Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson at their latest marathon  race. Ben and Sarah tackled their 26th marathon on Tyneside. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Ben and Sarah Hudson took part in the challenging Newcastle and Gateshead marathon last Sunday – which was their 26th marathon! Ben finished in 3:48:59 and Sarah in 4:10:29, and 3rd in her age cat.  After her race , Sarah confirmed: “Such a cool weekend exploring Newcastle… including the Newcastle and Gateshead Marathon, our official marathon number 26.  "No where near my fastest (or my slowest for that matter) and it was certainly a little toughie with some interesting weather thrown in for good measure, but I loved it all the same.”  

*Pictured above - Steve Gardner smashed another record at The North Wales Endurance  open meeting at Deeside last weekend. (Photo by Bill Scrivens). Steve Gardner smashed the record at the NW 1500m steeplechase open race... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   NWRRC veteran and team GB athlete Steve Gardner competed in the North Wales Endurance open race meeting at Deeside last Friday night and recorded a new personal best time of 5 minutes 22 seconds and smashed the record in the 1500m steeplechase race. Steve confirmed: “There were no medals awarded as this was just an open meeting. I ran with the girl's as the barrier height for them is the same height as V60 male at 76.2cm, the barrier height for men is higher, and I finished 2nd overall. “I  raced on Friday night and achieved a new PB, which just dipped under my previous best of 5.23.83, which currently stood as UK V60 All Time best performance.  “Whilst V60 steeplechase cham...

Ben and Sarah (*pictured above)  and on track at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k Race. Report by Don Hale coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson were on track for success at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k race last weekend, the day after also taking part in the Kingsway parkrun at Gloucester. Following her run on Sunday, Sarah confirmed: “ Fun weekend back in the Shire for my brothers 50th, and of course we had to sneak in some running…at the lovely Kingsway parkrun in Gloucester on Saturday, and then a cheeky little 10k with Relish the Great Outdoors  on Sunday. “We stuck to the 10k this time, but it’s a great route and there were lots of distances available. Ben was 34th overall and 8th in his age category in 43.52. I was the 12th lady out of 237, and 2nd in my age category in 49.29, so well chuffed.  “We made our debuts at the Kingsway parkrun in Gloucester on Saturday, which was a great little course. Ben was 21s...

*Steve Gardner - pictured above and below - at the British Champs where he was representing Tim Tri Cymru. Double boost for Welsh Master  Steve  Gardner with two new international Team GB dates for Sprint Duathlons in 2027. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Welsh Master and track star Steve Gardner has just been selected to represent Team Great Britain in his MV60 age category at two major international Sprint Duathlon Championships during next year following his success at some prestigious recent events. This week, he confirmed:  “It’s been an exceptionally good few weeks lately. Within the last half hour, I have received an email confirming that I have qualified to represent Great Britain - age group team in the World Sprint Duathlon Championships in Edmonton Canada 2027 following my performance at the British Sprint Duathlon Champs at Oulton Park recently.  “And just seven days earlier, after winning the V60 age group at the Scottish Sprint Duathl...

Good mix of varied ability athletes at a busy Rhos parkrun - plus NW results round up... Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Micheal Finnie. * *Steve Gardner is pictured right. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It proved to be another bumper turn-out at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday with a generous mix of top junior and senior club runners, plus numerous first timers, social runners and walkers. Six out of the first ten finishers at  Rhos  were debutants, including many talented youngsters, all testing their paces against each other.  Surprisingly though, in a sprint finish, VM35 athlete  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) eventually claimed the top spot with a new course PB in 17 minutes and 11 seconds, whilst JM11-14 youngster  Finlay Potter  (Warriors Pentathlon & AC) finished just two-seconds behind Aled in 17.13, and  Craig Connor  (Chester Tri-Club) took the third spot, and he was only another f...

Good results for NW marathon runners   Picture right - Mal Preece from NWRRC ran  well  at the Boston marathon. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 North Wales Road Runner Mal Preece competed in the Boston Marathon last weekend, and despite a gruelling race and some very windy conditions, he finished just a few seconds away from recording a great new course PB. After the event he confirmed:  “Very tough and windy conditions, 40/50mph headwinds, but pleased with the time. Just 23 seconds away from my PB of 3:22:27!  Definitely a fast course with the right conditions. I’ll be signing up again for next year.” *On returning home, Mal later took part in the  Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun  on Saturday finishing in 117th place in 26.08. Cheryl Smashed her previous marathon PB. *Cheryl Frost (*pictured left) from NWRRC smashed her previous personal best time at the Newport Marathon on Sunday with a determined run in 3 hours 46 minutes and 20 seconds despite suffering f...

Join the exciting world of Virtual Events that can be completed in your own time, with limited costs, genuine recognition and superb medals.   Special Coast and Country online sports feature by Aled Mawgan.   **SPECIAL MAGAZINE OFFER OF 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL ENTRIES:  Use this Social  Coupon Code:  COAST26   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Are you a runner, a club athlete, cyclist, a keen walker, or even a dog walker, just intent on maintaining a certain level of fitness, with some new and exciting event that may be offered and enjoyed within your local community? If so, then have you considered taking part in some VIRTUAL EVENTS ranging from 1k, 5k, 10k, half marathon to marathons, with an additional opportunity to help fundraise for good causes, or just to complete a specific distance or challenge, in your own time, and at your own pace, either on your own, or with family and friends? Many regular runners and walkers are constantly compla...