Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above and below - the start of the final Conwy parkrun event for several months due to construction work on part of the course. Very busy final parkrun at Conwy as construction work is set to begin on the new riverside cycle trail from the RSPB site... Report by Don Hale.  Parkrun photos courtesy of Bethan Wyn Roberts, John Hatton and Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Nearly 400 runners packed the Conwy parkrun course on a near perfect day last Saturday morning for an emotional final event for several months due to the start of some extensive construction work covering part of the existing 5k riverside course from the RPSB site. This latest parkrun therefore attracted a host of visiting club and social runners from across the UK, including representatives from Cardiff, Ripon, Oswestry, Widnes, Sandbach, Pitreavie, and Brecon, to name but a few. And there was also a large presence of some 26 travelling athletes from  Littleborough Runners , plus a generous co...

*Pictured above - athletes are pictured at the impressive start of the races. North Wales ‘Bobbies’ beat the course at Gwrych Castle National XC championships... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Gwrych Castle . https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   More than 300 police officers, backed by a host of supporters, volunteers and marshals, enjoyed a spectacular running event last Wednesday during the PSUK National Cross-Country Championships held at Gwrych Castle, near Abergele. Officers past and present representing about 19 male and female athletic teams from counties as far apart as Devon & Cornwall, Humberside, Wiltshire, Cheshire, South Wales, and Warwickshire, plus representatives from the Metropolitan Police and the National Crime Agency, all competed to deliver an exciting series of races. *A tough climb (*above) for competitors along several laps of the Castle. The men ran four challenging laps around the Castle and the surrounding woodland area, whilst the ladies ran th...

*Pictured above - Runners approach the finish at Conwy parkrun with their refections highlighted in the usual puddles on the course. Bright and sunny for St David’s Day penultimate parkrun at Conwy... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Bethan Wyn Roberts. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co,uk It was a beautifully sunny morning at Conwy parkrun last Saturday for St David’s Day, as 246 athletes, with some in fancy dress, took part in the penultimate event – at least for the time being - over this picturesque 5k course. Extensive construction work is now expected to commence from 8th March onwards, and for a period of about 14-weeks which will temporarily impact on part of the existing parkrun and riverside route, from near the RSPB Nature Reserve to the Conwy Cob access bridge. An alternative course is currently under consideration for this outstanding period, but meanwhile, and until any other details are confirmed, entrants from many parts of the country,...

*Pictured above - some members of the NWRRC team at the Twin Piers race. Runners beat the weather and water restrictions at the Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nearly four-hundred athletes took part in the ever-popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race last Saturday despite the cold weather, a cool headwind, and a massive water shortage, with severe restrictions affecting over 40,000 Conwy area residents. With no water available throughout the area, and many shops and businesses closed due to no loos, café’s, or any available washing facilities, race organisers from Colwyn Bay AC, worked miracles to ensure the event went ahead as planned with extra porta-loos provided at the start and finish, to cater for the runners, with many travelling from all parts of the UK. The event included the North Wales 10k championships, and it was run from Llandudno Pier to Colwyn B...

*Above and below  - a bird's eye view of the Lions Boxing Day Sea Dip. The Boxing Day Sea Dip was a record-breaking success in the sunshine for Llandudno Lions, and a great boost for hundreds of varied charities. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The Boxing Day Sea Dip was a record-breaking success for the Llandudno Lions Club with huge crowds, a massive entry of dippers, and loads of money raised for charity. Over six-hundred fancy dress entrants joined in with the fun and made a huge splash as they dipped their toes into the sea off Llandudno beach, watched by thousands of cheering spectators last Thursday morning for this popular annual charity event, which this year was also blessed by unusually warm sunshine and a bright blue sky! Well organised by the Lions Club , and promoted by both  John Chambers, and MC John Hatton , records tumbled at every turn, with officials confirming that thousands of pounds were raised for their two chosen charities,...

*The start of the 2024 Deganwy Dash with Jonathan Kettle and the leaders. LAST 80 ENTRIES AVAILABLE FOR THE 2025 DEGANWY DASH & ROHAN'S CHARITY RUN... FRIDAY 30th May 2025 START TIME 7PM.  https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=6781 *Pictured above - Deganwy Dash race organisers John Hatton and Carla Green John and Carla’s Deganwy Dash voted the ‘Best Sporting Event of the Year 2024,’ and raised thousands for Children's Cancer Charities... Don Hale Blog: John and Carla’s Deganwy Dash voted the ‘Best Spor... https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2024/11/john-and-carlas-deganwy-dash-voted-best.html?spref=tw Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk FRIDAY 30th May 2025 START TIME 19:00  https://secure.onreg.com/onreg2/front/step1.php?id=6781 ***STOP PRESS/URGENT UPDATE: The last 80 places are  available for this year's Deganwy Dash, so hurry and book your place asap, as there is a 350 max limit. RACE LICENCE APPLIED FO...