donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*Pictured above - the busy start at the Rhos on Sea parkrun. Visitors boosted the numbers at North Wales parkruns Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry. blog It was perfect weather for the start of the school holidays, and at Rhos parkrun, as at most other North Wales events last Saturday, the superb conditions attracted a wealth of debutant runners, visitors and walkers. Local footballer  Aaron Dodwell  recorded a new course PB at the  Llandrillo yn Rhos  parkrun in just 16 minutes and 36 seconds, but visitor  Colin Latham  (Dragons RC Sale) gave chase all the way to finish in second place in 16.57, with promising JM1-14 athlete  Lucas Burgess  third with a new course PB in 17.25. *Gemma Moore  (Eryri Harriers) was the first female finisher with another outstanding performance in 18.18, and she was followed by  Emma Alofs  on her debut in 19.36, with  Alex Aldous...

Special Coast and Country book review promotion. Dave Jordan’s nostalgic book about 1970s schooldays. donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog LIFE AT BEDFORD DRIVE PRIMARY SCHOOL Now available on Amazon   Life at Bedford Drive Primary School   by Dave Jordan is a collection of stories and anecdotes of the author’s time at the school as a pupil during the 1970s, when life seemed perhaps less complicated than today. The school is on the Wirral, where Dave lived until 1990 before moving away to follow a chemistry-based career with Lever Brothers/Unilever in UK, Middle East and Eastern Europe.    Three local siblings and an unrequited love of Tranmere Rovers means that he has never lost touch with the area, and it remains a real pleasure to visit family and friends. The book has delightful illustrations by Jan Ewing, who is also a fellow pupil of the school. Past pupils will enjoy a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Present day pupils will enjoy the stories too - wh...

James and the twins starred again at a busy Rhos parkrun - plus a results round up from other NW events. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   There was another bumper attendance at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun and at mist other NW parkruns last Saturday, with over 500 runners and walkers enjoying the warm sunshine and the picturesque 5k promenade course. The almost ever-present athlete and his twin buggy in  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) - pictured right  - was the first finisher yet again at Rhos with a determined performance in just 17 minutes and 4 seconds, and he was only just ahead of  Mark Pemberton , who recorded a new course PB in 17.11, with JM15-17 athlete  Eben Jones  third in 17.52. The first female was well-known athlete  Laura McKenzie  (Betsi Runaways) in 64th place in 22.12, but it was a very close finish with Laura just one-second and one place ahead ...

*Pictured above - the NWRRC team at Holyhead (*above l-r): Will Williams, Steve Roberts, Mike Hayton, Nia Lister, and Rob Fryer; and (*bottom row): Hannah Griffith, Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton. Urgent last minute course change for the windswept Holyhead 5-mile NW championship race Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   The course for the popular annual Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race had to be changed last weekend at the last minute due to a high tide and strong blustery winds that were constantly battering waves against the outer defensive walls. This event, which was also part of the  North Wales 5-mile championships , was therefore quickly amended to just 4-miles, which at least allowed the run to continue for medals, despite a shorter, but safer route for the 171 runners. Samuel Gunning  (Cybi Striders) was the overall winner in 20 minutes and 36 seconds, but it proved to be an exciting tussle for honours with his rivals  Cai Llew...

INTER-AREA WELSH MASTERS ATHLETICS TEAMS FOR THE LATEST CHALLENGE AT YATE ON 2/8/26. These are the male and female teams for the Inter Area Challenge at Yate on Sunday 2nd August 2026, as provided by Brett Davis, a director of WMAL. www.welshmastersathleteics.co.uk donhaleblog.blogspot.com coastandcountry.blog. Message from Brett Davis: Hi everybody, He re is the final team list after a couple of late injuries,  plus an update on the vests situation. Joe/Adrian - I am giving the vests to Rhiannon who will get them to Louise at the fixture.  I will message you about any online payments that happen after now but would help if I have a phone number (or 2`) to link you in via Whatsapp. Full MEN's and WOMEN's vest details below the team: Brett Davis.

*The start of last weekend's Rhos parkrun. A fast start and finish by some quality visiting athletes at the Rhos parkrun - plus other North Wales parkrun results and reports... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog  *Pictured above  - Members and supporters of the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer Group at the Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning.  Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. The Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun welcomed over 500 runners, walkers, and volunteers to their Saturday morning event last weekend, including many members from the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group, for their regular monthly gathering. It proved to be a very warm but blustery day and attracted numerous quality athletes and visitors from all parts of the UK and abroad.  Six out of the first ten finishers were all first-timers and it was a keen battle for top placings with visitor  Harry Hammon  (Bramhall Runners) just hanging o...