Karl and Rachel Morris hit top gear at the Oulton Park Metric Marathon.

By Don Hale



*Great performances from Karl and Rachel Morris (*pictured above).

Karl and Rachel Morris hit top gear at the Oulton Park Metric Marathon...

Report by Don Hale.

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

coastandcountry.blog

 


North Wales couple Karl and Rachel Morris competed in the Oulton Park Metric Marathon last Sunday and they both recorded some excellent finishing times around this iconic motor racing circuit.


Karl, who represented NWRC, came 17th overall out of 58 finishers in a very good time of 2 hours 20 minutes and 18 seconds around six laps of the racetrack, and he was fourth in his M45 age category. 


And Rachel also hit top gear and celebrated in style following an amazing new PB, which smashed her previous metric marathon results, mainly due to her intense marathon training. Rachel finished second in her W45 age cat in 3.10.30, and she was the 13th female, in 52nd place overall.


After her race, Rachel confirmed: “The TCS London Marathon is only eleven weeks to go. I had 18 miles to do today, so I entered the Oulton Park Metric Marathon (16 miles) and did a mile either side, to take my longest run so far in the training block to 18 miles. 


"I also got a metric marathon PB by around 12 minutes. I couldn’t wait to let my coach know training is definitely paying off. It was good fun with lots of different distances races on at the same time.”

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

Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle - results round up.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun. Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A large turn-out of Bank Holiday visitors mixed with regular runners and walkers in the drizzle at most North Wales parkrun last Saturday morning. Some of these events also welcomed many participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group , plus representatives from several other notable cancer organisations for their regular monthly gatherings.  At Llandrillo yn Rhos , another bumper entry included many elite and club runners with seven out of the first ten finishers all debutants, and quite remarkably, the first eight all dipped under 18 minutes. James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy claimed another fast-dash result, and he was the first finisher overall once again despite the weather in ju...
Read more

Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletis.co.uk By the time you read this there will only be less than two weeks left to enter the British Masters Half Marathon Championships in Dumfries on the 20th  September. The course is on scenic undulating roads with little traffic. Promoted by a true running club the Dumfries Half Marathon charges a very realistic entry fee which is rare in this day and age.   The race limits its entry numbers which means the Championships are well catered for, however I advise entering now before the Half is declared full. Just follow these links:  https://www.eventsupnorth.co.uk/event/2076 And once entered register your entry on open track via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-hm/   As your Road Race Secretary, I want to support grass roots running clubs and I know Dum...
Read more

Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th Sept on Llandudno prom.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom and (*below) members of the RNLI team at Llandudno near their lifeboat station. Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th September on Llandudno prom. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog There are just a limited number of entries still available for the RNLI  5k charity race set for Llandudno Promenade starting at 11am on Sunday 20th September 2026. Race organiser  John Hatton  challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for this popular charity run, hosted by  Llandudno RNLI!  *Description:  A fast and flat course for both distances. The race starts and finishes on Llandudno Promenade, close to the Lifeboat Station. Entries are limited to 350 entries for the 5km and 100 entries for the 1km starting at 10.30am. *Race HQ:  RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat Station, Colwyn Road...
Read more

Last chance to enter BMAF T&F championships at Derby 11-13th September 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the Moorways Stadium at Derby. LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE BMAF T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog URGENT MESSAGE FROM KEVIN WHITE AT BMAF: Thank you to everyone who has entered the BMAF Track & Field champs which are taking place in Derby from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th Sept. For those of you who have been thinking about it but have not yet entered:  ENTRIES CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY - 30th AUGUST. BMAF Track & Field Championship ​  Summarise ​ Contact Details:  bmaf@opentrack.run Please contact the organiser, not OpenTrack, for all queries Start Lists  Enter Here 7 hours, 42 min to go   Competitors   (740) Competition Dates: 11 – 13 September 2026, Moorways, Derby This event will be held over 3 full days. It will include all the events that used to be incorporated in the timetable in the ‘older days’ together with an additional 3000m.  There will also be heats and finals in both th...
Read more

North Wales parkrun results round-up

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the start of the Rhos on Sea parkrun. North Wales parkrun results round-up Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat Finnie). donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was bright, sunny and very warm at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday, which was enjoyed by another bumper attendance of 516 runners and walkers, with many travelling from different parts of the UK and even abroad. Conor Davies  was the first finisher overall in 16 minutes and 45 seconds, with Welsh international track star  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) second with a new PB of 17.03,  and Iain Burgess  third, following another excellent PB in 17.17.  *The first female finisher was teenage debutant  Lexi Dundas  (26th overall) in 20.08, and  Alison Russell  (Spectrum Striders) was second on her debut in 21.28, but it was a close contest with  Ellie Evans  (Cybi Striders) third with a new course PB, and she was o...
Read more

North Wales schoolboy Charlie Sheen to run 75-miles along the prom for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity.

By Don Hale
Image
*Charlie Sheen (*above), pictured during  one of his first runs on the prom. North Wales schoolboy Charlie Sheen to run 75-miles along the prom for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Charity. Introduction by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Rhos-on-Sea mum Rebecca Sheen is immensely proud of her schoolboy son Charlie who has decided to run the equivalent of almost three London Marathons over a period of just four-weeks, to help raise essential funds for the Liverpool based Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where his sister has previously attended and received treatment.  Charlie’s parents, family and friends, are obviously very supportive of his efforts, and have created a special JustGiving charity appeal page to receive any donations and have confirmed the details on social media.  * And next Saturday, Charlie is hoping to be accompanied  on his run by world champion boxer Natasha Jonas.  Rebecca added: " We are finishing Charlie's run next Sunday, we...
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

North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Martin Green and Steve Gardner in the red vests for Wales against England in the Masters 3000m race at Deeside. And (*below) some other action shots. North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race... Report by Don Hale.  Photos and results supplied courtesy of Chris Hollingshead. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Two top North Wales track athletes collected prestigious medals whilst representing Wales v England at the Masters 3000m international meeting at the Deeside Stadium last Friday night. Talented veterans’ Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) and  Steve Gardner  (NWRRC) celebrated good performances, with Martin finishing second in his MV50 age cat in 9.49, whilst Steve won his MV60 cat in 10.10. After his race, Steve Gardner confirmed:  “ I came 6th overall and 1st V60 in 10 mins 10 seconds at the above meeting against England. Comprising MV50-54; 55-59; and 60 to 64-year  - old athletes in one ...
Read more

RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run - Sunday 20th September 2026 -last few places available.

By Don Hale
Image
  *Flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom. RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run 2026 Sunday 20th September 2026   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Race organiser John Hatton challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for charity runs, hosted by Llandudno RNLI! But if you want to run, you need to hurry and sig up asap as places are now limited to popular demand! And John also added: " Just working on a race for next year 5k RSPB.  I came up with the idea, when I was invited to a site visit by the Contractors, Jennings.   "I have spoken to Helen the manager and she is really keen, we can have cafe as race HQ plus of course the toilets, it will help put back what they have lost over the time with the new course at Conwy." 💙 Sign up today and be a lifesaver! https://rnli.niftyentries.com/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2026   *Just giving link if you want  to donate only https://www.justgiving.com/...
Read more

Records broken, but thankfully no bones, at the fast Tryfan Downhill Dash...

By Don Hale
Image
*Some of the award winners and competitors from the Tryfan Dash race. Records broken, but thankfully no bones, at the fast Tryfan Downhill Dash... Report and photo courtesy of race organiser Mike Blake (Eryri Harriers). donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Records were broken, but thankfully no bones, at the Tryfan Downhill Dash, which saw many experienced mountain and fell runners taking part! Dark Peak’s  Euan Patton , not content with having the cheek by taking 39 seconds off my 34-year record of 8 minutes in 2023, he went a massive step again, by taking a further 35 seconds off his own record finishing in an unbelievable 6.46. He finished ahead of three times winner  Michael Corrales ( The Goats) in 9.25 .  Insane, the word on the street is that his feet never actually touched the ground, and  Sam Gunning  took third place in 9.29.   The first lady was another re-known descender in Bethan Billing  ( Eryri Harriers), by...
Read more