Don Hale Blog

Tri Hard Harriers Women Triumph in the West Glamorgan Cross Country League... Report by David Gibson. *Pictured above - the last race.   The final 4.7-mile race of five fixtures was held at Amman Valley Trotting Club, Tairgwaith on Sunday 25th March. The series, which is for South Wales club teams, is held on different courses in west Wales providing a variety of challenges to participants.   The women’s title was won by the Tri Hard Harriers team, who were only promoted to the top division this season, beating Run4All Neath Blacks and 3Ms Gorseinon RR.  Team captain Stephanie Gibson proved to be the class of the field by winning all five events and was ably supported by Teresa Penhorwood who was joint second and Alice Mayo who finished in the women’s top 20. The men’s title was won by Neath Harriers with Run4All Neath Blacks in runner up spot and Swansea Harriers in third. Individually, Scott Williams and Iestyn Evans - both of Neath Harriers were first and second ov...

*Pictured above - some of the NWRRC team and the Conwy regulars at Penrhyn, and (*below), the start of the Penrhyn Castle p arkrun. Half term boost by visitors at Penrhyn parkrun... plus other results... Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie, and others. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   It was another bumper entry for the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday as some 329 mixed ability entrants from all parts of the country boosted this half term event. On a lovely warm and sunny morning and braving a rather challenging and undulating 5k lapped course, visitor  Matthew Sayers  (North Herts RRC), was the first finisher on his debut in just 18 minutes and 19 seconds, with fellow debutant  Matthew Jones  (Ripley RC), claiming the runner-up spot following a determined battle with his rival, and he was just three-seconds adrift in 18.22.  At the time of writing, the 3rd male place remained unknown, but the 1st female finisher was visitor...

*The North Wales Road Runners pictured above at Trawsfynydd on Sunday. Search & Rescue team well supported at Trawsfynydd race  Report by Don Hale. Photos by John Hatton. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com Over three-hundred athletes tackled the challenging Trawsfynydd Multi-Terrain Race last Sunday, which helped to raise essential funds for the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team. Described by race officials as a b eautiful multi terrain 8.6-mile race around  Trawsfynydd Lake  in the Eryri/Snowdonia National Park, this event was staged over a relatively fast course, yet it included one rather challenging hill, and a mixed tarmac and trail course.  All proceeds were donated to this worthy Search and Rescue Team, which is a charity, wholly dependent on donations from the public, and is run entirely by volunteers, who are on call-out 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to help those in need in the local area.  The first finisher overall was  Steffan Sayer ...

*Pictured above - the start of the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday. Penrhyn was the King of the Castle for popular parkruns Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   The Penrhyn Castle parkrun was one of the most popular local events again last Saturday morning, with 256 visiting club and social athletes enjoying the picturesque but undulating 5k woodland trail course, despite a very cool and blustery wind. Young  Andrew Moore  won his SM20 age cat with an outstanding display in just 17 minutes and 8 seconds, and he was over a minute ahead of his nearest rival  Luke Hilliard  (Elswick Harriers) on his debut in 18.21, with teenager  Aidan Thomas  3rd in 18.30. The 1st female finisher was SW25 athlete  Anna Drinkwater  (Eryri Harriers), in 19.26, who was 6th overall, with  Laura McKenzie  (Betsi Runaways), 2nd (27th), in 22.54, whilst  Elen Jones  claimed the 3rd spo...

*NWRRC veteran Kevin Higgins is pictured (*above), in the yellow vest tackling the woodland trail on his debut at Penrhyn parkrun. Conwy tour members gave a welcome boost to several local parkruns...plus a results  round-up... *Conwy regulars John Stallard (*orange t-shirt), and Pam Grant (*long sleeved blue top), are pictured at the picturesque Penrhyn parkrun. Report by Don Hale.  Photos courtesy of Michael (Pat) Finnie, and others. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   It was another bumper turn-out at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday on a cool and breezy morning with 276 mixed ability athletes tackling the rather undulating but picturesque course, which again included numerous ‘Conwy on Tour’ members. Promising local teenager  Noa Vaughan  was the 1st finisher overall with a fast time of just 15 minutes and 47 seconds, and he easily won his SM18 age cat, but at the time of writing the second and third finishers remained unknown.  The 1st female ath...

Llandudno Lions promote the arrival of a special bus at Venue Cymru to experience the facts about dementia Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Llandudno Lions International are promoting an important FREE event during their National Convention at Venue Cymru in Llandudno during May, to highlight a life changing experience concerning dementia.   The event will ask people to step onto a special bus for a virtual experience concerning the potential impact of dementia, which will take place on Friday 9th May from 1.30pm to 4.30pm, and on Saturday 10th May, from 9.30am to 4.30pm at Venue Cymru, The Promenade, Llandudno LL30 1BB.   John Chambers  from Llandudno Lions explained: “We have a special event organised during our national convention regarding the facts about dementia, and wonder if we can get the details out there to invite people to come along?   “It’s a completely FREE service for two days, and this event is open to anyone. Our publicity...

   *Pictured above - athletics  coaches  Tony  Price Jones and his wife Hayley, are shown just after Tony reached his 100-mile charity challenge. Dalzell Runners sports coach Tony Price-Jones runs 100 miles plus for Mind UK... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com    *Some members of Tony's coaching squad are pictured on the prom last week.   North Wales athlete and popular sports coach Tony Price-Jones has just reached a very challenging target of running 100 miles during March to help raise essential funds for Mind UK, and mental health support. For the past few weeks, Tony has been seen pounding the streets, promenade, and hills around his hometown in Llandudno, with a determination to support such a worthy and charitable cause. And last weekend whilst running with his wife Hayley, he finally reached his milestone, but he has now opted to continue with his gruelling efforts, in order to clock-up as many miles as possible during t...