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Steve Gardner smashed the record at the North Wales 1500m steeplechase open race...
By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 May 04, 2026 *Pictured above - Steve Gardner smashed another record at The North Wales Endurance open meeting at Deeside last weekend. (Photo by Bill Scrivens). Steve Gardner smashed the record at the NW 1500m steeplechase open race... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog NWRRC veteran and Team GB athlete Steve Gardner competed in the North Wales Endurance open race track meeting at Deeside last Fri
Don Hale
May 42 min read


Landmark 10,000th runner at the new Rhos on Sea parkrun - plus other results round-up...
*Pictured above (l-r): Rhos Run Directors' Chris Spillane, Sharon Hughes and Richard Peevor with the amazing 10,000th parkrun landmark certificate, and (below) the commemorative golden token. Landmark 10,000th runner at the new Rhos on Sea parkrun - plus other results round-up... Report by Don Hale. Rhos photos by John Hatton, and at Conwy by Michael Finnie. coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 It was another fun-packed occasion at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkru
Don Hale
May 44 min read


Ben and Sarah celebrated their 26th marathon on Tyneside.
*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson at their latest marathon race on Tyneside. Ben and Sarah celebrated their 26th marathon on Tyneside. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Ben and Sarah Hudson took part in the challenging Newcastle and Gateshead marathon last Sunday – which was their 26th marathon! Ben finished in 3:48:59 and Sarah in 4:10:29, and 3rd in her age cat. After her race, Sarah confirmed: “Such a cool weekend exploring Newcas
Don Hale
May 41 min read


BMAF Road Race report and calendar for 2026.
Update on Masters Road Race Championship Calendar 2026.. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Although the BMAF Executive has only two elected officers and an England Masters representative in post we are not a quorum, this concern has led to some delays and the ability to make decisions. However, with the help of BMAF Services we are determined to continue to provide Championships at T&F, XC and on the Road. To that effect I am posting an update on future Road and Trail Championsh
Don Hale
May 43 min read


Ben and Sarah on track at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k Race.
*Ben and Sarah (*pictured above) and on track at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k Race. Ben and Sarah on track at the Bath and Bristol 10k Railway Race Report by Don Hale coastandcountry.blog donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson were on track for success at the Bath and Bristol Railway 10k race last weekend, the day after also taking part in the Kingsway parkrun at Gloucester. Following her run on Sunday, Sarah confirmed: “Fun weekend back in the S
Don Hale
Apr 241 min read


Trawsfynydd Lake race in support of the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team.
*Kay Hatton from North Wales Road Runners won her FV60 age category at the Trwasfynydd Lake Race. Trawsfynydd Lake race in support the South Snowdonia Search and Rescue Team. Report by Don Hale. Lake photos by John Hatton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Over two hundred athletes helped to raise thousands of pounds for the South Snowdon Mountain Rescue team on Sunday by competing in the North Wales SSSART Trawsfynydd 8.5-mile race around the Lake. This po
Don Hale
Apr 222 min read


Join the exciting world of Virtual Events that can be completed in your own time, with limited costs, genuine recognition and superb medals.
Join the exciting world of Virtual Events that can be completed in your own time, with limited costs, genuine recognition and superb medals. Special Coast and Country online sports feature by Aled Mawgan. **SPECIAL MAGAZINE OFFER OF 10% DISCOUNT ON ALL ENTRIES: Use this Social Coupon Code: COAST26 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Are you a runner, a club athlete, cyclist, a keen walker, or even a dog walker, just intent on maintaining a certain level
Don Hale
Apr 213 min read


North Wales parkrun group trip to Dublin on Saturday 11th April.
*Organiser Dave Munday (second from right) with his North Wales group members at the Father Collins parkrun, near Dublin, last weekend. North Wales parkrun group trip to Dublin on Saturday 11th April. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 coastandcountry.blog Special report from Dave Munday – the trip organiser from parkrun North Wales. It was an early start as the ferry left Holyhead at 4a.m! The smiling faces from the parkrun tourists started to arrive and we were all in high spi
Don Hale
Apr 152 min read


Course problems continue for volunteers at Nant y Pandy parkrun on Anglesey..
Course problems continue for volunteers at Nant y Pandy parkrun on Anglesey... Information and photos courtesy of Nant y Pandy officials. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog We're missing you at Nant y Pandy parkrun but unfortunately, what was supposed to be a 4 week closure to repair our zig-zag bridge, has become a more complex project and we don't know how long it will take before we can resume our event in Llangefni. As you can see from the photos, it is po
Don Hale
Apr 101 min read


Egg-citing medals and Easter eggs for youngsters at Conwy Junior Parkrun..
*Pictured above - junior parkrunners and officials at Conwy last Sunday. Egg-citing medals and Easter eggs for youngsters at Conwy Junior Parkrun... donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog There was a massive turn-out of some 117 enthusiastic youngsters at the Conwy Junior parkrun on Easter Sunday, where some special medals provided by sponsor John Hatton, together with Easter eggs donated by the Paysanne Restaurant, were handed out to the children. John later conf
Don Hale
Apr 101 min read


Welsh Masters at the Indoor Inter-Area track & field Championships at Lee Valley
*Pictured above - some of the Welsh Masters athletes at Lee Valley. Welsh Masters at the Indoor Inter-Area track & field Championships at Lee Valley on 14th March 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Joe Horner reports from last weekend's events. Well done to our athletes who competed last weekend:W70 Nicky B - HJSB, Shot 60m SBW55 Juliet S - 60m Age PB 200m M40 Samson C - 60m 4 x 200m W40 Rhiannon J - 4 x 200m W40 Eleri J - 200m 4 x 200m M55 Jim M - LJ
Don Hale
Mar 262 min read


Success for Welsh Masters at the BMAF XC championships at Bangor
Ifan Lloyd (Swansea Harriers) - above left - with David Warren (Cardigan AC) and ( below) Ifan, David, and Mike Whyatt (Eryri Harriers). Success for Welsh Masters at the BMAF championships at Bangor. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Ifan Lloyd reports on the BMAF cross-country championships at Bangor The BMAF (British Masters Athletics Federation) cross country championships was held at the Faenol Estate, Bangor on 21st March. A glorious course of undulatin
Don Hale
Mar 262 min read


Most terrifying 10k race ever for North Wales couple.
*Pictured above - Ben and Sarah Hudson after completing the Pulford 10k Most terrifying 10k race ever for North Wales couple. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog A North Wales ultra-distance couple took part last Sunday in what they described as ‘the most terrifying 10k race they have ever run!’ NWRRC members Ben and Sarah Hudson competed in the Pulford 10k race on Sunday, which now has a very challenging cut-off time of just 50-minutes!
Don Hale
Mar 222 min read


Road Runners galloped home at the Chester 10k races
*Pictured above - Vicky Taylor with Mandy Owen and Kelly Alford at Chester. Road Runners galloped home at the Chester 10k races Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog Five North Wales Road Runners completed amongst a very large field of some 7,315 entrants at the Chester 10k race last Sunday, and they all performed well and recorded some noteworthy finishing times. Veteran Jon Evans was in top form, and he finished strong in a good chip time
Don Hale
Mar 221 min read


Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF cross-country championships
Welsh Master Karen Butler with her silver medal at the BMAF cross-country championships held at Bangor last Saturday. Silver medal for Karen at the BMAF cross-country championships Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog North Wales Road Runner and Welsh Master Karen Butler (*pictured right) won a prestigious silver medal last Saturday at the British Masters cross-country championships at Bangor. After her race, the NWRRC veteran athlete confi
Don Hale
Mar 221 min read


Track champion Steve finished second at the Welsh Duathlon
Steve Gardner ( above left) on the podium with Tim Parfitt and Steven Gee. Track champion Steve finished second at the Welsh Duathlon championships. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog International track champion Steve Gardner finished as the runner-up on the podium in the prestigious Welsh Sprint Duathlon Championships at Pembroke last Sunday. The NWRRC member, and GB track athlete, who was representing his second claim club GOG Triathlon, competed in a 5k ru
Don Hale
Mar 131 min read


Hot pace at Rhos after a frosty start for plenty of visitors.
*Above - Some of the many hard working volunteers at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun Hot pace at Rhos after a frosty start for plenty of visitors. Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog It was bright and sunny following a heavy early morning frost at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun last Saturday, which also commemorated International Women’s Day. And there was another bumper turn-out by club and local athletes, plus plenty of visitors, who this
Don Hale
Mar 134 min read


Dave Munday launches an exciting new online site for NW parkrunners.
Welcome to parkrun North Wales Dave Munday launches an exciting new online site for NW parkrunners. Special report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog This an exciting new initiative from the well-known, popular parkrunner and local athlete Dave Munday, who is ready to provide a regular summary of all North Wales parkruns. He explained this week: "This is the site I am using for the round-up of all 17 North Wales parkruns, stats on numbers atten
Don Hale
Mar 61 min read


New useful tools page by Welsh Masters Athletics on their website
New USEFUL TOOLS PAGE by Welsh Masters Athletics...check it our now! *This is the link to the additions and to the main website: https://www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk/useful-tools Introduction by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 Welsh Masters Athletics Ltd have just updated their website and Facebook page to include details about a brand new USEFUL TOOLS PAGE. Created by the organisation's webmaster expert and award winning sprinter Juliet Sidney . This now inclu
Don Hale
Mar 61 min read


Welcome to the new Coast and Country online magazine blog.
Watch out for all the latest sports news - and particularly athletics - plus special business spotlight features, book publishing/book reviews, charity events, arts & entertainments, and online promotions to over 60,000 followers each week: **Check out the new Blog : coastandcountry.blog Editor Don Hale OBE. Don is an award winning author and former investigative journalist and editor, who has worked for the BBC, plus many national and regional newspapers. He has won the Jou
Don Hale
Feb 132 min read
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