Don Hale Blog

*The jubilant Welsh Masters team (*above) at the Swansea half marathon. Fifteen medals and a Welsh Record on a great day for Wales within the Swansea Half Marathon... Report and photos courtesy of the Wales team manager Bernie Jones. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   For the first time in a couple of years, the Master international events came back to Wales, and we were rewarded with a record number of top three finishers and a new Welsh Record by the ageless Swansea Harrier, Alan Davies, who broke his own M70 record with a great run of 81-51.    Phil Matthews, Parc Bryn Bach (M45), was first home in 5th place overall comfortably winning his age category. Along with Phil and Alan Davies. Welsh Athletes were first home in the M50 age group (Mark Jennings, MMRT) and M65 (David Warren, Cardigan).    There were also second places for Matt Rees, Swansea Harriers(M35), Dave James, Les Croupiers(M65) and David Gibson, Tri-Hard Harriers (M70).    In the Women...

Veterans at the Paul Popham Swansea Bay 5k Summer Series. Report and photos by David Gibson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The Paul Popham Swansea Bay 5k Summer series consists of three Wednesday evening events in May, June and July of each year and proves to be popular with south Wales runners of all ages.  The Swansea Prom ‘there and back’ course starts at the Secret Bar and Kitchen near St Helens Rugby ground and heads towards the marina before turning back. The route can be breezy’ which makes judging pace a bit tricky but then it is the same for everyone. Once again this year, VM70 Swansea Harrier Alan Davies produced three strong performances to receive the series veteran third place trophy despite being 71 years old! The veteran podium places were:- VETERAN FEMALE WINNERS 1st Place          Katie Williams           3M Gorseinon Road Run...

*Swansea Harrier Alan Davies (*above) crosses the finish line at the recent Cardiff 5k - Race for Victory - event to set a new record. (Photo  courtesy of Paul Stillman Sports Photography). World 5k record title hope for Swansea Harrier and Welsh Master Alan Davies. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Subject to official confirmation, Welsh Master Alan Davies of Swansea Harriers is another top veteran who may well have smashed the VM70 category World Record for 5k.  Running in the Cardiff 5k – Race for Victory - on Sunday 5th May 2024, 71-year-old legend Alan clocked a chip time of 18:01. This is a notable improvement on the 18:17 that he recorded at the Tri Hard Harriers 5k On the Bay in Swansea in August last year. Alan also holds the joint 5k M65 Welsh Masters Record at 18:04. Like fine wine, he is improving with age!  *Pictured above - Swansea Harrier Alan Davies - competing in the West Glamorgan cross-country league earlier this ye...