Don Hale Blog

MENTAL ELF – Festive Fun Run for Conwy Mind at Eirias Events Centre...Sunday 30th  November... Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There will be a Festive Fun Run on Sunday 30th November at 11am for Conwy Mind at Eirias Events Centre, in Colwyn Bay. There are two choices to choose from at the  Mental Elf Festive Fun Run : -  A 5k Mental Elf, or a 2k Mini Elf.   The event organisers have invited everyone to join them  on Sunday 30th November 11am at Eirias Events Centre, Colwyn Bay for a day of fun and fundraising.   They say you can walk, jog, skip, or run, whilst soaking up the festive spirit and supporting Conwy and Vale of Clwyd Minds, and confirmed: “Together, we can go the extra mile for mental health!  The Mini Elf 2k Fun Run, is a new event this year! Mini elves can join in the fun too with a 2km fun run packed full of all the jingling fun. There is also a Free National Trust pass for every particip...

Osian was the runaway winner at the Eirias Park NW cross-country league race. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It was another good turn-out with some excellent performances last Saturday by a host of experienced club runners at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, for the second highly competitive match of the season in the ‘David Alun Williams,’ North Wales Cross-Country League, sponsored by Grand Prix Express. Elite senior male athlete  Osian Perrin  (Menai T&F) was the runaway winner of the  Senior Men’s  race in just 26 minutes and 28 seconds, and he finished over a minute ahead of his nearest rival  Ed Slaughter  (Bangor University), who was second in 27.31, with  Dan Kashi  (Meirionnydd RC) third in 27.40.  *In the Male Over 65 race, this was won by  John Jones  (Shrewsbury AC) in 20.14, with  Andy Clarke  (Oswestry Olympians) second, and he was only four-seconds behind in 20.18, with  Dyla...

MENTAL ELF – Festive Fun Run. Sunday 30th November at 11am for Conwy Mind at Eirias Events Centre. Put on your Elf hat and join our Festive Fun Run. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There are two choices to choose from: - A 5k Mental Elf, or a 2k Mini Elf.   Join us on Sunday 30th November 11am at Eirias Events Centre, Colwyn   Bay  for a day of fun and fundraising.  Walk, jog, skip or run while soaking up the festive spirit and supporting Conwy and Vale of Clwyd Minds. Together, we can go the extra mile for mental health! Mini Elf 2k Fun Run: A new event this year! Mini elves can join in the fun too with a 2km fun run packed full of all the jingling fun. A Free National Trust pass for every participant*   This year, Mind is partnering with the National Trust. If you take part or volunteer in a local  Mental Elf event, you’ll receive a free family access pass to National Trust sites! It’s our way of thanking   you for supporting mental health ...

Local Running Clubs come together to  supports Welsh Athletics' Own the Night campaign to make running safer for women this winter...SPECIAL FEATURE. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Unique report by Aaron Haggas - the run leader from Black Cloak Runners. A campaign aimed at making running safer for women by raising awareness and empowering communities to support female runners was launched this past Sunday with the Black Cloak Taproom hosting the North Wales Launch  Launched by Welsh Athletics, Own the Night is a national campaign, that confronts the truth head-on.   Running should feel free, safe, and equal but for many women, the reality is very different.  Every autumn, as the clocks go back and nights draw in, women across Wales face growing concerns about safety when running in the dark.    The campaign aims to: •  Raise awareness  of women's safety concerns when running at night or early mornings.   •  Empower women   to contin...

*Mike Hayton (NWRRC) battles with the elements to finish the Porth Eirias 10k. Wild, wet and windy for the Porth Eirias 10k. *Daniel Hennell (*above left) with Stuart Culverhouse are pictured just after completing their race against the weather conditions. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It was wild, wet and windy for 183 runners at the Port Eirias 10k last Saturday, yet many athletes still recorded some excellent times. Gareth Griffith  was the first finisher overall in just 37 minutes and 10 seconds, but he was pushed all the way by runner-up  Rhodri Williams  (Cybi Striders) in 37.21. with  Christopher Jones  (Abergele Harriers) third in 38.21. * Emily Grandfield  (TTT RC) was the first female finisher (10th overall) in 42.42, and  Mia Williams  was second (21st) in 46.10, with  Ellie Evans  (Cybi Striders) third (24th) in 46.23. *Stuart Culverhouse (*above left) with master vet Rob Fryer and veteran Len...

 *Pictured above - Black Cloak Runners at the Amsterdam Marathon with Helen Hannam (*front row - far left - and birthday girl Nia Lister - third from left front row. Black Cloak Runners' group enjoyed a birthday bash at the Amsterdam Marathon... Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   A large group of North Wales athletes together with family members and supporters travelled to Amsterdam last weekend to compete in their annual marathon. The idea started almost a challenge, as sixteen members of  Black Cloak Runners  from Colwyn Bay suddenly had an idea to help celebrate member Nia Lister’s birthday, so they decided to do something completely different, and opt for an overseas marathon debut adventure. *Birthday celebrations  for Nia Lister (*above left) with Helen Hannam. One of the birthday bash organisers Helen Hannam explained: “ We wanted to help Nia run her first marathon on her birthday, so sixteen of us from Black Cloak Runners went to ...

North Wales Cross Country League: Race No 2 at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay... Message about this Saturday's latest XC fixture and some previous photos courtesy of Bernie Jones. www.donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 The second David Alun Williams North Wales Cross Country League of the season will take place at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay(Ll29 7SP) this Saturday, 25th October 2025.  If you’re selected and have any additional runners to register please let me have them asap an no later than Thursday am.  We’re on the usual Eirias Park course with the Junior races starting at 10-30am and the Senior races at 1pm. Big thank you in advance to Colwyn Bay for hosting.  See you on Saturday  Bernie Jones, Secretary, NW XC League.

*Pictured above and below - the fast start of the spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom at Llandudno for the RNLI. Spectacular 5k fundraising race on the prom for the RNLI. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Caitlin Faye and others. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 It was a spectacular morning on Llandudno promenade last Sunday as bright warm sunshine greeted over 300 athletes and their supporters to an amazing 5k fundraising race for the town’s essential RNLI group Well organised by race director  John Hatton  and backed by a large and enthusiastic team of hard-working volunteers and marshals, this event attracted a wealth of elite, club and social runners, who recorded some very fast times in near perfect conditions; and this event also included some very popular junior races for children and their parents. John later confirmed:  “I have been working with  Catherine Tudor-Jones , who is the Community Manager. She was so thrilled the event went so well. Originally, th...

*Tristan Owen (above) a director at Tom  Owen and Son. Tom Owen and Son Funeral Director - FREE Bereavement  COFFEE CONNECTION MORNING IN LLANDUDNO AND COLWYN BAY.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 https://www.facebook.com/tomowenandson The Coffee Connection: Colwyn Bay & Llandudno: We know that grief can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone.  Join us for one of our Bereavement Coffee Connection Mornings in either Colwyn Bay or in Llandudno. Tom Owen and Son offer a special invitation to their Coffee Connection. This is an informal gathering for those who have been bereaved or feel isolated, who want to meet others for coffee (or tea), and a chat. Talk is FREE, and one coffee or tea is on us. It is a supportive space to share experiences (or just listen), meet others who understand, and enjoy a cup of coffee in good company.  Everyone is welcome – whether you’ve experienced a loss recently or some time ago. If you’d like more information, pl...