Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Karl Morris on his ultra race along the Coastal Path. Karl battled the elements to complete the tough ‘Ring of Fire’ race...and well done to Martin Joy in his ultra race. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   North Wales Road Runner Karl Morris battled against heavy rain, gales, and a severe lack of sleep, to record a tremendous performance in the tough ultra ‘Ring of Fire’ race around the Anglesey Coastal Path last weekend. This is one of the most gruelling challenges in the country, and for this experienced endurance athlete, his demanding journey began at Holyhead’s Breakwater Park, and followed a continuous loop covering some 131 miles, and just over 11k elevation along the island’s picturesque coastal pathway. Karl’s determination to complete the course was evident by his overall race stats, with his family and friends able to watch and admire his progress online. He eventually finished well in 47th place out of 112 starters – and in an incredib...

Martin and Carla (*pictured above) both won their age cats at the Golden Ball 20-mile race at Lancaster. Martin and Carla Green on top form at the Golden Ball 20-miler. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Martin and Carla Green both won their respective veteran age categories at the Golden Ball 20-mile race on Sunday, which part of the Lancaster Races series of events. Now competing for  Meirionnydd RC , Martin was in fine form again, and he finished 5th overall and won his MV50 cat in a very good time of 1 hour 57 minutes and 54 seconds, with Carla, from  North Wales Road Runners , also winning her FV50 age cat in 46th place, and she was the fourth female finisher in 2.30.21. For Martin, this was his second race over the weekend after first competing for his club in the Mid Cheshire 5k race on Friday night, where he recorded another excellent time of just 16 minutes and 18 seconds.  After his 20-mile race on Sunday, Martin confirmed : “My biggest ever month...

* Veteran athletes Kay Hatton and Mike Hayton (*above) both won their respective age cats with good times at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun last Saturday. North Wales Parkun results round-up: plus Kevin Higgins in a spin at the Oulton Park race circuit. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Good number of visitors, first-timers and PBs at NW parkruns. There were good numbers and numerous personal best times at most North Wales parkruns once again last weekend as hundreds of mixed ability athletes, including loads of visitors and first-timers, enjoyed the last of the summer events in the continued good weather.   *Penrhyn:   Ewan Brown  tore around the  Penrhyn Castle parkrun  last Saturday morning in an amazing new PB time of just 15 minutes and 49 seconds to additionally win his VM35 age cat. He was followed by  Nicolas Seguin  in 18.17, and  James Coleman  (Eryri Harriers) in 18.33. The first female finishers at Penrhyn included:  Mabli Bates ...

*Pictured above - Welsh Master Steve Gardner at a recent  track race. Welsh Master Steve Gardner denied a new steeplechase record due to a water leak! Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Welsh Master and international track athlete Steve Gardner hit the track running again last weekend and celebrated in style after winning his 2000m steeplechase race at a British Masters Championship meeting, but he was denied a new record due to a water leak! Staged at the Pingles Stadium in Nuneaton, he took part in a mixed race and was delighted with his outstanding overall win in an excellent time of just 7 minutes 31.62 seconds, but his result won’t count however as a record, as the runners had to miss out on the water jump due to an unfortunate leak, leaving the tray pit only half full. Steve, who also represents  North Wales Road Runners , was obviously disappointed by this unusual problem, but with his current good form on the tra...

Frank from Funchal meets Dancer: A story of barriers, determination and cats:   By J M Martlew. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 This is the link to the book: https://amzn.to/47qPdsd A true account of Frank, a starving street cat from the island of Funchal who travels to the UK on a plane. There he joins Dancer; a traumatised street cat who was lost in London.  Both were emaciated and near to death when found but end up rescued and now living in their forever home in Sussex. Dancer hates Frank and would happily send him back on a plane if she could. J M Martlew recalls her own journey from a childhood rescuing street cats, lessons learnt as an NHS nurse in a children’s burns unit in Scotland; to finding street cats Dancer and Frank.  This touching memoir ends with her discovering no matter where you come from in the world barriers can be broken down to beat the odds. This is a link to other Coast and country cat and animal books on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/4lLsOcl ...

English for Daily Conversation:  Paul Stroud's latest books on AMAZON: Special Amazon deals: Paul Stroud is an English teacher in Japan and he has written numerous very interesting books about his life and work in Tokyo...plus some books about general health issues and about ageing...an this passion for Japanese football... *This is a link to all Paul Stroud's books on Amazon:   https://amzn.to/462ly6g English for Daily Conversation: 50 topics and over 700 questions for conversation practice in the EFL classroom. About the author: Paul Stroud: My name is Paul Stroud, the author of the recently released EFL conversation text 'English for Daily Conversation', and the preceeding 'English Forum' series of materials for oral communication practice.  Additionally, I authored a couple of books on my experiences living and teaching for the past 20 years in the land of the rising sun titled 'Living in Japan: The Good, Bad, and Unusual', and 'Teach English in ...

  SPECIAL AMAZON OFFERS FOR RICHARD OSMAN'S LATEST NOVELS...  promoted in conjunction with Coast and Country online magazine. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Richard Osman’s   novels have become runaway best sellers and THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB HAS JUST BEEN MADE INTO A NETFLIX FILM... Check out all of Richard Osman's books on AMAZON SPECIAL OFFERS: Click on this link for direct access to the best deals:   https://amzn.to/4nbrrVL   All Richard Osman's can also be ordered via this page:  Click on this link for direct access to the best deals:   https://amzn.to/4nbrrVL Richard Osman is an author, producer, and television presenter.  The Thursday Murder Club was his first novel.  He is well known for TV shows including Pointless and Richard Osman’s House of Games. As the creative director of Endemol UK, Richard has worked as an executive producer on numerous shows including Deal or No Deal, and 8 Out of 10 Cats. He is als...