Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Karl Morris on his ultra race along the Coastal Path. Karl battled the elements to complete the tough ‘Ring of Fire’ race...and well done to Martin Joy in his ultra race. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   North Wales Road Runner Karl Morris battled against heavy rain, gales, and a severe lack of sleep, to record a tremendous performance in the tough ultra ‘Ring of Fire’ race around the Anglesey Coastal Path last weekend. This is one of the most gruelling challenges in the country, and for this experienced endurance athlete, his demanding journey began at Holyhead’s Breakwater Park, and followed a continuous loop covering some 131 miles, and just over 11k elevation along the island’s picturesque coastal pathway. Karl’s determination to complete the course was evident by his overall race stats, with his family and friends able to watch and admire his progress online. He eventually finished well in 47th place out of 112 starters – and in an incredib...

*Pictured above - all round fell racer Karl Morris enjoyed a double date. Karl Morris completes two runs in a day including the tough Conwy Fell Race...plus other results... Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Fell runners are shown tackling the tough climb up Conwy Mountain. North Wales Road Runner Karl Morris took part in the annual Conwy Fell Race on Saturday afternoon just a few hours after competing in the 5k Nova parkrun at Prestatyn.  Described by the organisers as ‘a great fell race in the Conwy mountains,’ this gruelling course followed a 5-mile route, which included an initial 500m climb, and a further 1650ft of elevation, which started and finished at Conwy Cricket Club, and attracted 112 hardy and mixed ability athletes. Despite the challenge of two events in a day, Karl, a popular all-round endurance, fell, and road running athlete, completed this tough course with flying colours, and he ran home in 69.43 to finish in 77th place. *The over...

*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...

*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...

* 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 ...

*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 SM2...

*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...