Don Hale Blog

*Ifan Lloyd (Swansea Harriers) - above left - with David Warren (Cardigan AC, and (*below) Ifan, David, and Mike Whyatt (Eryri Harriers). Success for Welsh Masters at the BMAF championships at Bangor... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Ifan Lloyd reports on the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor The BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation) cross country championships was held at the Faenol Estate, Bangor on 21st March.  A glorious course of undulating grassland (with occasional surprise!) on a gloriously warm spring day. Competing in the Male Masters 65-69 age category I finished just in front of the in-form David Warren, Cardigan AC. West Wales first and second…and both finishing ahead of the winner of the women 35+yo race.  The field set off at a sharp pace to take advantage of the downhill sweep before hitting the first long hill on the first of the 4 laps of 1500m. The first three finishers immediately took the initiative to head the field....

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.

*Pictured above - a very proud Karen Butler with her cross-country medal. Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Road Runner Karen Butler (*pictured right) won a prestigious silver medal last Saturday at the British Masters cross-country championships at Bangor. After her race, the NWRRC veteran athlete confirmed: “BMAF XC champs today in Bangor. Silver in my age group. Brilliant sunshine and a great 6k course, which suited me as there were lots of long up hills. Chuffed with the result!”

*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson after completing the Pulford 10k Most terrifying 10k race ever for North Wales couple. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog A North Wales ultra-distance couple took part last Sunday in what they described as ‘the most terrifying 10k race they have ever run!’ NWRRC members Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the  Pulford 10k race  on Sunday, which now has a very challenging cut-off time of just 50-minutes!  Ben eventually finished in 375th place in 43 minutes and 19 seconds, whilst Sarah was under extreme pressure to beat the clock but successfully ran home in 48.53. Sarah later explained:  “ I came 443rd out of 462. It’s a rapid race, and there were 399 guys who finished and only 63 women!  I can officially say that was the most terrifying 10k race I have ever run, with a 50-minute time cut off.  "It always used to be for sub-45 runners and they have opened it wider.. we got places after ...

*GOG Triathlon athletes Simon and Vicky Cole Bright and beautiful for parkrunners at Rhos – plus NW round-up of results Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   It was another bright and beautiful Saturday morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun, which again attracted numerous first timers and visitors, with many recording some excellent finishing times along this picturesque promenade route. Armon Williams  was the first finisher overall with an outstanding performance and a new course PB in just 17 minutes and 15 seconds, with  Jeremy Pena  second in 1814, and JM15-17 athlete  Eban Jones  third with a new course PB in 18.28. The ladies results quite amazingly confirmed that nine out of the first ten finishers all recorded new course PBs, with international athlete and top coach  Rhian Roxburgh  (GOG Triathlon) leading her rivals home (in 8th place overall) with a new PB in 19.37, an...

Special Coast and Country book review coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 BUILDING THE IRON - ENGINEERING ADVENTURE REBUILDING SWANSEA WITH RUSTON BUCYRUS DIGGERS                                         BY AUTHOR GEOFF LEWIS ENGINEERING ADVENTURE REBUILDING SWANSEA WITH RUSTON BUCYRUS DIGGERS - By Geoff Lewis. Price £19.64 Per Copy Plus UK shipping in protective wallet £4.85. **Orders can be made online via the link on the website shown below: TEL: 029 20867364     MOB: 07944 692695. https://www.diggerynook.com Hello and Greetings from my long ago days of boyhood; days of yore when machinery mechanics roamed the land fixing diggers, bulldozers, tipper trucks and anything else wot' needed fixin'. I have a story to tell of a different way of life; born into the war torn town of Swansea in 1943 and one of the most exciting periods in our countries exis...

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*Rhos run director Dougie Graham at the front with some of the volunteers Fast runners dazzled in the sun at Llandrillo yn Rhos..plus some other NW parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   The bright sunny weather and a fast course attracted plenty of top club athletes to the Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun last Saturday with five out of the first six finishers all recording times of under 18 minutes! James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) was the first finisher overall with a new course PB of 16 minutes and 29 seconds, with visitor  Armon Williams  second in 17.17,  Gareth Griffith  third in 17.27, and veteran  Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) a narrow fourth in 17.36. It was a similar story for the ladies with  Beatrice Cordingley  (Sale Harriers) taking the first female spot with an excellent run, and a new course PB in 20.00 (18th overall), with visitor  Lizzie Slater  (South Che...