Don Hale Blog

North Wales Track & Field meeting at Wrexham on 22nd July cancelled at short notice... Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The Welsh Athletics Endurance T & F Open meeting scheduled for 22nd July at the Queensway Stadium, at Wrexham, has unfortunately been cancelled at short notice due to unforeseen circumstances. The closing date should have been tonight (16/7/23) with a full track and field listing, but rumours from various prospective competing athletes suggested there may be problems with plans for this event. This was finally confirmed today when Amy Edwards, the North Wales (WA) competition officer, sent a message in reply to my inquiry, requesting an update. she stated: " Yes, unfortunately this is correct.   Due to unforeseen circumstances the event has been cancelled." No further details were given and it is expected that entrants will be advised in the next few days, together with news of any refunds for reg

*The NWRRC team at the Abersoch half-marathon (*l-r) Rachel Morris, Helen Hannam, Nicola Wylie, Stuart Culverhouse and Iwan Evans, Age category victory for Stuart Culverhouse at the Abersoch half-marathon race despite tough conditions. Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Five North Wales Road Runners travelled to Abersoch last Saturday (15/7/23) for their annual half-marathon event and collected two prestigious podium places, including an outright age category victory for Stuart Culverhouse as an MV50 athlete, despite facing very wet and windy conditions. In a large entry of about 300 runners,  Iwan Evans  was the first NWRRC member home in 20th place overall in 1 hour 31 minutes and 14 seconds, to claim the 3rd spot in his MV45 age cat. He was followed by  Stuart Culverhouse , who finished 29th in 1.35.53, to win his MV50 cat. Nicola Wylie  enjoyed another outstanding run as the 27th female, and in 136th place overall in 1.54.14, an

*John Hatton (*above) celebrated his 250th credit as a volunteer at Conwy. John Hatton celebrated his 250th appearance as a keen volunteer and athlete at Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   John Hatton, a well-known veteran athlete, sports official, charity fundraiser, and promoter of many local  charity  races and events, celebrated his 250th volunteering credit at Conwy parkrun last Saturday. The runner, cyclist, and influential member of North Wales Road Runners has been a prominent and popular member of the hard-working team of marshals, volunteers, and organisers, at this scenic parkrun venue since it first began many years ago. *Conwy parkrun director Gwyn Williams (*above left) and John Hatton are shown in festive gear last Christmas as they shiver before welcoming back all the entrants. John brought his experience and expertise to this particular event after helping to organise the Nick Beer 10k race, and the Deg

*GOG Simon Roxburgh (*above) crosses the finish line in 3rd place at Llanrwst. Podium places for GOG Triathletes Grant Little and Simon Roxburgh at the Llanrwst Sprint challenge ...plus all the other results... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There was a massive turn-out of some 54 athletes from the GOG Triathlon Club last Sunday for the Llanrwst Sprint Triathlon challenge with Grant Little and Simon Roxburgh both celebrating top podium places. The event - well organised by the GOGs - attracted 160 quality entrants for the T-1 swim, T-2 cycle and run, with  Llewelyn Edwards  finishing in 1st place, in 1 hour 7 minutes and 14 seconds, and he also won his senior men’s age cat title. Llewelyn was almost four minutes ahead of his nearest rival, GOG Triathlon athlete,  Grant Little , in 1.11.13, who won his MV40-49 cat, and was the 1st GOG member home. *Grant Little (*above), was the 1st GOG member home and fini

*Will Williams (*above) was the first NWRRC member home at Conwy. Fast times despite being cool and breezy at Conwy parkrun...plus news of Elizabeth in the Falkland Islands and Nicola at breezy Blackpool. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was rather cool and breezy at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday (1/7/23) but it still failed to deter another bumper attendance which also included a host of top club runners and enthusiastic visitors from many parts of the UK. Two new names though were registered as the 1st and 2nd placed finishers at Conwy with  Aled Hughes  taking the plaudits with an excellent and determined run, especially given the blustery conditions, as the 1st male finisher in 18 minutes and 6 seconds, to win his MV35 age category. He was very closely followed by rival  Dave Hughes , who finished 2nd in the same age cat as Aled, and he was only seven-seconds adrift despite a new PB of 18.13, with 

*Some of the NWRRC members at the start of the Felinheli race. Good turn-out and podium awards for the Road Runners at the challenging Felinheli 10k race... Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There was a good turnout from North Wales Road Runners amongst a quality entry of about three-hundred top club and social runners at the Felinheli 10k race last Wednesday night. Despite a very hilly and undulating course, and run mainly over rough tracks, forest trails, and some normally restricted private roads, many athletes still reported personal best times on another warm and humid evening. Adam Jones  (Meirionnydd RC) was the overall race winner following a superb run with an excellent chip time of just 32 minutes and 36 seconds to additionally win his Senior Male age cat.  Ifan Dafydd  (Eryri Harriers) claimed 2nd spot, and second prize in the same cat as Adam in 32.50, whilst the highly talented local youngster  Noa Vaughan  was the 1st

REVISED timetable for Inter-Area T&F Challenge at Nuneaton in August.... Introduction by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Brett Davis, a director of Welsh Masters Athletics Ltd, has just announced a REVISED timetable for the England Masters Athletics, Inter-Area T&F Challenge at Nuneaton on Sunday 6th August 2023. He confirmed this week: "Please see the attached, which is the REVISED Inter-Area timetable. I have not analysed it yet, but I can see that the 400m has been added for M70 and W70.  "And in relation to the men’s team, the squad will be announced very soon and then once availabilities are confirmed, the team selection and reserves will be announced.  "I am sure the women’s team will be in a much more advanced state and that Eleri will probably just have to deal with any changes due to the timetable changes." Brett Davis, Director, Welsh Masters Athletics Limited  ENGLAND MASTERS ATHLETICS INTER-AREA TRACK A