Live running action from a previous Conwy parkrun by John Earlston.

By Don Hale

*Pictured and below - runners at the start of a previous Conwy parkrun with the start at the RSPB Nature Trail before the new track upgrades.

 https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com


 *John Earlston captures all the live action below from a previous Conwy parkrun.




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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Numbers boost at Conwy parkrun and at many other North Wales events.

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*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun on the Cob. Numbers boost at Conwy parkrun and at many other parkruns. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   The postponement due to varied reasons of four North Wales parkruns last weekend provided a boost to the numbers at Conwy parkrun, and a few other local events last Saturday morning, plus the improved weather conditions. Iain Burgess  was the outstanding first finisher at  Conwy  with a new course PB in 18.09, and  Robert Evans  (NWRRC) was next in 18.46, with  James Williams  (Lymm Runners) third in 19.04.  *Iain Burgess (*above left) was the first finisher at Conwy parkrun, with Gemma Moore, the first female finisher, and Elin  Jones, who finished third with a PB. *The ladies event was also a close fought contest with  Gemma Moore  (Eryri Harriers) eventually claiming the top spot (5th overa...
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Two gold medals for Steve Gardner in the North Wales track championships.

By Don Hale
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*Steve Gardner won two gold medals at the North Wales championships. Two gold medals for Steve Gardner in the North Wales track championships. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Team GB and Welsh International track star Steve Gardner won two prestigious gold medals in the North Wales Track & Field championships last weekend. The experienced and highly versatile veteran athlete, who has recently celebrated continued success in both steeplechase track events, and at top Sprint Duathlon races, was delighted to win his MV60age category in both the 800m and 1500m events. After his races Steve confirmed:   “I competed in the  North Wales Track and Field Outdoor Champs at Treborth  yesterday.  The meeting was for athletes of various ages, however, the younger athletes far outnumbered the Masters’ contingent. “I competed in the 800m consisting of mixed gender and age range finishing in 6th place overall in a time of 2.21.64. A ...
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Plenty of action from the midweek races

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*A quartet of NWRRC members are shown at the Rhostryfan 10k race (l-r): Adam Lemalle, Nia Lister, Helen Hannam and Carla Green. Plenty of action from the midweek races Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Several NW Road Runners competed in the Rhostryfan 10k race near Caernarfon last Wednesday evening, and some members also took part in the Foel Lus fell race at Penmaenmawr the previous evening. At the demanding Rhostryfan event  Adam Lemalle  finished well in 26th place out of 70 entrants in 46.46, and he was second in his M40 age cat, with  Carla Green  35th overall, and third in her F50 age cat in 48.59.  Nia Lister  was 66th in 1.01.07, with  Helen Hannam  just one place and five-seconds adrift after running the course together. The event was won by  Tom Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) in 33,22, with  Deio Llyn Roberts  (Hebog) second in 36.03, and  Andrew Douse  (Cybi Striders)...
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Bank Holiday bonanza at North Wales parkruns.

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*Pictured above  - the start of the Bank  Holiday parkrun at Rhos on Sea. Bank Holiday bonanza at North Wales parkruns Report by Don Hale. Photos at Rhos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   The Bank Holiday weekend brought in plenty of first timers and mixed ability entrants to the various North Wales parkruns, which were again blessed by mild and sunny weather. Llandrillo yn Rhos  was the top venue yet again with 511 people enjoying the unique atmosphere of this new and exciting promenade dash, where visitor  Robin Stacey  (York Acorn AC) was the first finisher overall in just 17 minutes and 6 seconds. Aidan Thomas  was the runner-up in 17.55, with JM15-17 athlete  George Ledshaw  celebrating an impressive performance with a new course PB of 18.00.  And it was interesting to see local athlete  Simon Cole  (GOG Triathlon) starting at the back of this large entry to eventually finish in 4th pl...
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Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former midwife Sharon Buckley.

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*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 ...
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Steve Gardner smashed the record at the NW steeplechase open race

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*Pictured above - Steve Gardner smashed another record at The North Wales Endurance  open meeting at Deeside last weekend. (Photo by Bill Scrivens). Steve Gardner smashed the record at the NW 1500m steeplechase open race... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   NWRRC veteran and team GB athlete Steve Gardner competed in the North Wales Endurance open race meeting at Deeside last Friday night and recorded a new personal best time of 5 minutes 22 seconds and smashed the record in the 1500m steeplechase race. Steve confirmed: “There were no medals awarded as this was just an open meeting. I ran with the girl's as the barrier height for them is the same height as V60 male at 76.2cm, the barrier height for men is higher, and I finished 2nd overall. “I  raced on Friday night and achieved a new PB, which just dipped under my previous best of 5.23.83, which currently stood as UK V60 All Time best performance.  “Whilst V60 steeplechase cham...
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BMAF Road Race report and calendar for 2026... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Special note from Walter Hill, the BMAF  Road race secretary. I note that a Road Report is on the agenda and for those who are not on our mass e-mailing list it is copied below.  I will be in Majorca on a training camp for cyclists at the time of the Council meeting and will be finishing off the team dinner . However, I still aim to sign in wi-fi dependant ,if I don't appear please accept my apologies.  On a personal note, Glen and I have continued to ensure a Masters Service is provided with the help of BMAF Services. I  must also record my thanks to VAC and the IOMVAC in helping me promote the BMAF 5K and the Marathon for 2026. Best wishes, Walter Hill. BMAF Road Race Sec. Update on Masters Road Race Championship Calendar 2026.. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Although the BMAF Executive has only two elected officers and an England Masters representative in post we are not a quorum, this con...
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By Don Hale
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Welsh Masters Athletics track and coaching session at Tonypandy. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk WMAL are going to stage their first Masters track session with coaching at Tonypandy track on 20th May. Meet at 10am for a warm-up. The spring group will be taken by Eric Oram, and the middle distance group by Brett Davis, then retire to a nearby café afterwards.  
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By Don Hale
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*Steve Gardner (*above left), with his dad Dave. Gold medals for father and son Dave and Steve Gardner at the Indoor Championships. Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Road Runner and super-vet Dave Gardner struck gold at the North Wales Indoor Championships at Coleg Cambria, Deeside, last Sunday by winning his M85 age category in the shot-put competition. Dave also improved on his previous PB and winning performance from last year when he competed in the M80 cat with a superb throw of 7.26m, which is also expected to be a national record. He later obtained a deserved podium place and collected a prestigious gold medal for his sterling efforts. Meanwhile, Dave’s son  Steve Gardner , also collected a gold medal in the Welsh Masters Indoor Championships at Cardiff on Sunday in his 800m track event with an excellent winning time of 2 minutes 20.89 seconds. *Gold medal winners Dave Gardner (*above left), with Steve Gardner.
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By Don Hale
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*The Welsh Masters Athletics relay team -  Ian Broadhurst, Andy Weetman, Michael David Smith and Brett Davis. *Andy Rushbrook and Peter Hawney after their shot put comp etition. Welsh Masters Athletics - Results and photos from the EMAA Inter-area indoor event Lee Valley... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Thanks to some members of Welsh Masters Athletics, I have included some photos and reports from last weekend's English Masters Athletic Association (EMAA) competition at the Lee Valley indoor stadium. This event included the Inter-area challenge championships. My thanks to Brett Davis and members of Newport Harriers for the contents. The results can be viewed on the following links.  https://www.thepowerof10.info/results/results.aspx?meetingid=673430 https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/emaa-inter-area-indoors/event/ Brett Davis, a top international competitor, and a director of Welsh Masters Athletics said: "The results are still provi...
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