Don Hale Blog

*Road Runner Steve Gardner (*above) was the first NWRRC man home. Splash down at Conwy parkrun as student Harry takes the honours despite the wet and windy conditions. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Entries were well-down at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, which perhaps was not too surprising given the horribly wet weather, combined with a gusty wind, and a near waterlogged 5k course. Just 156 mixed ability runners braved the event which incredibly registered talented local student  Harry Jackson (Manchester Metropolitan University AC) for his first victory at Conwy following twenty-seven previous attempts including a second and third placing.  Harry  was the first male finisher in an amazing time - given the challenging conditions - of just 17 minutes and 22 seconds. He was followed by visiting club runner  William Richardson  (Irvine RC) on his debut in 17.48, and  Grant Little  in 18.44. The 1st female

Steve Mason (*pictured above) ran in the very first Llangollen parkrun... plus Kelly and Cai tackle the heat at the PLS 10k race in Liverpool. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk NWRRC member Steve Mason competed in the very first Old Railway Trail parkrun at Llangollen last Saturday, which was well attended by 249 visiting athletes from all parts of the UK. Steve enjoyed a good run over this new course and finished 5th overall, and he also won his MV45 age cat, with an impressive time of just 18.55. The entrants included a good mix of club and social runners, and this inaugural North Wales event was won by  Jack Pickett  (Wolverhampton & Bilston AC) in 15 minutes and 12 seconds, and he also won his SM20 age cat.  Connor Rogers  (Wrexham AC) finished 2nd in 15.49, and he won his SM25 age cat, with  Ollie Sterne  (Davenport Runners) 3rd in 16.55, and he was runner-up in the same age cat as Connor. The 1st female runner was  Samantha

*Steve Mason(*above) had another good outing at Conwy parkrun. Soggy parkrun at Conwy for Easter holiday visitors. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   It was another very soggy 5k course at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday as a variety of club and social runners opted to run this puddle-filled event, which was boosted by many Easter holiday visitors from all parts of the UK. The first runner home at Conwy parkrun was  Nic Brook  (Eryri Harriers) who had a tough battle for honours with talented junior  Oshi Adey , and debutant  Dave Hughes . Nic eventually won his MV45 age cat in 17 minutes and 50 seconds, but he was only five seconds ahead of Oshi, who won his JM15-17 cat in 17.55, with Dave third despite a course PB in 18.18. The 1st female runner was  Libbie Read  (Heaton Harriers) who was 13th overall, and she also won her SW25 age cat in 20.49, with  Gemma Moore  (Eryri Harriers) and her baby buggy 19th overall and 1st VW35 in 21.51,

*Steve Bozier (*pictured above) was the 1st NWRRC finisher. Fast-paced dash to the finish at a bright and busy Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.    It was another bright, sunny, but cold Saturday morning at Conwy parkrun last weekend as 239 entrants from all parts of the UK enjoyed the splendours of this attractive but challenging 5k course. This event included a very fast-paced dash by two young and promising athletes who dominated the parkrun from start to finish with  Tomos Land  the 1st runner home in just 17 minutes and 18 seconds, closely followed by rival  John Davies  (Eryri Harriers) in 2nd place, who was just twenty-seconds behind, despite a new PB of 17.38, with  Ian Slattery  3rd in 18.58. Ian is the son of the NWRRC chairman  Kevin Slattery , and he was on a brief home visit and celebrated his run with a deserved podium spot and 1st place in his MV35 age cat. The 1st Lady was  Tara Truman  (Stroud) in 20.38, with  Alice Johnston  (Les Croup

  *Steve Mason led the NWRRC team home at the Conwy parkrun. Anniversary parkrun success at Conwy despite tough weather conditions and challenging course... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   There was a tremendous turn-out of some 200 mixed ability entrants at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning, and they all helped to celebrate their 8th anniversary, despite very wet and blustery conditions. Many runners additionally wore unique themed costumes for this special birthday event but later probably wished they had also taken their wellies to help cope with this challenging and puddle-filled 5k course. GOG Triathlete  Simon Cole  was the first runner home overall, and won his MV40 age cat in just 18 minutes and 23 seconds, with  Aled Hughes  2nd, and just twelve seconds behind Simon in 18.35. NWRRC’s  Carla Green  was the 1st female runner and the VW50 cat winner in 22.33, with  Lizzie Irvine  (GOG Triathlon) 2nd in 23.41, and  Katie Cotton (Long Eaton) 3rd in 23.54.  *Ste

* Bryn Woodall  (*in white vest) just ahead of Steve Mason. Top marks to American student Bryn Woodall as he celebrated his 100th parkrun on a very heavy Conwy course... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   Colwyn Bay athlete Bryn Woodall was the first runner back at a very heavy Conwy parkrun on Saturday, where the talented teenager celebrated another superb result and his 100th parkrun, during a break from his studies and running adventures in America. Bryn also won his SM18 age cat and incredibly, he dashed around this saturated course in just 15 minutes and 38 seconds - which is the third fastest time ever - and he finished the best part of three minutes ahead of his nearest senior rival  Jonathan Kettle  from  NWRRC , who finished 2nd overall in 18.21, with JM15-17 runner  Ciaran Keyworth , 3rd in 18.59.  *Bryn Woodall (*above left) with Jonathan Kettle, who ran very well but had to settle for second place to Bryn. The first female runner was  Kirsty Stevenson  (Stone Ma

Bumper turnout at Conwy's New Year’s Eve parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. It was a bumper turnout at the New Year’s Eve parkrun at Conwy despite the rather damp conditions, and a very heavy, and waterlogged course. The event attracted 243 mixed ability runners from various parts of the UK, and debutant  Harry Standing  was the first finisher in just 18 minutes and 4 seconds, which was just a few seconds ahead of last week’s teenage age cat winner  Morgan Kendall  aka  Bananaman  in 18.13 and visiting athlete  Jack Cooper  (Trafford AC) with a new PB of 18.21. The first female finisher was  Anna Drinkwater  (Eryri Harriers) in 19.32, with  Amie Bagnall  (Cheshire Dragons) 2nd in 19.44, and debutant  Anna Burt  3rd in 21.41. Ten North Wales Road Runners  were involved in the New Year’s Eve parkrun at Conwy and claimed seven podium placings including five age cat wins.  Josh Keogh  (*pictured above) was the club’s first finisher and made a positive return followin