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

Welsh Masters Shine at the European Championships in Madeira...results round-up by Juliet Sidney.

By Don Hale
Image
 *The winning female relay team at the Euro Masters Championships. Welsh Masters Shine at the European Championships in Madeira...results round-up by Juliet Sidney. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Welsh Masters athletes once again did Wales proud at the European Masters Championships in Madeira, delivering a week packed with medals, personal bests and inspirational performances.  From sprints to jumps and endurance events, every athlete showcased the determination, camaraderie and spirit that define Welsh Masters Athletics.   Iris Holder (W80) After a challenging year recovering from surgery, Iris showed her trademark resilience to claim a magnificent silver medal in the triple jump. Her performance was a shining example of perseverance and passion – well done, Iris!   Mel James (M80) Mel had a stellar championship, running a season’s best in the 100m before joining the M80 4x100m relay team, who stormed to gold and a new Great Britain record. A brilliant achievement f...
Read more

Black Cloak Runners' group enjoyed a birthday bash at the Amsterdam Marathon!

By Don Hale
Image
 *Pictured above - Black Cloak Runners at the Amsterdam Marathon with Helen Hannam (*front row - far left - and birthday girl Nia Lister - third from left front row. Black Cloak Runners' group enjoyed a birthday bash at the Amsterdam Marathon... Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   A large group of North Wales athletes together with family members and supporters travelled to Amsterdam last weekend to compete in their annual marathon. The idea started almost a challenge, as sixteen members of  Black Cloak Runners  from Colwyn Bay suddenly had an idea to help celebrate member Nia Lister’s birthday, so they decided to do something completely different, and opt for an overseas marathon debut adventure. *Birthday celebrations  for Nia Lister (*above left) with Helen Hannam. One of the birthday bash organisers Helen Hannam explained: “ We wanted to help Nia run her first marathon on her birthday, so sixteen of us from Black Cloak Runners went to ...
Read more

Penrhyn Castle Dark Run raised about £10k for children's hospices...plus this week's Dark Run preview at Conwy.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - NWRRC member Steve Bozier and his  family at the Penrhyn Castle  Dark Run last Saturday. Penrhyn Castle Dark Run raised about £10k for children's hospices...and all set for this Saturday at Conwy Quay. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   It proved to be another great night at the  Penrhyn Castle Dark Run  last Saturday with 384 participants helping to raise about £10k for  Hope House and Ty Gobaith  children's hospices. One of the event organisers and MC  John Hatton  later confirmed: “ Penrhyn Dark Run  last night. I went to the morning parkrun, then back as MC for the Dark Run, which was an absolutely fantastic evening.  We had so many volunteers, which made it so special all around the course, and we were overwhelmed by the response.  “Out of interest the provisional amount raised at Penrhyn was £10k and just looking forward to my next role at  Conwy Dark Run  on Saturda...
Read more

Some fast times and good attendances at many North Wales parkruns - full results round-up.

By Don Hale
Image
*Harry Driscoll (*pictured above) from Meirionnydd RC was second at Conwy. Some fast times and good attendances at many North Wales parkruns - full results round-up... Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Sam Griffiths  was the runaway first finisher at the  Conwy parkrun  last Saturday where they welcomed 209 club and social athletes, including many visitors from around the UK. Sam had an outstanding run in just 16 minutes and 42 seconds, with  Harry Driscoll  (Meirionnydd RC) second with a great new PB of 17.51, and visitor  John Brogan  (RC Warriors) took the third spot on his debut in 18.06. *Vicky Cole  (GOG Triathlon) was the first female finisher (16th overall), and she ran the course with her husband  Simon Cole , and claimed a new PB in 20.38, with  Ellie Evans  (Cybi Striders) second (34th) with a PB in 22.10, and  Katherine Gregson  finished third (38th) in 22.26. *Pictured above - Husb...
Read more

North Wales couple celebrated great international marathon results.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Martin and Carla Green at Abingdon. North Wales couple celebrated great international marathon results...and an exclusive report about Martin Green's run. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   North Wales’ athletic couple Martin and Carla Green celebrated top marathon results last weekend whilst representing Wales in the Abingdon Marathon. The Welsh Master athlete   who is a member of  Meirionnydd RC  finished in 10th place overall and celebrated a great run in 2 hrs 36 mins and 26 seconds and also won his VM50 age cat. Martin later shared his joy with his wife and fellow star runner  Carla Green (NWRRC), was also in top form on the day, and she too was pleased with another good result in 3 hrs 23 mins. https://www.facebook.com/abingdonmarathon *Martin Green is shown above with the leading pack at Abingdon and (*below) the Welsh Masters team ready for the Marathon. After the run Martin exclusively confirmed:   “ Another...
Read more

Great win for Welsh Master Athlete Juliet and her GB relay team at the European Masters Championships in Madeira.

By Don Hale
Image
*Juliet Sidney (*second from left above), is pictured with her team mates after winning the 4 x 100m final at the European Masters Championships in Madeira. Great win for Welsh Master Athlete Juliet and her GB relay team mates at the European Masters Championships in Madeira. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Well done to the Great Britain ladies W55 relay team who won the 4 x 100 metres final at the European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira at the weekend with a stunning performance that is likely to be a new European record. The GB team that collected prestigious gold medals consisted of  Juliet Sidney, Diane Wright, Stefanie Dornbusch, and Christine Harrison-Bloomfield  with an impressive time of 53.84, ahead of Germany in second place, and Ireland third. *The delighted GB relay winners are shown above  just after  securing victory in the Euro Masters final in Madeira. Award winning veteran sprinter  Juliet Sidney  ...
Read more

Quality competition at the Abergele 5k and 10k races.

By Don Hale
Image
*Gwen Charlton (*above left) with Kevin Higgins and Kevin Slattery at the Abergele races last weekend. Quality competition at the Abergele 5k and 10k races. Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There was a massive turn-out of over 500 quality athletes for the Abergele 5k and 10k races held on the town’s promenade on Sunday, which was well organised by RunWales. Despite some wind and rain, both events attracted a wealth of elite, club, and social runners and the 5k race set a hot pace with the first 15 finishers all dipping under the 20-minute mark including the first two female athletes! And just 20-seconds separated the first six finishers! In the 10k race, the first 14 athletes ran under 40-minutes, with some close times between the top six places, and the first female athlete was almost three minutes ahead of her nearest rival. The first finisher overall at the 5k event was  Huw Gwynn  (Eryri Harriers) with a good time of 16 minutes and 37 seconds,...
Read more

Mark Davies tackles a tough fundraising challenge for Headway - the brain injury association.

By Don Hale
Image
*Pictured above - Mark Davies who has just  launched an appeal for HEADWAY. Mountain  runner Mark Davies launches a unique fundraiser for Headway - the brain injury charity association. Introduction by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Mark Davies is an inspirational and popular athlete from Llandudno, who has won numerous athletic awards, and set some extraordinary records for his incredible mountain and fell running exploits over the years, but now he is about to face his ultimate challenge to test his amazing recovery powers!   In January 2023 however, he was the victim of a hit and run incident and suffered a traumatic brain injury which completely changed his life. Now, through sheer determination, hard work, and generous support, his is slowly recovering and re-learning to talk, walk and run.   Mark has now entered the gruelling  Conwy half-marathon  in November over a challenging route that also includes a circuit of the  Grea...
Read more

The BMAF 10k Championships on Newcastle Town Moor 9th November - Entries now open.

By Don Hale
Image
BMAF 10 km Championships 9th November 2025 start 11:02 am  (after 2 min silence) : The 2025 Heaton Harriers Memorial races are being held on  Newcastle Town Moor and this year  these incorporate the British Masters Athletics 10km individual and club team championships. and this year these incorporate the British Masters Athletics 10km individual and club team championships. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Race Entry Fee: ·         £23 to UKA-registered athletes, who are current members of a BMAF area club ·         £28 to UKA-registered athletes, who are not current members of BMAF area club   Applications to sign up to British Masters Athletics and join one of the area clubs can be done before entering the race:  https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/    Team medals will be awarded by BMAF to the first three teams in each of the following men's/women's 10 year age categories: V35-44...
Read more

Prestigious Silver medal for Steve Gardner at European Masters Champs - plus a new PB and a new Welsh track record!

By Don Hale
Image
*Steve Gardner is pictured (*above left) on the podium at the European Masters event. Prestigious Silver medal for Steve Gardner at European Masters Champs...plus a new PB and a new Welsh track record! Report by Don Hale.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Welsh Master Steve Gardner came home with a prestigious silver medal after competing in the European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira last week and said that competing successfully at this level had been like a dream come true. The North Wales Road Runner  was representing Great Britain once again in the 2000m steeplechase event, and he finished second following a highly competitive encounter against some of the world’s top track athletes, yet he recorded a great new PB and claimed a new Welsh Masters record! Veteran Steve was one of 4,200 masters athletes from 33 European countries at this top Euro Masters track championship event, and he praised his North Wales endurance coach  John Mussum  for his h...
Read more