Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - some members of the NWRRC team at the Twin Piers race. Runners beat the weather and water restrictions at the Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Nearly four-hundred athletes took part in the ever-popular Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race last Saturday despite the cold weather, a cool headwind, and a massive water shortage, with severe restrictions affecting over 40,000 Conwy area residents. With no water available throughout the area, and many shops and businesses closed due to no loos, café’s, or any available washing facilities, race organisers from Colwyn Bay AC, worked miracles to ensure the event went ahead as planned with extra porta-loos provided at the start and finish, to cater for the runners, with many travelling from all parts of the UK. The event included the North Wales 10k championships, and it was run from Llandudno Pier to Colwyn B...

MENAI TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETIC CLUB SAVED FROM CLOSURE. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Menai Track & Field Club looks as though it has finally been rescued from the threat of closure following an urgent appeal, which began last November, when member Georgina Seguin first raised the issue and appealed for support. Georgina, who is an active Menai club athlete, and participates in the North Wales cross county league fixtures, originally explained that the club, with over 170 juniors and about 20 seniors, faced closure due to a lack of willing volunteers and officials. She was keen to hear from people with any ideas to help save the club, to come forward as soon as possible, and also mentioned a need to fill several committee roles. Her appeal was also supported by  Bernie Jones , the secretary of the NW Cross-Country League, who added: “Clearly our sport needs help to survive. Menai have a great club developing...

Kinmel Bay beat the freeze and scored nine goals North Wales Coast East Football League 24/25 – Premier Division 11 Jan 2025 Kinmel Bay FC (9) v CPD Bro Cernyw (0):   Report and photos by Barry Griffiths. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com One of the few matches to be held during the freeze and fortunate to be able to get a slot on the G4 at Colwyn Bay. Despite the score a match played end to end with skill and energy.    I had some photo difficulty with light and my poor technique but submit some photos to convey the atmosphere and action.   Well attended game with 6 of the KBFC team officials present and all 5 subs brought into the match.   For the Bay goals which were all fought with determination we have: Min 5 Charlie Jones his first of 2 goals this time assisted by Mathew Beach. Min 7 Sean Sheridan first of his 3 in the match this assisted by Joshua Parry. Min 18 Jordan Bellham first of his 2 this assisted by Mathew Beach. Min 19 Sean Sheridan assisted ...

*Steve Gardner (*above left), with his dad Dave. Gold medals for father and son Dave and Steve Gardner at the Indoor Championships. Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Road Runner and super-vet Dave Gardner struck gold at the North Wales Indoor Championships at Coleg Cambria, Deeside, last Sunday by winning his M85 age category in the shot-put competition. Dave also improved on his previous PB and winning performance from last year when he competed in the M80 cat with a superb throw of 7.26m, which is also expected to be a national record. He later obtained a deserved podium place and collected a prestigious gold medal for his sterling efforts. Meanwhile, Dave’s son  Steve Gardner , also collected a gold medal in the Welsh Masters Indoor Championships at Cardiff on Sunday in his 800m track event with an excellent winning time of 2 minutes 20.89 seconds. *Gold medal winners Dave Gardner (*above left), with Steve Gardner.

*Pictured above - Sandy Johnston in action from last year's event at Eirias Park **NEW FROM RUNWALES:  Colwyn Bay 5 miler/10 miler/20 miler.  9th March 2025, 10am. **Route update: from  RunWales:   Due to the continued sea defence works in Rhyl which will not be completed until 2026, this event has been moved to Colwyn Bay, we have also added a 20 miler to the mix, the race date is 9th March 2025. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com MORE INFORMATION.    Colwyn Bay 5 miler, 10 miler & 20 miler:   https://www.runwales.com/e/colwyn-bay-5-miler-10-miler-and-20-miler-8641 9th March 2025, 10am. All races start at the Athletics track in Colwyn  B ay, from here they head along to the promenade and head East along the coastline where all races have their turning points for you to retrace your steps back to the athletics track. All race routes are mainly very flat with just a couple of short hills. You could use the 20 miler to test your pace on this flati...

*Pictured above - Welsh indoor record holder Dave Gardner at a previous event. Welsh  Masters Indoor Field Events championships at College Cambria on 1st February. www.donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Rod Davies, a director of Welsh Masters Athletics has confirmed details of the Indoor Field events Championships on 1st February 2025. *Entries are now open and can be made via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/wmalifec25/ Venue: Coleg Cambria, Deeside Stadium, Connahs Quay, Deeside, Date: 1st February 2025. Events: Long Jump, Triple Jump, High Jump, Pole Vault, Shot Putt. Entry fees: £10 first event, £8 each for others. Entry link:   Home | Welsh Masters Indoor Field Champs https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2025/GBR/wmalifec25/