Don Hale Blog

Storm Bert was the only winner as various parkruns and local events hit - but Steve, Martin, and Harry beat the weather. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Storm Bert was the only winner last weekend as heavy rain and gale force winds forced the postponement of numerous sporting events, and in particular some fell and trail races, plus a host of popular parkruns across the area. Planned parkruns at Nova Prestatyn, Penrhyn Castle, Newborough Forest and Conwy, to name but a few, were all cancelled on either Friday night, or early Saturday morning, on essential health and safety grounds, to help protect both volunteers and many hundreds of participants. At Penrhyn Castle  they announced on Friday afternoon: “Unfortunately owing to the weather forecast we’ve been informed that parkrun is cancelled this Saturday.” And the same applied at the  Nova Prestatyn  venue, which is run along the promenade, when they confirmed: “...

URGENT: Volunteers and marshals required at Conwy parkrun for this Saturday, which also includes the launch of the - Conwy Parkrun: 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer appeal.  For some unknown reason, the Parkrun Facebook page is out of action, so if anyone can help out this week, would you please contact Bethan Wyn Roberts on her Facebook Messenger link to confirm your availability? If we can’t get enough volunteers this may impact on the event. Thanks.  

More blue runners wanted for this Saturday at Conwy parkrun for International Nurses Day and the NHS. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Following my previous blog report (*6/5/24), and my request for runners to wear something blue at Conwy parkrun on Saturday 18th May, to commemorate their 400th parkrun, we also have an excellent opportunity to show our support this week for the NHS and International Nurses’ Day, on Saturday 12th May at Conwy, with a similar request for runners to also wear something blue. Bethan Wyn Roberts  (*pictured above), has inquired: “ Is it possible for you to put a shout out on your blog for  International Nurses Day , and to encourage people to run in blue to show their support for the NHS? “International Nurses’ Day is actually on Sunday 12th May, but we will be celebrating at Conwy parkrun on this  Saturday 11th May . We would really appreciate anything you can do to make sure park runners are aware of wearing some...

*Gwyn Williams (*pictured above) at Conwy parkrun. Praise for hard working Event Directors at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.   Conwy parkrun officials announced some changes to the event director’s positions at this popular event and paid tribute to several important volunteers and their dedicated service. Parkrun official and regular run director Gwyn Williams stated: “Well done to everyone who joined us to run, jog, and walk the course this morning on a crisp and beautifully morning. We had fifty first timers taking part and an incredible thirty-four runners recorded new PBs. Thanks also to the twenty-two wonderful volunteers who made the magic happen." *Event Directors Mark Jessett (*above left) and Bethan Wyn Roberts at Conwy. Gwyn added: “I would like to offer congratulations to today’s Run Director  Mark Jessett , who completed his 100th volunteering stint. Some of you may not be aware that Mark, along with Bethan Wyn Roberts took on the baton of the Event...

*GOG athlete Andy Brazier (*above) at the Conwy parkrun. GOGs ran well at Conwy parkrun and at the RunWales Loyalty 10k despite the weather... Report by Don Hale. Eight GOG Triathlon members ran in the Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning and claimed seven podium places including three age category wins. Josh Keogh ( NWRRC), claimed his 10th win at Conwy and his 5th consecutive victory, finishing in 17 minutes and 32 seconds, which was some 27-seconds ahead of teenage rival  James Smith  (Menai Track & Field), who was 2nd in 17.59, and  Osian Griffiths,  3rd in 18.35. For the Ladies  Anna Drinkwater  (Eryri Harriers) was the 1st female runner home in 7th place overall in 20.47, and  Ella Grundy  (Colwyn Bay) finished 2nd, and in 19th place overall in 22.49, with  Cheryl Frost  (NWRRC) 3rd in 23.09. Despite a freezing cold day and a waterlogged and puddle-filled course, all the GOG runners still recorded some excellent times especially...

*Jamie Tharme (*pictured above) completed 100k North Wales Ultra challenge. Report by Don Hale.   Endurance runner Jamie Tharme must be a glutton for punishment as he took part in the gruelling new 100k North Wales Path Ultra race last Saturday just a week or two after competing in a tough marathon event. Jamie eventually completed this tremendous challenge of running from Nova at Prestatyn to Bangor - with a good many hills thrown in - in a magnificent time of 15 hours and 2 minutes, covering a Strava distance of 101.95 kms including 2,044m of elevation. Feeling utterly exhausted, Jamie later admitted: “I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my time, but this is definitely up there. Wow! That was so hard!” *NWRRC athlete Jamie Tharme (*pictured above) in another recent race. Two other well-known local runners also took part including,  Amanda Durber  and  Bethan Wyn Roberts.  The pair ran together throughout and completed the course in an amazing time of 15 hours ...