donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

Bright and breezy for plenty of visiting parkrunners Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 There were plenty of visitors to a bright and breezy parkrun at Llandrillo y Rhos last Saturday morning with debutants claiming the first three male finishing places, and the first female spot. Andrew Walmsley  (Chorlton Runners) was the first finisher overall in 17.20, with  Jack Kay  (Sinfin RC) second in 18.18, and  James Jones  (Chester Tri Club) third in 18.31. Debutant  Flo Hughes  was the first female finisher in 19.46, and she was followed by teenager  Elen Edwards  (15th overall) n 20.38, with  Laura McKenzie  (Betsi Runaways) third, in 22.21. *North Wales Road Runners  had six members at Rhos with  Cheryl Frost  the club’s first finisher in 22.44, and she also won her VF60 age cat.  Richard Scamans  was next home in 23.04, and  Steve Mason  looked back to his best again in 99th place in ...

*Pictured above centre - young Charlie Sheen is the boxing champion. Charlie Sheen’s remarkable fundraising efforts for Alder Hey Hospital...completing an astonishing 75 mile challenge. Rebecca Lou reports on Charlie’s 75-mile challenge. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 At just 12 years old, local boxing sensation Charlie Sheen from Colwyn Bay is already building a reputation as one of the brightest young sporting talents in Wales. Representing Dyffryn ABC, Charlie has shown incredible dedication, discipline, and determination both inside and outside of the ring. Previously recognised by the Daily Post, Charlie completed an astonishing 75-mile fundraising challenge, raising an incredible £6,017 for Alder Hey Children’s hospital.  Now, Charlie’s boxing journey has reached another outstanding milestone. After competing at the prestigious Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff, Charlie has officially been crowned a 3x Welsh National Champion — winning national titles three years in a row...

*Pictured above - popular sports coach, veteran athlete, and charity fundraiser John Hatton is presented with a special cake at Rhos parkrun by NWRRC club colleague Elizabeth Driscoll for his 400th stint as a volunteer at various venues. Promenade packed for a bumper bonanza at Rhos parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy  of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog *Above - the start of the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday. The warmer weather and the Bank Holiday weekend attracted another bumper attendance of over five-hundred runners and walkers to the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning. The event also recorded plenty of personal best times, and visitors from across the UK, who enjoyed this exciting flat, and picturesque promenade route, with the first three finishing places all going to first-timers. Jonathan Shaw  (Steel City Striders) was the first finisher overall and he was delighted with an excellent debut time...

Special Coast and Country online magazine book reviews. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog NEW Search for the Words puzzle book by Val Crowson - Volumes 1 & 2 each of 100 puzzles now available on Amazon. Search for the Words Volume 1: A collection of 100 distinctive and individually created word searches just for you. Enjoy! By South African author and puzzle book creator Val Crowson.   This unique book is an interesting collection of 100 distinctive and individually created word searches. The Words can be found horizontally, vertically or backwards, but not diagonally. The letters that make up these words can be used more than once and can overlap. Circle the remaining letters to reveal the hidden answer in each puzzle.   *This is the link to the book now available on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/3RcI9ta   Search for the Words Volume 2: A collection of 100 distinctive and individually created Word Searches by author Val Crowson.   Another ...

*(Above) The packed start of the Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning. Talented junior athlete recorded a fast finish at a busy Rhos parkrun...plus a results round-up... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   *Pictured above - some of the team of volunteers at the Rhos parkrun. It was another busy Saturday morning at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun with over 400 mixed ability runners and walkers finally celebrating an open route along the picturesque promenade. JW11-14 youngster  Finlay Potter  (Warriors Pentathlon & AC) was the first runner home with a new course PB in a superb time of just 16 minutes and 54 seconds, and he finished narrowly ahead of  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC), who pushed his double stroller child buggy around the course together with his twins in 17.09, with JM15-17  George Ledsham  third with a new course PB of 17.25.  And quite remarkably, the top six finish...

Coast and Country book review - The Tree on The Moon: The Mariam have arrived!   A fantasy novel by William Pratt. Now available on Amazon via this link:   https://amzn.to/3RduJNl About the author – North Wales based author William Pratt Born a baby boomer. Living with the mantra 'if you worry or don't, the same conclusion will be reached.  A risk taker who is an archivist for the details of seventy-seven years of life on earth. Always living the next imagined scenarios, now with time to illiterate them.  Writing music was my trigger, now writing is my drug of choice. About the book:  The Tree on The Moon: The Mariam have arrived!   Now available on Amazon via this link:   https://amzn.to/3RduJNl Then:  The Mariam from planet Marisman came to Earth six thousand years ago wanting to share their special knowledge to advance human progression. However, their unique gifts are jealously coveted by humans.  Now:  Mariam descendants, eighteen y...

  *Flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom. RNLI Llandudno 5K & 1K Fun Run 2026 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Race organiser John Hatton challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for charity runs, hosted by Llandudno RNLI!  And John also added: " Just working on a race for next year 5k RSPB.  I came up with the idea, when I was invited to a site visit by the Contractors, Jennings.   "I have spoken to Helen the manager and she is really keen, we can have cafe as race HQ plus of course the toilets, it will help put back what they have lost over the time with the new course at Conwy." 💙 Sign up today and be a lifesaver! https://rnli.niftyentries.com/RLNI-Llandudno-5K-1K-Fun-Run-2026   *Just giving link if you want  to donate only https://www.justgiving.com/page/llandudno-rnli-5km-2026 🏃‍♂️  5km Run  – Open to all ages and abilities -  11:00am  👟  1km Fun Run ...