Black Cloak Runners' group enjoyed a birthday bash at the Amsterdam Marathon!

By Don Hale


 *Pictured above - Black Cloak Runners at the Amsterdam Marathon with Helen Hannam (*front row - far left - and birthday girl Nia Lister - third from left front row.

Black Cloak Runners' group enjoyed a birthday bash at the Amsterdam Marathon...

Report by Don Hale. 

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025

 

A large group of North Wales athletes together with family members and supporters travelled to Amsterdam last weekend to compete in their annual marathon.


The idea started almost a challenge, as sixteen members of Black Cloak Runners from Colwyn Bay suddenly had an idea to help celebrate member Nia Lister’s birthday, so they decided to do something completely different, and opt for an overseas marathon debut adventure.



*Birthday celebrations for Nia Lister (*above left) with Helen Hannam.

One of the birthday bash organisers Helen Hannam explained: “We wanted to help Nia run her first marathon on her birthday, so sixteen of us from Black Cloak Runners went to support her and also to run. The trip additionally included some partners and regulars, plus bar managers from the pub, who came along to support us. We are now talking about all doing the Berlin Marathon for next year!”


Nia was thrilled by the challenge and later said: “Thank you to everyone from Black Cloak Runners for coming to Amsterdam with me to celebrate my birthday and to get me round my first marathon. I had an amazing time, and I loved running with Helen Hannam, having a laugh and getting me to the end. 


“I can’t think of a better way to spend my birthday. I'm so lucky to have found such an amazing running group and making some amazing friends. Love you guys.”






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

Most recent posts

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

By Don Hale
Image
*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...
Read more

North Wales parkrunners celebrated 22 years of UK events

By Don Hale
Image
*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...
Read more

Bright and breezy at the popular RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom.

By Don Hale
Image
*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...
Read more

Join the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices! October 17th 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
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 ...
Read more

Spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom for the RNLI.

By Don Hale
Image
*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...
Read more

Start of the Urban Night Races in Llandudno.

By Don Hale
Image
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
Read more

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
Image
*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...
Read more

Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former midwife Sharon Buckley.

By Don Hale
Image
*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 ...
Read more

Five Miles From Home, a global rowing challenge including the Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club and Deganwy Rowers

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - The  Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club Rowers and (*below), the Deganwy Rowing Club team Five Miles From Home, a global rowing challenge A special report by Graham Jones featuring the exploits of The Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club Rowers and Deganwy Rowers in a global competition. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Held between 15:00 (BST) 2nd September and 15:00 (BST) 6th September, the  "5 Miles From Home"  rowing event is a global time-trial challenge where participants complete a five-mile distance in their local waters. It is a  unique global challenge connecting the rowing and paddling communities. The event is organized by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, with support from the Welsh Sea Rowing and Irish Sea Rowing Associations and as the name suggests, crews have to row exactly 5 miles (8,047 meters or 4.345 nautical miles). Ever-changing conditions experienced along the Conwy coast during the time period meant that cre...
Read more