Don Hale Blog

Course problems continue for volunteers at Nant y Pandy parkrun on Anglesey... Information and photos courtesy of Nant y Pandy officials. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog We're missing you at Nant y Pandy parkrun but unfortunately, what was supposed to be a 4 week closure to repair our zig-zag bridge, has become a more complex project and we don't know how long it will take before we can resume our event in Llangefni.   As you can see from the photos, it is possible to get out to the lake, but it is far from an accessible path, so if you're planning a 'not parkrun', please take care! We were directed to a notice in the car park this morning warning that the main path to the railway bridge (Richard's marshal point 3) will be closed Monday-Friday 7:30am until 5:30pm from 10th April until 20th June. Whether this is connected to the repairs we are waiting for we are unclear at the present time. Nant y Pandy parkrun and Nant Y Pandy 5k Your Way, M...

*Pictured above - some of the many volunteers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun who commemorated the WWF and nature theme. Plenty of visitors at blustery North Wales parkruns. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was cold and blustery for many hundreds of parkrunners across North Wales last Saturday morning, but many events still reported good attendances and fast times. At  Llandrillo yn Rhos,  where they commemorated WWF and a nature theme, they again celebrated with a generous number of 443 participants, including plenty of visitors from across the UK. The first finisher was debutant  Aidan Thomas,  who was the runaway leader, finishing in just 17 minutes and 22 seconds. The second placed athlete remained unknown, but  Jeremy Pena  took the second spot in 18.41.  *The first female was visitor  Emma Knowles  (9th overall) who enjoyed a great debut run in 19.10, with  ...

*Great performances from Karl and Rachel Morris (*pictured above). Karl and Rachel Morris hit top gear  at the Oulton Park Metric Marathon... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   North Wales couple Karl and Rachel Morris competed in the Oulton Park Metric Marathon last Sunday and they both recorded some excellent finishing times around this iconic motor racing circuit. Karl, who represented NWRC, came 17th overall out of 58 finishers in a very good time of 2 hours 20 minutes and 18 seconds around six laps of the racetrack, and he was fourth in his M45 age category.  And Rachel also hit top gear and celebrated in style following an amazing new PB, which smashed her previous metric marathon results, mainly due to her intense marathon training. Rachel finished second in her W45 age cat in 3.10.30, and she was the 13th female, in 52nd place overall. After her race, Rachel confirmed:  “The TCS London Marathon is only eleven weeks t...

*Ifan Lloyd (Swansea Harriers) - above left - with David Warren (Cardigan AC) and (*below) Ifan, David, and Mike Whyatt (Eryri Harriers). Success for Welsh Masters at the BMAF championships at Bangor... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Ifan Lloyd reports on the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor The BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation) cross country championships was held at the Faenol Estate, Bangor on 21st March.  A glorious course of undulating grassland (with occasional surprise!) on a gloriously warm spring day. Competing in the Male Masters 65-69 age category I finished just in front of the in-form David Warren, Cardigan AC. West Wales first and second…and both finishing ahead of the winner of the women 35+yo race.  The field set off at a sharp pace to take advantage of the downhill sweep before hitting the first long hill on the first of the 4 laps of 1500m. The first three finishers immediately took the initiative to head the field....

Easter Bonnet Competion on the promenade organised by Llandudno Lions Club - Saturday 4th April at 2pm. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Llandudno Lions will be holding their Annual Easter Bonnet completion on the promenade in Llandudno on Saturday 4th April at 2pm. There is NO entry fee and anyone of any age can enter with various prizes including Easter Eggs available. This event will provide fun for all the family. *Full details are shown on the poster above.

*Pictured above - a very proud Karen Butler with her cross-country medal. Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   Road Runner Karen Butler (*pictured right) won a prestigious silver medal last Saturday at the British Masters cross-country championships at Bangor. After her race, the NWRRC veteran athlete confirmed: “BMAF XC champs today in Bangor. Silver in my age group. Brilliant sunshine and a great 6k course, which suited me as there were lots of long up hills. Chuffed with the result!”

*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson after completing the Pulford 10k Most terrifying 10k race ever for North Wales couple. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog A North Wales ultra-distance couple took part last Sunday in what they described as ‘the most terrifying 10k race they have ever run!’ NWRRC members Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the  Pulford 10k race  on Sunday, which now has a very challenging cut-off time of just 50-minutes!  Ben eventually finished in 375th place in 43 minutes and 19 seconds, whilst Sarah was under extreme pressure to beat the clock but successfully ran home in 48.53. Sarah later explained:  “ I came 443rd out of 462. It’s a rapid race, and there were 399 guys who finished and only 63 women!  I can officially say that was the most terrifying 10k race I have ever run, with a 50-minute time cut off.  "It always used to be for sub-45 runners and they have opened it wider.. we got places after ...

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