Don Hale Blog

Elizabeth Driscoll (*pictured above) tackled the Cascais Ironman race in style. Report by Don Hale.   It proved to be a happy landing for RAF Air Traffic Controller Elizabeth Driscoll as she successfully navigated her way around the tough Cascais Ironman 70.3-mile course in Portugal last weekend. The experienced North Wales Road Runner who in everyday life has a very responsible role at RAF Valley on Anglesey, tackled three gruelling challenges, which included a difficult 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike ride, and a 13.1-mile run, and all carried out in very hot conditions. *Elizabeth Driscoll (*pictured above) on the finish line after her race. Elizabeth eventually completed the event in 6 hours 33 minutes and 36 seconds and finished in 1,619th place overall, and she was the 262nd female and claimed 14th place in her F55 age cat. This proved to be an incredible performance by this popular endurance athlete who first set her heart on completing this race whilst on secondment last year in

 *Steve Forsyth (*above) dashes towards the finish line at the Amsterdam half-marathon. Other race results: - North Wales runners on the road.  Report by Don Hale. *Amsterdam parkrun:  Road Runners  Steve Forsyth  and  Jamie Tharme  travelled to the Amsterdamse Bos parkrun in Holland last weekend as a warm-up for the Amsterdam half-marathon the following day. In a massive field of nearly 500 starters,  Steve  had an incredible run to finish in 6th place in 17.39 and he also won his MV40 age cat, whilst  Jamie Tharme  celebrated a massive new PB time of 21.06 to knock about a minute off his previous best parkrun time to run home in 30th place and he was 4th in his MV45 age cat. The event was won by Welshman  Matthew Rees  (Swansea Harriers) in 16.04. *Jamie Tharme (*above) ran well at the Amsterdam parkrun and half-marathon. *Amsterdam half-marathon:   Steve Forsyth  and  Jamie Tharme  said they both struggled in the Amsterdam half-marathon last Sunday, yet they still recorded some dece

*Stuart Culverhouse (*in red top) leads a pack of runners at Conwy parkrun. Splashdown for North Wales athletes at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale.   Colwyn Bay youngster Alfie Shiland showed his more experienced senior rivals a clean pair of heels despite the mud at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday, as he splashed around the puddle-filled 5k course to claim another notable victory. The talented JM11-14 athlete recorded an excellent time of 18 minutes and 20 seconds to finish twenty-five seconds ahead of his nearest challenger  Sam Davies , who despite recording a new PB of 18.45, was still unable to catch Alfie. Paul Jones finished 3rd in 19.36, and there were 176 finishers. Carla Green  (*pictured above) from NWRRC was the 1st female finisher, in 8th place overall, and she also won her VW50 age cat in 20.15, with a couple of other promising local juniors claiming the next places including  Olivia Jones  who was the 2nd female in 22.28, and she also won her JW15.17 cat, with Colwyn B

MILLENNIUM ODYSSEY – a review of Belgrave Harriers’ 21st Century Road & Country – By WVL Cockerell.   Report by Don Hale https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *This is an interesting book about a thletics and athletes that might appeal to anyone interested in the sport. It is packed with facts, figures, features and a host of fascinating details about one of the top UK clubs. Runner, writer, sports coach, and experienced athlete Will Cockerell has just published an exciting new book documenting the various ups and down of life at Belgrave Harriers, one of the UK’s top running clubs.  It is packed with facts and figures, historical features, and memorable individual profiles, which offer a feast of entertainment for all running enthusiasts. His 276-page book is available now in full colour and is packed with loads of photographs, records, and data from numerous exciting races dating back some 50-years. Published in North Wales by  Coast and Country  it is

Latest news and updates to the Nick Beer 10k  race 2023. – entries now open for this popular event run around Llandudno’s famous Great Orme. https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/ https://alwaysaimhighevents.com/events/nickbeer10k Report by Don Hale.   For next year’s running of the famous Nick Beer 10k race in Llandudno, the previous race directors John and Kay Hatton, from North Wales Road Runners, who have successfully managed this  event  for over 23 years, have finally given over the supervision and control of this popular event to the new race organisers Always Aim High.   We have published their preview and race details and can confirm that the next Nick Beer race will be held on  Sunday 12th February 2023 (12 noon start)  in Llandudno. And our thanks must go as usual to all our local sponsors who have generously agreed to continue their support and include – Tesco (Llandudno Junction), Premier Toyota, Tom Owen and Sons, MKM Builders Merchants, RS Scaffolding, Colwyn Bay Seed Supplies

*Carla and Martin Green (*above) both recorded all time PBs at Ruthin. Nine podium places and seven age category wins at Ruthin parkrun... Report by Don Hale.   North Wales Road Runners took nine members to the Ruthin parkrun last Saturday morning to complete in another 5k club championship event as a replacement for a recently cancelled race and celebrated with unprecedented success! The team performed well again with all nine runners claiming podium places and seven also won their respective age categories, and many additionally recorded all-time PBs, as they made their debuts at this relatively new venue staged at the Memorial Playing Fields. In another very fast-paced encounter  Martin Green  was the first male runner home, and his wife  Carla Green  finished as the first female runner, with both additionally celebrating new parkrun all time PBs. Martin  ran in his 100th parkrun event and he knocked a couple of seconds off his previous best time to finish 1st overall in 16 minutes

Road Running duo fly the flag at Conwy parkrun. Report by Don Hale. Due to the latest 5k club championship event being held at Ruthin last weekend only two NWRRC members remained to proudly fly the flag at the Conwy parkrun, yet both athletes ran well and won their age categories amongst another popular entry of 176 varied entrants. Despite very wet conditions underfoot with another puddle-filled and muddy course, Road Runner  Will Williams continued his recent good form to finish in 4th place overall and he was also the 1st MV50 cat in 18.55. *Will Williams (*above) back to his best at Conwy following a period of ill health. And master veteran athlete  Don Hale  celebrated a surprise return to the Conwy parkrun following serious injury, which has kept him out of action since July, by winning his MV70 age cat in 75th place overall in 27.15. Due to this long delay, this was Don’s first event in this new age cat. Afterwards Don admitted: “It’s a been a long hard recovery battle and altho

*Carla Green (*far right on the podium) at the Chester Metric Marathon after her tremendous run to finish as 3rd female and age cat winner. Road Runners tackled a variety of top races during busy weekend...London, Cardiff, Chester, plus cross country etc. Report by Don Hale.   Plenty of North Wales Road Runners took part in a wide variety of races last weekend during one of the busiest times of the year which involved several fixture clashes and attracted some bumper entries. NWRRC members travelled to compete in marathons in London and Chester, together with the Chester Metric race, the Cardiff half-marathon, the season’s first cross country at Bangor, and the Conwy parkrun. The most popular event however for NWRRC club runners was the  Chester Metric Marathon  race with six members competing over this unusual and very challenging distance.  Martin Green  and his wife  Carla  were the star runners yet again, with Martin claiming a 4th place finish overall at the  Metric Marathon , and