Don Hale Blog

*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. ENTRIES NOW OPEN 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 RACE LICENCE APPLIED FOR:  RACE HQ DEGANWY PROMENADE - Race Number collection from 5:00pm ENTRY FEE £15 AFFILIATED £17 NON AFFILIATED  ALL PROCEEDS GO TO CANCER CHARITIES....

The Lions Club of Llandudno's Boxing Day Sea Dip... No online but you can enter on the day. Report by John Chambers. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com **URGENT UPDATE: Online entries for this year's Boxing Day Dip have NOW CLOSED, but you can still enter on the day, but please arrive early as it looks to be a record year for entries. Last year, 200 Dippers took to the water and raised thousands for many good causes. We hope to match that number of Dippers again. You can pre-register for the Dip by following the link below and filling out the form. We will then email you with the preregister form, Dip rules and sponsorship forms. You can raise money for the Lions Club of Llandudno or you can raise money for your favourite charity. https://forms.office.com/r/kL1KgnYgAw However, you can register on the day from 10am. The Dip takes place at 11:30am promptly so get registered early. This is a Dip not a swim so each Dipper will get a certificate for there efforts but there are priz...

*Picture above - Deganwy Dash race organisers John Hatton and Carla Green John and Carla’s Deganwy Dash voted the ‘Best Sporting Event of the Year,’ and raises thousands for Children's Cancer Charities. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Deganwy Dash was voted the Best Sporting event of the year within Conwy County at the annual Conwy Sports Awards last Friday night at Venue Cymru. Well organised by  John Hatton  and  Carla Green  from  North Wales Road Runners , this popular annual 5-mile race from Deganwy Quay to the RSPB Nature Reserve, and back via Conwy Cob, always attracts over 350-plus mixed ability runners who raise thousands of pounds for charity. The main charity includes generous donations to Children’s Cancer charities, and for the past few years it has been run in memory of a young local student Rohan Ingley, who sadly lost his life due to cancer, and has been known as 'Rohan's Run.' Award...

*John Hatton (*above left), with Sharon Buckley at the Conwy half-marathon. Proud moment for athletics coach John Hatton and a popular former community midwife Sharon Buckley. It was a proud moment this weekend for athletics coach, MC and promoter, John Hatton as he saw his new running protegee  Sharon Buckley – a well-known former North Wales midwife - cross the finish line at the challenging Conwy half-marathon with a remarkable time. John, who is heavily involved with North Wales Road Runners , Conwy parkrun , and is also a keen supporter and promoter of a host of charity events, confirmed: “Over the last 6 months I have been training Sharon, who is 60, to run her first half-marathon which she did today in 2.34.17, which is a fantastic achievement. “Sharon was a highly respected midwife in North Wales, and at one time she received an award as the top midwife in the Betsi Cadwalader Health Board for her dedicated service to the community.” *John Hatton was on hand last ...

*Pictured above - the warm-up in readiness for the Conwy Dark Run. Conwy Dark Run proved a massive success for Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices Report by Don Hale. Summary of the event by MC and fundraiser John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The ever-popular Conwy Dark Run held last Saturday night proved a massive success with over 400 runners and walkers supporting the event in brilliant weather and raising tens of thousands of pounds for Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices. Even promotion organiser  John Hatton , from  North Wales Road Runners , and  Conwy Parkrun , is an incredible supporter of numerous local charity events, said that he was absolutely delighted by the response. *Pictured above - the popular and extraordinary fundraiser John Hatton, from NWRRC and Conwy parkrun, who was the MC at the Conwy Dark Run. John Hatton confirmed:  “My role at  Penrhyn Castle Dark Run  was MC...