North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race

By Don Hale


*Pictured above - Martin Green and Steve Gardner in the red vests for Wales against England in the Masters 3000m race at Deeside. And (*below) some other action shots.

North Wales athletes on track for medals at the Masters 3000m race...

Report by Don Hale. Photos and results supplied courtesy of Chris Hollingshead.

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

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Two top North Wales track athletes collected prestigious medals whilst representing Wales v England at the Masters 3000m international meeting at the Deeside Stadium last Friday night.


Talented veterans’ Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC) and Steve Gardner (NWRRC) celebrated good performances, with Martin finishing second in his MV50 age cat in 9.49, whilst Steve won his MV60 cat in 10.10.


After his race, Steve Gardner confirmed: “I came 6th overall and 1st V60 in 10 mins 10 seconds at the above meeting against England. Comprising MV50-54; 55-59; and 60 to 64-year -old athletes in one race.


“I was trying to get as close as possible to 10 mins dead (the current V60 Welsh record) but dropped off the lead group pace over the last 2 laps. It was a bit too ambitious realistically, but I still achieved a 27 second PB, and the performance will rank me the fourth fastest in the UK so far this year, so I'm very happy with that.” 


*And well done to Geran Hughes (GOG Triathlon) - pictured right - who enjoyed a solid performance in his veteran age cat and finished well in 11.38.


Senior athletics coach, staff team and event volunteer, Chis Hollingshead, confirmed after the event: “Congratulations to athletes from England Athletics Masters and Welsh Athletics Masters who competed in the 3000m track races in Deeside, North Wales. Conditions were perfect, and the two races were fantastic to watch, and run in.


“There were five England athletes making their debuts last night and included Kirsty Wheeler (Lowestoft Road Runners); Kate Kruse (Met Police AC); Chris Nicholl (Derby Tri/ Midland Masters); Darrell Wilde (Cannock & Stafford AC); John Broom (Penistone Footpath Runners & Athletics Club.


*The age group winners were: - M50: Nick Shasha (England) M55: Chris Nicoll (England). M60: Steven Gardner (Wales). W35:Nicola Sutton (England). W40: Emma Raven (England): W45: Joanne Henderson (Wales).


“Thanks to all the runners who support the masters programme, team staff Keri Lees and Emma Hollinshead for England, Bernie Jones and Luke Northall for Wales, and Deeside AC for hosting. Last night wouldn’t have been possible without you.” 



  









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.

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