donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*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 ...

*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...

*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...

*Pictured above - some of the many Dalzell Runners and supporters on the prom at Llandudno last Monday for their memorial 5k run. And (*below) some action shots of numerous entrants. Special 5k memorial run for Jon Dalzell on Llandudno prom Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Jonathan Kettle and Dalzell Runners. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Dozens of local runners took part in a special 5k run last Monday evening on Llandudno promenade to help keep athlete Jon Dalzell’s memory alive. This unique event commemorated the fact that the former North Wales Road Runner tragically lost his life three-years ago, yet, for the past two years, members of the supportive Dalzell Running group, have since organised a social run with hospitality, to share recollections of his short but amazing life. Jonathan Kettle,  who was a close friend of Jon’s, and is now a coach with Dalzell Runners, later confirmed:  “Monday 17th August will be three years since we lost ...

*The final dash to the line at Conwy parkrun with young athletes Tim Perry from the Isle of Man (*above left) with Joe Culverhouse. They both shared the exact same time as the first finishers. North Wales parkrun results round up... Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry. blog   Fell and mountain runner Josh Keogh was the first finisher on his course debut at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday with a superb time of just 16 minutes and 37 seconds. This event again attracted a host of top and talented club runners including visitor  Robin Stacey  (York Acorn), who was second in 17.18, and teenage debutant  Oliver Woodman  (Ivanhoe Runners), third in 17.28, with  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy, this week pushed down into 4th place in 17.28. The first four runners all ran under 18 minutes, and indeed the first 22 finishers all dipped all 20 minutes. The ladies als...

*Pictured above - Steve Gardner won a gold medal and set a new Welsh record in the 800m race during the Masters T&F Inter-Area meeting. New Golden Welsh record for Steve Gardner at the Masters Inter-area finals at Yate... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner, who has represented Team GB at various track championships at home and abroad, claimed a great new PB, set a new Welsh record and struck gold in the 800m race at the Masters Inter-Area T&F championships at Yate. This time competing for  Welsh Masters Athletics , veteran Steve was one of nine top Welsh athletes who won their respective age categories at this prestigious event, and he also smashed the current Welsh MV60 cat, subject to ratification, after finishing second in his race in 2 minutes 15.34 seconds, and he was only just behind World record holder  Rob McHarg  of Scotland. *Pictured above right - S...

*The NWRRC relay runners are pictured on Llandudno prom before the start. Road Runners enjoyed the sun-drenched relay races on the prom. Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry. blog   Members of North Wales Road Runners enjoyed a very warm and sun-drenched evening of annual summer relay races last Tuesday night on Llandudno promenade. The event which started and finished near the pier included six teams of mixed ability male and female athletes with each member running one of three varied distances along courses packed with visitors. The club relay championship was eventually won by Team 3, followed by Team 1, and then Team 5. The teams and finishing times in order of merit were as follows:   Team 3  – Gwen Charlton 5.14, Molly Evans 12.16, and Mal Preece 26.57.  Team 1:  Don Hale 5.23, Tony Gibson 13.11, and Will Evans 27.04.  Team 5:  Kevin Higgins 5.23, Richard Scamans 11.59, and Adam Lemalle 27.13. Team 2:  Helen Hannam 4....

*Pictured above and below - some great  photos of the Welsh Masters Athletics  team members at the recent Inter-Area championships at Yate. Master’s Inter Area T&F Championships - Sunday 2nd August – Yate Special report courtesy of Gareth Robbins. Photos by Aled Hughes and Joe Horner. donhaleblog.bogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog. www.welshmasterathletics.co.uk The men’s team provisionally finished 5th – with 2 events still to be declared by the end of the day.  The ladies team finished a wonderful 4th overall, meaning that the combined scores provisionally gave us a 4th place finish.  Special mention to all our debutants at this event, well done everyone pulling on the red Welsh vest for the first time.  The team produced some brilliant performances across the board, with a total of 9 Welsh age group records broken (subject to ratification):  -                M65 – 100mH – I...