donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

North Wales ‘Cowfest’ event at Erddig proved a major success. Report by Don Hale. Photos by David Airey and other. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   The popular North Wales version of Cowfest staged at Erddig Hall, near Wrexham, proved a huge success last Saturday and attracted over four-hundred parkrun entrants from across the UK. This particular run with similar Cowfest functions at Crathes Castle in Scotland, and at Dinton Pastures in England, was a multi-gathering for all keen UK parkrun tourists, alongside individual regional events. All three venues welcomed many hundreds of parkrunners in fancy dress and with particular emphasis on the cow theme, welcoming many ‘Cowell’ chasers and tourists. Dave Munday,  who organises the parkrun  North Wales Facebook site,  and helps to promote the tourism angle, and encourages many parkrunners to try different NW venues said: “I really enjoyed the Cowfest, and many of the dedicated parkrunners at this event, w...

Hundreds of runners set a hot pace along the prom at Rhos - plus  a results round-up from some other NW parkruns... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Numerous elite and club athletes set a hot pace on a very warm and breezy morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning, along with a generous mix of social runners and walkers, who enjoyed the picturesque 5k promenade route. Last week’s first placed finisher  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) returned to claim victory yet again complete with his twin buggy, and he just managed to outpace rival  Dominic-Dennis Marray-Woods , with James recording another good time of 17 minutes and 9 seconds, with Dominic just 9 seconds adrift, whilst  Rob Evans  (NWRRC) was third with a new course PB in 17.56. The first female was  Isabel Redfern  (Colwyn Bay AC) on her debut in 19.41, and young JW11-14 athlete  Lois Ev...

WANTED! Cat stories for new animal charity book *Can you write a story about your favourite cat? coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 The Cat Detective and Welsh author Aled Mawgan in association with Coast and Country online magazine and Ads2life Digital Services Ltd, are searching for any fact or fiction cat stories, to form part of a special Cat compilation short story book to be published this year on Amazon. There is a one-off submission cost of just £5.00, to cover the set-up process, with a donation to the RSPCA, and/or animal and cat charities, and in addition, any nett royalties earned from online Amazon sales will also be forwarded to these same charities. Your story up to 500 words, can be fact or fiction, funny, dramatic, or inspiring, and it will reach a global audience. Copies of the finished book will also be made available to the individual authors. A photograph or a line drawing can also be included, and entries can be forwarded from people of any age etc...

Conwy parkrun returns to its original World Ranking course on 26/6/26 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Message from Conwy Run Director Bethan Wyn Roberts Hi Conwy parkrunners, I am delighted to confirm that as of the 20th June 2026, the start of Conwy parkrun will revert to the RSPB. There will be some minor alterations to the way we start our event until all current building work at the site has been cleared away. The RSPB car park will be open and available to park runners from 08:15 am and will be closed no later than 08:40 am. After this time runners will need to utilise alternative parking at Tesco and Conwy Business Park. This is a new chapter for Conwy parkrun and I hope it will be treated as such. Now is the time to look forward with excitement and not to revisit old arguments. I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the core group of amazing Run Directors and volunteers who have tirelessly worked to keep Conwy parkrun on the map. You truly ar...

Do you want to run for the Welsh Masters track team at Yate? Urgent message from Rod Davies at WMAL. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog. On Sunday 28th June is our annual track and field championships at Yate. The next big fixture is the interarea, also at Yate on Sunday August 2nd.  Brett will start the men’s team selection on the 28th and would be grateful if anybody who would like to be considered for selection would email him at   Brett-davis1@sky.com .   He won’t actually be able to attend the interarea this summer so will be looking for a volunteer(s) to manage the men’s team on the day. The women’s team is at a much more advanced stage but anybody who would like to be considered for selection should contact Eleri Jones at   eleri9uk@yahoo.com . Any offers to help at the championships also gratefully received by Brett Davis, chair and men’s track and field manager. Hope to see plenty of you at the championships.  If  you are not s...

One thing leads to another:  From the couch to World Championship Silver medals A special and personal journey  report by Welsh Master veteran David Gibson donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Read about David Gibson's incredible journey from the couch to World championship medals  In 2014 at the age of 62, I thought that I was reasonably fit through sailing, swimming, cycling and walking. However, a desk job and driving over 30,000 miles a year meant my legs struggled with any running over half a mile.  With support from my son and daughter and with the 2012 London Olympics slogan ‘Inspire a Generation’ in mind, I embarked upon ‘Couch to 5k’ and did what so many do - a Parkrun in Hove, whilst they were there for the Brighton Marathon. There was no way I could realise then where this would lead. Like so many others, the 5k led to a 10k, which led to a half Marathon and then a full Marathon at Manchester in 2015. Despite the Manchester results being binn...

Top runner with twin buggy was first finisher at Rhos event. donhaleblog.blog.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was the first finisher at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning complete with his twin baby buggy in just 17 minutes and 26 seconds, but he was made to fight all the way by keen rival Iain Burgess in 17.42, with teenager Eben Jones third in 18.37. The bright and very breezy conditions failed to deter a large number of visiting athletes and walkers amongst the 435 finishers, with  Porth Eirias Runners  providing generous support and a take-over of many marshalling and volunteering positions. And Richard Peevor,  one of the Rhos parkrun officials also confirmed :  “Today has been a special day. A very special day. This was the first day that I ran the parkrun that I set up last year. I ran it with Barry Dickenson, one of our visually impaired runners. That was so fabulous and what this is all about!”  *The pa...

Porth Eirias Runners successful take-over at the Llandrillo Yn Rhos parkrun... Introduction by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blog.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It proved to be a spectacular take-over at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun on Saturday by Porth Eirias Runners (PER), with this rapidly expanding local club providing a host of supportive members to help volunteer and marshal at this popular weekly event. Despite a very gusty wind and some 435 runners to organise, plus some light-hearted banter and a challenge from a couple of boats from the Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club, it all went very well, and the event organisers posted their comments on Facebook.   PER Organiser Catrin Williams confirmed:  “Parkrun takeover. A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered, took part, or ran at parkrun this morning  Y Promenâd parkrun, Llandrillo-yn-Rhos “We had an amazing turnout of marshals, from first-time volunteers to experienced helpers, taking on a variety of roles. It was fan...

Ifan Lloyd recalls his latest age cat victory at the Swansea half-marathon and Masters International match *My thanks to Ifan once again for sharing his unique racing experiences.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Swansea half marathon and Masters international this morning. A record day for the half marathon which incorporated an International event for Masters (35yo+) between Wales, England, Northern Ireland and UK Armed Forces.    The England contingent was easily the largest squad, but Wales were also strongly represented at these increasingly popular events that take place throughout the year.  After a 13-month gap since my last half marathon, I felt a bit rusty but managed to hold off a strong finish by fellow West Walian Dave Warren to take first place in the men 65-69 age category. Finished in a time of 1h 20m 41sm which was 3 seconds slower than my Newport half marathon in April 2025.  Dave James finished just outside the medal...

Great results for Welsh Master Ifan Lloyd at the BMAF championships Welsh Master athlete Ifan Lloyd recalls a successful hot day on the track at the BMAF championships. *My thanks to Ifan for sharing his unique experiences.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   A day out at the BMAF (British Masters) 1 mile and 10km track championships yesterday (30th May) at Horspath Athletics Track near Oxford.  With temperatures creeping to the high 20’s it was always going to be a challenge to run the one-mile race mid-morning and the 10km just two hours later! Extremely pleased to wind gold and finish first in the men 65-69 age category in both races especially as these were my first outdoor track races since 2021! Finish time of 5mins 36sec in the 1 mile and 39min 52s in the 10km. It wasn’t a day for heroically fast times due to the short gap between the races, and the heat. Ran the 10km at a progressive pace having started steadily and gradually got faster!  ...

Urgent message from Brett Davis at WMAL. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Hi all  Firstly please find attached a couple of photos publicising the new gold medal for the championships to go on our media. Silvers and bronzes will still be the original format for now. Secondly Bernie’s road race selection has had Expressions of interest publicity on Instagram. We may be able to contact one of the WA contacts to see if we could have similar for the inter-area? Thanks  Brett Davis Director Welsh Masters Athletics Limited,