Some Happy Faces at the Manchester half-marathon.

By Don Hale


*Pictured above left - Josie Davies with Mandy Owen in Manchester.

Some Happy Faces at the Manchester half-marathon.

Report by Don Hale.

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025

North Wales runners Josie Davies and Mandy Owen took part in the Manchester half-marathon on Sunday. 

For Josie in particular, it was an emotional event after losing her husband Gethin earlier this year, and this challenge was part of her prolific fundraising plan for the Happy Faces Cancer Charity,

Josie confirmed: “The biggest thank you to Mandy and Charlie Owen for today, 1 for taking us, and 2 for Charlie “Daddy Day Care” services for looking after the boys for me to take part in the race. 


“Quite a stressful time getting ready to run, and the organisation was far from the best race I’ve taken part in, and the finish wasn’t much better, but the actual run I really enjoyed.


“It was my first half-marathon since the Cardiff Half last October, and I did pretty much the same time, in fact better I think, so was really chuffed with that. My late husband Gef was definitely there with me as on my music ‘you’re never walk alone played,’ so he was definitely there pushing me on just like he always was.”


And Mandy added: “Manchester half done and dusted. I quite enjoyed the route and ran the first 11 miles quite easy, then walked/ran the remaining 2.1 miles. So glad you did it Josie, and yes, Gef would definitely have been pushing you on.” 


*Read my previous blog about Josie amazing fundraising campaign for Happy Faces: Don Hale Blog: Josie's prolific fundraising runs for the Happy Fa... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025/10/josies-prolific-fundraising-for-happy.html?spref=tw

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

  1. AnonymousOctober 14, 2025 at 8:35 AM

    Well done to both these ladies, Josie I lost my younger brother to this horrible disease, we were very close. I really appreciate what yourself and Mandy have achieved so well done to you both, but also a big thank-you to Charlie Owen for looking after the children allowing the ladies to do there part, well done Charlie 🫡

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