donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*Pictured above - Rachel Morris proudly displays her London Marathon medal. The unique challenge of the London Marathon - four brave athletes recall their personal dramas... Introduction by Don Hale and reports directly from the athletes concerning their own personal journeys as mentioned via Facebook.   This is a special page to acknowledge the brave and dedicated efforts from just a few of the many North Wales based runners who successfully tackled this year’s London Marathon, with some also raising thousands of pounds for charity and worthy causes.    This is a summary of their dramas and memories from this iconic event.   RACHEL MORRIS: TCS London Marathon 2026  completed in 5hr 15min 04 seconds. I came away with a PB after knocking off 8 minutes from my last London Marathon. Absolutely loved it, so well organised, and the spectators were amazing I had loads of shout-outs due to my name and the Welsh Dragon being on my top  Thanks to all of you who hav...

*Pictured above - Rachel Morris (*left), with Lesley Goodson at the finish of the Great North Run. Road Running duo competed in the Great North Run. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Two members of North Wales Road Runners competed in the famous Great North Run last Sunday in some challenging conditions with heavy rain and high humidity. Lesley Goodson and Rachel Morris , made the long trek to Newcastle for the start of this epic event which attracted over 60,000 entrants, including  some  top international athletes, with many other participants raising tens of thousands of pounds for various charities. Lesley returned to road racing for the first time in several years and so she was naturally very pleased with her good time of 1.47.53 and afterwards confirmed: “My first road race since pre-Covid. Feeling pretty chuffed with myself with that.”  Rachel Morris  also enjoyed her run and confirmed that her parents, Brian and Hilda Limac...

*Members of NWRRC (*pictured above), prior to the start of the Christmas handicap race at West Shore. Blustery winds for Road Runners at club’s Christmas handicap race...plus other  results and New Year events. Report by Don Hale. Main photos by Kevin Slattery and John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Twenty-five members of North Wales Road Runners took part in the annual Christmas handicap race last Sunday, but they had to battle with cool and very blustery head and sidewinds as they negotiated a challenging four-mile course along part of the Great Orme. Following a tough route out from West Shore and climbing up the Orme to the old WW2 gun sites and past what’s known as ‘ Millionaires Row ,’ the runners then turned via a further muddy track before returning back to the start. This popular event, well organised by John Hatton, Martin and Carla Green, and a team of willing volunteers and marshals attracted a bumper attendance, which in...

*Three members of NWRRC are pictured at the  start of last Saturday's Santa Dash on Llandudno  prom (l-r): Helen Hannam, Gwennan Charlton and Rachel Morris. Hundreds of festive runners enjoyed the 5k charity Santa Dash on Llandudno prom. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   *Pictured above - Road Runner Hannah Griffith with her  family and friends. Hundreds of runners, including many families, and even some pet dogs, took part in the popular 5k Santa Dash on Llandudno Promenade last Saturday morning which helped to raise funds for St David's Hospice, and other local charities, despite the freezing conditions. With the early morning  Conwy parkrun  cancelled the previous evening due to the icy and potentially dangerous conditions on the course, the Dash probably attracted a number of extra charity participants, who enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the festivities, and we...

*Jonathan Kettle (*above) was involved in an exciting sprint finish at Conwy. Top duo battled for honours amidst a sprint finish at Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another battle from start to finish by two talented club runners during last Saturday’s parkrun at Conwy with Wrexham AC’s James Yarwood just holding on to the top spot following a sprint finish ahead of Road Runner Jonathan Kettle. Despite unusually humid conditions and a strong blustery wind, the experienced pair were locked neck and neck throughout on this puddle-filled 5k course but both athletes remained well ahead of any potential rivals.  James  eventually finished in 17 minutes and 33 seconds, with  Jonathan  just 16-seconds adrift in 17.49, and  Aled Hughes  was 3rd in 18.15. The 1st female runner was  Alex Aldous , who won her SW25 age cat in 18th place overall with a new PB...