Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton both won their age cats. Visiting athlete smashed the female course record at Penrhyn parkrun, plus other results and reports... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Penrhyn Castle parkrun attracted 317 entrants last Saturday including visiting athlete Sara Ismail-Sutton (Durham City Harriers), who was not only the 1st finisher overall, but she also smashed the female course record on her debut in 17.45. Despite the cool and blustery conditions Sara beat all her male rivals with ease, and was eventually followed by  Aidan Thomas  in 18.30, and VM60 veteran  Graham Bale  (Plymstock RR), who gave Aidan a hard chase in 3rd spot in 18.33. Quite remarkably, the first three female finishers were all debutants, and with Sara taking the top-spot overall, the 2nd female place was taken by  Anna Patrickson  (City of Salisbury), in 21.56, with  Patricia Ronksley ( Stragglers), 3rd in 23.09....

*Pictured above - some of the NWRRC team and the Conwy regulars at Penrhyn, and (*below), the start of the Penrhyn Castle p arkrun. Half term boost by visitors at Penrhyn parkrun... plus other results... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie, and others. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   It was another bumper entry for the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday as some 329 mixed ability entrants from all parts of the country boosted this half term event. On a lovely warm and sunny morning and braving a rather challenging and undulating 5k lapped course, visitor  Matthew Sayers  (North Herts RRC), was the first finisher on his debut in just 18 minutes and 19 seconds, with fellow debutant  Matthew Jones  (Ripley RC), claiming the runner-up spot following a determined battle with his rival, and he was just three-seconds adrift in 18.22.  At the time of writing, the 3rd male place remained unknown, but the 1st female finisher was visitor...

*Pictured above - the start of the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday. Penrhyn was the King of the Castle for popular parkruns Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The Penrhyn Castle parkrun was one of the most popular local events again last Saturday morning, with 256 visiting club and social athletes enjoying the picturesque but undulating 5k woodland trail course, despite a very cool and blustery wind. Young  Andrew Moore  won his SM20 age cat with an outstanding display in just 17 minutes and 8 seconds, and he was over a minute ahead of his nearest rival  Luke Hilliard  (Elswick Harriers) on his debut in 18.21, with teenager  Aidan Thomas  3rd in 18.30. The 1st female finisher was SW25 athlete  Anna Drinkwater  (Eryri Harriers), in 19.26, who was 6th overall, with  Laura McKenzie  (Betsi Runaways), 2nd (27th), in 22.54, whilst  Elen Jones  claimed the 3rd spo...

*Pictured above - some of the many varied groups at a record Nova parkrun. Record breaking numbers at the Nova Prestatyn parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Nova parkrun. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Nova parkrun officials celebrated another record-breaking event last Saturday as some 327 entrants took advantage of the warm March sunshine over this 5k promenade course. The overall numbers were boosted by another large contingent from ‘Conwy on tour,’ members, in addition to numerous athletes from  St Asaph City Striders  from their Stride to 5, challenge team, and many others from the  Your Way, Your Move Against Cancer , squad. The event also welcomed 80 first timers from 33 different clubs, and they recorded 44 new PB times. The first finisher overall was Prestatyn Running Club’s, VM45 athlete  Stephen Skates  in just 18 minutes and 12 seconds, but it was a very close finish against runner-up  Gareth Griffith,  despite a new PB...

*Pictured above - four Road Runners at the  Anglesey 10k Trail Race at Newborough last Sunday morning (l-r), Kay Hatton, Carol Moss, Rob Fryer and Philip Moss. Top podium places for Kay and Rob at the Anglesey 10k Trail Race at Newborough Forest. Report by Don Hale. Newborough photos courtesy of John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   A quartet of Road Runners competed in the challenging Altra Anglesey 10k trail race last Sunday morning at Newborough with two members winning their respective age categories amongst more than two hundred entrants. Philip Moss  narrowly missed out on a podium place after finishing 4th in his M60 cat despite a good run in 40th place in 55.45, but both  Kay Hatton and Rob Fryer  were worthy winners. *Kay Hatton (*above left) on the podium at Newborough, with Philip Moss, and Rob master vet Rob Fryer Veteran  Kay  won her F60 cat with another excellent display in 57th place o...

Anglesey Trail half-marathon and 10k...Sunday 10th Nov 2024. Sunday 10th November 2024.  Newborough Forest, Anglesey: https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/ https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com The Anglesey Trail Half Marathon & 10k is set in the beautiful surroundings of Newborough Forest, Anglesey.  The course takes you through the trees onto the stunning Llanddwyn Island and onwards to beautiful winding woodland trails which once hosted the Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Running Championships.    You’ll catch glimpses of the Llyn Peninsula and the mountains of Eryri (Snowdonia) amongst other incredible views. With loads of single-track forest trails, quiet forest views and sandy running trails, there is something for everyone in this race.    The course loops round to bring runners back to where they started and a hero's welcome from the spectators on the finish line.   https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/

* Gwennan Charlton (*above) on the finish line after her Torchlight Trail race. Gwennan enjoyed her night race in the woods. Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   NWRRC athlete Gwennan Charlton took part in the Sandman Black Diamond Torchlight Trail 5k plus event last Saturday night which was set amidst the pine trees and sand dunes of Newborough Forest, Anglesey.  Staged during the Sandman Triathlon weekend, the events offered either a 5.3k, or a 10.6k trail race option, promising a very special experience for all those taking part.  The trail races started and finished in the village and took runners around the forest trails before welcoming them back at the end of their adventure. It was primarily a fun-run for all abilities, and for people who love trail running but perhaps wanted to try something different. Gwennan certainly enjoyed her night-out and finished 8th overall, and she was also the 4th female fin...

*Steve  Forsyth (*above left) with Will Williams at the Two Lakes Trail 10k race. Trail Race victory for Steve  Forsyth  at Llyn Brenig  Trail  Race. Report by Don Hale.  Llyn Brenig Trail 10k:   Steve Forsyth  and  Will Williams  claimed the 1st and 2nd places at the Two Lakes Trail 10k at Llyn Brenig last Sunday, although the course was said to be about 7-miles.  And NWRRC colleague  Jamie Tharme  also ran well, although admitted he was struggling following his previous week’s gruelling ultra-effort. He later claimed, it was “too much, too soon,” and said his legs weren’t ready, and that it was a struggle from 3k. *Steve  Forsyth and Jamie Tharme (*above) at the Two Lakes Trail Race. *Barcelona marathon:   Mark Jessett  enjoyed his own run in the sun at the weekend with a great performance in the Barcelona marathon and just dipped under the 3-hour mark in 2.53. *Mark Jessett (*above) had a good run in the ...