Don Hale Blog

*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

*Gwennan Charlton (*above) competed well in the Llandudno Triathlon. Road Runner and all-round athlete Gwennan Charlton  took part in the  challenging  Triathlon on Llandudno Promenade and around the Great Orme on Sunday but she seemed slightly disappointed with her swim result after a slight mishap.  She explained: “I took a wrong turn in the swim and probably added an extra 100-200m. It really threw me off! When it came to the bike, I had nothing left in the tank for loop 1, after that mare of a swim.” I don’t think Gwennan though should be too hard on herself, as her results looked quite promising despite an unfortunate mishap, including: - 750m swim in 25 minutes 37 seconds, T1 2.51, 16.95K bike ride 60.00, T2 0.58, 5k run in 30 minutes 52 seconds. Well done Gwennan! *  Cai Roberts  and his partner Kelly Marie Alford are pictured (*above) with their finishing medals after completing the Cardiff half-marathon. Kelly Marie Alford  and  Cai Roberts  competed in the packed Cardiff half

* Karl Morris (*pictured above) tackled the Pedol Peris fell race.   Karl Morris tackled the tough Pedol Peris fell race. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Endurance athlete Karl Morris competed well in the challenging Pedol Peris half fell race last Saturday. This tough run included 1,461m of elevation and was run over about 14k of varied terrain.  After the event, NWRRC member Karl said:  “I competed in the Pedol Peris half-race which started in Llanberis. It’s a classic local fell race. Not my best but getting back from injury and a great morning on the tops. My overall time was 2hrs 40 mins and 44secs.” *Pictured above - Cai Roberts, Kevin Higgins and Kelly Marie Alford.   Road Running trio at Farndon 10k.   A Road Running trio consisting of Kelly Marie Alford, Cai Roberts, and Kevin Higgins competed in the undulating Farndon 10k race on Sunday, which attracted 325 mixed ability entrants. Kelly was on top form again and finished i

*Pictured above (l-r) NWRRC members Kevin Higgins, Kelly Alford and Cai Roberts at the Wilmslow 10k. Kelly records another course PB in the heat at the Wilmslow 10k... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Four NWRRC members took part in the very well attended but hot  Wilmslow Summer 10k race  on Sunday, with  Kelly Marie Alford  probably the pick of the team, and she was delighted to record another course PB of nearly one and a half minutes.  Kelly  eventually finished in 1,063rd place in 48.33, with  Cai Roberts  next in 1,110th place in 49.03. And  Kevin Higgins  was also in form and finished 1,212th in 53.00, with master veteran  Mike Hayton  1,585th and enjoying a steady run in 58.35.   Mike  said: “Wilmslow 10k this morning, with my nephew Pete. A scenic course and a lovely sunny morning.” Kevin  later added: “ A great race and well organised but it was bit hot”   The race attracted over 2,500 entrants. *Mike  Hayton  (*above lef

Steve Mason (*pictured above) ran in the very first Llangollen parkrun... plus Kelly and Cai tackle the heat at the PLS 10k race in Liverpool. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk NWRRC member Steve Mason competed in the very first Old Railway Trail parkrun at Llangollen last Saturday, which was well attended by 249 visiting athletes from all parts of the UK. Steve enjoyed a good run over this new course and finished 5th overall, and he also won his MV45 age cat, with an impressive time of just 18.55. The entrants included a good mix of club and social runners, and this inaugural North Wales event was won by  Jack Pickett  (Wolverhampton & Bilston AC) in 15 minutes and 12 seconds, and he also won his SM20 age cat.  Connor Rogers  (Wrexham AC) finished 2nd in 15.49, and he won his SM25 age cat, with  Ollie Sterne  (Davenport Runners) 3rd in 16.55, and he was runner-up in the same age cat as Connor. The 1st female runner was  Samantha

*Martin Green (4th from left) with some of his Welsh team mates at Chester. Martin Green on form for club and country at Chester 10k. Report by Don Hale.   Martin Green was one of five North Wales Road Runners in the Chester 10k race last Sunday, but this week, he not only represented his club, but he also ran for Wales against England in a combined Masters 10k international event. Once again, he turned in another stunning performance and just missed out on a prestigious podium place finishing 4th in his MV45 age cat in 24th place overall in 33 minutes and 7 seconds. The talented athlete ran amidst a quality field of over 3,000 mixed ability entrants, including top international, club, and social runners, in a highly competitive event. The overall race winner was  Jonny Mellor  in 29.20, with  Omar Ahmed  (Birchfield Harriers) in close pursuit and finishing 2nd in 29.35, followed by  Charlie Hulson  (Deeside AAC) 3rd in 30.09. *Martin Green (*above  left ) with Richard Eccles. Martin G

*Martin Green (*above) won a top podium place for his run and hat! Martin Green 3rd at Rhayader Round the Lakes race. Martin Green finished 3rd in the challenging Rhayader Round the Lakes 30k race last weekend and was satisfied with another great performance by this top NWRRC athlete.  After the event Martin confirmed: “ The best I could manage today was 3rd place in 1.48.44 behind two quality athletes, so I can’t complain at all, and I couldn’t have gone any quicker, so all in all a good day at the office and well worth the five-hour round trip. The only downside was missing my partner in crime who will be back fighting fit very soon.” *Martin Green (*far right above) on the podium with the male and female race winners at the Rhayader Round the Lakes race.   Josh Keogh second at Oulton Park 20-miler around race circuit...plus drama for Mandy.   Josh Keogh hit the tarmac running and finished second at the Oulton Park 20-mile race last Sunday, which was staged over many laps on the famo

Family double age cat wins for Martin and Carla at Wrexham's Village Bakery half-marathon. Report by Don Hale.   TEN Road Runners tackled the Village Bakery half marathon at Wrexham last Sunday and husband and wife duo Martin and Carla Green celebrated a unique double with both athletes winning their respective age categories. The race unfortunately clashed with the  Nick Beer 10k  race this year, but it didn’t deter an excellent entry of nine club members on this popular and fast course.  Martin Green  finished 28th out of 1,348 runners in a superb time of 1 hour 11 minutes and 33 seconds, and he was 1st in his MV45 age cat. Martin’s wife  Carla Green  also ran very well and finished as the 9th female athlete in 193rd place overall in 1.23.55, and she too won her VW50 cat. And it was later confirmed that she also beat her own North Wales record at this distance, with Martin moving up to 2nd place. *Josh Keogh (*above left) with Jonathan Kettle. Josh Keogh  enjoyed another good sho

*Carla Green (*far right on the podium) at the Chester Metric Marathon after her tremendous run to finish as 3rd female and age cat winner. Road Runners tackled a variety of top races during busy weekend...London, Cardiff, Chester, plus cross country etc. Report by Don Hale.   Plenty of North Wales Road Runners took part in a wide variety of races last weekend during one of the busiest times of the year which involved several fixture clashes and attracted some bumper entries. NWRRC members travelled to compete in marathons in London and Chester, together with the Chester Metric race, the Cardiff half-marathon, the season’s first cross country at Bangor, and the Conwy parkrun. The most popular event however for NWRRC club runners was the  Chester Metric Marathon  race with six members competing over this unusual and very challenging distance.  Martin Green  and his wife  Carla  were the star runners yet again, with Martin claiming a 4th place finish overall at the  Metric Marathon , and