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Showing posts with the label John Hatton

Fast times at Conwy parkrun and a good turn-out despite the cold and blustery conditions.

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*Adam Lemalle (*above) was the first NWRRC club runner at Conwy parkrun. Fast times and a good turn-out at Conwy parkrun despite the cold and blustery conditions... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmasterathletics.co.uk   Despite a bitterly cold day, and a strong blustery wind, nearly two-hundred entrants still braved the elements and recorded some fast times over the challenging but relatively dry 5k course at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning. The event once again attracted a large number of visiting club and social runners from across the UK and Ireland, as part of an early Easter break, and plaudits were again handed to NWRRC member and parkrun volunteer  John Hatton , for his sterling efforts to help improve part of the start area. GOG Triathlete  Simon Cole  was the first runner home with an impressive time of just 17 minutes and 35 seconds to additionally win his VM40 age cat, and at the time of writing, the second placed runner remained unknown, b

John Hatton performed a clean sweep at a waterlogged Conwy parkrun.

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  *John Hatton (*above)  performed a clean sweep at Conwy parkrun to help reduce numerous large puddles at the start of a waterlogged course. Report by Don Hale.   Over two-hundred mixed ability runners took part in last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, but once again they had to contend with very muddy and waterlogged conditions underfoot, with the start area only improved late on due to volunteer John Hatton sweeping out some of the large puddles! John’s determined action with a stiff brush improved the safety of this popular event, and for the second time in recent weeks, only the innovative actions of willing individuals meant this popular run could begin on time!  *Pictured above - Hard working NWRRC official and parkrun volunteer, and MC John Hatton, sweeps  the puddles at Conwy parkrun.  ( *Photo credit Michael Finnie ). Despite the challenging conditions, this run attracted several top juniors, and senior athletes, who ran hard to record new course PB’s, and ensured a fast pace was ma

Nearly £7k raised for Conwy Mind following special Seal Splash Sea Dip event.

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Nearly £7k raised for Conwy Mind following special Seal Splash Sea Dip event... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Gareth Southworth. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   There was a massive turn-out for a special cold water ‘Seal Splash’ Sea Dip from Colwyn Bay promenade, last Sunday afternoon, which helped to raise nearly £7k for Conwy Mind. Despite the cool and blustery conditions, dozens of brave entrants supported this unusual fundraising event, with many people wearing colourful fancy dress outfits, or bright swimming costumes, before entering the chilly waters. John Hatton , one of the hard-working charity promoters, confirmed:  “We had a great event at Colwyn Bay yesterday, the Seal Splash, a Sea Dip organised by Conwy Mind to raise funds. I was asked to help with the event, and it was a tremendous success with the intention of raising a few thousand pounds. “We eventually made £6,900. It was a really great atmosphere, and even the weather was kind to us, and Gareth Southworth, from C

Tributes paid to popular photographer Steve Jeffery at Conwy parkrun.

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*Pictured above - the late photographer Steve Jeffery and his dog Bonnie. Tributes paid to popular photographer Steve Jeffery at Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Steve Jeffery’s archive. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There were mixed emotions at Conwy parkrun last Saturday as nearly 300 mixed ability social and club runners paid tribute, including a minutes spontaneous applause, to the popular and well-known photographer Steve Jeffery, who tragically lost his life last Wednesday. Steve was a founding member of  North Wales Road Runners , and a former member of the  Abergele Harriers  club, and he was a regular supporter at Conwy, and at numerous other local parkruns, plus a variety of events throughout the region. There was a notable feeling of shock and sadness amongst the packed ranks as parkrun officials  John Hatton , and  Bethan Wyn Roberts , confirmed the sudden and unexpected loss of Steve, who usually attended events w

Blustery winds for Road Runners at club’s Christmas handicap race - plus other results and New Year events.

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*Members of NWRRC (*pictured above), prior to the start of the Christmas handicap race at West Shore. Blustery winds for Road Runners at club’s Christmas handicap race...plus other  results and New Year events. Report by Don Hale. Main photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Twenty-five members of North Wales Road Runners took part in the annual Christmas handicap race last Sunday, but they had to battle with cool and very blustery head and sidewinds as they negotiated a challenging four-mile course along part of the Great Orme. Following a tough route out from West Shore and climbing up the Orme to the old WW2 gun sites and past what’s known as ‘ Millionaires Row ,’ the runners then turned via a further muddy track before returning back to the start. This popular event, well organised by John Hatton, Martin and Carla Green, and a team of willing volunteers and marshals attracted a bumper attendance, which included ne