Don Hale Blog

BMAF Road Race report and calendar for 2026... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Special note from Walter Hill, the BMAF  Road race secretary. I note that a Road Report is on the agenda and for those who are not on our mass e-mailing list it is copied below.  I will be in Majorca on a training camp for cyclists at the time of the Council meeting and will be finishing off the team dinner . However, I still aim to sign in wi-fi dependant ,if I don't appear please accept my apologies.  On a personal note, Glen and I have continued to ensure a Masters Service is provided with the help of BMAF Services. I  must also record my thanks to VAC and the IOMVAC in helping me promote the BMAF 5K and the Marathon for 2026. Best wishes, Walter Hill. BMAF Road Race Sec. Update on Masters Road Race Championship Calendar 2026.. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Although the BMAF Executive has only two elected officers and an England Masters representative in post we are not a quorum, this con...

*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson at their latest marathon  race. Ben and Sarah tackled their 26th marathon on Tyneside. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Ben and Sarah Hudson took part in the challenging Newcastle and Gateshead marathon last Sunday – which was their 26th marathon! Ben finished in 3:48:59 and Sarah in 4:10:29, and 3rd in her age cat.  After her race , Sarah confirmed: “Such a cool weekend exploring Newcastle… including the Newcastle and Gateshead Marathon, our official marathon number 26.  "No where near my fastest (or my slowest for that matter) and it was certainly a little toughie with some interesting weather thrown in for good measure, but I loved it all the same.”  

*Pictured above  - the start of the Bank  Holiday parkrun at Rhos on Sea. Bank Holiday bonanza at North Wales parkruns Report by Don Hale. Photos at Rhos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   The Bank Holiday weekend brought in plenty of first timers and mixed ability entrants to the various North Wales parkruns, which were again blessed by mild and sunny weather. Llandrillo yn Rhos  was the top venue yet again with 511 people enjoying the unique atmosphere of this new and exciting promenade dash, where visitor  Robin Stacey  (York Acorn AC) was the first finisher overall in just 17 minutes and 6 seconds. Aidan Thomas  was the runner-up in 17.55, with JM15-17 athlete  George Ledshaw  celebrating an impressive performance with a new course PB of 18.00.  And it was interesting to see local athlete  Simon Cole  (GOG Triathlon) starting at the back of this large entry to eventually finish in 4th pl...

*Pictured above (l-r): Rhos Run Directors' Chris Spillane, Sharon Hughes and Richard Peevor with the amazing 10,000th parkrun landmark certificate, and (*below) the commemorative golden token.  Landmark 10,000th runner at the new Rhos on Sea parkrun - plus other results round-up... Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by John Hatton, and Conwy by Michael Finnie. coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 It was another fun-packed occasion at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday morning in perfect conditions where local athlete Darren Dentith became the 10,000th person to complete this spectacular promenade course in just twenty-three events. Backed by another massive attendance with some 439 finishers including a generous assortment of elite, club, social runners and walkers, the celebrations were enhanced by a large group of supporters and participants from the  5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group. The outstanding and rapid success of this popular seaside event ...

Ben and Sarah (*pictured above)  and on track at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k Race. Report by Don Hale coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026   Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson were on track for success at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k race last weekend, the day after also taking part in the Kingsway parkrun at Gloucester. Following her run on Sunday, Sarah confirmed: “ Fun weekend back in the Shire for my brothers 50th, and of course we had to sneak in some running…at the lovely Kingsway parkrun in Gloucester on Saturday, and then a cheeky little 10k with Relish the Great Outdoors  on Sunday. “We stuck to the 10k this time, but it’s a great route and there were lots of distances available. Ben was 34th overall and 8th in his age category in 43.52. I was the 12th lady out of 237, and 2nd in my age category in 49.29, so well chuffed.  “We made our debuts at the Kingsway parkrun in Gloucester on Saturday, which was a great little course. Ben was 21s...

*Steve Gardner - pictured above and below - at the British Champs where he was representing Tim Tri Cymru. Double boost for Welsh Master  Steve  Gardner with two new international Team GB dates for Sprint Duathlons in 2027. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Welsh Master and track star Steve Gardner has just been selected to represent Team Great Britain in his MV60 age category at two major international Sprint Duathlon Championships during next year following his success at some prestigious recent events. This week, he confirmed:  “It’s been an exceptionally good few weeks lately. Within the last half hour, I have received an email confirming that I have qualified to represent Great Britain - age group team in the World Sprint Duathlon Championships in Edmonton Canada 2027 following my performance at the British Sprint Duathlon Champs at Oulton Park recently.  “And just seven days earlier, after winning the V60 age group at the Scottish Sprint Duathl...

Good mix of varied ability athletes at a busy Rhos parkrun - plus NW results round up... Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Micheal Finnie. * *Steve Gardner is pictured right. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It proved to be another bumper turn-out at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday with a generous mix of top junior and senior club runners, plus numerous first timers, social runners and walkers. Six out of the first ten finishers at  Rhos  were debutants, including many talented youngsters, all testing their paces against each other.  Surprisingly though, in a sprint finish, VM35 athlete  Aled Hughes  (GOG Triathlon) eventually claimed the top spot with a new course PB in 17 minutes and 11 seconds, whilst JM11-14 youngster  Finlay Potter  (Warriors Pentathlon & AC) finished just two-seconds behind Aled in 17.13, and  Craig Connor  (Chester Tri-Club) took the third spot, and he was only another f...