Don Hale Blog

*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 - 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 just before the start of the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday are many members of the - Conwy on tour - contingent of runners. Conwy parkrunners on tour at the Penrhyn Castle ...plus other results... Report by Don Hale.  Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finney, and Gwyn  Williams. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com With Conwy parkrun being out of action for about 14 weeks, a large group of over 30 members – and calling themselves 'Conwy on tour' - took part in the Penrhyn Castle parkrun, with another party attending the Nova event at Prestatyn. The conditions were ideal last Saturday morning with bright sunshine and a slight nip in the air, and at Penrhyn some 300 mixed ability athletes enjoyed the challenging and hilly course, which included two large laps and two small laps of the spectacular grounds and woodlands. One of the Conwy run directors,  Gwyn Williams (*pictured right) , who also ran and helped to rally the touring team commented: “Fantastic ...

*Pictured above - all round fell racer Karl Morris enjoyed a double date. Karl Morris completes two runs in a day including the tough Conwy Fell Race...plus other results... Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Fell runners are shown tackling the tough climb up Conwy Mountain. North Wales Road Runner Karl Morris took part in the annual Conwy Fell Race on Saturday afternoon just a few hours after competing in the 5k Nova parkrun at Prestatyn.  Described by the organisers as ‘a great fell race in the Conwy mountains,’ this gruelling course followed a 5-mile route, which included an initial 500m climb, and a further 1650ft of elevation, which started and finished at Conwy Cricket Club, and attracted 112 hardy and mixed ability athletes. Despite the challenge of two events in a day, Karl, a popular all-round endurance, fell, and road running athlete, completed this tough course with flying colours, and he ran home in 69.43 to finish in 77th place. *The over...

*Will Williams (*above), was the first NWRRC member back at Conwy. Depleted numbers at Conwy parkrun with many local athletes on their travels...plus other parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Due to the Bank Holiday weekend, the numbers of North Wales Road Runners entered at Conwy parkrun were somewhat depleted last Saturday, with many members opting to go on their travels to compete as visitors, at a variety of other parkruns around the UK. The results however still remained impressive despite a hot day, and mixed weather over the preceding days, which all contributed towards the usual array of challenges over this picturesque out-and-back 5k course, from the  RSPB Nature Reserve. There were just seven NWRRC entrants amongst the near 300-finishers, with  Will Williams  winning his VM50 age cat following an impressive run in 18 minutes and 22 seconds in 4th place overall, with  Steve Mason ...

*Will Evans (*above), was the first NWRRC member back at Conwy. Fast times at Conwy parkrun despite hard, dry, and bumpy conditions...plus reports from runners at Nova parkrun. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was hard, dry, and very bumpy, at Conwy parkrun last Saturday as some 239 mixed ability entrants from varied parts of the UK recorded new personal best times (PBs), over this picturesque but challenging 5k course. North Wales Road Runners  entered ten members, with  Will Evans  finishing 4th, and he won his VM40 age cat in 20.01, but he was only three-seconds ahead of his talented young club colleague  Harry Driscoll,  following a lively final dash. Harry though claimed the second spot in his SM20-24 age seemed satisfied with 5th place overall. *Harry Driscoll (*above left), with Jami Tharme, and Joe Culverhouse. Jamie Tharme  was 3rd in his VM45 cat in 32nd place in 22.33, with promising y...