Don Hale Blog

Join the exciting world of Virtual Events that can be completed in your own time, with limited costs, genuine recognition and superb medals.   Special Coast and Country online sports feature by Aled Mawgan.   **SPECIAL MAGAZINE OFFER OF 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL ENTRIES:  Use this Social  Coupon Code:  COAST26   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Are you a runner, a club athlete, cyclist, a keen walker, or even a dog walker, just intent on maintaining a certain level of fitness, with some new and exciting event that may be offered and enjoyed within your local community? If so, then have you considered taking part in some VIRTUAL EVENTS ranging from 1k, 5k, 10k, half marathon to marathons, with an additional opportunity to help fundraise for good causes, or just to complete a specific distance or challenge, in your own time, and at your own pace, either on your own, or with family and friends? Many regular runners and walkers are constantly compla...

*Pictured above - group members of the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group when it first  started at Conwy parkrun before moving to Rhos on Sea. Rhos on Sea 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group is set to celebrate its first birthday this Saturday... Introduction by Don Hale. Report and photos by Richard Peevor. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 At the end of this month, the Rhos on Sea 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer group will celebrate its first anniversary. They have had a highly successful year after being initially based at Conwy before opting to move to nearby Rhos earlier this year due to public demand.   They are due   meet up again this Saturday (*27th September), which will be their first birthday bash, and a delighted  Richard Peevor,  who is the Lead  Ambassador for the Rhos group  confirmed:    “Our group has gone from strength to strength, with over thirty people attending our events on the last Saturday of every month. We wi...

RECORDS WIPED FROM PARKRUN HQ:  It seems that parkrun have decided to wipe out all the records for the first finishers and all age cat record holders at all parkruns with immediate effect.  TV news reader and keen park runner  Sophie Raworth is trying to gauge some reaction from parkrunners. Today she said: " Any parkrun record holders out there who have just had their records wiped and want to talk about it on the news? Why it matters to you - if it does - that your record is no longer there etc?" So what is the  reasoning behind this action? I have not seen any notification from my local parkrun, or their HQ. Are they likely to stop recording finishing times and age cat results too? I can't understand the logic of this decision, and their failure to consult with runners etc. What do  park runners feel about this. No official notification given!

*Dave Watson (*above) has achieved s ome incredible international success following his heart attack about 18-months ago, and (*below) Dave is pictured last week at the Cardiff Victory 5k race where he finished 2nd in his MV65 age cat. Welsh Master Dave Watson remains on track for further international success following his amazing recovery from a debilitating heart attack. Special Report by Don Hale.   Dave Watson, a new board member of Welsh Masters’ Athletics, tells of his survival from a debilitating heart attack just over 18-months ago, and his gradual recovery and rather incredible, return to success on the track culminating in an appearance at the recent Masters’ World Championships in Torun, Poland. *Dave Watson (*above left) on the podium after track success for Wales. The MV65 middle distance athlete has somehow defied a host of major health problems over the past couple of seasons to finally enjoy medal glory in various 800m, 1,500m, 5k, and cross-country events. He expl...

*Nicola Wylie (above) won her age cat at the Ellesmere Port parkrun Other club race results: from around  the UK and beyond.. *Birchwood:  Three NWRRC members took part in the Birchwood 10k race on Sunday.  Kelly-Marie Alford  and  Cai Roberts  ran together again with Kelly finishing in 156th place in 50.46 and the 7th F35 athlete, with Cai sharing the same time and just one place behind.  Mandy Owen  also continued her return to fitness with another determined run in 56.13 and 220th place. *Pictured (*above l-r) Mandy Owen, with Kelly Alford and Cai Roberts. *America: Jon Evans  continued his American adventure last weekend and returned to the  Theodore Roosevelt Island DC parkrun  in America where he celebrated a great new course PB of 22.55 to win his MV55 age cat, marking a 27-second improvement to his time from last week and finishing in 7th place overall. *Jon Evans (*above) celebrated a new course PB at his American parkrun. ...

*Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton (*above) are in the top Welsh rankings for 5k. North Wales Road Runners amongst the records and top Welsh rankings for 5k races and Track and Field. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Several North Wales Road Runners have had their 2022 Welsh performance rankings updated following recent results in the Easter 5k Dash in Llandudno on 16th April, and the Mid Cheshire 5k race on 29th April, plus recent Track and Field events, and can now claim many top placings, plus some Welsh records! The nationally acclaimed Run Britain Rankings website, and the Power of 10 site, which both record race timings and performance details from thousands of club athletes competing in varied certified events across the country have updated the current Welsh rankings and include new details for eleven NWRRC athletes. They confirm that two top female club runners  Cheryl Frost  (22.36) and  Kay Hatton  (23.03) are ranked 3rd and 4th in their ...

*Good to see Charlotte-Rose Wilton-Jones back in action on the trail. Charlotte-Rose ran well at Llyn Brenig trail race Report by Don Hale.   Charlotte-Rose Wilton-Jones was the only NWRRC member at the challenging Llyn Brenig 9.5-mile trail race on Sunday, yet she performed very well finishing as the 9th female athlete. The race route included a picturesque trail which circumnavigated Llyn Brenig via the adjoining forest and travelled along the shoreline of the lake, with most of it run off-road on rough tracks.  It was officially described as a long-terrain trail race around Llyn Brenig Reservoir, which started and finished at the Visitor Centre. The talented North Wales athlete, who particularly enjoys endurance runs and trail running, continued her return to form, and finished 27th overall, and she was the 9th female finisher in a good time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 3 seconds. She also   finished 5th in her F30-39 age category. *The race winners inc...