Don Hale Blog

Is the end of the road in sight for local parkruns? https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The problems behind the scenes at Parkrun HQ finally hit boiling point this week following a highly controversial decision to delete speed and course records from the regular Saturday morning results data. This unjustified and totally unnecessary action could eventually spell the beginning of the end for hundreds of thousands of runners if further restrictions, omissions, and deletions/adjustments to finishing times, records, and age category results are implemented. This is the latest update from the BBC which has left hundreds of parkrun organisers and volunteers completely baffled...and it seems that Parkrun  HQ''s bizarre  decision  is just based on a small survey. PARKRUN WILL NO LONGER PUBLISH DATA ABOUT FIRST AND FAST FINISHERS, AGE GRADE, OR CATEGORY RECORDS... Report from the BBC online. 8/2/24. Parkrun says it has removed data such as speed records from

RECORDS WIPED FROM PARKRUN HQ:  It seems that parkrun have decided to wipe out all the records for the first finishers and all age cat record holders at all parkruns with immediate effect.  TV news reader and keen park runner  Sophie Raworth is trying to gauge some reaction from parkrunners. Today she said: " Any parkrun record holders out there who have just had their records wiped and want to talk about it on the news? Why it matters to you - if it does - that your record is no longer there etc?" So what is the  reasoning behind this action? I have not seen any notification from my local parkrun, or their HQ. Are they likely to stop recording finishing times and age cat results too? I can't understand the logic of this decision, and their failure to consult with runners etc. What do  park runners feel about this. No official notification given!

Nearly £7k raised for Conwy Mind following special Seal Splash Sea Dip event... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Gareth Southworth. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   There was a massive turn-out for a special cold water ‘Seal Splash’ Sea Dip from Colwyn Bay promenade, last Sunday afternoon, which helped to raise nearly £7k for Conwy Mind. Despite the cool and blustery conditions, dozens of brave entrants supported this unusual fundraising event, with many people wearing colourful fancy dress outfits, or bright swimming costumes, before entering the chilly waters. John Hatton , one of the hard-working charity promoters, confirmed:  “We had a great event at Colwyn Bay yesterday, the Seal Splash, a Sea Dip organised by Conwy Mind to raise funds. I was asked to help with the event, and it was a tremendous success with the intention of raising a few thousand pounds. “We eventually made £6,900. It was a really great atmosphere, and even the weather was kind to us, and Gareth Southworth, from C

*Josh Keogh (*above left), with Jonathan Kettle. North Wales Road Runners claimed top three places at Conwy parkrun...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of the late Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   A hat-trick of North Wales Road Runners celebrated after claiming the first three places at last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, which included another bumper attendance of nearly 300-entrants, despite the blustery and damp conditions. Josh Keogh  and  Jonathan Kettle  battled for glory throughout this challenging 5k dash amidst a route that was splattered with mud, deep puddles, along a narrow out and back course, and led home a strong team of eighteen club members. Josh eventually finished 1st, but he was only 22-seconds ahead of his cub rival Jonathan, who had just returned to Conwy following his amazing half-marathon win in Cyprus last weekend.   He   also won his SM30 age cat in just 17 minutes and 28 seconds, with  Jonatha

*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, who usually attended events w

*Jonathan Kettle (*above) was the first man back at Conwy Parkrun. Fast finishers at Conwy parkrun despite the blustery conditions. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *SEE ALSO: John Earlston's live video from the start of the Parkrun 20/1/24.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvCszIXHYJY   It was wild, windy, and very wet underfoot at Conwy parkrun last Saturday for nearly two-hundred mixed ability entrants who braved the cold and the challenging 5k course to record some superb times despite the unpredictable conditions. North Wales Road Runner   Jonathan Kettle  was the first man home in just 17 minutes and 49 seconds, to win his VM45 age cat, but he was made to fight all the way following a determined run by  Harty Woodford , who finished just one place, and eleven-seconds behind in 18.01, to win his SM30 cat. And  Stephen Skates  (Prestatyn RC) deservedly claimed the 3rd spot overall with another fast fi

*     NWRRC  Veteran John O'Shea (*above), performed well at Conwy  Parkrun. Good attendance at Conwy parkrun despite a double date. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another good attendance at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday despite other events, including the Twin Piers 10k race held later on the same day, which offered a unique double date for a number of very keen athletes. The parkrun event again attracted a good number of top club and social runners who were able to enjoy a picturesque 5k dash on an unusually dry but challenging course this week. North Wales Road Runners  were heavily depleted however, due to this fixture clash with just five members taking the parkrun option, yet they still claimed three first place age cat wins, and two second places. Master veteran  Barrie Wells  was in excellent form and finished 40th overall, winning his MV70 age cat in 24 minutes and eight-seconds, whil

*Pictured above - a quartet of NWRRC members at the start of the Conwy parkrun (l-r): Sion Thomas, Adam Lemalle, Dave Jones and Gethin Wyn Jones. Splash and dash course at Conwy parkrun attracted a good turn-out... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conwy parkrun’s popular splash and dash 5k course attracted a good number of club and social runners from far afield last Saturday for the first event of the New Year. Harri Jackson  (Menai T&F) was the first runner home on this puddle-filled and waterlogged riverside route in just 17 minutes and 35 seconds, and he finished just eleven-seconds ahead of rival  Harty Woodford  in 17.46, with  Alison Campbell  (Sheffield University Cross-Country & AC) snatching 3rd place overall, in addition to finishing as the 1st female athlete with a new personal best (PB) time of 18.04. Harri also won his SM20 age cat, with Harty winning his SM30 cat, and Alison claimed