Don Hale Blog

Latest Parkrun updates globally - from Parkrun HQ Provisional date of 10th July set for Wales Last weekend saw 700 events take place across seven countries, with more than 62,000 participants enjoying the magic of free, community-led, outdoor, social physical activity opportunities. It is so encouraging to see these events welcomed back by local communities, and to see our  COVID-19 Framework  in action and working well. This COVID-specific framework sits alongside individual local risk assessments, and was developed last year to document the necessary changes and mitigations volunteers at a local level need to be aware of and follow when delivering parkrun events whilst Coronavirus is still in circulation.   Reassuringly, more than 14,000 events at over 800 locations have now been delivered in accordance with this framework, with over 250,000 different people walking, jogging, running and volunteering more than 1.5 million times. We support track and trace in every region we operate i

GOG Athletes performed well at World Triathlon championships at Roundhay Park   Report by Don Hale.   Ten members from the North Wales based GOG Triathlon Club formed a strong team at Leeds last weekend during the AJ Bell Festival of Triathlon, which was part of the World Championship series. Events were staged over hilly and challenging routes on both Saturday and Sunday at the scenic Roundhay Park, and in near perfect weather conditions. The GOG squad were pitched amongst about 4,000 competitors, including both amateur and elite athletes, and were able to gain valuable experience, and to even share the unique atmosphere at this prestigious blue carpet, multi-event finish.                                         *Angharad Lewis In the Saturday Sprint race , which involved a 750m swim, an 18.5 kms cycle race, followed by a 5k Run;  Si­mon Hick   was the first club man home in 1.28.41 , with  Caitlin Owen the 1st GOG lady to finish in 1.38.04 , closely followed by  Amelia Roberts   in 1

BOOST FOR NICK BEER 10K RACE FOLLOWING LIFTING OF OUTDOOR SPORTS RESTRICTIONS IN WALES Report by Don Hale. Most photographs by Steve Jeffery.   **NEWS FLASH: Welsh Athletics award Nick Beer 10k a race certificate (9/6/21). The popular Nick Beer 10k road race re-scheduled for Sunday July 18th received a welcome boost this week, when the Welsh Government finally lifted a number of Covid-19 restrictions, to allow more people to both attend and compete in outdoor sports events. Race directors, John and Kay Hatton, say that in view of this welcome boost, they remain extremely confident that this year’s event will now go ahead as planned with a ‘live’ run starting and finishing on Llandudno promenade.  Entries remain open for this major race which always  attracts hundreds of runners from across the UK, and beyond, to enjoy the scenic splendours of a challenging course around the Great Orme.  Starting and finishing opposite the Imperial Hotel and now at the REVISED START TIME OF 10am, this w

Josie runs over 100 miles for cancer skin charities Report by Don Hale. Endurance runner Josie Davies has just completed a gruelling 100.7 miles fundraising challenge for melanoma and skin cancer charities. North Wales based runner Josie has braved a variety of mixed weather over the past month or so during her runs but remained determined to raise as much money as possible for a cause very close to her heart. She was relieved however, to finally finish the job, and later confirmed: ‘That’s it all done. Over 100 miles completed in May for   Melanoma Focus   and   SKCIN  Charities to raise the awareness of melanoma and skin cancer. Thank you to everybody whose sponsored me so far. ‘I am forever grateful as we really need to make people more aware of the devastation of this horrible disease which can just creep up on you when you least expect it. Also PLEASE protect your kids out there and not just in the beautiful weather like today and cover them up. ‘And just today whilst running the

Jonathan strikes gold at Gateshead half-marathon   Report by Don Hale. Gateshead photographs by Mick Hall.   Jonathan Kettle celebrated a great run in the sun last weekend and claimed a gold medal podium position in his respective age category, whilst finishing 10th overall, in the prestigious Gateshead half-marathon. The North Wales Road Runner won his notable award after crossing the English border again and performed well despite the heat, amidst a quality field of almost eight-hundred athletes. It was a close-run contest however, with Jonathan narrowly winning his age cat title in 1 hour 18 minutes 36 seconds, and he finished just 12-seconds ahead of an M45 rival, Steve Middleton. *Jonathan Kettle won his age category in the Gateshead half-marathon Braving the long journey and very warm conditions, Jonathan admitted: ‘It was hot and lumpy but good fun. It was a fantastic race, and great to see my good friend and amazing photographer Mick Hall. I was smiley at the start then suffere

 *Kelly-Marie Alford and Cai Roberts in Heaton Park Deserved podium place for Kelly at Heaton Park half-marathon Report by Don Hale. North Wales athletes Kelly-Marie Alford and her partner Cai Roberts crossed the English border to Heaton Park in Manchester on Sunday to take part in a “live” half-marathon event where Kelly claimed a deserved age-related podium place. In a popular race that would still be prohibited in Wales due to current Covid-19 restrictions on running events, Kelly battled the weather and a series of challenging hill climbs to earn a silver medal position as 2nd in her F35 age category. The half-marathon was part of a welcome three-race programme, including both a 5k and 10k, and recording nearly 800 finishers in total  Despite a lack of endurance training and race fitness, both Kelly and Cai, who were representing NWRRC, ran well and enjoyed their first major race competition for over a year, with Kelly running home in 2 hours 8 minutes 39 seconds.  She was less tha

Parkrun will not resume on 5 June after fewer than half of its venues approved the return of the 5km runs. The community event was suspended in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.   Organisers need a significant number of landowners to give permission for races to return to avoid overcrowding at the mass participation event. Parkrun UK says it hopes to resume all 5k events across England on 26 June, with a decision to be made on 11 June. Although more than 250 events do have landowner permission to return, this falls far short of the critical mass needed to prevent overwhelming those that have been given the go ahead," a statement read. ‘Opening a small subset of Parkruns is not viable.’ It added that a number of landowners had "responded positively" to resuming at a later date. Culture secretary Oliver Dowden, London Mayor Sadiq Khan and World Athletics president Lord Coe has  backed the return  of the event. There are 729 different locations across the UK h

An open letter from World Athletics President Sebastian Coe in support of Parkrun. As much as I have always felt that sport is an incredible force for good, I know that it also provides an opportunity to heal: to make us better. Coronavirus has left us with deep physical and emotional scars. I have been inspired by the ingenuity and creativity of so many people over the course of the pandemic. Individuals and communities finding hope, laughter and positivity in the darkest of times. But there is no escaping the fact that the events of the past twelve months have been devastating in so many ways. Of particular concern to me is the fact that inequalities in health and wellbeing have been exacerbated. We desperately need to find ways of getting fitter, stronger and more resilient. And we need to do it in a way that embraces and includes as much of the population as possible. As we tentatively look forward, and take those first steps back to normality, grassroots sport can, if we let it, o

Helping Conwy Sports Clubs Report by Don Hale Sport Conwy is trying to identify any local sports clubs who may be in search of financial support, advice, or generous assistance, to help improve and develop the welfare of their club and membership. First set up in 1996, this organisation is run by volunteers and has a prestigious track record in supporting local clubs through its Coach Education programme, and its talented Athlete Programme, whilst promoting them through its website, and within their bi-annual “Stopwatch” publication.   Sport Conwy secretary, and Conwy Council officer, Caroline Jones explained: ‘We would really like to increase the reach of Sport Conwy. We have established a cohort of clubs who affiliate year on year, however, we know there are many more clubs out there in Conwy who could also benefit from the organisation.  ‘It would be great to hear success stories from clubs - grant successes, club developments, and any athlete successes, as all are featured in our o

*NWRRC relay runners with RNLI officials on Llandudno prom North Wales athletes raise funds and run the miles for RNLI Mayday appeal Report by Don Hale. Photographs by Steve Jeffery Four mixed teams of athletes from North Wales Road Runners enjoyed a relay run in the sun last Sunday on Llandudno Promenade as they helped to raise funds for the RNLI as part of their Mayday Mile appeal. *Josh Keogh recorded the fastest mile on the day for the RNLI relay For many of the twenty-one runners, this was their first competitive “live” run for about fifteen months, and thankfully the cool, windy, and rainswept weather of recent days disappeared for a couple of hours to allow everyone to thoroughly enjoy the occasion. Despite this necessary time absence from major events due to Covid-19 restrictions, several club runners still recorded PBs (personal best times), and the event included members aged from 16-70 years of age. *(Above) partially sighted runner Daniel Owens with Carla Green and (below)

Llyr worked hard for success at Ely Duathlon Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts flew the flag for North Wales last Sunday when he competed in the Ely Duathlon and claimed 3 rd   place in his respective age category. The event held near Cambridge in England, which contrary to Wales, allowed entrants to enjoy a live performance in both cycling and running activities, meant an early 8am start for the talented athlete and high-calibre rugby union referee. It included two 5k runs and lengthy bike race totalling 36., which Llyr completed in an excellent time of 1 hour 25 mins 50 seconds. The NWRRC runner explained it was very windy on the day, and that his multiple efforts demanded extreme concentration. He said: ‘it was something different for me today, but I was happy with my overall performance and transition. I finished 16 th   out of 150 entrants and came 3 rd   in my 45-54 age cat.’ And he added: ‘I was pleased with my runs – 17 mins 58 seconds for my first effort and in 10 th  place, and 18 mins