Don Hale Blog

     Unique photo special from Welsh Masters at the Inter-Area T&F event at the York Stadium... Introduction by Don Hale.  Photos and information by Brett Davis/Carey Holick/Joe Horner and Stuart Lynn. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was a good turn out by Welsh Masters athletes at the Inter-Area Track & Field challenge at the York Stadium last Sunday, which was hosted by England Masters AA as part of the Outdoors invitation only meeting for area masters' clubs.  Carey Holick, the EMMA Track & Field Secretary, has kindly included the male and female points totals, and the combined totals together. In the end, it was a clean sweep for NMAC who won  both  the male and female titles, plus the combined award. The clubs involved:   1 EMAC – Eastern Masters AC,  2 MMAC – Midland Masters AC,  3 NEMAA – North East Masters AA,  4 NMAC - Northern Masters AC,  5 SVHC - Scottish Veteran Harri...

*Pictured above and below - some of the  many people who took part in a special commemorative run on the prom for Jon Dalzell. Special tribute run in memory of Jon Dalzell Introduction by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   On Sunday there was a great turn out by Dalzell Runners, NWRRC club members, and numerous other local runners, plus family, friends, and supporters, during a special commemorative run along the prom, to help pay tribute to the popular athlete Jon Dalzell, who sadly lost his life two-years ago. This tribute event was well organised by Dalzell Runners officials Tony and Hayley Price Jones, with help from Jonathan Kettle and others, with some drinks later arranged at the Wildings Hotel in Llandudno. *Runners, family, friends and supporters drink a toast to help commemorate  Jon Dalzell's memory at the Wildings Hotel in Llandudno.   Following the commemorations, Jonathan Kettle later confirmed: Thank you all for coming out this evening in mem...

    *Pictured above - the start of the successful Tri Hard Harriers 5k race. Tri Hard Harriers successful 5k on the Bay for Wales Air Ambulance... *Members of the  Tri Hard Harriers team (*above) prior to the start of the 5k race. Special race report by David Gibson.   * All photos by “ValleyBoyPics.” https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   On Thursday evening of last week, 435 participants ran this popular 5k on the Bay race along the Swansea Bay front between Blackpill and Mumbles, which helped to raise essential funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.  Being one of the fastest – if not the fastest 5k courses in Wales - there were multiple personal bests (PBs) achieved in the warm summer evening, and 78 of the finishers were from the host club – a record turnout with others in supporting roles – and a true team effort! Tri Hard Harriers  has set a high standard for the organisation of such an event with full chip timing and an accurately measured course. On fi...

*Pictured and below - runners at the start of a previous Conwy parkrun with the start at the RSPB Nature Trail before the new track upgrades.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com  * John Earlston captures all the live action below from a previous Conwy parkrun.

*Pictured above - Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts on his way to a  podium place. (*photo courtesy of Bill Scrivens). North Wales athletes win podium places at the dramatic World Championships. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *Michelle Farrell (*above) on the podium with her trophy after finishing 3rd in the World Trail Running Championships last weekend.   Two exceptional North Wales athletes claimed prestigious podium places at the Xterra Snowdonia Trail Running World Championships last Saturday after braving the extremely high temperatures that later led to the stoppage of all five events on the mountain. The races started and finished at Llanberis and offered a number of exceptional challenges with athletes tackling varied distances, ranging from 10k to a marathon, and even a 24-hour ultra event, and attracted many of the best athletes from across the globe. The event organisers confirmed:  ‘ The incredible routes explore the trails, gorgeous pa...

Conwy Parkrun plans to re-start next week despite row over new course, plus the start/finish areas... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conwy parkrun has been given the go-ahead to finally re-start next Saturday following many weeks of controversy and harsh criticism by volunteers, sponsors, runners and supporters, over plans to change the existing start and finish areas, and alterations to car parking facilities. In 2019, Conwy Parkrun received tens of thousands of public votes and was elected as runner up in the global World Cup competition of parkruns, due to their friendliness, and for its picturesque 5k riverside course. This popular parkrun though has been out of action since last March mainly due to an extensive 12-week multi-million-pound renovation and upgrading scheme, which included essential work to the latter part of the new national cycle route from the railway bridge to the RSPB nature reserve, which is part ...