Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - the powerful locomotive that challenged the runners. Quick 5k dash to ‘Race the Highland train.' Report by Don Hale.  Many photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson, and Prestatyn RC. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *Three NWRRC members at Dinas station (l-r): Gwennan Charlton, Daniel Hennell and Hannah Griffith, and (*above right), some Prestatyn RC members on the train.   For many people, it’s just a race to catch the train, but last Wednesday night nearly 300 runners opted to ‘Race the Highland Train,’ in this very popular annual 5k event, with everyone enjoying a ride out to the start at Dinas station after departing from the initial assembly point at Caernarfon. The conditions were good on this fast downward course, with a generous number of club and social runners taking part and naturally recorded some very good times.  Meirionnydd RC took many of the plaudits with four club members in the first five places, including the ...

*Thumbs up from NWRRC member Will Williams in the green vest. North Wales athletes raced the ‘Magic Triangle’ for Euro glory at the prestigious Pulford 10k race... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Pictured above - the Pulford 10k race winner Logan Rees at the finish line.   A large number of North Wales athletes competed within a massive entry of over 600 elite runners last Sunday at the Pulford 10k, which was a qualifying race for the European Championships. Formerly known as the Cheshire Elite 10k, this prestigious event was staged on the legendary Pulford loop, known in running folklore as ‘The Magic Triangle,’ and is considered to be one of the fastest routes in the UK, and measured to World Athletics standards. The race was a high-quality event and consequently it attracted a star-studded entry and included some of the top runners in the country, who competed against each other in order to bid for international selection. De...

BRITISH MASTERS ATHLETIC FEDERATION BRITISH MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024  Under UKA Rules:  Saturday 16th March  2024: RHUG FARM, CORWEN, DENBIGHSHIRE, NORTH WALES LL21 0EH (courtesy of Lord Newborough). https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Event organiser Gareth Hughes, on behalf of Prestatyn RC, and Welsh Masters, is urgently appealing for runners to enter the British Masters’ cross-country champs at Rhug, Corwen, on Saturday, March 16th, 2024. He explained: "Just flagging up that entries are now open and all details are now on the BMAF website:  https://bmaf.org.uk/ "At the moment entries are very slow and it has been proved in the past that team medals are achievable just by turning out three runners in an age-group. Four years ago we in Prestatyn RC won three team medals. "It’s not often that we have the chance to compete in British championships in North Wales, and for tor those of you who haven’t run in Rhug before, I ca...

*Tracy Rogers (*above) on top form for records and the team manager's award. North Wales road records tumble again following some outstanding performances during the season. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Paul Brooks from NWRAC, has announced several notable records recently.  He confirmed: “In 2007  Marilyn Kitching  set an F35 NWRAC best in Farndon of 37.12. That has stood for 16 years - until recently, when  Tracy Rogers  equalled it at Wilmslow. And  Tracy has recently collected a Team Manager’s award for the 'Most Improved Athlete 2023'. Well deserved.   Many congratulations Tracy!" “And  Gordon Jones  (Prestatyn) ran a superb 1.25.14 at the  Caernarfon half marathon  on 10th September last. In doing so, he set a new NWRAC best for M65, breaking  Cliff Wilkinson's  previous record of 1.29.54, which had stood since 2000 at the  Lake Vyrnwy half marathon . Congratulations Go...