Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Four North Wales Road Runners at the Great Orme Fell Race (l-r) Steve Bozier, Nicola Wylie, Helen  Hannam and Karl Morris. Perfect conditions as records smashed at the Great Orme Fell Race... Report by Don Hale.    The annual   Great Orme Fell Race (Y Gogarth) was held last Tuesday evening in superb conditions with dozens of experienced fell, endurance, and club runners enjoying some spectacular views, as they smashed several established records. Staged over as challenging 4.1-mile, (6.6kms) course, with 1,306ft (398m) of elevation, organisers welcomed a perfect evening for racing, with many entrants travelling from far afield just to take part in this ever-popular event, which included both junior and senior races and varied age categories. One of the local event organisers,  Mike Blake  from Eryri Harriers ,  later confirmed: “Perfect running conditions at the Great Orme for Round 12 of the  Joe Brown Shops ’ mid-week fell race series.  “And our thanks to the organi

*Steve Bozier (*pictured above) was the 1st NWRRC finisher. Fast-paced dash to the finish at a bright and busy Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.    It was another bright, sunny, but cold Saturday morning at Conwy parkrun last weekend as 239 entrants from all parts of the UK enjoyed the splendours of this attractive but challenging 5k course. This event included a very fast-paced dash by two young and promising athletes who dominated the parkrun from start to finish with  Tomos Land  the 1st runner home in just 17 minutes and 18 seconds, closely followed by rival  John Davies  (Eryri Harriers) in 2nd place, who was just twenty-seconds behind, despite a new PB of 17.38, with  Ian Slattery  3rd in 18.58. Ian is the son of the NWRRC chairman  Kevin Slattery , and he was on a brief home visit and celebrated his run with a deserved podium spot and 1st place in his MV35 age cat. The 1st Lady was  Tara Truman  (Stroud) in 20.38, with  Alice Johnston  (Les Croup

*Carla Green (*far right on the podium) at the Chester Metric Marathon after her tremendous run to finish as 3rd female and age cat winner. Road Runners tackled a variety of top races during busy weekend...London, Cardiff, Chester, plus cross country etc. Report by Don Hale.   Plenty of North Wales Road Runners took part in a wide variety of races last weekend during one of the busiest times of the year which involved several fixture clashes and attracted some bumper entries. NWRRC members travelled to compete in marathons in London and Chester, together with the Chester Metric race, the Cardiff half-marathon, the season’s first cross country at Bangor, and the Conwy parkrun. The most popular event however for NWRRC club runners was the  Chester Metric Marathon  race with six members competing over this unusual and very challenging distance.  Martin Green  and his wife  Carla  were the star runners yet again, with Martin claiming a 4th place finish overall at the  Metric Marathon , and

*John Dalzell (*above) completed the tough West Highland's Way race. SOME GREAT RESULTS ON THE ROAD FROM NWRRC ATHLETES: *Scotland: John Dalzell  took part in the  ‘Devil O the Highlands’  footrace. John was the 2nd Welsh finisher, and he was 146th out of 274 runners who eventually completed this tough 68k plus ultra-event in an amazing time of 9 hours 18 minutes and 30 seconds.  After the race, John confirmed: “West Highland Way done in two shifts. Today’s effort was an easy 21-miles in the rain, the second 21 starting with the Devil’s staircase, which I’m sure was steeper and longer than last time, followed by the undulating military road. The legs weren’t impressed, but I kept smiling.” *Steve Bozier (*above left) and Steve Poupart ran in the Coastal Marathon. *Anglesey:  Two NWRRC endurance athletes took part in the  Cybi Coastal Marathon  on Saturday, but both struggled with injuries.  Steve Bozier  battled with a hip problem after 15-miles but still finished well in 18th plac

*Some of the North Wales Road Running team at the Chester half-marathon (pictured l-r) Stuart Culverhouse, Steve Bozier, Rachel Morris, Cheryl Frost, Kay Hatton and Jon Evans. Hot and humid at Chester half-marathon. Report by Don Hale. Chester photos by John Hatton.   Fourteen Road Runners competed in the hot and humid Essar Chester half-marathon race on Sunday to commemorate its 40th anniversary, with Martin Green the first NWRRC runner home following an excellent run in this popular event, which recorded nearly 4,000 finishers. Martin  finished 26th overall, and he was 4th in his MV45 age cat in 1 hour 15 minutes and 2 seconds.  Jonathan Kettle  also ran very well in 58th place in 1.19.08, with  Iwan Evans  157th in 1.27.21, and  Steve Bozier  finished in 211th place in 1.28.58. *Martin Green (*above left) with Jonathan Kettle at the Chester half-marathon. Carla Green  seems to have recovered from her recent injury and she was the 22nd female finisher, whilst claiming 3rd spot in her

Third place and a superb new PB for Steve Bozier (*above) at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos Steve Jeffery.   Steve Bozier claimed a new personal best time at last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, which this week was completed in bright sunshine in stark contrast to recent events. The NWRRC member finished 3rd overall and he was 2nd in his MV40-44 age cat in 19 minutes and 10 seconds. Steve led home seven other team-mates, with six recording age cat podium places including three outright wins! Steve Mason  (*pictured above) was another runner in top-form, and he finished shortly behind Steve in 4th place overall but won his MV45-49 cat in 19.38, with  Harry Driscoll  going well again in 11th spot and finishing 1st in his SM20-24 cat in 20.50.  Gethin Wyn Jones  (*pictured above) was back to his best in 16th place and was 2nd in his MV35-39 cat in 21.23, with  Jamie Tharme  in 27th place in 22.54, and  Josh Keogh  finished 30th and 3rd in his SM30-34 cat in 23.23.  *Jamie Tharme (*pi

*Road Runner Josh Keogh was the first athlete back at the Conwy Parkrun. Familiar faces returned to boost Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve  Jeffery and John  Hatton.   Conwy parkrun welcomed back numerous familiar faces for the second week on the trot as the popular 5k event returned to near normal again following several problematic weeks due to pandemic restrictions. The event was also boosted by an increased attendance of 234 runners on a very cold Saturday morning, but this time it was run over a bone-hard course instead of the usual puddle filled route and included many first timers and travelling tourists in addition to the usual group of elite athletes. North Wales Road Runner  Josh Keogh  was one such returnee and celebrated his first-ever victory at Conwy, together with a superb new course PB, and a deserved age category win.  He was nearly a minute ahead of the talented 2nd placed local youngster  Alfie Shiland , who easily who won his JM11-14 cat, in 18.17,