Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Karl Morris on his ultra race along the Coastal Path. Karl battled the elements to complete the tough ‘Ring of Fire’ race...and well done to Martin Joy in his ultra race. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   North Wales Road Runner Karl Morris battled against heavy rain, gales, and a severe lack of sleep, to record a tremendous performance in the tough ultra ‘Ring of Fire’ race around the Anglesey Coastal Path last weekend. This is one of the most gruelling challenges in the country, and for this experienced endurance athlete, his demanding journey began at Holyhead’s Breakwater Park, and followed a continuous loop covering some 131 miles, and just over 11k elevation along the island’s picturesque coastal pathway. Karl’s determination to complete the course was evident by his overall race stats, with his family and friends able to watch and admire his progress online. He eventually finished well in 47th place out of 112 starters – and in an incredib...

TROY KETTLE TACKLED TOUGH ANGLESEY FIRELIGHTER ULTRA-DISTANCE CHALLENGE RACE Report by Don Hale. Photographs courtesy of the Kettle family. North Wales Road Runner Troy Kettle continued his love of ultra-distance events and finished 9th last Friday in the highly challenging Anglesey Ring of Fire – Firelighter race – which involved tackling a 35.7-mile course (57.2kms) with a 2880 ft of elevation (877m). Troy was the youngest ever finisher and this race added to his recent experience of running sections of Anglesey’s spectacular coastal paths. The Firelighter race is part of the major 135-mile Ring of Fire Coastal ultra-marathon event, which is staged over three days around Yns Mon. *Troy is pictured awaiting starters orders at the Anglesey Firelighter event. His race was identified as a “taster” run over a shorter distance, and a chance to compete on Day 1 of this established and prestigious event but it’s a tough ultra-marathon race in its own right. It is considered an epic foot ...