Don Hale Blog

Welsh Athletics teams for the forthcoming international events. TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT    - Master 10k and half marathon races, Report by Bernie Jones. We are delighted to share the team of athletes who will be representing Wales in the upcoming Masters 10km and Half Marathon Internationals this May!  *Read the full team announcement here:   https://tinyurl.com/welsh-masters-team

*NWRRC member Will Williams (*above), called-up for double Welsh date. Easter surprise - Double date Welsh selection for Will Williams - and international call-ups and news for other NWRRC athletes. Report by Don Hale.    North Wales Road Runner Will Williams received a welcome Easter surprise this week with confirmation that he has been selected to represent Wales in two varied international distance races next month against the old enemy England! He is now one of three top-level club athletes who have recently had their talents recognised by the sporting authorities following some consistent and outstanding performances. Will, who has just recovered from a niggling knee injury, confirmed that he will compete in the Masters’ International 10k race at Birmingham on Sunday 5th May, and then again for the Masters’ International half-marathon event at Manchester on Sunday 26th May. Following news of his selection, based on several previously outstanding efforts in the red vest on both the

    *Jamie Tharme (*above), enjoyed his sight-seeing marathon in Rome. NWRRC weekend results and reports round-up - Rome, Nantwich, and the Wirral. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was another busy weekend on the road for several members of the North Wales Road Runners including Jamie Tharme's trip to Rome for the marathon. Jamie Tharme  competed in the  Rome Marathon  on Sunday and enjoyed his run, finishing well in 3 hours and 52 minutes.  After the race he said : “Rome marathon, nice and chilled taking in the sights, but that extra 1.5km was the hardest few miles of my life. It was tough in that heat too, but the views were spectacular !" Carla back in action at the Nantwich 10k. *Nantwich: Carla Green  made a welcome return to racing after a long absence and performed well to finish in 114th place overall in 42.57 in the Nantwich 10k, and she also claimed the 2nd spot in her FV50 age cat. *Pictured above - Carla Green

*Steve Gardner (*pictured above), ran well at the XC champs. Team prizes and some notable NW results at the BMAF cross country champs at Corwen. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The British Masters Athletics Cross-Country championships was held last Saturday at Rhug Farm, near Corwen, and included some exceptional performances by many North Wales runners. The event attracted 97 top club and elite athletes in the Veteran Men’s up to M60 age cat event, and a further 94 runners in the combined Women’s and Male Masters aged 65-plus race.  The championships were well organised by officials and members of Prestatyn RC, and this was the fourth time the club had been asked by Welsh Athletics to host the event. North Wales Road Runner   Steve Gardner   (*pictured right), finished 52nd overall in the Male open event, and he was 10th in his MV60 cat, and covered the approximate 8k course in 35.37. After his race, Steve confirmed: “I was very p

*Pictured above - the late Welsh Master Athlete and Rhondda AC coach Glyn Pugh. Funeral arrangements for Rhondda AC athlete and coach, Glyn Pugh. Please would you be able to put an update on your blog with regards to Glyn Pugh’s funeral. I know he was known by so many people, who would like to pay their respects.  With permission from Pauline, for those who wish to attend:   Glyn Pugh's Funeral will take place on Wednesday 27th March 2024 at 11.15am. A celebration of Glyns life will be held at GlynTaff Crematorium. Following the Service, you are all invited back to Penygraig Labour Club for Refreshments.  Rhondda Athletic Club. | Facebook *This was my previous blog about Glyn on 26/2/24. Sad loss of outstanding Welsh Master Athlete Glyn Pugh. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Rod Davies from Welsh Masters Athletics has confirmed some important news. He has confirmed: “We have a rather sad post for the website. One of our throwin

  *Daniel Hennell (*above) is pictured after his 10k race in Lovell Canyon. Other Another busy weekend with our results on the road review...report by Don Hale. *America:  NWRRC member  Daniel Hennell  went on his travels to  Las Vegas  last week and took part in his first international race in the  Labour of Love 10k  race in Lovell Canyon, Nevada. He ran well in this challenging event and finished 9th overall and 3rd in his M40-49 age cat in 53.19.  After the event, he confirmed: “The Labour of Love 10k. This was my first race at altitude (about 4,500ft elevation). It was really cold at the start, but it soon warmed up nicely. My chip time was 53.19.” *The Lovell Canyon sign (*above left), with part of the course in Nevada. *Hunstanton: Ben  and  Sarah Ferguson  Hudson also went on their parkrun travels again last weekend and enjoyed some good performances in the  Hunstanton promenade parkrun  in Norfolk. Ben was 5th in 21.24, and won his VM45 age cat, and Sarah was also on top form

*Josh Keogh (*pictured above), was the first runner home at Conwy. No ice this week but runners battled a cold and blustery wind at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   In stark contrast to last week’s icy 5k course at Conwy parkrun, this time some 229 starters faced a cold blustery wind, but the event welcomed a large contingent from Porth Eirias Runners, and numerous ‘Couch to 5k’ participants. North Wales Road Runners  entered twelve members with  Josh Keogh  being the first man home overall on an unusually dry but challenging course with a fast time of 17 minutes and 33 seconds. The club also celebrated four first placed age cat victories, four second, and two third placings. Josh also won his SM30 age cat, and he was more than a minute ahead of the second placed finishers and debutants,  Cameron Morris  in 18.42, and  Ed Slaughter  third in 18.43. Cameron won his SM20 cat, and Ed additionally won his SM18 age cat. 

*Pictured above - some of the NWRRC team at the Anglesey races (l-r): Stuart  Culverhouse, Mike Hayton, Rob Fryer, and Don Hale. NW Road runners celebrated age cat wins at Anglesey half-marathon and 10k races. *Adam Lemalle and Kevin Slattery are pictured (*above) at the start of the half-marathon race, and (*below left), Alastair Canaway (*left), with Don Hale close to the finish of the 10k. (*These superb images courtesy of Mel Parry photography). Tel: 07810 161614. 01248 852944. Email:  Email:  dmelparry@gmail.com     Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It was a bumper turn-out at the Anglesey half-marathon and 10k races last Sunday with over 1,100 runners taking part in this tough and very challenging course on an unusually bright and sunny morning. North Wales Road Runners  entered five athletes in the half-marathon event, with a further six members competing in the 10k, and once again they celebrated with an excellent M65 age cat