Updates on NW cross country league events

By Don Hale


Updates on NW cross country events and results...

Two North Wales Road Runners competed in the North Wales cross country league fixture at Llanerch, St Asaph recently, with veteran Karen Butler (*pictured right) finishing second in her FV65 age category and 81swt overall out of 145 entrants in 33 minutes and 45 seconds; whilst colleague Gwen Charlton was pleased to finish in 121st place in 39.38. *Full results on the NWCCL Facebook page.

*NWCCL: Fixture 2 Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay:  Bernie Jones, the secretary/referee of the North Wales cross country league had provided an update on their next event and confirmed: “We’re quickly onto the second fixture, which is at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay on Saturday 31st October 2026. 


"If any athletes who aren’t registered who want to run, please let me know at the latest by Wednesday 28th October and I will arrange for the numbers to be ready and put in your wallets.


“This second CC fixture at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay will also include a short FUN RUN for any under 8’s who want to run after the last of the morning races. No entry, just join in the fun. And Parents can do it as well.


“Also, if you are interested in representing North Wales in the Welsh Inter Regions in Newtown on 21st November, please let team managers John Messum, Emma MacArthur, or myself know asap. We will be selecting the teams in the next couple of weeks.”



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

John and Michelle’s emotional run at the Pisa ‘Leaning Tower’ race.

By Don Hale
Image
John and Michelle’s emotional run at the Pisa ‘Leaning Tower’ race. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   GOG Triathlon couple John and Michelle Farrell finally recovered from their recent injury problems to compete in the spectacular International Pisa half-marathon last weekend. Described by the organisers  as one of the few sport events that donates all the proceeds to charity, it's also one of the fastest half marathons in Italy, with a unique arrival including the Piazza dei Miracoli, where the famous leaning tower awaits runners at the end of the race. The popular and talented GB international athletes, who have both battled a spate of various injuries for much of this year, ran the course together and finished well in 1 hour 56 minutes and 50 seconds. On his return home John confirmed : “Who better to run the Pisa half Marathon with but my beautiful best friend and wife Michelle Farrell, after a year of recovering f...
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

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

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

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

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

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