Don Hale Blog

 *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...

*Tristan Owen from Tom  Owen & Son provides a warm welcome. Tom Owen and Son Funeral Director - FREE Bereavement  Coffee Morning in Llandudno:   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 https://www.facebook.com/tomowenandson We know that grief can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to face it alone. Join us for our Bereavement Coffee Morning on: - Thursday 18th September  10am – 12 noon - or at other times specified (*see below) for further details. Providero Tea & Coffee House - Llandudno It’s an informal, 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, please get in touch. Tom Owen and Son INDEPENDENT FAMILY-RUN FUNERAL DIRECTORS IN LLANDUDNO Special promotional feature:   Tom Owen and Son – Your trusted, family funeral directors.  Address: 11 Bodhyfryd Road, Lland...

  North Wales Cross-Country League fixtures and registration details 2025/26. Report from Bernie Jones promoted by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Bernie Jones, the secretary of the North Wales Cross Country League, has kindly supplied all the details for the registration of all participating junior and senior athletes, together with the fixture list for the 2025/26 cross-country season.   North Wales Cross Country AGM. At the 41st Annual General Meeting of the North Wales Cross Country Association fixtures for the 2025/26 season were agreed. Subject to final confirmation the dates/venues are as follows:   Sat 4 October  - St Asaph (hosted by Denbigh/Prestatyn) Sat 25 October  - Eirias Park (hosted by Colwyn Bay) Sat 22 November  - Bala (hosted by Meirionnydd) Sat 24 January  - Shrewsbury (hosted by Shropshire S) Sat 14 February  - Marches School (hosted by Oswestry O Sat 10 January  - Bangor  North Wales Champs  (hos...

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...