Don Hale Blog

  *John Hatton (*above)  performed a clean sweep at Conwy parkrun to help reduce numerous large puddles at the start of a waterlogged course. Report by Don Hale.   Over two-hundred mixed ability runners took part in last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, but once again they had to contend with very muddy and waterlogged conditions underfoot, with the start area only improved late on due to volunteer John Hatton sweeping out some of the large puddles! John’s determined action with a stiff brush improved the safety of this popular event, and for the second time in recent weeks, only the innovative actions of willing individuals meant this popular run could begin on time!  *Pictured above - Hard working NWRRC official and parkrun volunteer, and MC John Hatton, sweeps  the puddles at Conwy parkrun.  ( *Photo credit Michael Finnie ). Despite the challenging conditions, this run attracted several top juniors, and senior athletes, who ran hard to record new course PB’s, and ensured a fast pace was ma

*Josh Keogh (*pictured above), was the first runner home at Conwy. No ice this week but runners battled a cold and blustery wind at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   In stark contrast to last week’s icy 5k course at Conwy parkrun, this time some 229 starters faced a cold blustery wind, but the event welcomed a large contingent from Porth Eirias Runners, and numerous ‘Couch to 5k’ participants. North Wales Road Runners  entered twelve members with  Josh Keogh  being the first man home overall on an unusually dry but challenging course with a fast time of 17 minutes and 33 seconds. The club also celebrated four first placed age cat victories, four second, and two third placings. Josh also won his SM30 age cat, and he was more than a minute ahead of the second placed finishers and debutants,  Cameron Morris  in 18.42, and  Ed Slaughter  third in 18.43. Cameron won his SM20 cat, and Ed additionally won his SM18 age cat. 

*Michael  Finnie  (*above) came to the rescue  as an ice-breaker at Conwy parkrun last Saturday. Ice-breaker Michael Finnie and his stick created a safe passage for parkrunners at Conwy. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   North Wales Road Runner Michael Finnie had to use a large stick to break up all the icy puddles at Conwy parkrun last Saturday to eventually allow the event to start safely on another very cold and frosty morning. Michael's innovative idea, came as a huge relief to 176 eager and enthusiastic entrants, who feared the worst over this very challenging, muddy, and puddle-filled 5k course. And his unique plan, backed by run director Sharon Hughes , confirmed a determination to provide a safe route following last week’s late cancellation due to similar problems. *Steve Poupart (*above left), with Joe and Stuart Culverhouse. Joe also celebrated his 100th parkrun this week with another promising run. Nine Road Runners  t

*Will Williams (*above), ran flat-out to finish second at Conwy. Perfect conditions for Will Williams amidst a bumper half-term crowd at Conwy parkrun...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conditions were almost perfect at Conwy parkrun this week with a remarkably dry course after several weeks of swamp-like conditions underfoot, with nearly 300 mixed ability club and social runners enjoying this picturesque 5k course. Boosted by the half-term holidays, organisers welcomed entrants from across the UK, and North Wales Road Runner  Will Williams , had to run flat-out to secure 2nd place overall, and he won his VM50 age cat, during another fast-dash event.  Will finished in a good time of 18 minutes and 54 seconds, but he was only 13-seconds ahead of the 3rd placed finisher, visitor  Richard Pollitt  (Horwich RMI Harriers), who won his VM45 cat in 19.07. The first male finisher was  Dave Hughes , who recorded a new cou

*Stuart Culverhouse and his son Joe (*above) competed well at Conwy parkrun. Two-hundred parkrunners tackled the challenging  and waterlogged 5k course at Conwy. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmasters.co.uk Over two-hundred entrants, including two-dozen North Wales Road Runners, tackled the waterlogged conditions at Conwy parkrun last Saturday, before discussing a controversial decision taken by the organisation’s HQ this week to remove all male, female, and age category records. The dreadful puddle-filled, muddy, and challenging 5k course took quite a beating during the previous few days, with strong winds, and torrential rain making everyone wish they had been wearing flippers, or wellies, rather than expensive training shoes. Stuart Culverhouse  though led home a team of twelve NWRRC athletes home, who secured four age cat wins, and four second placings, and he finished 6th overall, and claimed 2nd place in his VM50 age cat in a fast time of 20 minutes