donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

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...

*Pictured above - the NWRRC team at the Caernarfon half-marathon and NW championships. (l-r): Rob Fryer, Stuart Culverhouse, Adam Lemalle, Steve Roberts, Nia Lister, and Kay Hatton. Gold medal and charity winners at the Caernarfon half-marathon championships... report by Don Hale and photos by John Hatton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog A large field of some 720 quality and mixed ability athletes tackled the undulating Caernarfon half marathon last Sunday with many raising funds for local charities and other worthy causes. This event, well organised by  RunWales,  also included the North Wales half-marathon championships, and consequently attracted some of the top local club runners who competed for medals and glory.   *The first three male and female medal winners at the Caernarfon half marathon are shown above. Tom Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) was the outstanding race winner in 1.09.25, with  James Nicholls  (Wrexham AAC) second in 1.13.0...

*Pictured above - father and son Stuart  and Joe Culverhouse. Fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race Report and results by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race in midweek with 151 mixed ability athletes competing for honours. David Brilley  (Buckley RC) was the first finisher overall in just 17 minutes and 11 seconds, but he was challenged all the way by  Lloyd Richmond  (Denbigh Harriers) in 17.43, and  Osian Tulloch  (Deeside AAC) in 17.56.  The ladies race was equally competitive with sisters  Ella and Gwen Hayes  (Deeside AAC) battling for the top two places, with Ella eventually winning out in 19.13, with Gwen second in 19.25, and  Joanne Henderson  (Denbigh Harriers) third in 19.51. *NWRRC   member  Stuart Culverhouse , and his son  Joe Culverhouse  – who this time was competing for his second claim club (Colwyn Bay AAC) –...

Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletis.co.uk By the time you read this there will only be less than two weeks left to enter the British Masters Half Marathon Championships in Dumfries on the 20th  September. The course is on scenic undulating roads with little traffic. Promoted by a true running club the Dumfries Half Marathon charges a very realistic entry fee which is rare in this day and age.   The race limits its entry numbers which means the Championships are well catered for, however I advise entering now before the Half is declared full. Just follow these links:  https://www.eventsupnorth.co.uk/event/2076 And once entered register your entry on open track via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-hm/   As your Road Race Secretary, I want to support grass roots running clubs and I know Dum...

*Pictured above - flashback to last year's RNLI 5k race on Llandudno prom and (*below) members of the RNLI team at Llandudno near their lifeboat station. Limited number of entries available for the RNLI 5k charity race on Sunday 20th September on Llandudno prom. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog There are just a limited number of entries still available for the RNLI  5k charity race set for Llandudno Promenade starting at 11am on Sunday 20th September 2026. Race organiser  John Hatton  challenges runners to be part of something special and help save lives at sea by signing up for this popular charity run, hosted by  Llandudno RNLI!  *Description:  A fast and flat course for both distances. The race starts and finishes on Llandudno Promenade, close to the Lifeboat Station. Entries are limited to 350 entries for the 5km and 100 entries for the 1km starting at 10.30am. *Race HQ:  RNLI Llandudno Lifeboat Station, Colwyn Road...

*Pictured above - the start of the Conwy parkrun. Bank Holiday visitors boosted parkrun numbers in the drizzle... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A large turn-out of Bank Holiday visitors mixed with regular runners and walkers in the drizzle at most North Wales parkrun last Saturday morning. Some of these events also welcomed many participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group , plus representatives from several other notable cancer organisations for their regular monthly gatherings.  At Llandrillo yn Rhos , another bumper entry included many elite and club runners with seven out of the first ten finishers all debutants, and quite remarkably, the first eight all dipped under 18 minutes. James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his famous twin buggy claimed another fast-dash result, and he was the first finisher overall once again despite the weather in ju...