donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

Bright, breezy and plenty of visitors at North Wales parkruns. Report by Don Hale.  Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie, Garteth Southworth and others. coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog,blogspot.com/2026   There were plenty of visitors at the bright and breezy Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun including - two out of the first three male finishers, and the third placed female athlete - all making their course debuts. Adam Jones  was the eventual first and fast finisher with an amazing new course PB of 15.42, but he seemed to run side by side for much of the event with visiting rivals  Daniel Kashi  (Sale Harriers) and  Gavin Thomas Stuart,  who later shared the same finishing times of 15.45.  *Gemma Moore  (Eryri Harriers) fresh from her midweek record-breaking success at the  Mish Mash 5k , was the first female finisher in 18.26 (10th overall), with  Ellen Baugh  (Denbigh Harriers) second in 22.08, and  Melissa Ward   Williams...

North Wales ‘Cowfest’ event at Erddig proved a major success. Report by Don Hale. Photos by David Airey and other. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog   The popular North Wales version of Cowfest staged at Erddig Hall, near Wrexham, proved a huge success last Saturday and attracted over four-hundred parkrun entrants from across the UK. This particular run with similar Cowfest functions at Crathes Castle in Scotland, and at Dinton Pastures in England, was a multi-gathering for all keen UK parkrun tourists, alongside individual regional events. All three venues welcomed many hundreds of parkrunners in fancy dress and with particular emphasis on the cow theme, welcoming many ‘Cowell’ chasers and tourists. Dave Munday,  who organises the parkrun  North Wales Facebook site,  and helps to promote the tourism angle, and encourages many parkrunners to try different NW venues said: “I really enjoyed the Cowfest, and many of the dedicated parkrunners at this event, w...

Top runner with twin buggy was first finisher at Rhos event. donhaleblog.blog.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was the first finisher at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning complete with his twin baby buggy in just 17 minutes and 26 seconds, but he was made to fight all the way by keen rival Iain Burgess in 17.42, with teenager Eben Jones third in 18.37. The bright and very breezy conditions failed to deter a large number of visiting athletes and walkers amongst the 435 finishers, with  Porth Eirias Runners  providing generous support and a take-over of many marshalling and volunteering positions. And Richard Peevor,  one of the Rhos parkrun officials also confirmed :  “Today has been a special day. A very special day. This was the first day that I ran the parkrun that I set up last year. I ran it with Barry Dickenson, one of our visually impaired runners. That was so fabulous and what this is all about!”  *The pa...

*Above and below - Ready for action - some of the hard working volunteers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning. Hot, humid and very busy at Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael  (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   The Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun proved to be the most popular North Wales event on a warm Saturday morning, which again attracted a host of runners and walkers from all over the UK, and even from Australia, including members from the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group for their regular end of the month gathering. Nine out of the first twelve finishing places were taken by first time entrants with  Paul Jones ( Shrewsbury AC) the first athlete home, recording a new course PB in 16.38, and he was chased by newbies  Conor Davies  second in 16.56, and  Niall Simmonds  (Southampton AC) third in 17.53. And well done to  Iain Burgess,  who ran extremely well in 4th place, despite ...

*GOG Triathlon super-vet Liz Evans (*above) at the Conwy parkrun. Bright and breezy for plenty of visitors at North Wales parkruns...results and reports from the region. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog There were plenty of visitors and first timers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday where a variety of mixed ability athletes and walkers celebrated some bright sunshine on a cold and windy morning. The first three finishers were all visitors, but they each recorded some excellent debut times with  Oliver Bernstein  the first man home in 16 minutes and 59 seconds, followed by fell runner  Michael Corralles  second in 17.25, and  Patrick Connors  (Lordshill Road Runners) in 17.29. *Pictured above left - Iain Burgess, with Nic Brook There were some great performances too by local athletes  Iain Burgess,  who was 5th with a new course PB on 17.35, and second in his VM40 a...

*Harry Driscoll (*pictured above) from Meirionnydd RC was second at Conwy. Some fast times and good attendances at many North Wales parkruns - full results round-up... Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Sam Griffiths  was the runaway first finisher at the  Conwy parkrun  last Saturday where they welcomed 209 club and social athletes, including many visitors from around the UK. Sam had an outstanding run in just 16 minutes and 42 seconds, with  Harry Driscoll  (Meirionnydd RC) second with a great new PB of 17.51, and visitor  John Brogan  (RC Warriors) took the third spot on his debut in 18.06. *Vicky Cole  (GOG Triathlon) was the first female finisher (16th overall), and she ran the course with her husband  Simon Cole , and claimed a new PB in 20.38, with  Ellie Evans  (Cybi Striders) second (34th) with a PB in 22.10, and  Katherine Gregson  finished third (38th) in 22.26. *Pictured above - Husb...