Another golden haul of championship track & field medals for father and son.

*Gold medal winners - father and son - Dave and Steve Gardner.

Another golden haul of championship track & field medals for father and son at North Wales event.

Report by Don Hale. 

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

 

Father and son veteran athletes Dave and Steve Gardner added a further two gold medals each to their impressive collection, following some excellent performances at the North Wales Track & Field Championships held last weekend at the Treborth Track near Bangor.

Super vet Dave Gardner improved on his previous efforts in his VM85 age category and may have set potentially new Welsh Masters Athletics records in both the shot and javelin events, whilst his son Steve Gardner, also enjoyed tremendous success and struck gold as an MV60 runner in the 400m and 800m races.

After their events, Steve confirmed: “My Dad and I competed in the NW track meeting yesterday in lovely sunny conditions with little wind, coming home with two gold medals each.  

“My Dad competed in both the shot and javelin and improved his PB in the shot, which will most likely extend his existing V85 Welsh record, pending confirmation from Chris Pruski at Welsh Masters Athletics, whilst I competed in the 800m and 400m.”

Steve also explained that despite creating a new MV60 Welsh Masters record recently at another prestigious outdoor championship track meeting in a steeplechase event, he still remained disappointed with his time as a novice, so he took the opportunity to race again last week at Bury St Edmonds and he smashed his previous time yet again to set another record!

*Veteran North Wales athletes Steve Gardner (*above left), with his Dad Dave, and (right), coach John Messum.

He explained: “Although my first 1500m steeplechase of the season was a V60 Welsh Masters record in a time of 5.35, I made a bit a hash of some of the water jumps, so I was confident that I could go quicker next time out. 

“At a recent steeplechase festival in Bury St Edmunds and running in a mixed race, I improved the record to 5.23, which has just been ratified by WMAL today.

“However, my successes on the indoor and outdoor tracks over the last few months have been due to working closely with my old training partner, John Messum, who is now the North Wales Endurance Coach, so I am very grateful for his dedication and support.”