donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*Pictured above - father and son Stuart  and Joe Culverhouse. Fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race Report and results by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race in midweek with 151 mixed ability athletes competing for honours. David Brilley  (Buckley RC) was the first finisher overall in just 17 minutes and 11 seconds, but he was challenged all the way by  Lloyd Richmond  (Denbigh Harriers) in 17.43, and  Osian Tulloch  (Deeside AAC) in 17.56.  The ladies race was equally competitive with sisters  Ella and Gwen Hayes  (Deeside AAC) battling for the top two places, with Ella eventually winning out in 19.13, with Gwen second in 19.25, and  Joanne Henderson  (Denbigh Harriers) third in 19.51. *NWRRC   member  Stuart Culverhouse , and his son  Joe Culverhouse  – who this time was competing for his second claim club (Colwyn Bay AAC) –...

*Pictured above - the start of the new Padarn 5k race last Wednesday night (photo courtesy of SportpicturesCymru). Quality athletes and fast times at the new Padarn 5k race Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   There was a good turn-out of mainly elite and club runners at the brand new Padarn Sbrint 5k dash in midweek, where the first eight finishers all dipped under seventeen minutes, and Meirionnydd RC claimed the first four places. Owen Roberts  was the overall winner following a great performance in just 15 minutes and 37 seconds, on this flat and fast course alongside Llyn Padarn at Llanberis, but he faced a stern challenge from club rival  Daniel Kashi  in 15.44, and colleagues  Ben Harding  (16.15) and  Lloyd Williams  (16.19) also battled for top placings. Some other notable local results included  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) in 8th place in 16.59 and  Harry Driscoll  (Meirionnydd RC)...

Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletis.co.uk By the time you read this there will only be less than two weeks left to enter the British Masters Half Marathon Championships in Dumfries on the 20th  September. The course is on scenic undulating roads with little traffic. Promoted by a true running club the Dumfries Half Marathon charges a very realistic entry fee which is rare in this day and age.   The race limits its entry numbers which means the Championships are well catered for, however I advise entering now before the Half is declared full. Just follow these links:  https://www.eventsupnorth.co.uk/event/2076 And once entered register your entry on open track via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-hm/   As your Road Race Secretary, I want to support grass roots running clubs and I know Dum...

*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun. Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A large turn-out of Bank Holiday visitors mixed with regular runners and walkers in the drizzle at most North Wales parkrun last Saturday morning. Some of these events also welcomed many participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group , plus representatives from several other notable cancer organisations for their regular monthly gatherings.  At Llandrillo yn Rhos , another bumper entry included many elite and club runners with seven out of the first ten finishers all debutants, and quite remarkably, the first eight all dipped under 18 minutes. James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy claimed another fast-dash result, and he was the first finisher overall once again despite the weather in ju...

*Pictured above - the Moorways Stadium at Derby. LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE BMAF T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog URGENT MESSAGE FROM KEVIN WHITE AT BMAF: Thank you to everyone who has entered the BMAF Track & Field champs which are taking place in Derby from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th Sept. For those of you who have been thinking about it but have not yet entered:  ENTRIES CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY - 30th AUGUST. BMAF Track & Field Championship ​  Summarise ​ Contact Details:  bmaf@opentrack.run Please contact the organiser, not OpenTrack, for all queries Start Lists  Enter Here 7 hours, 42 min to go   Competitors   (740) Competition Dates: 11 – 13 September 2026, Moorways, Derby This event will be held over 3 full days. It will include all the events that used to be incorporated in the timetable in the ‘older days’ together with an additional 3000m.  There will also be heats and finals in both th...

*Pictured above - Martin Green and Steve Gardner in the red vests for Wales against England in the Masters 3000m race at Deeside. And (*below) some other action shots. North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race... Report by Don Hale.  Photos and results supplied courtesy of Chris Hollingshead. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Two top North Wales track athletes collected prestigious medals whilst representing Wales v England at the Masters 3000m international meeting at the Deeside Stadium last Friday night. Talented veterans’ Martin Green  (Meirionnydd RC) and  Steve Gardner  (NWRRC) celebrated good performances, with Martin finishing second in his MV50 age cat in 9.49, whilst Steve won his MV60 cat in 10.10. After his race, Steve Gardner confirmed:  “ I came 6th overall and 1st V60 in 10 mins 10 seconds at the above meeting against England. Comprising MV50-54; 55-59; and 60 to 64-year  - old athletes in one ...

*Pictured above - the start of the Rhos on Sea parkrun. North Wales parkrun results round-up Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat Finnie). donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was bright, sunny and very warm at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday, which was enjoyed by another bumper attendance of 516 runners and walkers, with many travelling from different parts of the UK and even abroad. Conor Davies  was the first finisher overall in 16 minutes and 45 seconds, with Welsh international track star  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) second with a new PB of 17.03,  and Iain Burgess  third, following another excellent PB in 17.17.  *The first female finisher was teenage debutant  Lexi Dundas  (26th overall) in 20.08, and  Alison Russell  (Spectrum Striders) was second on her debut in 21.28, but it was a close contest with  Ellie Evans  (Cybi Striders) third with a new course PB, and she was o...