Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - runners at the start of the CybI Coastal Trail Marathon. Runners completed the tough Cybi Coastal Marathon for RNLI teams. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Over two hundred very determined and experienced trail and endurance athletes took part in the Cybi Coastal Trail Marathon last weekend which helped to fundraise for two exceptional RNLI teams. This extraordinary 25k event, which both started and finished at the  Holyhead RNLI Station , took competing runners along one of the most scenic routes on Yns Mon, and followed a very challenging course  along the stunning Ynys Cybi coastal trail, which is also forms part of the Welsh Coastal Path. RNLI c oxswain Mark gave one of his crewmen, Reece, a good luck handshake as he set off, before the procession of runners then headed  towards Penrhos, before tackling the undulating coastal path.   From there, athletes crossed through stunning locations such as Silver Bay,...

*Road Runner Vicky Taylor (*above) completes her trail run at Capel Curig. Eryri Slate Trail 10k race for Vicky and Nia. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   Two North Wales Road Runners took to the hills last weekend at Capel Curig to compete in the Ogwen Yr Helgi Du 10k mountain race. Described, as being the perfect opportunity to enjoy some stunning, if not spectacular views, in Eryri’s Ogwen Valley, entrants were offered a varied choice of three very different but challenging distances for the more experienced athletes to consider, including 10k, 125k, and 40k races. The intrepid duo of  Vicky Taylor and Nia Lister  , opted for the 10k event - said to be an out and back, fast and flat route - which followed the historic Eryri Slate Trail,  through the Valley, with the Glyderau, and Carneddau dominating the landscape.  They both performed well with Nia 35th overall out of 74 finishers, in a good time of 1 hour 6 minutes and 34 seconds,...

*Runners and supporters of the 5K Your Way, Move Against  Cancer group. Nova parkrun celebrated its 200th event in style. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Malcolm. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Nova parkrun at Prestatyn celebrated its 200th event last Saturday. Their first parkrun started on 7th December 2019 and since then, 8,000 participants have completed 30,141 parkruns covering a total distance of 150,705 km, including 4,783 new PB’s, and a total of 435 individuals have volunteered 3,645 times. *Pictured above and below - some of the generous volunteers at Nova and a selection of some of Malcolm's great  action photos. This edited report is courtesy of the Nova Run Director: Well done to the 280 people who joined us to walk, jog and run at the Nova this morning including 27 doing a parkrun for the very 1st time. We were also happy to welcome  Nova Prestatyn 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer  who joined...

*Pictured above - some members of the NWRRC team at Holyhead. Track star visitor won the Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race. Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   There was a good mix of club and social runners at the annual Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race last Sunday with nearly 200 entrants enjoying a well organised event, which also formed part of the NW Regional Championships. Visiting track star  Samuel Roberts  (Retford AC), (*pictured right), who is the 23-year old eldest son of Welsh International triathlete  Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts  (NWRRC), was the first man home on this undulating course in just 24 minutes and 7 seconds, with  Josh Griffiths  (Swansea Harriers), second and in close pursuit, finishing in 24.19, whilst local athlete  Sam Gunning (Cybi Striders), claimed third place in 27.05. Sam Gunning’s club colleague  Emma Alofs  was the first female finisher in 31.15, with  Bethan Jones  (Black Cloak Ru...

*Pictured above Ben and Sarah Ferguson Hudson at their ultra coastal run. Ben and Sarah’s ultra 14-mile Coastal Challenge. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com North Wales ultra-distance couple Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the challenging 14-mile Northumberland Coast Trail Run last Sunday, which closely followed the coastal path from Beadnell Harbour to the Alnmouth Estuary through an area of outstanding natural beauty. The route started on sand, then onto road, sand, trail, road, and finished on sand again at Alnmouth.  This dynamic duo ran the race whilst on holiday and after the event Sarah explained: “We are away with Ben’s family in Northumberland and did a 14-mile trail race along the coast.  “It was tough going but stunning, with lots of delightful sandy miles. Ben snuck under two hours, and I did around 2.24. It was certainly a challenge that’s for sure. A good turn out and it was really well organised!” *The final results confirmed that Ben f...

*Pictured above - the powerful locomotive that challenged the runners. Quick 5k dash to ‘Race the Highland train.' Report by Don Hale.  Many photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson, and Prestatyn RC. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *Three NWRRC members at Dinas station (l-r): Gwennan Charlton, Daniel Hennell and Hannah Griffith, and (*above right), some Prestatyn RC members on the train.   For many people, it’s just a race to catch the train, but last Wednesday night nearly 300 runners opted to ‘Race the Highland Train,’ in this very popular annual 5k event, with everyone enjoying a ride out to the start at Dinas station after departing from the initial assembly point at Caernarfon. The conditions were good on this fast downward course, with a generous number of club and social runners taking part and naturally recorded some very good times.  Meirionnydd RC took many of the plaudits with four club members in the first five places, including the ...

Appeal for more female athletes by Welsh Masters athletics for inter-area fixture at York on 17th August. Urgent appeal by Welsh Masters Athletics. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk We have some spaces in the ladies team for the inter area competition in York on August 17th. If you are able to help with any of the following events please let us know by commenting about this post or emailing eleri9uk@yahoo.com. W35 - pole vault W50 - sprints & 800m W60 - 1500m, 3000m & racewalk W70 - 1500m We would love to field a full team so please do get in touch asap: eleri9uk@yahoo.com Brett-davis1@sky.com

URGENT HELP WANTED FOR WILFRED & FRIENDS. Rhyl based pet rescue service. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   We urgently need your help! We’re still working hard to reach our £2,500 target for a thermal drone to help Wilfred & Friends save lost pets and find injured animals in areas where even getting close could stress or harm them. We’re struggling to raise the funds and would love your ideas, if you know ways our rescue can fundraise, please comment below! Our fundraising page is open, and we’ll soon be listing items for auction or sale (every penny goes directly to Wilfred & Friends!). We’re also looking for amazing local businesses to sponsor our animal ambulance and the drone. In return, you’ll get regular shout-outs, social media posts, and local media coverage. Plus, you’ll have the chance to name the ambulance or the drone! Exciting news: we’re currently in the process of obtaining our charity status and building our board of trustees. ...

*Pictured above - mixed runners are shown on the second lap on Conwy Cob. Mixed emotions due to a new start on the Cob for Conwy parkun - plus other results... Report and photos by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Conwy parkrun finally returned to action last Saturday morning following a long four month break due to construction work on part of the picturesque 5k course, and delays caused by the controversial introduction of a new start position on the Cob. Nearly 300 runners from past and present, together with numerous visitors, turned out to witness activities at this new start position, which is now half a mile away from the original start/finish, and situated about half-way down, and along the lower section of the Cob. Most runners and walkers were naturally pleased to see the event return, but the new arrangements attracted mixed feelings from the majority of participants, both before, during, and after this revised event, wit...