Don Hale Blog

*Gwyn Williams (*pictured above) at Conwy parkrun. Praise for hard working Event Directors at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.   Conwy parkrun officials announced some changes to the event director’s positions at this popular event and paid tribute to several important volunteers and their dedicated service. Parkrun official and regular run director Gwyn Williams stated: “Well done to everyone who joined us to run, jog, and walk the course this morning on a crisp and beautifully morning. We had fifty first timers taking part and an incredible thirty-four runners recorded new PBs. Thanks also to the twenty-two wonderful volunteers who made the magic happen." *Event Directors Mark Jessett (*above left) and Bethan Wyn Roberts at Conwy. Gwyn added: “I would like to offer congratulations to today’s Run Director  Mark Jessett , who completed his 100th volunteering stint. Some of you may not be aware that Mark, along with Bethan Wyn Roberts took on the baton of the Event Directorship

Road Runner Mark Jessett (*above) dazzled in the sun at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   Road Runner Mark Jessett turned in another dazzling performance to match the bright sunshine at Conwy parkrun last Saturday and ran home as the first finisher overall, and he also won his MV35 age category in a fast-finishing time of 17 minutes and 54 seconds. Mark led home a team of nine club members, who collected six podium placings, including five age cat victories, and he finished about thirty-seconds ahead of his nearest rival  Dave Hughes  who was 2nd with a PB of 18.21, with  Osian Griffiths  3rd in 18.38. The 1st Lady was Ella Leonard , who was 13th overall in 21.53, with  Kristen Luke  (Eryri Harriers), 2nd female and 19th overall in 22.21, with Ffion Roberts the 3rd female runner in 22.35 and 22nd overall. This event attracted two-hundred finishers, including runners of all ages and abilities. Will Williams (*above)  was another NWRRC member in top form and h

*Kay and Cheryl (*pictured above) starred for the Road Runners at a blustery Conwy parkrun Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   It was a cool and blustery morning at the Conwy parkrun, yet the event still attracted two-hundred people of mixed ages and abilities, and from all parts of the UK for another exciting 5k community event. Traveling athlete  Robin Stacey  (York Acorn RC) was the first man home overall with a new PB on his course debut to win his MV30 age cat in just 17 minutes and 23 seconds. He was followed by Road Runner  Mark Jessett  who won his MV35 cat in 18.03, with local youngster  Alfie Shiland  (Colwyn Bay AC) 3rd, and once again impressing in 18.23.  *Mark Jessett (*above) finished in  second  place at Conwy. The Ladies race was won by another travelling athlete,  Lou Osborn  (Ambleside AC), who was 10th overall in 20.35, but Road Running duo  Kay Hatton  and  Cheryl Frost  took all the plaudits with  Kay  the 2nd female runner with a great new PB of 22.58,

*Another deserved parkrun win for Mark Jessett (*above). Mark Jessett wins narrow victory at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Road Runner Mark Jessett celebrated a deserved victory at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday following his impressive performance on this challenging 5k course and finished just eleven seconds ahead of a very determined rival. Mark was the first NWRRC member home and he also won his M35-39 age category in 17 minutes 41 seconds to confirm his recent excellent form. And promising teenager  Morgan Kendall  finished a close 2nd in 17.52. but won his SM18-19 age cat, with  Robert Cordle  3rd, and 1st MV40-44 cat in 18.05. The event attracted two-hundred and twelve finishers, including a team of fifteen Road Runners, who claimed seven cat podium places with three members also winning their respective age cats. *Pictured (*above left) Gethin Wyn Jones and (*right) John Dalzell. Gethin Wyn Jones  ran his fastest parkrun this year to finish

Tired legs but four age cat wins for Road Runners at Conwy parkrun - plus other race results. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   There were many tired legs at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday with numerous Road Runners and other local athletes still recovering from their Friday night 5-mile charity ‘Dash’ at Rohan’s Run in Deganwy. Despite being something of a recovery run, eight seniors and two junior members of NWRRC still turned out amongst the 168 finishers and collected four age category wins.  And it proved to be a memorable occasion for young  Alfie Shiland  (Colwyn Bay AC) who claimed his first ever parkrun victory with a great new PB over the 5k course in 17 minutes 39 seconds and 1st place in his JM11-14 age cat. Alfie was always in the mix with club rivals and eventually outsprinted the field to celebrate his win after four previous efforts as a runner-up.  The Ladies title went to the very talented  Alice Johnston  (Les Croupiers) with a great new PB of 19.19, ju

*Josh Keogh (*above) on top form at parkrun and recorded a great new PB. Four successive wins and a great new PB for Josh at Conwy parkrun...plus great win for Kelly Alford, and other results... Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Josh Keogh made it four wins in a row at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, and he also recorded a great new personal best time of 17 minutes and 11 seconds. The NWRRC all-rounder continued with his stunning form over fells, road, and parkruns, to celebrate knocking a further three-seconds off his previous best time over this challenging 5k route. Josh also won his SM30 age cat and despite keen competition from visiting rival  Andy Bromley  (Prestatyn RC), and club colleague  Mark Jessett , who similarly recorded PBs, he finally managed to outsprint the pair to claim another impressive victory. *Mark Jessett (*above) finished 3rd at the Conwy Parkrun with a new PB. As usual, the parkrun involved another fast and furious event, attracting 185 var

Close victory for Martin Green (pictured above) at Conwy parkrun . Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Road Runner Martin Green celebrated an impressive victory at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, but he had to fight hard all the way over this challenging 5k course, with club colleague Mark Jessett in close pursuit and just 11-seconds adrift, and Colwyn Bay youngster Alfie Shirland only three-seconds behind him! NWRRC entered 17 athletes including two juniors and collected five age category wins in a very fast event with the first fourteen runners all dipping under the 20-minute mark.  Martin Green  eventually claimed the top-spot in 17.37, and he also won his M45 age cat, with  Mark Jessett  2nd and the winner of his 35-39 cat in 17.48, with  Alfie Shirland  3rd and 1st in his JM11-14 age cat in 17.53. The club had four runners in the top ten. *Mark Jessett (*above left) and Gethin Wyn Jones with Harry Driscoll. Harry Driscoll  won his SM20 cat with a determined displa