Don Hale Blog

*A quartet of NWRRC members are shown at the Rhostryfan 10k race (l-r): Adam Lemalle, Nia Lister, Helen Hannam and Carla Green. Plenty of action from the midweek races Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Several NW Road Runners competed in the Rhostryfan 10k race near Caernarfon last Wednesday evening, and some members also took part in the Foel Lus fell race at Penmaenmawr the previous evening. At the demanding Rhostryfan event  Adam Lemalle  finished well in 26th place out of 70 entrants in 46.46, and he was second in his M40 age cat, with  Carla Green  35th overall, and third in her F50 age cat in 48.59.  Nia Lister  was 66th in 1.01.07, with  Helen Hannam  just one place and five-seconds adrift after running the course together. The event was won by  Tom Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) in 33,22, with  Deio Llyn Roberts  (Hebog) second in 36.03, and  Andrew Douse  (Cybi Striders)...

*Pictured above - a race marshal  directs Adam Lemalle and a pack of runners along this challenging fell run route. Tough Pipe Dream race for Fell Runners Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Dougie  Graham. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog The tough Dolgarrog Pipe Dream Fell Race attracted some 165 finishers to their annual challenge last Saturday, which was part of the WFRA short championships, and won by Kieran Wynne-Cattanach (Eryri Harriers) following a great effort over this 6.8k course in just 33 minutes and 52 seconds. He was followed by  Gavin Roberts  (Calder Vale RR) in 34.10, and  Rhys Goodrick  (Vegan Runners) in 35.02.  And the first female finisher,  Bronwen Jenkinson  (29th overall) secured a unique double victory for  Eryri Harriers , with another fine performance in 41.06, whilst  Suzie Richards  claimed the runner-up spot in 42.57 (34th overall), with  Jessica Evans (36th overall), an...

*Pictured above - Steve Mason - who was the first NWRRC member home. Hot pace despite a bitterly cold morning at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com It was a very cold start for the first Conwy parkrun of 2025 as 247 mixed ability athletes tackled the puddle-filled, but picturesque 5k course, from the RSPB Nature Reserve last Saturday morning. Despite the freezing temperatures,  Iain Burgess  set a very hot pace as the 1st finisher in just 18 minutes and 36 seconds to win his VM35 age cat, and he was some 36-seconds ahead of his nearest rival, VM40  Richard Wilyman (GOG Triathlon), in 19.08, with SM25  Aaron Jones  3rd in 19.49. Llio Owen  was the 1st female finisher with a new PB of 21.23, and she won her SW20 age cat (13th overall), with VW40 athlete  Vicky Cole  (GOG Triathlon), 2nd (19th overall) with a fine run in 22.05, and VW35  Emma Stanley  claimed the 3rd place, (21st overall) in 22.15. North Wal...

*Steve Gardner (*above), finished well at Conwy and won his age cat. Good turn-out at Conwy parkrun for the last event of year...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   There was a good turn-out of over three-hundred mixed ability entrants at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning for the final event of 2024, with many club and social athletes travelling from far afield. Thankfully, the weather was near perfect, which was in stark contrast to the previous week, and it remained a good festive atmosphere as runners looked forward to the New Year celebrations. North Wales Road Runners  entered thirteen members and recorded four age category victories and two new course PBs. Gold medal winning track athlete  Steve Gardner , fresh from his success in the Welsh Masters indoor 3000m championships, made a rare parkrun appearance and led the team home in 8th place overall with a new PB of 19 minutes and 11 seconds, to win his VM60 cat. Steve was clo...

*Steve Bozier (*above) was the first NWRRC finisher at Conwy parkrun Steady performances in dry conditions at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nearly 300 mixed ability athletes took part in another welcome dry event at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning from the RSPB Nature Reserve, with many entrants taking it steady in preparation for other events the following day. North Wales Road Runners  had fifteen runners in action and  Steve Bozier  led the team home with a good performance in 11th place in 21.34, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat, whilst  Adam Lemalle  continued his fine form finishing 19th in 21.58, and he was 2nd in his VM40 cat. Steve Roberts  was 3rd in his VM55 cat in 31st place overall with an excellent performance in 23.03, and  Mal Preece returned to parkrun finishing 62nd in 24.48. Newcomer   Juana Hunter   was pleased with her club debut at Conwy w...

  *John Hatton (*above)  performed a clean sweep at Conwy parkrun to help reduce numerous large puddles at the start of a waterlogged course. Report by Don Hale.   Over two-hundred mixed ability runners took part in last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, but once again they had to contend with very muddy and waterlogged conditions underfoot, with the start area only improved late on due to volunteer John Hatton sweeping out some of the large puddles! John’s determined action with a stiff brush improved the safety of this popular event, and for the second time in recent weeks, only the innovative actions of willing individuals meant this popular run could begin on time!  *Pictured above - Hard working NWRRC official and parkrun volunteer, and MC John Hatton, sweeps  the puddles at Conwy parkrun.  ( *Photo credit Michael Finnie ). Despite the challenging conditions, this run attracted several top juniors, and senior athletes, who ran hard to record new course PB’s, a...

*Josh Keogh (*above left) on the podium with the race winner Aled Breeze and Tony Wood at the Winter Trail 7-mile race. Josh Keogh finished as runner-up at the tough Winter Trail 7-mile race. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Three North Wales Road Runners were amongst 443 entrants at the Winter Trail 7-mile race at Coed-y-Brenin last Saturday morning, with Josh Keogh claiming a deserved podium place after finishing as the runner-up in a close finish. Josh ran home in just 48 minutes and 8 seconds over this tough and undulating course, whilst his colleagues   Adam Lemalle   and   Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones   also ran well and were pleased with their performances in this challenging and very muddy event. Adam finished in 98th place overall in 1.07.09, and Charlotte was 122nd, and the 28th female in 1.09.40. *Pictured above left - Adam Lemalle and Charlotte Rose Wilton-Jones at the finish, and (*right), Josh Keogh ...