Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - some members of the NWRRC team at the Twin Piers race. Runners beat the weather and water restrictions at the Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nearly four-hundred athletes took part in the ever-popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race last Saturday despite the cold weather, a cool headwind, and a massive water shortage, with severe restrictions affecting over 40,000 Conwy area residents. With no water available throughout the area, and many shops and businesses closed due to no loos, café’s, or any available washing facilities, race organisers from Colwyn Bay AC, worked miracles to ensure the event went ahead as planned with extra porta-loos provided at the start and finish, to cater for the runners, with many travelling from all parts of the UK. The event included the North Wales 10k championships, and it was run from Llandudno Pier to Colwyn B...

MENAI TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETIC CLUB SAVED FROM CLOSURE. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Menai Track & Field Club looks as though it has finally been rescued from the threat of closure following an urgent appeal, which began last November, when member Georgina Seguin first raised the issue and appealed for support. Georgina, who is an active Menai club athlete, and participates in the North Wales cross county league fixtures, originally explained that the club, with over 170 juniors and about 20 seniors, faced closure due to a lack of willing volunteers and officials. She was keen to hear from people with any ideas to help save the club, to come forward as soon as possible, and also mentioned a need to fill several committee roles. Her appeal was also supported by  Bernie Jones , the secretary of the NW Cross-Country League, who added: “Clearly our sport needs help to survive. Menai have a great club developing...

*(Above): Bernie Jones (centre) with award recipients Duncan Longley, Mike  Davis, Dave Hughes and Roger Harrison-Jones. George Nixon was not present. Five long serving members of Prestatyn Running Club recognised at festive lunch .    A total of over 200 years of involvement in athletics by five members of  Prestatyn Running Club were recognised at a pre-Christmas lunch.  The club is unique throughout the region in having so many long serving  members who are still active, and tribute to their remarkable record was  paid by Bernie Jones , secretary of the North Wales Cross-Country Association  at an event at the Eagle and Child, Gwaenysgor.  Welsh Athletics meritorious awards for at least 15 years' service were  presented to former club chairman Mike Davis and to the current post-holder  Duncan Longley.   Duncan joined the club in the mid-1990s and has filled a variety of roles,  including chief marshal at regional ...

The British Masters International Cross-Country races in Belfast. Report by Ifan Lloyd. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The British Masters cross country international is my most cherished cross-country event of the year. Always an honour to represent my country and wear the red of Wales.  And a very special day it was in Belfast last Saturday to take first place and gold in the men 65-69 age category. It’s taken 25 years since my first race in this event back in 1999 to win an individual gold medal.  I had always aspired but never quite achieved. It was also special to compete against such great athletes in my race. It doesn’t get easier as you progress up the age categories!          *Pictured above and right, Welsh Master Ifan Lloyd with his medal and shown tackling a large hill at the Belfast cross country races. A special shout out to my team-mates from Wales: Gordon Jones, Dave Watson, and  John Foster...

*Pictured above - team manager Bernie Jones (*front left) with some members of the Welsh team at the Belfast races. NW Road Running duo performed well for Wales at the British & Irish International Cross Country championships in Belfast. *North Wales Road Runners Will Williams (*above left) and Karen Butler. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runners Will Williams and Karen Butler competed well in the British and Irish Masters International Cross-Country Championships at the Billy Neill Country Park, Dundonald, near Belfast last Saturday. Will performed well in his MV50 age cat on a rather hilly and challenging course despite only just recovering from injury and seemed satisfied after finishing 29th overall in thirty-three minutes and one-second. And plaudits were also given to NWRRC member  Karen Butler  who finished 16th in her VW65-75 age cat (24th overall) and she was the1st Welsh veteran athlete i...

URGENT APPEAL TO HELP SAVE MENAI TRACK AND FIELD CLUB FROM FOLDING... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Georgina Seguin from the Menai Track and Field club, and an active member of the NW Cross Country League, is urgently appealing for support from the North Wales community to help save the club from folding! She confirmed this week: “Menai track & field is a successful NW athletics club with over 170 juniors and 20 seniors, but unfortunately due to lack of volunteers the future of the club is uncertain. We need to fill key committee roles within the club including chair, treasurer, secretary, plus a number of other roles. “Without these roles the club cannot run. If anyone is interested in becoming involved with the club, whether it be on an advisory basis, or as chair, please reach out to me.  “We are looking for any ideas and suggestions about how we can run going forwards and are open to any potential opportunities i...

North Wales Teams for Welsh Inter Regional Championships at Newtown on 16th November 2024.   Teams for Welsh Inter Regional championships team -  Report courtesy of Bernie Jones. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The timetable for the day is: 12noon - U13 Girls 12-20 - U13 Boys 12-35 - U15 Girls 1-00 - U15 Boys 1-20 - U17/U20 Women 1-45 - U17/U20 Men 2-10 - Senior/Master Women/M65+ 2-55 - Senior/Master Men. For all those athletes marked with ** I require your DOB and URN asap.  U13 GIRLS Gwen Hayes;** Ella Hayes;** Elin Evans;** Bethan Roberts; Grace Hughes; Daisy Jones; Monique Brandon-Higgs; U13 BOYS.  Casper Kissane; Perry Marsland; Jacob Price;** Henry Jones; Fin Benny;** Finley Williams;** Alex Benson;** Edryd Ap Rees;** George Henderson; Max Macpherson;** Osian Tullock;** U15 GIRLS Heather Watson; Martha Bown; Tamsin Seguin; Holly Worth; Esyllt Owen; Catrin Evans; Beatrice Roberts; Evie Hughes;  Gwen Tompsett;** Evie Mortell;...

North Wales Cross Country League back at  Aberystwyth after 30 years! ' David Alun Williams ' North Wales Cross Country League at Aberystwyth - 30th November 2024. Report courtesy of Bernie Jones.     https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The third North Wales Cross Country League will take place on the Aberystwyth University Playing Fields, SY23 3TL.  Please park where directed by the car park marshalls. The car park is directly opposite the course. The course is predominantly playing fields, although there is a technical area in the woods with a few bumps and twists! It is likely that the course will take spikes or studs and if dry you might even get away with road shoes! It is 30 years since the league last visited Aberystwyth, but the town was a regular host in the 1970's and 1980's. Colin Jones, Eryri and Lyn Maddison, Colwyn Bay were the winners. A copy of the course is displayed below. Individuals bringing club gazebos will be a...

North Wales Cross Country Championships 2025. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Entries are now open for the North Wales Cross Country Championships, which will take place at Treborth Track, Bangor on SATURDAY 4th JANUARY 2025.    NORTH WALES CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025 (Supported by Grand Prix Express). Report courtesy of Bernie Jones. At   Treborth Track, Bangor LL57 2RQ On   Saturday 4th January 2025. 11-00am:   Under 11 Girls - Approx. 1 Mile  11-20am:  U13 Girls/U11 Boys - Approx. 1.5 Miles  11-45am:  U15 Girls/U13 Boys - Approx. 2 Miles 12.15pm:  U17 Women/U15 Boys - Approx. 3 Miles 1.00pm:  U20/Senior/Master Women/U17 Men/65+ Men  Approx 3.5 Miles 2.00pm:  U20/Senior/Master Men - Approx. 5.25 Miles Ages as of 1st September 2024 (Masters, as on the day) All athletes  must  represent first claim club or school, wear club/school vest and have North Wales qualification....