Don Hale Blog

Cool and breezy, but a very busy Bank Holiday for parkrunners. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The Nova parkrun at Prestatyn welcomed just over 300 mixed ability athletes to this popular venue last Saturday on a cool and breezy morning. The first three finishers were all debutants and visitors to the Nova course, with Lewis Morris ( West Cheshire AC ), celebrating his first trip with a fast time of just 17 minutes and 11 seconds.  He was closely followed by a couple of visiting members from Shrewsbury AC , in Paul Aston, who finished 2nd in 17.29, and JM15-17 junior, Toby Aston, who claimed the 3rd spot in 18.40, whilst another promising JM15-17 junior included Colwyn Bay youngster Iwan Roberts, who ran well in 4th place with a new course PB in 18.45. The 1st female finisher was Eve Manifold (21st overall), from Prestatyn RC in 21.53, with Jess Jaques 2nd (29th), on her debut in 22.26, and then quite surprisingly, Sarah Buckley and Alex Buckley fr...

Sign up for the Seal Splash 2025 - Conwy Mind. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com After launching to great success last year, Seal Splash is back! Join our Mascot Seren the Seal for our coldwater sea dip to raise vital funds for Conwy Mind.  Where?   Near Parisella’s, Colwyn Bay Promenade When?   10am, Sunday 8th June 2025 *Purchase your tickets for just £5 each!  https://www.conwymind.org.uk/support-us/fundraising-events/seal-splash-2025/   The event is open to everyone aged 11+ on the day of the event.  At Conwy Mind, we are committed to improving mental health across our community. Despite our successes, funding challenges threaten our ability to sustain and expand our services. That’s why we are encouraging our seal splash participants to set a fundraising goal of £50 this year, on top of their entry fee.  Not sure where to begin? We know £50 may sound like a lot if you’ve never fundraised before, but it’s actually really easy! Check out our the fund...

*Pictured above - some members of the NWRRC team at the Twin Piers race. Runners beat the weather and water restrictions at the Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nearly four-hundred athletes took part in the ever-popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race last Saturday despite the cold weather, a cool headwind, and a massive water shortage, with severe restrictions affecting over 40,000 Conwy area residents. With no water available throughout the area, and many shops and businesses closed due to no loos, café’s, or any available washing facilities, race organisers from Colwyn Bay AC, worked miracles to ensure the event went ahead as planned with extra porta-loos provided at the start and finish, to cater for the runners, with many travelling from all parts of the UK. The event included the North Wales 10k championships, and it was run from Llandudno Pier to Colwyn B...

Kinmel Bay beat the freeze and scored nine goals North Wales Coast East Football League 24/25 – Premier Division 11 Jan 2025 Kinmel Bay FC (9) v CPD Bro Cernyw (0):   Report and photos by Barry Griffiths. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com One of the few matches to be held during the freeze and fortunate to be able to get a slot on the G4 at Colwyn Bay. Despite the score a match played end to end with skill and energy.    I had some photo difficulty with light and my poor technique but submit some photos to convey the atmosphere and action.   Well attended game with 6 of the KBFC team officials present and all 5 subs brought into the match.   For the Bay goals which were all fought with determination we have: Min 5 Charlie Jones his first of 2 goals this time assisted by Mathew Beach. Min 7 Sean Sheridan first of his 3 in the match this assisted by Joshua Parry. Min 18 Jordan Bellham first of his 2 this assisted by Mathew Beach. Min 19 Sean Sheridan assisted ...

*Pictured above - Sandy Johnston in action from last year's event at Eirias Park **NEW FROM RUNWALES:  Colwyn Bay 5 miler/10 miler/20 miler.  9th March 2025, 10am. **Route update: from  RunWales:   Due to the continued sea defence works in Rhyl which will not be completed until 2026, this event has been moved to Colwyn Bay, we have also added a 20 miler to the mix, the race date is 9th March 2025. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com MORE INFORMATION.    Colwyn Bay 5 miler, 10 miler & 20 miler:   https://www.runwales.com/e/colwyn-bay-5-miler-10-miler-and-20-miler-8641 9th March 2025, 10am. All races start at the Athletics track in Colwyn  B ay, from here they head along to the promenade and head East along the coastline where all races have their turning points for you to retrace your steps back to the athletics track. All race routes are mainly very flat with just a couple of short hills. You could use the 20 miler to test your pace on this flati...