Steve Gardner recorded two new PBs against the new ‘Coe and Ovett’ at the British Track Champs...

By Don Hale


*Pictured above - NWRRC veteran track athlete Steve Gardner.

Steve Gardner recorded two new PBs against the new ‘Coe and Ovett’ at British Champs...

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

 

North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner recorded two new personal best times on the track last weekend at the British Masters championships against the new ‘Coe and Ovett’ pair of elite racers.

Steve, who is a top Welsh Master, and an international veteran track athlete, smashed his previous times in the 800m and 1500m races, and he is almost certain to have broken the previous 800m Welsh record, yet to be verified.

After his busy weekend, he confirmed: “I have just got home from the BMAF Championships held at the Lee Valley Indoor Stadium, which is the culmination of the Indoor season for me. 

“I competed in the 800m on Saturday finishing in 4th place in my V60 age category in a new personal best (PB) time of 2.19.14, and I suspect that this may be a new Welsh V60 record pending confirmation. 

“And on Sunday I competed in the 1500m, and although finishing in 8th place, I knocked 11 seconds off my previous PB finishing in a time of 4.56.51. The race was won by Robert McHarg in a phenomenal time of 4.20, closely followed by his close friend Andrew Ridley in 4.21. 

“Rob broke the World V60 mile record 2 weeks ago, then Andrew further improved the world record in the following race on 12th February. The commentator at this weekend’s event likened their rivalry to the era of the famous Seb Coe and Steve Ovett.”



*Track rivals Andrew Ridley (*above left), with Robert McHarg - described as the new 'Coe and Ovett,' double. Photo courtesy of the Scottish Veteran Harriers Club.








Don Hale is a former award winning investigative journalist and now a best-selling author who has created a very popular blog post linked to numerous social media sites. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025.

Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed

Most recent posts

Top athletes and plenty of newcomers at new Rhos parkrun...plus NW parkrun results round-up.

By Don Hale
Image
*Some members from Porth Eirias Runners (*above and below) at the start of the Rhos parkrun last Saturday. Top athletes and plenty of newcomers at new Rhos parkrun...plus NW parkrun results round-up. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com.2025   There was another good attendance of over 300 finishers at the new Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun with another excellent showing from top club runners and newcomers despite a rather sandy 5k course. The first finisher however remained unknown at the time of writing at Rhos, but visitor  Gavin Roberts  (Eryri Harriers) took the second place on his debut in 17 minutes and 30 seconds, with  Harry Driscoll  (Meirionnydd RC) just three-seconds and one place adrift in 17.33. Emily Hanlon  continued her top form (5th overall) to claim the first female place once again, with a tremendous run and a new PB of 17.48, with  Alex Aldous  second with another good PB in 19.38, and  Anna D...
Read more

North Wales club runners enjoyed their windy ‘naked’ festive handicap run and annual prizegiving..

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - the 'naked' athletes from North Wales Road Runners who took part in their festive handicap run last Sunday from Llandudno prom.  North Wales club runners enjoyed their windy ‘naked’ festive handicap run and annual prizegiving.. Report by Don Hale Photos by John Hatton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Fifteen members from North Wales Road Running Club braved gale force winds and an extremely challenging 4.5-mile plus course to complete their festive handicap race on Sunday. The event started and finished by Llandudno Pier and travelled along the promenade before climbing up by the side of the Little Orme to the town’s ‘Welcome’ sign, then following an equally undulating route back home. This was not a first past-the-post race as such, with the handicap results based on the initial estimates from competing athletes on their predicted times for this race, against the actual finishing times. It also had the added restriction of being a ‘Naked Run,’ so n...
Read more

Road Running trio galloped around the Aintree circuit in varied races...plus 60m dash success for Michael Finney.

By Don Hale
Image
*Ben and Sarah Hudson (*above) had a double date last weekend. Road Running trio galloped around the Aintree circuit in varied races...plus 60m dash success for Michael Finney. Report by Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Ben and Sarah Ferguson Hudson enjoyed a busy weekend of running by taking part in the Crosby parkrun on Saturday and the Aintree half marathon on Sunday. The NWRRC pair made their course debuts at Crosby and Ben finished 25th overall, and he was 4th in his VM45 age cat in 23.01, with Sarah winning her FW45 age cat in 49th place, and the 3rd female in 24.58.  In the Aintree half race the following day, Ben was 93rd out of 460 entrants in 1.39.02, and he finished 4th again in his M45 age cat. Sarah also ran very well and she was 302nd overall and the 55th female finisher in 2.02.12, and she too was 4th in her F45 cat. After her events, Sarah confirmed:  “Did the Crosby parkrun on Saturday. Great fun and route with the Anthony Gormley statues surround...
Read more

Conwy Urban Night Score – Explore the Medieval streets of Conwy – 8th January 2026.

By Don Hale
Image
Conwy Urban Night Score – Explore the Medieval streets of Conwy – 8th January 2026. Unique orienteering event. By Gwennan Charlton. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   For anyone who’s been thinking of doing one of the Orienteering Urban Night races, we’re coming to Conwy on the 8th of January! Link for more info/entries here:   https://facebook.com/events/s/conwy-urban-night-score/1186436856278025/ *Gwennan Charlton (*above left), is helping to promote the Conwy event, with Lizzie Bennett, who is a keen urban orienteer. Get ready for the first orienteering event of 2026!  We're exploring the medieval streets of Conwy for this one. And it's going retro- pen, paper and clues only! No map run.   I've got a series of clues- both educational and non-educational for you to gather around town. Think treasure hunt, but the pot of gold is a lamp post!   Entries are open online at :   https://pre-entries.co.uk/dl/events Online entries shut at 8pm on 7th January so ...
Read more

SPECIAL AMAZON FESTIVE OFFERS ON GARMIN WATCHES

By Don Hale
Image
SPECIAL AMAZON FESTIVE OFFERS ON GARMIN WATCHES...Top discounts available now. Order your festive GARMIN WATCHES NOW in time for Christmas - check the varied range of superb watches now available at SPECIAL discount prices on these unique links.  *Promoted by  Amazon in conjunction  by Coast and Country online magazine.    Email:  amazononlinebooks@btinternet.com   donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   *CLICK THE LINKS TO SEE BENEFIT FROM THE LATEST DISCOUNTED OFFERS...up to 30% discount on selected items.  Garmin Venu 3S GPS 41mm Smartwatch , AMOLED Touchscreen, All-day Advanced Health & Fitness Features, Voice Functionality, Music Storage, Wellness Smartwatch with up to 10 days battery life, French Grey.  800+ bought   in past month . AMAZON’S CHOICE. *£339.00 check SPECIAL offer details   https://amzn.to/4oPpU7Y Garmin Forerunner 55 GPS 42mm Running Smartwatch, Easy to use, Lightweight, Training Guidance, Safety & Trackin...
Read more

Buster Crabb - Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the inspiration for James Bond.

By Don Hale
Image
Buster Crabb was author Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the real inspiration for his fictional character JAMES BOND. LIONEL 'BUSTER' CRABB was a drinker, a gambler, a womaniser and a lover of fast cars and gadgets. On top of all that, he was a spy, an acquaintance of Ian Fleming and the inspiration for James Bond. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 This latest book, BUSTER CRABB, published by the History Press, this is the fascinating story of Buster Crabb, the naval spy who disappeared in bizarre circumstances in 1956. Entitled -  Buster Crabb - Ian Fleming's favourite spy and the inspiration for James Bond,  was released in Spring 2020 - originally to coincide with the launch of the new Bond film - which was later delayed due to the Covid-19 restrictions. A British naval frogman and bomb disposal expert, Crabb worked directly under Fleming during the Second World War at Naval Intelligence and went on to conduct covert operations for both SIS and MI5. Elements from Crabb...
Read more

BMAF 10km championships - Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester 1st Feb 2026 - Don't delay!

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - a previous 10k start on the Goodwood Race Circuit. BMAF 10km championships - Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit at Chichester 1st February 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 In its eighth year based at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, the 2024 race attracted a huge field of athletes, including some of the best masters athletes in each age group from across the UK.   We have already 63 entries for the BMAF 10k Championships to be promoted on Sunday 1st February 2026 at the Goodwood Motor Circuit, Chichester, Sussex.  Due to parking limitations at the venue, the event does have a strict entry limit.  Those 63 entries wanted to be the very first to enter before we announced there were only 600 race bibs left. The race organiser says they could all go before the end of the year.   So if you want to be part of a 5 Star competitive 10k experience on a traffic free fast course  please act fast.   We are awarding medals on this occasion based on chip timin...
Read more

Llandudno Lions Boxing Day Sea Dip for local charities - entries now open.

By Don Hale
Image
Llandudno Lions Boxing Day Sea Dip for local charities - entries now open...all funds for deserving local charities...Friday 26th Dec. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 The Lions Club of Llandudno have just announced the details about their annual Boxing Day Sea Dip in association with St George's Hotel on Friday 26th December, and entries are now open! The check in will be at 10am ready to go into the water at 11.30am (tide permitting). One of the organisers, John Chambers , suggests that suitable footwear should be worn and all the proceeds will go towards Alaw Ward (Cancer Ward) at Ysbyty Gwynedd, and local Lions Charities. John added: "This is a unique chance to raise funds for a deserving cause of your choice and to help Llandudno Lions Club. All registered swimmers will also receive a special certificate memento of the event, and prizes will also be awarded for Fancy Dress." *Entries for the Lions Club of Lland udno Boxing Day Dip are NOW OPEN. Please use link below FRE...
Read more

50TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL - MURDER IN THE GRAVEYARD - 50-years since a brutal murder, a wrongful conviction and a 27-year fight for justice

By Don Hale
Image
A GRIPPING TRUE-CRIME INVESTIGATION INTO THE LONGEST MISCARRIAGE OF JUSTICE IN BRITISH LEGAL HISTORY - NOW BEING LINKED TO YORKSHIRE RIPPER PETER SUTCLIFFE. * The book and campaign was featured on the Mark Dolan show on GB News on 10/2/24. This is the link:  https://twitter.com/GBNEWS/status/1756443424654233978 *Don Hale’s campaign and incredible story were also featured by ITV’s Judge Robert Rinder on his recent true crime series. *Read Don Hale's revised and thrilling true-crime  book –  MURDER IN THE GRAVEYARD , published in 2019 by Harper Collins.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com In September 1973, Stephen Downing was convicted and indefinitely sentenced for the murder of Wendy Sewell, a young legal secretary in the town of Bakewell in the Peak District. Wendy was attacked in broad daylight in Bakewell Cemetery. Stephen Downing, the 17-year-old groundskeeper with learning difficulties and a reading age of 11, was the primary suspect. He was immediately arrested...
Read more

FASCINATING NEW SEARCH FOR THE WORDS PUZZLE BOOK...by author Val Crowson.

By Don Hale
Image
Val Crowson publishes a fascinating new SEARCH FOR THE WORDS book... Coast and Country - A North Wales online magazine  promotion.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 The author of this brand new  Search for the Words  puzzle book is Val Crowson , a retired teacher, who previously used word searches in the classroom to help promote the learning of topics and vocabulary extension.  Val lives in South Africa and she is married with three children and six grandchildren, and now retired, she has collated and created several new wordsearches with the idea of publishing them within this exciting new book.  NOW AVAILABLE ON AMAZON:   https://amzn.to/44IMhVl   ABOUT THE NEW SEARCH FOR THE WORDS BOOK by Val Crowson. A collection of 200 distinctive and individually created wordsearches just for you to enjoy! Words can be found horizontally, vertically or backwards, but not diagonally.  The letters that make up these words can be used more than once and can ...
Read more