Don Hale Blog

*Kelly Marie Alford (*pictured above), enjoyed a good run in Manchester. Kelly on form at the Manchester Winter Warmer 10k - plus other race results... Kelly Marie Alford  and her partner  Cai Roberts  took part in the breezy  Manchester Winter Warmer 10k  race last Sunday, with Kelly finishing 2nd in her F40 age cat in 49th place overall in a chip time of 50.12, whilst Cai was 77th in 53.18. *local athlete Gee Outen made her half-marathon debut in the Manchester Winter Warmer race and finished 2nd in her SW age cat in 1.44.30. She was 45th overall and the 4th female runner, and her partner Val also claimed a new PB in the 10k race.   *Pictured (*above left), Cai Roberts, who ran well at Heaton Park, with Lesley Goodson and Anthony Paul Davies at Cardiff, with (*above right), Richard Scamans, who enjoyed a canine parkrun at Newborough. *Cardiff:  Lesley Goodson   made her debut at the  Cardiff parkrun  last Saturday and claimed 3rd place in her VW55 age cat in 25.28. Afterwards, she co

*Richard Scamans (*above) ran well at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun. Road Running trio on their parkrun travels. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Three North Wales Road Runners went on their travels last Saturday to enjoy a couple of parkruns at different venues due to the early cancellation notice at Conwy.  Steve Mason  performed well on his debut at the  Alexandra parkrun  at Moss Side, Manchester, and he finished 23rd despite a fast time of 19 minutes and 38 seconds. Meanwhile,  Will Williams  and  Richard Scamans  both ran in the  Penrhyn Castle parkrun , where Will won his VM50 age cat, finishing 8th overall in 18.50, with Richard 35th in 23.54. After his run Will Williams admitted : “Not feeling it this morning and didn’t give it my full effort. No races for few weeks, so didn’t really have the motivation to go to the pain cave, but still a decent threshold effort.” *Pictured left Steve Mason, Will Willi

*Josh Keogh (*pictured above) was the first NWRRC finisher at Conwy. Cold and crisp at Conwy parkrun where athletes recorded some fast times... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was a very cold and crisp at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning where fourteen Road Runners took part in this popular event, despite an afternoon cross-country fixture at Shrewsbury, and some other competing fixtures. The NWRRC team packed well and collected four senior age category wins, one junior victory, plus four second places, and they also recorded a major PB time over this challenging 5k course, which again attracted some quality club and visiting social runners. Josh Keogh  returned to parkrun with a superb performance in 4th place, and he was 2nd in his SM30 age cat in just 18 minutes and 3-seconds. He was followed by  Jamie Tharme , who shook-off a recent nagging injury to finish in 22nd place overall in 22.07, with  Ri

*Jonathan  Kettle  (*above) enjoyed an easy run at Conwy. Bumper turn-out at Conwy parkrun despite saturated course...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Ten North Wales Road Runners were amongst a bumper turn-out of over three-hundred entrants at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday with the usual numbers boosted due to a local half-marathon event the following day.  This popular annual race, well organised by  RunWales , always attracts a massive following and ensures this particular parkrun date records one of the busiest days of the year, as many athletes utilise this event as an ideal warm-up.  After the parkrun however, it was hoped that most of the participants had a change of footwear available, as once again, this saturated riverside 5k course dominated proceedings, and made the narrow, twisty, riverside route quite a challenge, especially with so many visiting runners. NWRRC members were restricted again due to additi

*Pictured (*above), NWRRC members Karl Morris, Richard Scamans and Stuart Culverhouse at Conwy parkrun. Hot and Humid for athletes at Conwy parkrun Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Mike Smith. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Hot and humid was the order of the day at Conwy parkrun last Saturday, as a generous sprinkling of visitors, social runners, and top cub athletes took part in this 5k dash on a picturesque riverside course. Student Harri Jackson  (Manchester Metro University AC) was the first runner back for the second consecutive week, but this time he was 18-seconds down on his previous time, but he still finished well ahead of his nearest challengers, which included promising Prestatyn RC pair,  Andy Bromley  and  Alex Ryder. Harri’s  time was 17 minutes and 30 seconds, and he won his SM20 age cat, with  Andy  2nd overall in 18.10, and the first SM30 cat, with  Alex  third and the first SM25 cat in 18.16. The first female finisher was  Ha

*Stuart Culverhouse (*above) was the first Road Runner home at Conwy. Perfect conditions for boosted numbers at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.    Two hundred and fifty-nine mixed ability entrants from all parts of the country helped to boost the numbers this week at Conwy parkrun in near perfect conditions. In stark contrast to last week’s icy course, this time runners were treated to dazzling sunshine and a warm breeze, but local club numbers remained down due to several competing fixtures.  The numbers however, also included sixty-three first time runners, twenty-three new PBs, and a large contingent from Manchester and the Midlands for the Colwyn Bay Metric Marathon the next day. The Road Runners  only had six members involved but still claimed four podium places including two age category wins and two second spots.  Stuart Culverhouse  led the team home in 20th place in 22.39, and he was 2nd in his MV50 age cat. *Richard Scamans (*above left) and Cheryl Frost. Cheryl Frost  was

*Mark Jessett (*above) was the  first NWRRC athlete back at the Conwy  Parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. Conwy parkrun finally returned as predicted last Saturday following another unfortunate break from action due to harsh Welsh Government and Covid-19 restrictions and even ended up on TV! The parkrun events were only approved by the Welsh First Minister Mark Drakeford the day before, after the ruling for people attending outdoor events was suddenly increased from 50 to 500! This meant a slightly belated 7th anniversary birthday bash celebration at the RSPB starting point for just short of two-hundred enthusiastic runners on a cold morning that was also filmed by ITV Wales. It turned out to be a rather fast and furious event that attracted numerous elite athletes in addition to a host of fun runners, including nineteen first timers, and numerous local athletic club members.  The quality at the top end of the run included seven out of the first eight finishers recor