Don Hale Blog

Storm Bert was the only winner as various parkruns and local events hit - but Steve, Martin, and Harry beat the weather. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Storm Bert was the only winner last weekend as heavy rain and gale force winds forced the postponement of numerous sporting events, and in particular some fell and trail races, plus a host of popular parkruns across the area. Planned parkruns at Nova Prestatyn, Penrhyn Castle, Newborough Forest and Conwy, to name but a few, were all cancelled on either Friday night, or early Saturday morning, on essential health and safety grounds, to help protect both volunteers and many hundreds of participants. At Penrhyn Castle  they announced on Friday afternoon: “Unfortunately owing to the weather forecast we’ve been informed that parkrun is cancelled this Saturday.” And the same applied at the  Nova Prestatyn  venue, which is run along the promenade, when they confirmed: “...

Time to enjoy some live video action of some exciting races from the Border League and the Wilmslow 10k race in 2023,  recorded live courtesy of top athletics coach John Earlston.   Also included within this post are some additional action photos from various races during  the latter part of 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-T9RrhbTXSA Telford 10k wave 1 at 5k point   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQTElzegB-c Telford 10k wave 1, the finish.   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xM-j_vbd0 Q Telford 10k, wave 2 at 5k point   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GbI5JOqpAGI Telford 10k, wave 2. The finish. 2nd part of the video of end of first lap of 2 of the Borders League 3 at Wrexham…Dec 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4PAoWzzWTQ Borders League 3 at Wrexham.    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxE5xYuhsEI Wilmslow 10k start. The start of Borders League 3 at Wrexham. Didn't press record at the beginning of the runners coming past so misse...

*Pictured above (l-r) NWRRC members Kevin Higgins, Kelly Alford and Cai Roberts at the Wilmslow 10k. Kelly records another course PB in the heat at the Wilmslow 10k... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Four NWRRC members took part in the very well attended but hot  Wilmslow Summer 10k race  on Sunday, with  Kelly Marie Alford  probably the pick of the team, and she was delighted to record another course PB of nearly one and a half minutes.  Kelly  eventually finished in 1,063rd place in 48.33, with  Cai Roberts  next in 1,110th place in 49.03. And  Kevin Higgins  was also in form and finished 1,212th in 53.00, with master veteran  Mike Hayton  1,585th and enjoying a steady run in 58.35.   Mike  said: “Wilmslow 10k this morning, with my nephew Pete. A scenic course and a lovely sunny morning.” Kevin  later added: “ A great race and well organised but ...

*Jonathan Kettle (*above) set a hot pace around the freezing 16-mile race circuit at Oulton Park, Cheshire, last Sunday morning. Report by Don Hale.   Jonathan Kettle set an incredibly hot pace around the freezing cold Oulton Park racing circuit on Sunday morning to easily win his 16-mile endurance race which formed part of the final events schedule for the 2021 Running Grand Prix promotions. The event held at Little Budworth, Tarporley, included a variety of six different distance races ranging from a 5k to a full marathon, but the talented North Wales Road Runner soon hit top gear in his preferred distance race and adopted cruise control around each of the gruelling six-laps of this famous and undulating course before dipping under the chequered flag. Jonathan deservedly claimed 1st place overall, despite the bitterly cold and windy conditions, and he also claimed another podium placing after winning his MV45 age cat in 1 hour 36 minutes and 36 seconds.  And quite remarkably...