Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - the late photographer Steve Jeffery and his dog Bonnie. Tributes paid to popular photographer Steve Jeffery at Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Steve Jeffery’s archive. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   There were mixed emotions at Conwy parkrun last Saturday as nearly 300 mixed ability social and club runners paid tribute, including a minutes spontaneous applause, to the popular and well-known photographer Steve Jeffery, who tragically lost his life last Wednesday. Steve was a founding member of  North Wales Road Runners , and a former member of the  Abergele Harriers  club, and he was a regular supporter at Conwy, and at numerous other local parkruns, plus a variety of events throughout the region. There was a notable feeling of shock and sadness amongst the packed ranks as parkrun officials  John Hatton , and  Bethan Wyn Roberts , confirmed the sudden and unexpected loss of Steve, ...

*Morgan Kendall (*above) pictured at his recent Conwy half-marathon victory continued his excellent form at the Conwy parkrun. Hot pace set by Morgan Kendall at cool and breezy Conwy parkrun...and four age cat wins for NWRRC. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was cool, with very breezy conditions at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, but it was good to see talented local athlete and student Morgan Kendall set a hot pace from the start of this 5k event despite some tough opposition. Returning home from  Durham University  for the festive holidays  Morgan , representing (Durham City Harriers), maintained his top form and gained a narrow victory over rivals  James Smith  (Menai T&F), and  Harty Woodford .  He recorded another excellent time of just 17 minutes and 14 seconds to win his SM20 age cat, and finished just 9-seconds ahead of James, who claimed 2nd place in th...

Newborough Forest won the virtual World Cup Parkrun Final against North Wales rivals Archive report by Don Hale. Flashback story to earlier in 2020. The picturesque beauty spot of Newborough Forest on Anglesey finally won the epic local derby Parkrun battle over their North Wales rivals Conwy earlier in 2020 to win the top global tourism prize, with both teams recording a record number of votes. In a dramatic 24-hour final staged online, Newborough led for most of the way, and backed by tremendous Island support, fully deserved their victory. With this inaugural, virtual running competition, which attracted 24 teams worldwide from a variety of tourist locations based in Australia, Germany, Holland, Norway, and from all around the UK, it seemed quite bizarre, and perhaps a shade unfortunate that two teams situated just 30-miles apart in scenic North Wales, should meet in the final.                              ...