Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - prolific Northern Ireland author  Eileen McCourt Special Coast and Country Author Spotlight Feature Welcome to a new author feature in conjunction with Amazon. (1).   Report by Don Hale:  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Eileen McCourt is a retired schoolteacher of English and History with a master’s degree in history from University College Dublin.  She is a prolific author, writer, and researcher, and she has now completed  over 50 varied books which have all been published by the popular North Wales based company   www.bookpublishing4u.co.uk Eileen lives in Northern Ireland, and her very first book ‘Living the Magic - Connecting the physical and spiritual worlds’ was published in 2014. It received much praise and numerous 5-star reviews.  Her books have also been featured by Amazon in America. This was the catalyst for her career as a spiritual author, with many books published to date. Her life is now devoted to healing and helping others along their Spiritual p

*Pictured above - the warm-up in readiness for the Conwy Dark Run. Conwy Dark Run proved a massive success for Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices Report by Don Hale. Summary of the event by MC and fundraiser John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The ever-popular Conwy Dark Run held last Saturday night proved a massive success with over 400 runners and walkers supporting the event in brilliant weather and raising tens of thousands of pounds for Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s hospices. Even promotion organiser  John Hatton , from  North Wales Road Runners , and  Conwy Parkrun , is an incredible supporter of numerous local charity events, said that he was absolutely delighted by the response. *Pictured above - the popular and extraordinary fundraiser John Hatton, from NWRRC and Conwy parkrun, who was the MC at the Conwy Dark Run. John Hatton confirmed:  “My role at  Penrhyn Castle Dark Run  was MC for the evening, with £8.5k raise

*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 NWRRC team to fini

*Pictured above - Jonathan Kettle ran well on his return to parkrun. Lots of half-term visitors and mixed ability athletes at Conwy parkrun...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conwy parkrun attracted the usual mix of half-term entrants, visitors, and both social and club runners to another sunny but cool morning at the RSPB Nature Reserve. The  Road Runners  had a dozen members involved with  Jonathan Kettle  making a welcome return after a holiday break, and he finished 4th overall and won his VM50 age cat in just 19 minutes and 10 seconds.  Colleague  Will Williams  tried to chase Jonathan down, and he was just one place and twenty-three seconds behind him in 19.33, and he 2nd in the same age cat.  Steve Mason  finished 24th in 22.09, and  Karl Morris  was 28th in 22.19.  Sion Thomas  finished in 39th place in 23.05, with  Tony Price-Jones  49th, and heading back to his best in 23.44, with  Daniel Hennell  hot o

*Pictured above - the NWRRC runners at Porth Eirias (l-r), Mike Hayton, Carla Green, and Stuart Culverhouse. Road Running trio claimed podium places at Porth Eirias 10k race...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   A trio of Road Runners took part in the Porth Eirias 10k race last Saturday morning and they all gained podium places and recorded some excellent results. Stuart Culverhouse  finished in 8th place overall in 41.24 and he was 2nd in his M50 age cat, whilst  Carla Green  was on top form again as the 1st female finisher, (11th overall), and she won her F50 age cat in 42.14, whilst master veteran  Mike Hayton  enjoyed another good performance in 99th place, and he also won his M70 age cat in 59.42. After the race Stuart Culverhouse confirmed : “Porth Eirias 10k. Chip time was one second slower than when I last ran this race 5 years ago, but my gun time was three seconds quicker today! 8th overall. Happy with tha

Top-quality, famous-make jigsaw puzzles for sale at bargain prices. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Market Place link:  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/728673079479657?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A25d63946-4a0a-41fb-9d7b-8f446df7d565 Welcome to the  Coast & Country  bargain bonanza online sale. The ideal gifts for individuals, hobbyists, toyshop owners, market traders etc.   Each Jigsaw retails for about £15 in the shops – But due to the near for stock clearance and updates, THE JIGSAW ARE ALL AVAILABLE at just £5 each, or six Jigsaws for £20. Hurry though as our Christmas bargains tend to go very quickly. Start your Christmas gift search early from a tremendous selection of brand new and used once-only colourful 1000-piece or miscellaneous Jigsaws for sale. The makes include  Falcon Deluxe, House of Puzzles (HOP), Ravensburg, Gibsons, Corner Piece Puzzles, and WH Smith.  https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/

  *Some of the NWRRC team (*above) on the prom at Abergele. Hundreds of runners beat the storm at the Abergele races. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Hundreds of runners tried to beat the weather at the Abergele 5k and 10k races last Sunday morning as the prelude to Storm Ashley battered North Wales with heavy rain and gale force winds. Fortunately, the worst of these conditions didn’t prevail until later in the day, but entrants for the earlier 5k faced driving rain and gusty winds, whilst 10k entrants more than an hour later, still had some strong winds to contend with, but welcomed a brief spell of bright sunshine. The elements though failed to dampen the spirit of nineteen Road Runners who bravely took part in either one or both events. Fifteen NWRRC members ran in the 5k race and claimed five age category victories and several podium places, including some fast times, and four members ran in the later 10k race. Will Williams  led the team home on 12th place