Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Laura Kenny with John Hatton at the sports awards. John Hatton and Michelle Farrell celebrate top  sporting  awards from Dame Laura Kenny   Report by Don Hale.   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Popular charity fundraiser, event organiser, sports promoter, and athletics coach John Hatton deservedly won another prestigious trophy last Friday night at the Conwy Sports Awards, along with an exceptional local international triathlete in Michelle Farrell.   They are both well-known talented local individuals in the athletics world and they received their awards along with other identified sporting heroes from the former Olympic cycling star Laura Kenny.   John Hatton later confirmed:  "I was honoured and so thrilled to be the winner of the 'Volunteer of the Year' at the Conwy Sports Awards last Friday. I have now won four awards at the event, including Services to Sport, Best Event of the Year for the Nick Beer 10k, and the  Degan...

*Simon Cole (*above) was the runaway first finisher at Conwy parkrun Parkrunners beat the weather in North Wales. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It was one of those horrible early morning days when you wonder why you ever climbed out of bed, as gale force winds and rain challenged my senses for a parkrun, and/or for other events last Saturday morning. With a variety of competing races across North Wales, many club runners probably opted for challenges, yet at so many parkruns across the region, this extraordinary void was quickly filled by numerous social runners visiting during the start of the half-term break. Conwy parkrun  welcomed people from all parts of the UK and beyond, but the first man home was local athletic star  Simon Cole  (GOG Triathlon), who beat the elements to record a positive time of 17 minutes and 13 seconds over the twisting 5k course. He was closely followed by  Cai Curtis-Roberts  in 17.38, with visiting d...

*John and Michelle Farrell competed well in the Bath Marathon. Great new PB times for John and Michelle at the Bath Marathon. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Caitlin Faye. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 GOG Triathlon members John and Michelle Farrell competed well in the Bath Marathon last Sunday with both athletes recording some very good finishing times and new personal best (PB) times! Michelle won her age category in the Police Services UK (PSUK) championships and John was pleased with fourth place in his own age cat. After the event John confirmed: "A Lovely few days in Bath. A beautiful city and a marathon. PB’s for both Chelle and myself in 3:45 and 3:52 r espectively, and yet another win in age for Michelle at PSUK champs and 4th in age for me." *Pictured above - Michelle (*right) received her winners trophy from a police official.

Llandudno Triathlon and Duathlon postponed due to weather conditions...it will now be moved to 28/6/26. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 This was not an easy decision, and we’ve explored every possible alternative. However, given the coastal location, the exposure on course, and the adverse weather conditions currently forecast, it isn’t possible to proceed safely. All participants have been emailed with full details. The event will now take place on Sunday 28th June 2026. We’re so sorry for the disappointment and thank you for your understanding. Your safety always comes first — Always Aim High Events Team. https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/events/llandudno-triathlon-duathlon-2025

*Pictured above left - Rhian Roxburgh with her Great Britain  team just after being  pulled from their tough endurance race. Drama for North Wales athlete Rhian Roxburgh and Team GB in Sweden... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com North Wales athlete Rhian Roxburgh and her colleagues who were representing Team GB in Sweden last week during the demanding 'One Water Race,’ were forced to pull out of the competition along with eight other international teams, due to time delays and freezing conditions, which  forced multiple medical evacuations – including two by helicopter! Rhian, who is a popular and well-known local triathlete, coach and endurance athlete with GOG Triathlon , was selected by  Team Great Britain  to take on this extraordinary challenge for the first time ever, with fellow experienced athletes  Gaz Roberts, Chris Goodfellow  and support from  Mike Alexander. They were pitched against nine other rival teams from Aust...