Don Hale Blog

*The NWRRC team who Raced the Train last Wednesday (*back row l-r), Cai Roberts, Steve Bozier, Rachel Morris, Ben Hudson and Karl Morris, and (*front row) Kelly Alford, Hannah Griffith, Vicky Taylor and Sarah Hudson. Perfect night to ‘Race the Highland Train’ back from Dinas to Caernarfon for 300 runners... Report by Don Hale. Some photos courtesy of Kelly Alford.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It proved to be another exciting dash from start to finish as nearly three-hundred mixed ability runners attempted to Race the Highland train from Dinas station to Caernarfon last Wednesday night. On a warm and almost perfect evening  Tomos Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) was the first athlete home in a fast time of just 14 minutes and 51 seconds over this interesting 5k course, with  Ifan Dafydd  (Eryri Harriers) 2nd in 14.55, and  John Higgs  3rd in 15.02. In addition,  Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) finished in 5th place in 15.15. The 1st female runner was  Rachel

*Fundraising athletes and Conwy parkrunners Ian Taylor (*above left) with Josh Mottram, are already on track with their fundraising to 'Race the Train.' Full steam ahead for Josh and Ian as they intend to 'Race the Train' to help raise funds for the Whales Swimming Club...   Special report by Don Hale .   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conwy parkrunners Ian Taylor and Josh Mottram have been given the green light to 'Race the Train' at Caernarfon next week (Wednesday 19th July), as they take on a most unusual challenge to help raise essential funds for the Whales Swimming Club. This enthusiastic pair are already on the right track to help raise at least £500 for a special club that provides swimming and teaching opportunities for people with additional needs. They are both regular entrants at  Conwy parkrun  most weekends, and now believe they can dash at full steam to try to out-run a mighty Welsh locomotive back to its base! 

Race the Highland Train 5k from Dinas to Caernarfon. Preview by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Rhedwyr Eryri Harriers present the 23rd Race the Highland Train event next month (July) 2023 – from Dinas to Caernarfon.  This is a unique 5k race held under U.K.A. Rules, and it is a fabulous opportunity to race against the famous Highland Train on Wednesday 19th July. The train Leaves the Highland Railway Station at Caernarfon at 7:30pm and the race starts at Dinas Railway Station at 8:00pm.  There is a limit of 300 entries and  the  Entry fee is just - attached £10/Unattached £12. Free commemorative slate coasters are awarded to the first 200 entries courtesy of Inigo Jones, Groeslon.  *Karl and Rachel Morris (*above) at a previous Race the Train event. *Please note: There will be NO entries on the night ,  and   the  minimum age of entry is 12 (age on race day) . There are also cash prizes for beating the records, and chip timing will be used.

*Train racers Kay Hatton (*above left) with Cheryl Frost. Road Runners on track at Tywyn ‘Race the Train’ races. Report by Don Hale.   Three Road Runners competed in two different but challenging races at the Tywyn Rotary Club’s ‘Race the Train’ events held last weekend which utilised the famous Talyllyn Railway. Run over farm tracks, open fields, and rich pastures, with options to take part in any one of four varied distances ranging from 3.5 miles to 14 miles, this was the 37th annual race series, and it attracted hundreds of competitors from across the UK.  Whatever distance selected, the runners were later distributed by coach or train to their agreed starting points at various stations along the line, and then given the arduous task of trying to beat the train back to the finish at Tywyn.  Kay Hatton  and  Cheryl Frost  ran in the  Quarry Challenge 10k  and both members were pleased with their performances on a warm and windy day.  Kay  ran well and finished 75th out of 256 entran

*Another deserved parkrun win for Mark Jessett (*above). Mark Jessett wins narrow victory at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Road Runner Mark Jessett celebrated a deserved victory at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday following his impressive performance on this challenging 5k course and finished just eleven seconds ahead of a very determined rival. Mark was the first NWRRC member home and he also won his M35-39 age category in 17 minutes 41 seconds to confirm his recent excellent form. And promising teenager  Morgan Kendall  finished a close 2nd in 17.52. but won his SM18-19 age cat, with  Robert Cordle  3rd, and 1st MV40-44 cat in 18.05. The event attracted two-hundred and twelve finishers, including a team of fifteen Road Runners, who claimed seven cat podium places with three members also winning their respective age cats. *Pictured (*above left) Gethin Wyn Jones and (*right) John Dalzell. Gethin Wyn Jones  ran his fastest parkrun this year to finish