Don Hale Blog

*Adam Lemalle (*above) was the first NWRRC club runner at Conwy parkrun. Fast times and a good turn-out at Conwy parkrun despite the cold and blustery conditions... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmasterathletics.co.uk   Despite a bitterly cold day, and a strong blustery wind, nearly two-hundred entrants still braved the elements and recorded some fast times over the challenging but relatively dry 5k course at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning. The event once again attracted a large number of visiting club and social runners from across the UK and Ireland, as part of an early Easter break, and plaudits were again handed to NWRRC member and parkrun volunteer  John Hatton , for his sterling efforts to help improve part of the start area. GOG Triathlete  Simon Cole  was the first runner home with an impressive time of just 17 minutes and 35 seconds to additionally win his VM40 age cat, and at the time of writing, the second placed runner remained unknown, b

*Steve Gardner (*pictured above), ran well at the XC champs. Team prizes and some notable NW results at the BMAF cross country champs at Corwen. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The British Masters Athletics Cross-Country championships was held last Saturday at Rhug Farm, near Corwen, and included some exceptional performances by many North Wales runners. The event attracted 97 top club and elite athletes in the Veteran Men’s up to M60 age cat event, and a further 94 runners in the combined Women’s and Male Masters aged 65-plus race.  The championships were well organised by officials and members of Prestatyn RC, and this was the fourth time the club had been asked by Welsh Athletics to host the event. North Wales Road Runner   Steve Gardner   (*pictured right), finished 52nd overall in the Male open event, and he was 10th in his MV60 cat, and covered the approximate 8k course in 35.37. After his race, Steve confirmed: “I was very p

  *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, and ensured a fast pace was ma

  North Wales, SSSART Trawsfynydd Multi Terrain 8 Mile race. Sunday 7th April 2024.    Event Details ****Cymraeg isod**** https://sssart.niftyentries.com/North-Wales-SSSART-Trawsfynydd-Multi-Terrain-8-Mile Beautiful multi terrain 8.6 mile race around Trawsfynydd lake in Eryri/Snowdonia national park. A mostly fast course with one challenging hill on a mixed tarmac and fast trail course. The Race will be under the Welsh Athletics / UK Athletics Rules. All proceeds are in aid of the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team. The team is run entirely by volunteers, who are on callout 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help those in need in the local area. The team is a charity, dependent on donations from the public, and the proceeds of the race will provide vital funds. Starting by the Magnox Power Station Car Park at 12:00 on Sunday, 7th April 2024. Grid reference SH69052 37960, post code LL41 4DT; what3words ///siblings.gain.performed Open to athletes 17 and over First 100 entries £16 UK

*Harry Driscoll (*pictured above) was the first NWRRC member home at the Chester 10k race last Sunday - photo by John Hatton. Harry Driscoll led North Wales Road Runners home at the Chester 10k. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Eight North Wales Road Runners competed amongst nearly 5,000 finishers at the Chester 10k race last Sunday, and they all performed well despite the cold, wet, and windy conditions. Harry Driscoll  led the team home with a tremendous run in 68th place overall with a great new course PB in just 37 minutes and 49 seconds, and  Steve Roberts  was also on top form in 542nd place in 45.49. *Harry Driscoll (*above left), with Steve Roberts. Meanwhile,  Cheryl Frost  and  Kay Hatton  continued their regular cat and mouse tussle, with Cheryl finishing well in 769th place, as the 89th female runner, in 47.34, and 4th in her FV55 age cat, and Kay also enjoyed another fine run and won her FV60 age cat, finishing in 924th

  *Daniel Hennell (*above) is pictured after his 10k race in Lovell Canyon. Other Another busy weekend with our results on the road review...report by Don Hale. *America:  NWRRC member  Daniel Hennell  went on his travels to  Las Vegas  last week and took part in his first international race in the  Labour of Love 10k  race in Lovell Canyon, Nevada. He ran well in this challenging event and finished 9th overall and 3rd in his M40-49 age cat in 53.19.  After the event, he confirmed: “The Labour of Love 10k. This was my first race at altitude (about 4,500ft elevation). It was really cold at the start, but it soon warmed up nicely. My chip time was 53.19.” *The Lovell Canyon sign (*above left), with part of the course in Nevada. *Hunstanton: Ben  and  Sarah Ferguson  Hudson also went on their parkrun travels again last weekend and enjoyed some good performances in the  Hunstanton promenade parkrun  in Norfolk. Ben was 5th in 21.24, and won his VM45 age cat, and Sarah was also on top form

Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon & Metric Half Marathon T-shirts and medals still available! Sunday 24th March 2024. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Both races start at the Athletics track in Colwyn Bay, from here they head along to the promenade and head East along the coastline where both races have their turning points for you to retrace your steps back to the athletics track. Both race routes are mainly very flat with just a couple of short hills. The Metric Marathon distance 26.2km (16.3 miles) is an ideal stepping stone for runners to progress from a half marathon through to a full 26.2-mile marathon. The Metric Half Marathon distance 13.1km (8.13 miles) is an ideal stepping stone for runners to progress from a 10k to a 13.1-miles half marathon. Or you could use the metric marathon to test your pace on this flatish fast route for an upcoming spring marathon? Metric Marathon cost:   Affiliated £40, Unaffiliated £42. (YOU MUST BE A