Don Hale Blog

Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon & Metric Half Marathon T-shirts and medals still available! Sunday 24th March 2024. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Both races start at the Athletics track in Colwyn Bay, from here they head along to the promenade and head East along the coastline where both races have their turning points for you to retrace your steps back to the athletics track. Both race routes are mainly very flat with just a couple of short hills. The Metric Marathon distance 26.2km (16.3 miles) is an ideal stepping stone for runners to progress from a half marathon through to a full 26.2-mile marathon. The Metric Half Marathon distance 13.1km (8.13 miles) is an ideal stepping stone for runners to progress from a 10k to a 13.1-miles half marathon. Or you could use the metric marathon to test your pace on this flatish fast route for an upcoming spring marathon? Metric Marathon cost:   Affiliated £40, Unaffiliated £42. (YOU MUST BE A

RACE ROUND-UP FOR NW ROAD RUNNERS Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There were eleven races and/or parkruns recorded by North Wales Road Runners over the past weekend, with the Conwy parkrun, and the Anglesey 10k and half-marathon already reported on this blog. Other race results:  OULTON PARK: *Cheshire:  Three NWRRC members hit the track running last Sunday at the  Oulton Park 10k and 5k races  with all of them winning their respective age categories.  Kevin Higgins  won his M60 cat in the 10k race after finishing 63rd in 51.59, and  Tony Gibson  was just one place behind in 52.15, and he also won his M65 age cat. Meanwhile,  Steve Gardner  also won his M60 cat in the 5k race with a good performance in 7th place overall in 19.19 . After the race, Kevin admitted:  “It was a very undulating course, but this was my best time for over two years.” *Kevin Higgins (*above left), with Tony Gibson, and (*right) Steve Gardner. TRAFFORD 10K:

*Pictured above - some of the NWRRC team at the Anglesey races (l-r): Stuart  Culverhouse, Mike Hayton, Rob Fryer, and Don Hale. NW Road runners celebrated age cat wins at Anglesey half-marathon and 10k races. *Adam Lemalle and Kevin Slattery are pictured (*above) at the start of the half-marathon race, and (*below left), Alastair Canaway (*left), with Don Hale close to the finish of the 10k. (*These superb images courtesy of Mel Parry photography). Tel: 07810 161614. 01248 852944. Email:  Email:  dmelparry@gmail.com     Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was a bumper turn-out at the Anglesey half-marathon and 10k races last Sunday with over 1,100 runners taking part in this tough and very challenging course on an unusually bright and sunny morning. North Wales Road Runners  entered five athletes in the half-marathon event, with a further six members competing in the 10k, and once again they celebrated with an excellent M65 age cat

*Michael  Finnie  (*above) came to the rescue  as an ice-breaker at Conwy parkrun last Saturday. Ice-breaker Michael Finnie and his stick created a safe passage for parkrunners at Conwy. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   North Wales Road Runner Michael Finnie had to use a large stick to break up all the icy puddles at Conwy parkrun last Saturday to eventually allow the event to start safely on another very cold and frosty morning. Michael's innovative idea, came as a huge relief to 176 eager and enthusiastic entrants, who feared the worst over this very challenging, muddy, and puddle-filled 5k course. And his unique plan, backed by run director Sharon Hughes , confirmed a determination to provide a safe route following last week’s late cancellation due to similar problems. *Steve Poupart (*above left), with Joe and Stuart Culverhouse. Joe also celebrated his 100th parkrun this week with another promising run. Nine Road Runners  t

*Some members of the NWRRC team (*above) at the 5 mile and 10 mile championship  races at Abergele. NW Road Runners claimed eleven prestigious medals at Rhyl 10-mile championships...plus  other results... Report by Don Hale. Photos by John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Road Runners claimed eleven prestigious North Wales championship medals last Sunday morning at the Rhyl 10-mile race, including five gold, three silver, and three bronze. In a late switch to a new venue at Abergele for the Rhyl race due to delayed renovation and flood protection workings further down the promenade, this race attracted an excellent entry of 271 club and social runners, who enjoyed a cold but sunny run along a flat and fast course. This particular event also included an associated and inclusive 5-mile race, involving a further 183 finishers, which was run at the same time, with both races well organised by RunWales, and well supported by a generous number of