning view...
Read more

Visitors set a hot pace on a cold, frosty morning at the Rhos parkrun – plus other results and reports from the region.

By Don Hale
Image
*Runners listen to the briefing at the start of the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun. Visitors set a hot pace on a cold, frosty morning at the Rhos parkrun – plus other results and reports from the region... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Pictured above and below - the mass start of the Rhos parkrun. It was another jam-packed and fun-filled occasion on Saturday morning at the new Llandrillo yn Rhos (Y Promenade) parkrun last Saturday following a record-breaking attendance on Christmas Day. Despite the freezing temperatures and a generous covering of heavy frost around the region, with the icy conditions causing the cancellation of rival events at  Conwy  and at  Nova , the Rhos parkrun, possibly aided by a light layer of sand at key points, was given the green light, much to the delight of 576 eager entrants. And many runners later expressed their gratitude to the run director  Dougie Graham  and his RD colleagues,...
Read more