Don Hale Blog

* Pictured (*above and l-r) the three female podium race winners from the Nick Beer 10k, Amie Bagnall, Eleesha Charnley, and Rachel Shipley. Nick Beer 10k charity success as runners tackled the Orme in bright sunshine. Report by Don Hale. Most photos  courtesy  of John Hatton. Over five-hundred mixed ability runners enjoyed bright sunshine and some spectacular scenery around the Great Orme in Llandudno last Sunday for the ever-popular Nick Beer 10k race. The large crowds of tourists and supporters on the promenade were treated to a feast of entertainment as the mass ranks quickly dashed past the pier and began the challenging ascent and later descent of the Orme prior to returning to the start via Church Walks. The event also welcomed a special 1k fun run for children and parents on the prom with proceeds donated towards  St David’s Hospice . And the 10k race that followed the junior race also raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities including  Shine, Ty Gobaith, St John’

Family double age cat wins for Martin and Carla at Wrexham's Village Bakery half-marathon. Report by Don Hale.   TEN Road Runners tackled the Village Bakery half marathon at Wrexham last Sunday and husband and wife duo Martin and Carla Green celebrated a unique double with both athletes winning their respective age categories. The race unfortunately clashed with the  Nick Beer 10k  race this year, but it didn’t deter an excellent entry of nine club members on this popular and fast course.  Martin Green  finished 28th out of 1,348 runners in a superb time of 1 hour 11 minutes and 33 seconds, and he was 1st in his MV45 age cat. Martin’s wife  Carla Green  also ran very well and finished as the 9th female athlete in 193rd place overall in 1.23.55, and she too won her VW50 cat. And it was later confirmed that she also beat her own North Wales record at this distance, with Martin moving up to 2nd place. *Josh Keogh (*above left) with Jonathan Kettle. Josh Keogh  enjoyed another good sho

*Alastair Canaway (*pictured above) was the 1st man home. Newcomer Alastair records new PB and takes the plaudits at Conwy parkrun...plus other parkrun results. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Club newcomer Alastair Canaway was the first man home at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday as the club celebrated four age category wins and six podium placings in another fast and furious encounter. The NWRRC athlete   continued his recent impressive form to secure a narrow victory and additionally won his MV35 age cat with a new course PB of 18 minutes and 1 second.  This event again attracted plenty of additional club and social runners from across the UK, and yet, despite a fierce encounter for honours,  Alastair  just managed to stay ahead of the chasing pack, with  Aled Hughes  2nd in 18.24, and  Alison Campbell  (Sheffield University) 3rd, and the 1st Lady with a great PB of 18.32.  With Alison claiming the top female place,  Hayley Cooke  (Cheltenham & County) took t

*Paul Algieri claimed a 3rd age cat place at Conwy last weekend. Success for GOG athletes at perfect Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Conwy parkrun welcomed two-hundred and twenty-six mixed ability entrants to their usual Saturday morning parkrun, which this week was staged in near perfect conditions. The fair weather seemed to attract a host of both club and social runners from far afield, and yet it was a highly promising young local athlete who eventually took the plaudits with a scintillating display to finish nearly thirty-seconds ahead of his nearest senior rival. Alfie Shiland  from  Colwyn Bay AC  enjoyed a superb run to finish 1st overall in just 18 minutes and 45 seconds to additionally win his JM11-14 age category.  David Murray  was 2nd in 19.12 with  Will Williams  from North Wales Road Runners 3rd in 19.28. The Ladies event  was won by NWRRC athlete  Carla Green  in 8th place in 20.08, with  Alice Johnston  (Les Croupiers), 2nd female and

Mountain  runner  Mark Davies continues his battle for life at specialist injury hospital...and fundraising appeal reaches £20k. Report by Don Hale.   Award winning ultra-distance mountain runner Mark Davies continues his battle against life-threatening injuries following a hit and run accident at Llanrhos on Saturday Jan 28. North Wales Road Runner Mark (48), who is currently receiving extensive medical treatment at Stoke hospital, is also expected to have an operation on his legs this week. *Award-winning mountain racer Mark Davies (*pictured top and above). A fundraising appeal launched last week by Mark’s friend Darrel Lewis on a special GoFundMe page has so far raised £20k. Mark is self-employed, and Darrel explained that he was trying to raise funds for Mark’s wife Leanne and his family. Confirmation of Mark’s accident was also mentioned at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday by NWRRC official John Hatton, who later confirmed that you could have heard a pin drop when he made the anno

   *Will Williams (*above left) with Jamie  Tharme at Conwy. Young Alfie beat his senior rivals at Conwy parkrun...plus other race results. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery.   Conwy parkrun welcomed two-hundred and twenty-six mixed ability entrants to their usual Saturday morning parkrun, which this week was staged in near perfect conditions. The fair weather seemed to attract a host of both club and social runners from far afield, and yet it was a highly promising young local athlete who eventually took the plaudits with a scintillating display to finish nearly thirty-seconds ahead of his nearest senior rival. Alfie Shiland  from  Colwyn Bay AC  enjoyed a superb run to finish 1st overall in just 18 minutes and 45 seconds to additionally win his JM11-14 age category.  David Murray  was 2nd in 19.12 with  Will Williams  from North Wales Road Runners 3rd in 19.28. The Ladies event was won by NWRRC athlete  Carla Green  in 8th place in 20.08, with  Alice Johnston  (Les Cro

Runners set for the Nick Beer 10k Memorial Race. Report by Don Hale.   The Nick Beer 10k memorial race around the Great Orme will take place on Sunday (Feb 12) with over four-hundred runners competing for honours and aiming to raise thousands of pounds for local charities. This popular event, now in its 31st year, has previously been controlled by North Wales Road runners, but this year the management has now passed to  Always Aim High , who confirm they are proud to add this event to their portfolio under the community events section.  The 10k race begins at 12 noon and will be preceded by a children’s 1k fun run with funds raised for St David’s Hospice. The main run is a not-for-profit and will continue to support local charities as well as NWRRC, and the 2023 event will support  Shine, St David’s Hospice, Ty Gobaith, and St John’s Ambulance. Starting and finishing on Llandudno promenade, opposite the Imperial Hotel, and incorporating a tough climb around the spectacular Great Orme a