donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun. Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A large turn-out of Bank Holiday visitors mixed with regular runners and walkers in the drizzle at most North Wales parkrun last Saturday morning. Some of these events also welcomed many participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group , plus representatives from several other notable cancer organisations for their regular monthly gatherings.  At Llandrillo yn Rhos , another bumper entry included many elite and club runners with seven out of the first ten finishers all debutants, and quite remarkably, the first eight all dipped under 18 minutes. James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy claimed another fast-dash result, and he was the first finisher overall once again despite the weather in ju...

*A seahorse was on the  run at the  Llandrillo  yn Rhos parkrun. John’s water carriers came to the rescue at Rhos parkrun Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   There were scorching temperatures around the region last Saturday morning for all the North Wales parkruns, with some events and volunteers introducing water cups at the finish areas, together with some water pistols and water sprays en route to help keep everyone cool. At Llandrillo yn Rhos,  experienced volunteer and sports coach  John Hatton  - pictured right - came to the rescue and provided some large water carriers for all their runners after they completed their 5k promenade journey.  John confirmed:  “I decided to take lots of the water to Rhos, together with about 400 paper cups that I still had from the Deganwy Dash. They proved to be most welcome, and all the cups were used.”  And despite the soaring temperatures, one hardy entrant,  Ve...

*Pictured above - some of the many volunteers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun who commemorated the WWF and nature theme. Plenty of visitors at blustery North Wales parkruns. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was cold and blustery for many hundreds of parkrunners across North Wales last Saturday morning, but many events still reported good attendances and fast times. At  Llandrillo yn Rhos,  where they commemorated WWF and a nature theme, they again celebrated with a generous number of 443 participants, including plenty of visitors from across the UK. The first finisher was debutant  Aidan Thomas,  who was the runaway leader, finishing in just 17 minutes and 22 seconds. The second placed athlete remained unknown, but  Jeremy Pena  took the second spot in 18.41.  *The first female was visitor  Emma Knowles  (9th overall) who enjoyed a great debut run in 19.10, with  ...

*Pictured above - GOG  Triathlon  'Super Vet' Alan Benn. GOG Triathlete and Welsh ‘Super Vet’ Alan Benn crowned his 80th birthday dash in style with a new cat win and cake at Conwy’s Coronation Day parkrun. Special report by Don Hale. www.welshmasterathletics.co.uk   Welsh Master veteran Alan Benn crowned his 80th birthday dash in style at Conwy’s Coronation Day parkrun last Saturday by winning his new MV80-84 age category with an excellent time of 27 minutes and 57 seconds. The popular  GOG Triathlon  member enjoyed his first ever run as a ‘Super Vet’ and finished in 131st place amidst 325 mixed ability runners over the challenging but picturesque 5k North Wales course.  This was Alan’s 28th parkrun at Conwy, and his fastest run dates back 5-years to May 2019 when he incredibly ran a PB of just 23.41, with an age grading of 75.19%, in 64th place, and won his MV75-79 age cat. This week’s event attracted a bumper assortment of some highly talented and mixed ...

*GOG Triathlon veteran Liz EVANS (*above) won her VW70 age cat again. Veteran Liz Evans claimed age cat win for the GOGs at Easter Holiday Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Eight members of GOG Triathlon took part in the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, but their numbers and times were reduced due to competing fixtures and marathon/triathlon preparations, with veteran athlete Liz  Evans claiming the main plaudits. Graeme Tunstall  was the first club member home in 58th place in 24.01, and he was closely followed by  Steve Dutton  who was just two places and two seconds behind.  Hard working veteran athlete  Liz Evans  continued her excellent form to win her VW70 age cat in 97th place overall in 26.09.  Rob Stewart  was 119th in 27.31, with  Nicola Tomlinson  155th in 30.02, and  Amanda Collins  claimed 3rd place in her VW55 cat with a new PB in 30.43. Meanwhile,  Wayne Roberts  had a good ru...

*GOG Triathlete Liz Evans (*above) won her veteran age cat at Conwy. A Dozen GOG’s celebrated podium places and age cat wins at Conwy parkrun and Liz claims the top veteran spot. Report by Don Hale.   Twelve GOG Triathletes took part in last week’s Conwy parkrun and collected seven podium places including two age cat victories for the ladies, and a top three finish for Alun Brown. Alun  was the first club runner home in 2nd place overall, and he also claimed the 2nd spot in his MV40 cat in 18.24. He was followed by  Andy Jones  25th in 22.23, with  Michelle Farrell  30th with a new course PB of 22.56, and she came 1st in her VW40 age cat. Andy Brazier  (*pictured above) had a good run in 32nd place in 22.59, and he finished 2nd in his VM55 cat, with  John Farrell  49th in 24.30, with  Graeme Tunstall  55th in 25.11. Veteran  Liz Evans  was another cat winner of her VW70 cat in 64th place in 26.02, and  Nicola Tomlinso...

Six of the best for GOG Triathlon members at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.   Six GOG Triathlon members claimed podium places at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday with two first place age category wins, two second, and two third placings. Steven Owen  (*pictured right) finished 12th and he was the first club man home in in 21 minutes and 11 seconds. He was followed by  Simon Cole  in 16th place in 22.00, with  Gary Jones  26th in 23.11, and  Jack Buckley  ran well and claimed a new course PB in 34th place in 23.40. Super veteran athlete  Liz Evans  continued her excellent form to win her VW70 age cat in 71st place in 26.00, and  Nicola Tomlinson  finished in 113th place in 28.47, and another top super vet  Ann d’Albuquerque  finished just behind Nicola in 28.49, to claim the 2nd spot in her VW70 cat in 114th place. *Simon Cole (*above left) with veteran Liz Evans. Amanda Collins  enjoyed a good run in 139t...