Ben and Sarah on track at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k Race

By Don Hale


Ben and Sarah (*pictured above)  and on track at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k Race.

Report by Don Hale

coastandcountry.blog

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

 

Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson were on track for success at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k race last weekend, the day after also taking part in the Kingsway parkrun at Gloucester.


Following her run on Sunday, Sarah confirmed: “Fun weekend back in the Shire for my brothers 50th, and of course we had to sneak in some running…at the lovely Kingsway parkrun in Gloucester on Saturday, and then a cheeky little 10k with Relish the Great Outdoors on Sunday.


“We stuck to the 10k this time, but it’s a great route and there were lots of distances available. Ben was 34th overall and 8th in his age category in 43.52. I was the 12th lady out of 237, and 2nd in my age category in 49.29, so well chuffed. 


“We made our debuts at the Kingsway parkrun in Gloucester on Saturday, which was a great little course. Ben was 21st overall in 22.23 and was second in his VM45 age cat, and I was 41st and won my VW45 age cat in 25.19. Fun running all round!” 

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Scottish mountain rescue author – George Bruce. Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature

By Don Hale
Image
Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon (4).   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Scottish mountain rescue author – George Bruce. This book to be featured on BBC TV.   *This book is now available on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3CJ6uzu   Published by North Wales based firm :  www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk   Exclusive report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   My Love Affair with the Hills...: And 37-years of Mountain Rescue. *(*Above): Scottish mountain rescue member and author George Bruce. ABOUT THE AUTHOR - George Bruce:  George's book combined  with a unique television  interview about his exciting life and work is to be featured shortly on BBC TV, as George explains: I was interviewed by BBC recently for Simon Barnards programme Uncanny Interviews relating to my story of the Vanishing Cottage to be broadcast later this year so that should cause some interest in t...
Read more

COWFEST 2026 comes to North Wales in June 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Dave Munday from parkrun North Wales has provided details of a unique series of events including one that's available in North Wales in June! Cowfest 2026 We are delighted to announce the four locations for Cowfest 2026 on 20th June. What is a Cowfest?! It's an annual gathering for UK tourists.  Curious to learn more? Search this page for highlights and details from previous years!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739 Scotland - Crathes Castle South - Dinton Pastures Wales - Erddig North - Ushaw Historic House You will find each event listed in the events section, where we will be sharing the latest updates and information for every location. We look forward to seeing you at Cowfest on 20th June 2026. Dave Munday:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2193251831088739/user/1239379759
Read more

An exciting start and finish at Rhos parkrun plus a NW results round-up.

By Don Hale
Image
*The busy start at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday with some dramatic actions till to come on the dash to the finish. An exciting story and finish at Rhos parkrun plus a NW results round-up... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It proved to be yet another exciting and very close start and finish at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun - with the top three athletes all battling it out over the final kilometre - before Conor Davies and Michael Corrales, eventually held on to keep James Yarwood and his famous double twin buggy in third place! Connor had an outstanding 5k run in just 16 minutes and 53 seconds, with Michael second with a new course PB in 16.59, and James (Wrexham AAC) a close third in 17.00.  *The first female finisher was  Elin Jones  in 20.13 (18th overall) in 20.13, with JW11-14 athlete  Savannah Williams  a close second with a new course PB in 20.22, and visitor...
Read more

NWRRC athletes record top age gradings at Rhos parkrun - plus Kevin runs the first 10k at Stockport County.

By Don Hale
Image
NWRRC athletes record top age gradings at Rhos parkrun - plus Kevin runs the first 10k at Stockport County. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog     *Pictured above left - Steve Gardner, with Kay Hatton, and (*right) Kevin Higgins who ran in the first 10k at Stockport County. *Rhos:   two members from NWRRC recorded the highest age grades at last Saturday’s Rhos parkrun. Team GM and Welsh International track star  Steve Gardner  finished 5th overall and his time and performance in 18 minutes and 12 seconds earned him a 91.30% age grade in his VM60 age cat. Meanwhile fellow veteran  Kay Hatton  also had a great run and she was 70th overall in 23.41 and her VW60 age grade was 84.31%. *Stockport: NWRRC member Kevin Higgins ran at Stockport last Sunday:  He confirmed: “The first ever Stockport County 10k race this morning in very hot and humid conditions. My time was not the best 66 minutes and 20 seconds, but probably one of the best me...
Read more

North Wales quartet proud to run in the heat for Welsh Masters

By Don Hale
Image
North Wales quartet proud to run in the heat for Welsh Masters Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Four  very proud athletes from North Wales Road Runners competed as part of the Welsh Masters team in their match against England at the weekend during the Shrewsbury 5k Festival lap races. Jonathan Kettle, Steve Gardner Cheryl  Frost, and Will Williams  all spoke about their immense pride to have been selected to represent their country, and they each performed well despite the extremely hot and dry conditions. *Pictured right - Jonathan Kettle with Will Williams. In a very fast, packed, and high-quality encounter including 452 elite runners,  Jonathan   Kettle  finished in 89th place overall in just 17 minutes and 44 seconds, and he was 6th in his M50 age cat, whilst GB international veteran track and duathlon champion  Steve Gardner  was 135th in 18.50, and he was 6th in his M60 cat.  Will Williams ...
Read more

English for Daily Conversation in Japan: Author Paul Stroud's being book promoted by Coast and Country online magazine

By Don Hale
Image
Special Coast and Country online magazine feature. coastandcountry.blog English for Daily Conversation:  Paul Stroud's latest books on AMAZON: Special Amazon deals:  *This is a link to all Paul Stroud's books on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/462ly6g donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Paul Stroud is an English teacher in Japan and he has written numerous very interesting books about his life and work in Tokyo...and his passion for Japanese football... English for Daily Conversation: 50 topics and over 700 questions for conversation practice in the EFL classroom. About the author: Paul Stroud: My name is Paul Stroud, the author of the recently released EFL conversation text 'English for Daily Conversation', and the preceeding 'English Forum' series of materials for oral communication practice.  Additionally, I authored a couple of books on my experiences living and teaching for the past 20 years in the land of the rising sun titled 'Living in Japan: The Good, Bad, and ...
Read more

John’s water carriers came to the rescue at Rhos parkrun

By Don Hale
Image
*A seahorse was on the  run at the  Llandrillo  yn Rhos parkrun. John’s water carriers came to the rescue at Rhos parkrun Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   There were scorching temperatures around the region last Saturday morning for all the North Wales parkruns, with some events and volunteers introducing water cups at the finish areas, together with some water pistols and water sprays en route to help keep everyone cool. At Llandrillo yn Rhos,  experienced volunteer and sports coach  John Hatton  - pictured right - came to the rescue and provided some large water carriers for all their runners after they completed their 5k promenade journey.  John confirmed:  “I decided to take lots of the water to Rhos, together with about 400 paper cups that I still had from the Deganwy Dash. They proved to be most welcome, and all the cups were used.”  And despite the soaring temperatures, one hardy entrant,  Ve...
Read more

THE MAGNIFICENT JAPANESE J-LEAGUE - Paul Stroud's exciting new book about Japanese football.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - author Paul R Stroud with his wife Marie at a Japanese match. Special NW Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to another new author feature in conjunction with Amazon. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Paul R Stroud.    MAGNIFICENT J-LEAGUE: From the tribal warfare of England’s terraces to the respectful exuberance of the beautiful game in Japan. An English fan’s ... what sets the J-League apart from the rest. Paperback – 24 June 2025. J リーグ    サッカ グサッカ *This is an Amazon link to Paul Stroud’s new paperback book - MAGNIFICENT J-LEAGUE:   https://amzn.to/428zEBI *This the Amazon link to  Paul Stroud's new ebook link to the MAGNIFIECEN J-LEAGUE :   https://amzn.to/45OvfH2 *This is the link to Paul Stroud's other books on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3HWPSab   The author of Magnificent J-League, Paul Stroud, provides us with a fascinating insight into what it has been like fol...
Read more

Conwy parkrun under threat due to new proposals - SAVE CONWY PARKRUN GROUP FORMED.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - some of the new SAVE CONWY PARKUN group after their meeting last Saturday morning at the RSPB site at Conwy. *Blogstory about the SAVE CONWY PARKRUN campaign on the NWNW back page. Conwy parkrun under threat due to new proposals  Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The future of Conwy parkrun is currently under threat after Welsh Parkrun officials have decided to impose new changes to this picturesque 5k course, which include plans for a different start area on Conwy Cob, with alternative car parking arrangements. This parkrun has been out of action for about twelve weeks due to construction work on part of the course for a multi-million-pound cycle track, but just as runners were preparing to re-start their activities, they have now been hit a series of interventions, restrictions, and demands on the event organisers by parkrun officials who have continued the suspension of this popular event. Just a few years ago however, this event was vo...
Read more

Christmas cracker at the NWRRC handicap race...plus other race results.

By Don Hale
Image
*North Wales Road Runners are pictured (*above) just before the start of the festive handicap race on the promenade at Rhos on Sea. Christmas cracker at the NWRRC handicap race. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Twenty-four members of NWRRC took part in the annual Christmas club handicap race, which this year was staged from the Rhos on Sea clock tower to the renovated far end of the promenade and back over a 4.5-mile course. Well organised with times recorded and verified by  Carla Green  and  Elizabeth Driscoll , with support from other members, the handicap rules this time included each runner having to hand in their watches and mobile phones, and the need to predict their finishing times, so that no one knew their exact pace, or whether their estimated times were likely to be accurate, until they actually reached the finish line. The top three female winners , who were the closest to their times included the winner –  Kay Hatto...
Read more