Don Hale Blog

*Gwen Charlton (*above left) with Kevin Higgins and Kevin Slattery at the Abergele races last weekend. Quality competition at the Abergele 5k and 10k races. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There was a massive turn-out of over 500 quality athletes for the Abergele 5k and 10k races held on the town’s promenade on Sunday, which was well organised by RunWales. Despite some wind and rain, both events attracted a wealth of elite, club, and social runners and the 5k race set a hot pace with the first 15 finishers all dipping under the 20-minute mark including the first two female athletes! And just 20-seconds separated the first six finishers! In the 10k race, the first 14 athletes ran under 40-minutes, with some close times between the top six places, and the first female athlete was almost three minutes ahead of her nearest rival. The first finisher overall at the 5k event was  Huw Gwynn  (Eryri Harriers) with a good time of 16 minutes and 37 seconds,...

*Some members of the NWRRC team at the Bangor City 10k - pictured left to right on the back row - Steve Roberts, Daniel  Henell and Mike Hayton, and (*front row), Not Lister, Helen Hannam, Kay Hatton, Cheryl Frost and Gwen Charlton. Bangor City 10k race saved by quick thinking to help defeat the weather. Special report by Don Hale. Photos by John Hatton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Over five hundred determined runners completed the weather-beaten Bangor City 10k on Sunday with many elite athletes recording some excellent times despite the challenging conditions. And praise was given to quick thinking by the race organiser  Chris Yorke  from  RunWales  for overcoming many problems with debris on parts of the half-marathon route, which unfortunately forced the late postponement of this associated race but allowed the 10k to continue. In this latter event, Bangor University AC student  Andrew Moore  was the first man home in just 32 minutes and 5...

*Pictured above - the start of the Caernarfon 10k race last Sunday. Course record smashed at the Caernarfon 10k race. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson, Chris Yorke and Mick Hall. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Some members of the NWRRC team at the Caernarfon 10k (l-r): Back row - Mike Hayton, Ben Hudson, Rob Fryer, and Stuart Culverhouse, and (front row) - Carla Green, Kay Hatton, Cheryl Frost and Sarah Ferguson Hudson.   The conditions were perfect last Sunday as a star-studded line up of elite and top club runners at the Caernarfon 10k race set a fast pace right from the start, with the course record later smashed during an exciting event, which also included an Inter-Counties championship match. Race organiser  Chris Yorke  from  RunWales  confirmed: “Well done to everyone who completed in today’s Caernarfon 10k. Wow what a race on this super-fast 10k course! The top 3 runners all broke the course record! with  Swansea Harrier ...

*Pictured above - the start of the combined races on Colwyn Bay promenade. Unique triple races and NW 10 mile champs results from Colwyn Bay... Report by Don Hale.  Photos courtesy of John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com It was a glorious sunny day at Colwyn Bay last Sunday morning for a unique triple event organised by RunWales which included races over 5, 10, and 20 miles along the promenade, with the 10-miler also doubling up as the North Wales Regional Championship challenge event. Some 168 athletes competed in the 5-mile race with  Tomos Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC), winning in a chip time of 26.04, with  Jack Webb  (Rotherham), 2nd in 27.24, and  Alex Cowin  (Penny Lane Striders), 3rd in 28.13. The first female was  Charlene Jacobs-Conradie  (Meirionnydd RC), in 31.05, and  Alannah Birtwistle  (Macclesfield), was the runner-up in 37.08, whilst  Stephanie Humphries  (Widnes), finished 3rd in 38.10.  Three N...

  Conwy Half Marathon - last few entries remain... Race organiser Chris Yorke from RunWales has confirmed that only a last few entries remain for the end of season Conwy Half-Marathon set for Sunday  17th November 2024. So hurry now if you want to take part in this exciting event. https://www.runwales.com/e/conwy-half-marathon-8639 https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Date:  17th November 2024. Start Time:  9:30am.   Run like you've never run before at the iconic, fast Conwy half marathon in  the capital of North Wales. Voted in the top 5 most scenic Half Marathons in the UK by Readers of Runners World.”  This GREAT Half Marathon now in its 14th year is a classic race on the calendar.” Has a start & finish near the quayside in front of the 700+ year old  Conwy Castle. 2018 Saw over 3,000 runners take part, many PB’s were achieved. The route runs along the road adjacent to th...

  Abergele 5K & 10K https://www.runwales.com/e/abergele-5k-and-10k-9607 https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Date:  20th October 2024 A fantastic flat fast route. You all loved this event when it was a temporary replacement for the Rhyl 10K  in 2023, so we've made it permanent and added a 5K to the mix, this event has  such a great atmosphere.   DO THE DOUBLE! 5K & 10K Same Day. Starting on the promenade at Abergele/Pensarn on the North Wales coastline,  this flat, fast course is sure to be a hit with runners chasing their 5K or 10K PB,  this course has been designed with one thing in mind, helping you achieve your personal best, so if you’re a club runner or a fun runner you can be sure of a good time. Cost for the double: 5K & 10K Same Day. Affiliated  £46  Unaffiliated  £48 (YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 15 YEARS OLD ON RACE DAY) Cost for the 5K:...

  Bangor City 10K & Half Marathon. Date: 6th October 2024. This race starts and finishes in the city centre and goes out to the coastline  and along the Garth Pier over the Menai Straits taking in views of Anglesey, Snowdonia and the surrounding North Wales coastline, then on to the woodland paths filled with autumn colours, then back to the finish in the city centre.  See you on the start line, Chris Yorke, Race Director. https://www.runwales.com/e/bangor-city-10k-and-half-marathon-8597 https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Cost for the 10k:  Affiliated  £28,  Unaffiliated  £30, (YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 15 YEARS OLD ON RACE DAY)   Cost for the half marathon:  Affiliated  £37,  Unaffiliated  £39, (YOU MUST BE AT LEAST 17-YEARS OLD ON RACE DAY)   Includes a quality bespoke Medal and Technical T-shirt (10k and H...