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 ...

 *The winning female relay team at the Euro Masters Championships. Welsh Masters Shine at the European Championships in Madeira...results round-up by Juliet Sidney. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Welsh Masters athletes once again did Wales proud at the European Masters Championships in Madeira, delivering a week packed with medals, personal bests and inspirational performances.  From sprints to jumps and endurance events, every athlete showcased the determination, camaraderie and spirit that define Welsh Masters Athletics.   Iris Holder (W80) After a challenging year recovering from surgery, Iris showed her trademark resilience to claim a magnificent silver medal in the triple jump. Her performance was a shining example of perseverance and passion – well done, Iris!   Mel James (M80) Mel had a stellar championship, running a season’s best in the 100m before joining the M80 4x100m relay team, who stormed to gold and a new Great Britain record. A brilliant achievement f...

BMAF 10 km Championships 9th November 2025 start 11:02 am  (after 2 min silence) : The 2025 Heaton Harriers Memorial races are being held on  Newcastle Town Moor and this year  these incorporate the British Masters Athletics 10km individual and club team championships. and this year these incorporate the British Masters Athletics 10km individual and club team championships. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Race Entry Fee: ·         £23 to UKA-registered athletes, who are current members of a BMAF area club ·         £28 to UKA-registered athletes, who are not current members of BMAF area club   Applications to sign up to British Masters Athletics and join one of the area clubs can be done before entering the race:  https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/    Team medals will be awarded by BMAF to the first three teams in each of the following men's/women's 10 year age categories: V35-44...

*Pictured above - NWRRC member Steve Bozier and  his  family at the Penrhyn  Castle  Dark Run last Saturday. Penrhyn Castle Dark Run raised about £10k for children's hospices...and all set for this Saturday at Conwy Quay. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It proved to be another great night at the  Penrhyn Castle Dark Run  last Saturday with 384 participants helping to raise about £10k for  Hope House and Ty Gobaith  children's hospices. One of the event organisers and MC  John Hatton  later confirmed: “ Penrhyn Dark Run  last night. I went to the morning parkrun, then back as MC for the Dark Run, which was an absolutely fantastic evening.  We had so many volunteers, which made it so special all around the course, and we were overwhelmed by the response.  “Out of interest the provisional amount raised at Penrhyn was £10k and just looking forward to my next role at  Conwy Dark Run ...

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 - NWRRC member Steve Bozier and his  family at the Penrhyn Castle  Dark Run last Saturday. Penrhyn Castle Dark Run raised about £10k for children's hospices...and all set for this Saturday at Conwy Quay. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It proved to be another great night at the  Penrhyn Castle Dark Run  last Saturday with 384 participants helping to raise about £10k for  Hope House and Ty Gobaith  children's hospices. One of the event organisers and MC  John Hatton  later confirmed: “ Penrhyn Dark Run  last night. I went to the morning parkrun, then back as MC for the Dark Run, which was an absolutely fantastic evening.  We had so many volunteers, which made it so special all around the course, and we were overwhelmed by the response.  “Out of interest the provisional amount raised at Penrhyn was £10k and just looking forward to my next role at  Conwy Dark Run  on Saturda...

*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,...

*Juliet Sidney (*second from left above), is pictured with her team mates after winning the 4 x 100m final at the European Masters Championships in Madeira. Great win for Welsh Master Athlete Juliet and her GB relay team mates at the European Masters Championships in Madeira. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Well done to the Great Britain ladies W55 relay team who won the 4 x 100 metres final at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira at the weekend with a stunning performance that is likely to be a new European record. The GB team that collected prestigious gold medals consisted of  Juliet Sidney, Diane Wright, Stefanie Dornbusch, and Christine Harrison-Bloomfield  with an impressive time of 53.84, ahead of Germany in second place, and Ireland third. *The delighted GB relay winners are shown above  just after  securing victory in the Euro Masters final in Madeira. Award winning veteran sprinter  Juliet Sidney  ...