donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*The final dash to the line at Conwy parkrun with young athletes Tim Perry from the Isle of Man (*above left) with Joe Culverhouse. They both shared the exact same time as the first finishers. North Wales parkrun results round up... Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry. blog   Fell and mountain runner Josh Keogh was the first finisher on his course debut at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday with a superb time of just 16 minutes and 37 seconds. This event again attracted a host of top and talented club runners including visitor  Robin Stacey  (York Acorn), who was second in 17.18, and teenage debutant  Oliver Woodman  (Ivanhoe Runners), third in 17.28, with  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy, this week pushed down into 4th place in 17.28. The first four runners all ran under 18 minutes, and indeed the first 22 finishers all dipped all 20 minutes. The ladies als...

*The NWRRC relay runners are pictured on Llandudno prom before the start. Road Runners enjoyed the sun-drenched relay races on the prom. Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry. blog   Members of North Wales Road Runners enjoyed a very warm and sun-drenched evening of annual summer relay races last Tuesday night on Llandudno promenade. The event which started and finished near the pier included six teams of mixed ability male and female athletes with each member running one of three varied distances along courses packed with visitors. The club relay championship was eventually won by Team 3, followed by Team 1, and then Team 5. The teams and finishing times in order of merit were as follows:   Team 3  – Gwen Charlton 5.14, Molly Evans 12.16, and Mal Preece 26.57.  Team 1:  Don Hale 5.23, Tony Gibson 13.11, and Will Evans 27.04.  Team 5:  Kevin Higgins 5.23, Richard Scamans 11.59, and Adam Lemalle 27.13. Team 2:  Helen Hannam 4....

Special Coast and Country book review promotion. Dave Jordan’s nostalgic book about 1970s schooldays. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog LIFE AT BEDFORD DRIVE PRIMARY SCHOOL Now available on Amazon   Life at Bedford Drive Primary School   by Dave Jordan is a collection of stories and anecdotes of the author’s time at the school as a pupil during the 1970s, when life seemed perhaps less complicated than today. The school is on the Wirral, where Dave lived until 1990 before moving away to follow a chemistry-based career with Lever Brothers/Unilever in UK, Middle East and Eastern Europe.    Three local siblings and an unrequited love of Tranmere Rovers means that he has never lost touch with the area, and it remains a real pleasure to visit family and friends. The book has delightful illustrations by Jan Ewing, who is also a fellow pupil of the school. Past pupils will enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Present day pupils will enjoy the stories too - wh...

James and the twins starred again at a busy Rhos parkrun - plus a results round up from other NW events. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   There was another bumper attendance at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun and at mist other NW parkruns last Saturday, with over 500 runners and walkers enjoying the warm sunshine and the picturesque 5k promenade course. The almost ever-present athlete and his twin buggy in  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) - pictured right  - was the first finisher yet again at Rhos with a determined performance in just 17 minutes and 4 seconds, and he was only just ahead of  Mark Pemberton , who recorded a new course PB in 17.11, with JM15-17 athlete  Eben Jones  third in 17.52. The first female was well-known athlete  Laura McKenzie  (Betsi Runaways) in 64th place in 22.12, but it was a very close finish with Laura just one-second and one place ahead ...

*Pictured above - the NWRRC team at Holyhead (*above l-r): Will Williams, Steve Roberts, Mike Hayton, Nia Lister, and Rob Fryer; and (*bottom row): Hannah Griffith, Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton. Urgent last minute course change for the windswept Holyhead 5-mile NW championship race Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   The course for the popular annual Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race had to be changed last weekend at the last minute due to a high tide and strong blustery winds that were constantly battering waves against the outer defensive walls. This event, which was also part of the  North Wales 5-mile championships , was therefore quickly amended to just 4-miles, which at least allowed the run to continue for medals, despite a shorter, but safer route for the 171 runners. Samuel Gunning  (Cybi Striders) was the overall winner in 20 minutes and 36 seconds, but it proved to be an exciting tussle for honours with his rivals  Cai Llew...

INTER-AREA WELSH MASTERS ATHLETICS TEAMS FOR THE LATEST CHALLENGE AT YATE ON 2/8/26. These are the male and female teams for the Inter Area Challenge at Yate on Sunday 2nd August 2026, as provided by Brett Davis, a director of WMAL. www.welshmastersathleteics.co.uk donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog. Message from Brett Davis: Hi everybody, He re is the final team list after a couple of late injuries,  plus an update on the vests situation. Joe/Adrian - I am giving the vests to Rhiannon who will get them to Louise at the fixture.  I will message you about any online payments that happen after now but would help if I have a phone number (or 2`) to link you in via Whatsapp. Full MEN's and WOMEN's vest details below the team: Brett Davis.

*The start of last weekend's Rhos parkrun. A fast start and finish by some quality visiting athletes at the Rhos parkrun - plus other North Wales parkrun results and reports... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog  *Pictured above  - Members and supporters of the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer Group at the Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning.  Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. The Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun welcomed over 500 runners, walkers, and volunteers to their Saturday morning event last weekend, including many members from the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group, for their regular monthly gathering. It proved to be a very warm but blustery day and attracted numerous quality athletes and visitors from all parts of the UK and abroad.  Six out of the first ten finishers were all first-timers and it was a keen battle for top placings with visitor  Harry Hammon  (Bramhall Runners) just hanging o...