Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - NWRRC member Steve Bozier and his  family at the Penrhyn Castle  Dark Run last Saturday. Penrhyn Castle Dark Run raised about £10k for children's hospices...and all set for this Saturday at Conwy Quay. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It proved to be another great night at the  Penrhyn Castle Dark Run  last Saturday with 384 participants helping to raise about £10k for  Hope House and Ty Gobaith  children's hospices. One of the event organisers and MC  John Hatton  later confirmed: “ Penrhyn Dark Run  last night. I went to the morning parkrun, then back as MC for the Dark Run, which was an absolutely fantastic evening.  We had so many volunteers, which made it so special all around the course, and we were overwhelmed by the response.  “Out of interest the provisional amount raised at Penrhyn was £10k and just looking forward to my next role at  Conwy Dark Run  on Saturda...

*Pictured above -Steve Bozier at the Chester Marathon. NW Road Running duo ran well in the Chester Marathon. Special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Two North Wales Road Runners tackled the windswept Chester Marathon on Sunday and they both performed well, especially given the extremely challenging conditions. Steve Bozier  was a little apprehensive about running this distance at first after taking some time out from longer races, but he ran well in chip positions of 844th out of 6,698 entrants in 3 hours 26 minutes and 12 seconds, and afterwards he said: A great day back racing again, my first marathon in a year, and only my second race this year.  “I really enjoyed that and only entered two weeks ago with just six weeks of training as a warm-up for the  Eryri Marathon in three weeks. I took it relatively easy and paced it well to get my second fastest marathon time. Rest now, recover, and onto the next one!"  Jon Evans  ( *Pictured rig...

*Pictured above - Harry Driscoll led the NWRRC team. Harry Driscoll led the Road Runners home at Conwy parkrun...plus other parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was another bumper turn-out at Conwy parkrun last Saturday as a host of visitors enjoyed the mild conditions and the picturesque 5k riverside course at the RSPB Nature Reserve. Harry Driscoll  led home a team of just nine  North Wales Road Runners  due to members recovering from illness, injuries, or from last week’s Marathon Eryri.   Harry finished 12th overall out of 366 entrants, and he was 2nd in his SM20 age cat in 20 minutes and 16 seconds.  Sion Thomas  was 78th in 24.30, and  Richard Scamans  finished in 82nd place in 24.37.  *Sion Thomas (*above left), with Richard Scamans. Steve Bozier  had an easy recovery run in 27.33 in 151st place, and  Gwen Charlton  was 163rd and she claimed a new...

*Pictured above - Steve Bozier was the first NWRRC member back at the marathon. Hundreds of athletes tackled the iconic Marathon Eryri on its 40th anniversary. Report by Don Hale. Some photos by Dave Jones and others. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nine North Wales Road Runners were involved with the gruelling challenge of the famous Marathon Eryri last Saturday morning, which started and finished at Llanberis in the Snowdonia National Park, and this year celebrated its 40th anniversary. Run over mountain trails, farm tracks, and tarmac, it’s one of the toughest ever marathons, yet it also included some of the most spectacular scenery in the UK. The event   has twice been voted the  Best British Marathon , and the demanding course which encircles Yr Wyddfa – the highest peak in Wales – has served to makes this an iconic event in the running calendar. Steve Bozier  was back to his best following some recent injuries and led home the...

*Pictured above - Steve Bozier led home the NWRRC team at Conwy. Four age category wins for the Road Runners at Conwy parkrun...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   North Wales Road Runners entered thirteen members at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday and claimed four age category wins and former NWRRC athlete Josh Keogh was the first finisher overall with an excellent finishing time of 18 minutes and 37 seconds. Starting from the RSPB Nature Reserve, this popular 5k event attracted numerous runners from various parts of the UK, in addition to welcoming back some of their own club runners following some long periods of absence. And also, it should be noted, that due to some other competing fixtures on another busy weekend, many runners took it steady in the rather heavy and humid weather. Steve Bozier  displayed a positive performance and led the club team home with a strong finish in 11th place in 21.00, and ...

*Steve Bozier (*above) was the first NWRRC finisher at Conwy parkrun Steady performances in dry conditions at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nearly 300 mixed ability athletes took part in another welcome dry event at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning from the RSPB Nature Reserve, with many entrants taking it steady in preparation for other events the following day. North Wales Road Runners  had fifteen runners in action and  Steve Bozier  led the team home with a good performance in 11th place in 21.34, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat, whilst  Adam Lemalle  continued his fine form finishing 19th in 21.58, and he was 2nd in his VM40 cat. Steve Roberts  was 3rd in his VM55 cat in 31st place overall with an excellent performance in 23.03, and  Mal Preece returned to parkrun finishing 62nd in 24.48. Newcomer   Juana Hunter   was pleased with her club debut at Conwy w...

*Some of the NWRRC team at the Eryri Marathon (*l-r), Kelly Alford, Steve Bozier, Karl Morris, Stuart Culverhouse, Cai Roberts and Vicky Taylor. A dozen hardy Road Runners competed in the tough Eryri Marathon...plus Mark Davies seen near the start line! Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com *Some other Road Runners (*above), with their friends and supporters. A dozen hardy and determined North Wales Road Runners competed in the popular Eryri Marathon last Saturday and additionally celebrated news of seeing their club colleague Mark Davies positioned near the start line following a serious accident earlier this year. This extremely tough encounter was run in very good conditions and attracted 2,228 endurance athletes, including many from top fell running and mountain racing clubs, with entrants all praising the incredible support from marshals and volunteers enroute, together with the spectacular scenery. *Pictured above (*left), Sarah Fergie Hudson and her husband B...