donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

*Pictured above - the start of the Landrillo yn Rhos parkrun. North Wales parkrun results round-up from a very wet morning... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie, John Hatton, and Rhos parkrun officials. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   *Run directors and volunteers (*above) near the finishing funnel at Rhos, and (*below) the NWRRC  Marshalls, pacers and volunteers last Saturday. Nearly four-hundred mixed ability athletes and walkers took part in a very wet and windy Llandrillo yn Rhos 5k parkrun last Saturday morning, which attracted a generous number of additional volunteers and six pacers from North Wales Road Runners. This local athletic club boosted the run director’s established team of supporters and their regular and excellent team of volunteers and marshalls, with all credit given to everyone involved on such a horribly wet day. Visitor  Simon Croft  (Red Fose Runners) was the first finisher overall in just 16 minu...

North Wales Sports and community blog reaches its ONE MILLIONETH VIEWING - and new children's cancer charity appeal... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog I am pleased to confirm that the sports, features, and community blog has now reached over ONE MILLION DOWNLOADS from about 1,500 popular posts within the last few years. This total was expected to be achieved by Christmas but due to a recent surge of demand it has now reached this target three months ahead of schedule thanks to the generous support of readers and followers. Combined with the Coast and Country blog and websites, it also attracts over 100,000 social media downloads each week, and provide a wealth of information, news and results etc. The blogs also promote local businesses, sports clubs, charities, arts and entertainments and provides a grassroots resume of North Wales activities. Many local charity and fundraising events have benefitted from the exposure and publicity on these sites and helped to...

Wild, wet and windy for North Wales parkrunners... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was wild, wet, and very windy at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun on Saturday, which may have helped to reduce the number of entrants at this venue, and at many other similar events this weekend. The conditions however, failed to deter another excellent turn-out of volunteers, walkers and supporters, who faced some strong blustery winds along this exposed 5k promenade course. Several talented and fast-paced young runners battled for glory again with just six-seconds separating the first four finishers, which also included two first-timers. Henry Pickard  was the first finisher overall in his debut in 16.56, with fellow visitor  Ben Rogers  second in 16.59, and  David Williams  (Royal Sutton Coldfield AC) was third in 17.00, whilst  Matthew Feetenby  (Ely Runners) finished a close fourth in 17....

*Steve Gardner (*above centre) on the podium at the  BMAF championships at Derby last weekend where he set  the fastest time this year in his particular  V60 event. North Wales athlete Steve Gardner sets the fastest 2000m steeplechase time this year at V60. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner and Welsh Master Steve Gardner competed in the BMAF championships at Derby over the weekend and set the fastest time this year in the 2000m steeplechase race in his respective veteran age category. The Team GB member and track champion at various distances over the past few seasons was delighted with his outstanding gold medal performance in this three-day event at Derby’s Moorways Stadium, and he finished in first place overall, and he was the first V60 athlete in a mixed gender event. After his race, Steve confirmed:  “ Leading the race from gun to tape, I finished six seconds faster tha...

  9/11: How an English doctor, returning from an Amazonian adventure, was caught up in the events of 9/11. The amazing story of UK runner and doctor Sam Allen and his recollections  and photographs as a first responder at 9/11 Ground Zero. * Check out this list An incredible true story from an unexpected first responder at Ground Zero from SPECIAL AMAZON OFFERS - Coast and Country online magazine https://amzn.eu/d/0aenc5sJ #amazonfinds via @Amazon * Pictured above - the horrific scene at Ground Zero in New York. Introduction by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog N EW 9/11 BOOK BY SAM ALLEN MD:   This is the true tale of two distant members of the same family who were brought together through the audacious terrorist attack on New York’s Twin Towers on what became known as 9/11. *Published by North Wales firm  Coast and Country  and now available on Amazon. 9/11: How an English doctor, returning from an Amazonian adventure, was c...

*Pictured above - The  Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club Rowers and (*below), the Deganwy Rowing Club team Five Miles From Home, a global rowing challenge A special report by Graham Jones featuring the exploits of The Bay of Colwyn Sailing Club Rowers and Deganwy Rowers in a global competition. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Held between 15:00 (BST) 2nd September and 15:00 (BST) 6th September, the  "5 Miles From Home"  rowing event is a global time-trial challenge where participants complete a five-mile distance in their local waters. It is a  unique global challenge connecting the rowing and paddling communities. The event is organized by the Scottish Coastal Rowing Association, with support from the Welsh Sea Rowing and Irish Sea Rowing Associations and as the name suggests, crews have to row exactly 5 miles (8,047 meters or 4.345 nautical miles). Ever-changing conditions experienced along the Conwy coast during the time period meant that cre...