Don Hale Blog

*Harry Driscoll (*above) was the first NWRRC man home at Conwy. Splash and dash for talented visitors at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   It was another puddle-filled splash and dash at Conwy parkrun last Saturday, but the challenging conditions and cold weather failed to deter numerous talented club and social athletes from having a go on this saturated 5k course. The first three male finishers were all visitors, with the top placing going to  Robin Stacey  (York Acorn RC) in 17 minutes and 51 seconds, and he won his SM30 age cat. He was followed by teenager  Cian Wood  (Dudley & Stourbridge), who recorded a new PB of 18.05 and he won his JM15-17 cat, with  Daniel Clarke  (Daventry RR), on his debut, recording a good time of 18.42, and he finished 2nd in the same age cat as Robin. The first two female runners were young identical twins  Gwen  and  Ella Hayes , with just 8-seconds separating the pair, who both recorded new PBs, with Gwen narrow

*Jonathan Kettle (*above) was involved in an exciting sprint finish at Conwy. Top duo battled for honours amidst a sprint finish at Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another battle from start to finish by two talented club runners during last Saturday’s parkrun at Conwy with Wrexham AC’s James Yarwood just holding on to the top spot following a sprint finish ahead of Road Runner Jonathan Kettle. Despite unusually humid conditions and a strong blustery wind, the experienced pair were locked neck and neck throughout on this puddle-filled 5k course but both athletes remained well ahead of any potential rivals.  James  eventually finished in 17 minutes and 33 seconds, with  Jonathan  just 16-seconds adrift in 17.49, and  Aled Hughes  was 3rd in 18.15. The 1st female runner was  Alex Aldous , who won her SW25 age cat in 18th place overall with a new PB of 21.52, and  Emma Bishop  was the ru

* Karl Morris (*pictured above) tackled the Pedol Peris fell race.   Karl Morris tackled the tough Pedol Peris fell race. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Endurance athlete Karl Morris competed well in the challenging Pedol Peris half fell race last Saturday. This tough run included 1,461m of elevation and was run over about 14k of varied terrain.  After the event, NWRRC member Karl said:  “I competed in the Pedol Peris half-race which started in Llanberis. It’s a classic local fell race. Not my best but getting back from injury and a great morning on the tops. My overall time was 2hrs 40 mins and 44secs.” *Pictured above - Cai Roberts, Kevin Higgins and Kelly Marie Alford.   Road Running trio at Farndon 10k.   A Road Running trio consisting of Kelly Marie Alford, Cai Roberts, and Kevin Higgins competed in the undulating Farndon 10k race on Sunday, which attracted 325 mixed ability entrants. Kelly was on top form again and finished i

*Pictured (*above), NWRRC members Karl Morris, Richard Scamans and Stuart Culverhouse at Conwy parkrun. Hot and Humid for athletes at Conwy parkrun Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Mike Smith. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Hot and humid was the order of the day at Conwy parkrun last Saturday, as a generous sprinkling of visitors, social runners, and top cub athletes took part in this 5k dash on a picturesque riverside course. Student Harri Jackson  (Manchester Metro University AC) was the first runner back for the second consecutive week, but this time he was 18-seconds down on his previous time, but he still finished well ahead of his nearest challengers, which included promising Prestatyn RC pair,  Andy Bromley  and  Alex Ryder. Harri’s  time was 17 minutes and 30 seconds, and he won his SM20 age cat, with  Andy  2nd overall in 18.10, and the first SM30 cat, with  Alex  third and the first SM25 cat in 18.16. The first female finisher was  Ha

*Pictured above - Four North Wales Road Runners at the Great Orme Fell Race (l-r) Steve Bozier, Nicola Wylie, Helen  Hannam and Karl Morris. Perfect conditions as records smashed at the Great Orme Fell Race... Report by Don Hale.    The annual   Great Orme Fell Race (Y Gogarth) was held last Tuesday evening in superb conditions with dozens of experienced fell, endurance, and club runners enjoying some spectacular views, as they smashed several established records. Staged over as challenging 4.1-mile, (6.6kms) course, with 1,306ft (398m) of elevation, organisers welcomed a perfect evening for racing, with many entrants travelling from far afield just to take part in this ever-popular event, which included both junior and senior races and varied age categories. One of the local event organisers,  Mike Blake  from Eryri Harriers ,  later confirmed: “Perfect running conditions at the Great Orme for Round 12 of the  Joe Brown Shops ’ mid-week fell race series.  “And our thanks to the organi

*Mark Jessett (*above) was the first NWRRC member home. Great Bank Holiday turn-out in the sun at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   There was a large turn-out of mixed ability club and social runners at the Bank Holiday weekend parkrun at Conwy last Saturday with sixteen North Wales Road Runners returning from their recent marathon exploits to claim eight podium places including four age category wins. Visiting athlete  Aaron Hoyle  (Corstorphine AC) was the first runner home on his debut in just 18 minutes and 7 seconds. And at the time of writing the 2nd placed runner’s identity remained unknown, but NWRRC member  Mark Jessett  claimed the 3rd spot in 18.30, and he also won his MV35 cat. There were 287 finishers. The 1st female athlete was  Gemma Moore , a former NWRRC member now with Eryri Harriers, who finished in 12th place overall in 20.17, but she had a real tussle with club colleague  Anna Drinkwater , who was just one place and three seconds be