Don Hale Blog

*John Dalzell (*above) completed the tough West Highland's Way race. SOME GREAT RESULTS ON THE ROAD FROM NWRRC ATHLETES: *Scotland: John Dalzell  took part in the  ‘Devil O the Highlands’  footrace. John was the 2nd Welsh finisher, and he was 146th out of 274 runners who eventually completed this tough 68k plus ultra-event in an amazing time of 9 hours 18 minutes and 30 seconds.  After the race, John confirmed: “West Highland Way done in two shifts. Today’s effort was an easy 21-miles in the rain, the second 21 starting with the Devil’s staircase, which I’m sure was steeper and longer than last time, followed by the undulating military road. The legs weren’t impressed, but I kept smiling.” *Steve Bozier (*above left) and Steve Poupart ran in the Coastal Marathon. *Anglesey:  Two NWRRC endurance athletes took part in the  Cybi Coastal Marathon  on Saturday, but both struggled with injuries.  Steve Bozier  battled with a hip problem after 15-miles but still finished well in 18th plac

*Some of the highly successful Road Running team at the Caernarfon 10k and North Wales championships last Wednesday night. Six gold medals for the Road Runners at Caernarfon 10k championships. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   It was another great turnout of talented runners at the midweek Caernarfon 10k race last Wednesday night, which attracted nearly two-hundred entrants for the main race, and the inclusive North Wales championships. Run on a bright, sunny, and humid evening, and heading out towards the harbour and the magnificent ancient Castle, a large number of elite and top club runners soon battled for glory on this undulating course, with the eventual winner  Adam Jones  (Eryri Harriers) finishing in 33 minutes 19 seconds, and just 20-seconds ahead of rival  Scott Nixon  (Cardiff AC) in 33.39, with  James Yarwood  (Abergele Harriers) in close pursuit, and only another 7-seconds adrift in 33.46. The Road Runners  turned out in force again for this second major NW c

*Some NWRRC team members at the Holyhead 5-mile race and NW championships. Medals galore for Road Runners in North Wales 5-mile Championship race at Holyhead. Report by Don Hale. Photographs by Steve Jeffery and John  Hatton.   The Holyhead Breakwater 5-mile race attracted a talented mix of over one-hundred elite and club runners for another exciting event following a three-year absence due to Covid-19 restrictions. Well organised by Kevin Clark and his team at Cybi Striders as part of the Holyhead Festival and run over a challenging out and back course from Newry Beach, this year’s race was additionally selected as part of the North Wales championships, and despite some breezy conditions along the long Breakwater barrier, many athletes still recorded some excellent times, and won prestigious medals. The overall race was won by  Alex Poulston  (Wirral AC) in 26 minutes 51 seconds, with  Sam Gunning  (Cybi Striders) 2nd in 27.06, and  Ian Edwards  (Eryri Harriers) 3rd in 28.03.  The fir

*Gethin Wyn Jones was the first NWRRC finisher at Conwy. Close finish for athletes at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.   Just over 200 runners took part in last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, with the leading pair of elite athletes battling all the way for the top-spot, and they were only separated on the line by just one second over this challenging 5k course. Rivals  Adam Jones  and  James Yarwood  (Abergele Harriers) raced nip and tuck throughout, with Adam eventually finishing 1st, with a sprint finish, in a very fast time of 16 minutes and 57 seconds, with James, despite recording a great new PB, having to be content with 2nd place in 16.58.  In another quick dash event, the first nine runners all dipped under the 20-minute barrier, and three out of the first four finishers recorded new PB times.  North Wales Road Runners  only entered four members this week due to several fixture clashes but still recorded three podium age cat places, including two excellent

Steve Forsyth (*above) led the club team at Helena Tipping 10k.  Road Runners celebrated great performances at Helena Tipping 10k and at Dolgellau 5-mile races. Report by Don Hale. Several NWRRC members braved the heat and made the journey to Wrexham last Sunday to take part in the popular  Helena Tipping 10k race. *Pictured (*above left) Steve Forsyth and (*right) Will Williams at the 10k. Many celebrated fast times including Steve Forsyth , who was the first club man home in 30th place in just 34.47, and club colleague  Will Williams finished  126th in 39.45, with  Gethin Wyn Jones  160th in 41.46, and  Jamie Tharme  264th in 46.08.   *Pictured above - some NWRRC members at the Helena Tipping 10k (l-r) Kevin Higgins, Kelly-Marie Alford, Mandy Owen and Cai Roberts. Cai Roberts  continued his good form in 302nd place in 48.45, with  Kevin Higgins  impressing again in 388th spot in 54.28. And  Kelly-Marie Alford  ran well to finish 393rd in 54.53, with  Mandy Owen  building back her fit