Don Hale Blog

IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN WREXHAM by Andrew Foley Jones https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   As described by   “It’s All Gone Hollywood”   It’s Always Sunny in Wrexham is the perfect accompaniment to the hit show “Welcome to Wrexham.” "ANARCHIC & hilarious" - BBC's Dr Chris Van Tulleken. "Weird & Wacky" - Late Tackle Magazine. "It's Always Sunny in Wrexham" is a captivating blend of fact and fiction. Imagine waking up in a room   in 2030   with no recollection of the past decade, only to be shown a montage of pivotal moments in your life and the world's history.  From global pandemics and political chaos to alien abductions and Hollywood superstars, this rollercoaster of a decade culminates in two A-Listers, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, taking over and transforming a beloved football club.   As they face off against arch-rival Hugh Jackman's FC Romans of Chester in a winner-takes-all match, with a chance to enter the prestigious

*Pictured above - Team members of NWRRC at a previous Twin Piers race. Green light for Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The revised Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k will now be staged on Saturday 13th January 2024, following an absence of a few years due to delayed construction work to the promenade, and essential flood defence work at Rhos-on-Sea and at Colwyn Bay. Event organiser  Russell Godwin  from Colwyn Bay AC was delighted to finally receive the green light from Conwy CBC to revive this ever-popular local race after so many previous setbacks, and he confirmed: “ We have now been assured that works will be completed, which is why have had to leave it so late to advise everyone. We appreciate your assistance to help promote the race.” He also outlined the decision to rename this important race, adding:  “The race has been renamed following the sad passing away of  Arthur Bebbington  on 

*Richard Scamans (*above) ran well at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun. Road Running trio on their parkrun travels. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Three North Wales Road Runners went on their travels last Saturday to enjoy a couple of parkruns at different venues due to the early cancellation notice at Conwy.  Steve Mason  performed well on his debut at the  Alexandra parkrun  at Moss Side, Manchester, and he finished 23rd despite a fast time of 19 minutes and 38 seconds. Meanwhile,  Will Williams  and  Richard Scamans  both ran in the  Penrhyn Castle parkrun , where Will won his VM50 age cat, finishing 8th overall in 18.50, with Richard 35th in 23.54. After his run Will Williams admitted : “Not feeling it this morning and didn’t give it my full effort. No races for few weeks, so didn’t really have the motivation to go to the pain cave, but still a decent threshold effort.” *Pictured left Steve Mason, Will Willi

*Three members of NWRRC are pictured at the  start of last Saturday's Santa Dash on Llandudno  prom (l-r): Helen Hannam, Gwennan Charlton and Rachel Morris. Hundreds of festive runners enjoyed the 5k charity Santa Dash on Llandudno prom. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   *Pictured above - Road Runner Hannah Griffith with her  family and friends. Hundreds of runners, including many families, and even some pet dogs, took part in the popular 5k Santa Dash on Llandudno Promenade last Saturday morning which helped to raise funds for St David's Hospice, and other local charities, despite the freezing conditions. With the early morning  Conwy parkrun  cancelled the previous evening due to the icy and potentially dangerous conditions on the course, the Dash probably attracted a number of extra charity participants, who enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the festivities, and were kept toasty-warm after weari

*Tracy Rogers (*above) on top form for records and the team manager's award. North Wales road records tumble again following some outstanding performances during the season. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Paul Brooks from NWRAC, has announced several notable records recently.  He confirmed: “In 2007  Marilyn Kitching  set an F35 NWRAC best in Farndon of 37.12. That has stood for 16 years - until recently, when  Tracy Rogers  equalled it at Wilmslow. And  Tracy has recently collected a Team Manager’s award for the 'Most Improved Athlete 2023'. Well deserved.   Many congratulations Tracy!" “And  Gordon Jones  (Prestatyn) ran a superb 1.25.14 at the  Caernarfon half marathon  on 10th September last. In doing so, he set a new NWRAC best for M65, breaking  Cliff Wilkinson's  previous record of 1.29.54, which had stood since 2000 at the  Lake Vyrnwy half marathon . Congratulations Gordon!   *Welsh record breakers - Gordon Jones (*above

*Crispin Backshall (*above), with his WA Volunteer of the Year award. Crispin Backshall is the Welsh Athletics - Volunteer of the Year - special awards for hard working promoters. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Report courtesy of Kay Hatton from NWRAC. Congratulations to Crispin Backshall for winning Welsh Athletics Volunteer of the Year Award at the WA Annual Awards Ceremony. Crispin is a stalwart officer on the NWRAC and is also on the committee of Colwyn Bay AC.  He works tirelessly in promoting and organising T&F events in North Wales as well as officiating at T&F, Road Running and Cross Country events. Such a well deserved award.  Menai T&F are also to be congratulated for being awarded Welsh Athletics Development Club of the Year for the second year running, particularly in recognition of their development work with youngsters and encouraging participation in all disciplines.  The club was also praised for involvement with the WA Juni

*Pictured above  - popular charity fundraiser and event promoter John Hatton. John Hatton's great support for local charity events. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Charity organiser, promoter and popular NWRRC official  John Hattton,  who has been involved with the organisation of two major fundraising events recently for local deserving causes, confirmed this week that £4.5k was raised on Sunday at the  Mental Elf 5k fun-run , and that a further £14k was raised at the recent  Conwy Dark Run  in October for  Ty Gobaith , which utilised the Conwy parkrun course from the RSPB centre. John praised the generous public support for both events, and from numerous volunteers and marshals, and  confirmed: “ The  Mental Elf 5k fun run  was a fantastic event, twice around the Eirias Park track in Colwyn Bay, then down to, and along the prom to the Toad, where turn-around Bob was there.  “I helped   Mind   charity to organise it, and we ma

Will Williams (*pictured above) on top form at the latest cross-country fixture at Shrewsbury. Road Running trio at another successful cross-country event at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury. Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Lesley Goodson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Three members of NWRRC travelled to the PGL Centre at Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, last Saturday afternoon, to take part in the latest highly successful cross-country fixture within the North Wales XC League. Will Williams  celebrated a podium result after claiming the 2nd spot in his respective MV50 age category following a determined run in the Senior Men’s race, finishing 49th out of 177 quality club entrants in a very respectable time of 30 minutes and 4 seconds.  Cheryl Frost  and  Kay Hatton  competed in the Senior Women’s event, which also attracted 158 top club athletes, with Cheryl 78th in 25.21, and 4th in her FV55 age cat, whilst Kay was 88th in 25.43, and she too finished

*Martin Green is pictured (*centre), with his wife Carla, and NWRRC chairman Kevin Slattery at the Conwy Sports awards. Martin Green wins Senior Sportsman of the Year award - and other prizes from race events for Carla and Llyr! Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner Martin Green  won a prestigious trophy   after being selected   as the deserved  Senior Sportsman of the Year  at the  Conwy Sports Awards  ceremony held in Llandudno last Friday night following another superb season of extraordinary racing results. And on Sunday morning, Martin’s wife  Carla Green  collected some additional family silverware after becoming the 1st female athlete at the  Running GP Oulton Park 10k  with a stunning performance in 23rd place overall, to win her FV50 age category in just 44 minutes and 1 seconds around this spectacular motor racing circuit. Meanwhile,  Llyr Ap Geraint-Roberts,  collected a very welcome, but surprise gold me