Don Hale Blog

*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 ...

*Pictured above - far right - NW author and runner Paul Stroud, with his  son Leo and daughter Emily at the start of the Tokyo Tower climb race.  *A  nervous moment for dad Paul (*above left), as his son Leo awaits the white starting flag  prior to his climb up the iconic tower. North Wales author and runner tackled the famous Tokyo Tower climb with his son Leo and daughter Emily. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Marie Stroud. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Prolific author and keen runner Paul Stroud, who writes for the North Wales based publishers Coast & Country, and this blog, took part in the gruelling Tokyo Tower race climb last week for a second year, with his teenage son Leo, and daughter Emily. Now based in this vibrant Japanese city, ex-pat Paul made a brave effort to tackle the 600 plus stairs at this iconic landmark, which took the athletes up to the main deck, about 150 metres above ground.  The race included many hundreds of staggered entrie...

* Ben and Sarah Hudson at the Runcorn Jubilee Bridge half-marathon. NWRRC trio took part in the Runcorn Jubilee Bridge races. Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   NWRRC members Ben and Sarah Ferguson Hudson took part in the Runcorn Jubilee Bridge half marathon race last Sunday, with clubmate Kevin Higgins competing in the associated 10k event. The races started and finished on the Silver Jubilee Bridge, which strands the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal. The Hudson duo used this event as a warm-up for some forthcoming ultra-distance races and they both seemed pleased with their results despite some blustery winds and rain at times.  Ben finished in 216th place out of 741 entrants, in 1 hour 45 minutes and 5 seconds, whilst Sarah also ran well, and she was 367th overall in 1.55.00. After her race Sarah admitted:  “We had all the weathers today. It was hot and humid at the start, and then it got really windy, and during the last mile we had sidewa...

*Steve Gardner and his father Dave are pictured above. Welsh Masters record breaking trio received their certificate recognition awards this week. Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Three Welsh Masters veteran athletes received official certificates this week to confirm they have recorded some new national records at recent track and field events. The roll of honour includes two  North Wales Road Runners  in father and son athletes  Dave and Steve Gardner,   and David Williams  from the  Guildford and Godalming club. Dave celebrated a new record in the indoor shot putt competition held at Coleg Cambria, Deeside, on 11th January this year, with an impressive throw of 7.26m to win his M85 age cat, whilst his son Steve competed at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff on 12th January, and he won his M60 cat in the 800m indoor track race in 2 minutes 20.89 seconds. David Williams was another...

*Pictured above - Will Williams celebrated another positive run. Conwy parkrunners back in action on a waterlogged course after several postponements... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Nearly three-hundred mixed ability athletes took part in the Conwy parkrun last Saturday following a series of postponements due to the weather and severe water problems but faced a very cold breeze and a waterlogged 5k course on their delayed 10th anniversary. Martin Green  was the first  North Wales Road Runner  home, although he also represents  Meirionnydd Runners , due to his dual registration. He finished 7th overall in 17 minutes and 59 seconds and won his VM50 age cat. Will Williams  finished 13th overall and he was 3rd in his VM50 cat in 19.48, with  Sion Thomas  31st in 22.15, and 2nd in his VM40 cat, whilst  Daniel Hennell  enjoyed a good run in 71st place in 25.40.    *Sion Thomas (*above left), with Daniel Henn...