Welsh Master Steve Gardner denied steeplechase record due to a water leak!

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025


*Pictured above - Welsh Master Steve Gardner at a recent track race.

Welsh Master Steve Gardner denied a new steeplechase record due to a water leak!

Report by Don Hale.

https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com

www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk


 

Welsh Master and international track athlete Steve Gardner hit the track running again last weekend and celebrated in style after winning his 2000m steeplechase race at a British Masters Championship meeting, but he was denied a new record due to a water leak!

Staged at the Pingles Stadium in Nuneaton, he took part in a mixed race and was delighted with his outstanding overall win in an excellent time of just 7 minutes 31.62 seconds, but his result won’t count however as a record, as the runners had to miss out on the water jump due to an unfortunate leak, leaving the tray pit only half full.

Steve, who also represents North Wales Road Runners, was obviously disappointed by this unusual problem, but with his current good form on the track, he is hoping to better his time at the British Masters Championship finals in September.

He explained: “No gold medal, as it was only an open event held within the champs, but even if I run a slightly slower race at the British Masters Champs in few weeks’ time it should still be within the current Welsh VM60 record - which stands at about 8 minutes 30 seconds, so fingers crossed, I'll have some more positive news quite soon.”

 

  



Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcomed on all posts

Most recent posts

North Wales Cross-Country League fixtures and registration details 2025/26.

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
  North Wales Cross-Country League fixtures and registration details 2025/26. Report from Bernie Jones promoted by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Bernie Jones, the secretary of the North Wales Cross Country League, has kindly supplied all the details for the registration of all participating junior and senior athletes, together with the fixture list for the 2025/26 cross-country season.   North Wales Cross Country AGM. At the 41st Annual General Meeting of the North Wales Cross Country Association fixtures for the 2025/26 season were agreed. Subject to final confirmation the dates/venues are as follows:   Sat 4 October  - St Asaph (hosted by Denbigh/Prestatyn) Sat 25 October  - Eirias Park (hosted by Colwyn Bay) Sat 22 November  - Bala (hosted by Meirionnydd) Sat 24 January  - Shrewsbury (hosted by Shropshire S) Sat 14 February  - Marches School (hosted by Oswestry O Sat 10 January  - Bangor  North Wales Champs  (hos...
Read more

Rhos on Sea 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group is set to celebrate its first birthday this Saturday..

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
*Pictured above - group members of the 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group when it first  started at Conwy parkrun before moving to Rhos on Sea. Rhos on Sea 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer group is set to celebrate its first birthday this Saturday... Introduction by Don Hale. Report and photos by Richard Peevor. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 At the end of this month, the Rhos on Sea 5K Your Way, Move Against Cancer group will celebrate its first anniversary. They have had a highly successful year after being initially based at Conwy before opting to move to nearby Rhos earlier this year due to public demand.   They are due   meet up again this Saturday (*27th September), which will be their first birthday bash, and a delighted  Richard Peevor,  who is the Lead  Ambassador for the Rhos group  confirmed:    “Our group has gone from strength to strength, with over thirty people attending our events on the last Saturday of every month. We wi...
Read more

Karl battled the elements to complete the tough ‘Ring of Fire’ race.

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
*Pictured above - Karl Morris on his ultra race along the Coastal Path. Karl battled the elements to complete the tough ‘Ring of Fire’ race...and well done to Martin Joy in his ultra race. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   North Wales Road Runner Karl Morris battled against heavy rain, gales, and a severe lack of sleep, to record a tremendous performance in the tough ultra ‘Ring of Fire’ race around the Anglesey Coastal Path last weekend. This is one of the most gruelling challenges in the country, and for this experienced endurance athlete, his demanding journey began at Holyhead’s Breakwater Park, and followed a continuous loop covering some 131 miles, and just over 11k elevation along the island’s picturesque coastal pathway. Karl’s determination to complete the course was evident by his overall race stats, with his family and friends able to watch and admire his progress online. He eventually finished well in 47th place out of 112 starters – and in an incredib...
Read more

Mid Terrace 3-bed house for sale - Llandudno LL302YX - FIVE MINUTES FROM THE SEA (£170,000).

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
WINLLAN AVENUE, LLANDUDNO LL30 2YX. (£170,000):   Enfys Estates are delighted to bring to the market a spacious three-bedroom, two reception room mid terrace house, For Sale with No Onwards Chain.    https://enfysestates.co.uk/property/winllan-avenue-llandudno-ll30/1122305/   Situated on the West Shore of Llandudno, close to all local amenities and transport links that Llandudno has to offer and within walking distance of spectacular beaches, the famous Victorian pier and easy access to the wonderful Great Orme. Being conveniently located, there really is something for everyone with this property.     In brief, the spacious accommodation comprises of- Entrance hallway, spacious lounge with bay window, dining room with storage cupboard with access to the combi boiler, fitted kitchen with space for a fridge/freezer and washing machine with plumbing, and access to the rear yard. To the first floor are two double bedrooms both with feature fireplaces and one si...
Read more

Stop the Cancellation of Running Events in Wrexham - please sign the petition. Helena Tipping 10k

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
*The late Helena Tipping, pictured above at the World Veterans 10k championships held in Vancouver, Canada, in 1986. Stop the Cancellation of Running Events in Wrexham - and please sign the petition... Important introduction by Don Hale: 5/9/2025.  donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 *My thanks to my running colleague Martin Green who has alerted me to an extraordinary decision made by Wrexham County Council Borough Council, to try to cancel running events on Wrexham Industrial Estate,  and  in the Isycoed area, which will affect many events including the famous Helena Tipping 10k race , which helps to raise tens of thousands of pounds for worthwhile charities. Martin said:  “Would appreciate if any of my running friends could sign this petition, as some council official is trying to ruin a race that’s been going longer than me.”   And  Mike Edwards, a r etired chartered surveyor and local government officer, runner, cyclist and swimmer,  has just organised...
Read more

Join the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run 2025 – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices!

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
 *Pictured above - Gwennan Charlton and her family at the Penrhyn Castle event. Penrhyn Castle Dark Run Join the Penrhyn Castle Dark Run – Light Up the Night for Hope House Children’s Hospices! donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Get ready for a magical evening at the stunning Penrhyn Castle as we light up the night for a truly special cause. The Dark Run is a family-friendly event in support of Hope House Children’s Hospices, offering a fun and unique 3K route (or 1.5K for little legs) through the beautiful castle grounds – all after dark!   October 18th 2025, 6pm Our warm up will begin at 6.10pm and at 6.30pm sharp we will start the run! Every participant will receive a bespoke glow-in-the-dark medal and a goody bag to remember the night. Dress up in your brightest, most glowing outfits (optional, but encouraged!) and help us bring light and hope to local families who need it most. We kindly ask each runner to raise as much as they can – every pe...
Read more

Wet and windy at Caernarfon for the half marathon championships...plus GNR and other results...

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
 *Pictured above - many members of the NWRRC team at the Caernarfon half marathon last Sunday. Wet and windy at Caernarfon for the half marathon championships... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   There was a good entry of more than six hundred elite, club and social runners at the Caernarfon half marathon last Sunday, which was staged in unusually wet and windy weather but saw the top male and female athletes retain their titles. This event was also part of the  North Wales Regional Half-Marathon Championships , and it also attracted many top athletes from all around the UK, and it was well organised by RunWales. Tomos Roberts  (Meirionnydd RC) was the overall winner in 1 hour 11 minutes and 26 seconds, with  Chris Pownall (Cybi Striders) second in 1.15.42, and  Steffan Sayer  (Menai T&F), third in 1.15.45. *The first female finisher was  Emma Alofs  (Cybi Striders) in 1.27.49, and  Eleanor Ashcroft  (Denbigh H...
Read more

Parkrunners beat the wind and rain to record some great PB times...NW results round up.

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
*Martin Green (*above far right) leads the pack at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun. Parkrunners beat the wind and rain to record some great PB times...NW results round-up... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Michael Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Heavy rain and wind played a key role at most of the NW parkruns last Saturday with many courses reporting flooding and sections of heavy going, yet they still attracted numerous club and mixed ability entrants from far afield. With the  Newborough Forest parkrun  cancelled, this probably swelled the numbers at both the nearby  Penrhyn Castle and Nant Y Pandy  events, with numerous debutants recording some excellent PB times despite the challenging conditions *Penrhyn:  (*pictured right - John Hatton and fellow volunteers at Penrhyn).  There was a very good turn-out of some 243 entrants at the  Penrhyn Castle parkrun  with  Adam Jones  the first man home in 16.29, and  Rhodri Owen ...
Read more

Plenty of newcomers and good times despite wet and windy parkruns - plus results round-up.

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
*Flashback to a previous start at Penrhyn Castle parkrun Plenty of newcomers and good times despite wet and windy parkruns...round up of NW results. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Despite a sudden change in the weather including some blustery winds and intermittent showers, it still failed to deter plenty of newcomers to various North Wales parkruns, where once again many excellent times and PBs were recorded. The ladies though took most of the plaudits around the region last Saturday morning with plenty of fast finishers, and at both  Nant y Pandy , and at  Llangollen , visiting female athletes dominated the top three positions.  Visitor  Sarah Evans  was the first female finisher at Penrhyn Castle, and there was an interesting battle for second and third places at Nova, Prestatyn, where partners and Eryri Harriers clubmates,  Nic Brook  and  Gemma Moore  raced nip and tuck, with Nick eventually finishing second ove...
Read more

Welsh Master Steve Gardner struck gold at the British championships in Derby.

By Don Hale donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Image
*Pictured on the podium (l-r): Simon Allen, Steve Gardner, and Phil York Welsh Master Steve Gardner struck gold at the British championships in Derby... Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025   Welsh Master Steve Gardner claimed a prestigious gold medal last weekend in the 2000m steeplechase race during the British Masters Track and Field Championships held at the Moorways Stadium, near Derby. Despite his varied successes on the track, bizarrely, this was the first time he has ever won a gold medal in the British Championships, and this latest impressive result is likely to have smashed another Welsh record! After his event, a delighted Steve confirmed:  “ I competed in the 2000m steeplechase, winning a gold medal with a time of 7.37.24, with  Phil York  second and  Simon Allen  third. “Whilst I have had some good results previously in  Welsh Championships , this is the first time that I have won a gold medal in a British Championship.” Stev...
Read more