Don Hale Blog

Beast of Bryn 2026 :  23 August 2026 donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025 Beast of Bryn 2026 (Bwystfil Y Bryn): Info from Paul Bulmer. https://beastofbryn.fullonsport.com/event/beast-of-bryn-2026/profile We are delighted to be hosting the Beast of Bryn 2026 (Bwystfil Y Bryn) BRAG (Bryn Residents Action Group) established this race in 2011 and it quickly grew in size and reputation. Much of the history of the race can be found on the BRAG  website . The management of the race was outsourced for a few years, but since 2024 has been fully managed by  BRAG. The event is held under UK Athletics rules with the registration number TR-26-5. We have two distances to choose from – approximately 6.5 miles (10.5km) or 10.5 miles (17km) with total climbs of approximately 288 or 556 Meters. The 10.5-mile route can also be part of the  Welsh Athletics Masters Championship  for affiliated runners. The route passes through the mountains of Afan Forest Park, with stunning view...

    *Pictured above - the start of the successful Tri Hard Harriers 5k race. Tri Hard Harriers successful 5k on the Bay for Wales Air Ambulance... *Members of the  Tri Hard Harriers team (*above) prior to the start of the 5k race. Special race report by David Gibson.   * All photos by “ValleyBoyPics.” https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com   On Thursday evening of last week, 435 participants ran this popular 5k on the Bay race along the Swansea Bay front between Blackpill and Mumbles, which helped to raise essential funds for the Wales Air Ambulance.  Being one of the fastest – if not the fastest 5k courses in Wales - there were multiple personal bests (PBs) achieved in the warm summer evening, and 78 of the finishers were from the host club – a record turnout with others in supporting roles – and a true team effort! Tri Hard Harriers  has set a high standard for the organisation of such an event with full chip timing and an accurately measured course. On fi...

Tri Hard Harriers Women Triumph in the West Glamorgan Cross Country League... Report by David Gibson. *Pictured above - the last race.   The final 4.7-mile race of five fixtures was held at Amman Valley Trotting Club, Tairgwaith on Sunday 25th March. The series, which is for South Wales club teams, is held on different courses in west Wales providing a variety of challenges to participants.   The women’s title was won by the Tri Hard Harriers team, who were only promoted to the top division this season, beating Run4All Neath Blacks and 3Ms Gorseinon RR.  Team captain Stephanie Gibson proved to be the class of the field by winning all five events and was ably supported by Teresa Penhorwood who was joint second and Alice Mayo who finished in the women’s top 20. The men’s title was won by Neath Harriers with Run4All Neath Blacks in runner up spot and Swansea Harriers in third. Individually, Scott Williams and Iestyn Evans - both of Neath Harriers were first and second ov...

Welsh Master and photographer Roger Garland captures some of the action from the recent Inter-Area Indoor championships at Lee Valley...                       

*Pictured above - North Wales Road Runner Steve Gardner with his M60 gold medal at the Cardiff Indoor Arena. Gold medal winners at the Welsh Masters 3000m championships at Cardiff...plus January indoor updates. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Brett Davis, a director of WMAL has just confirmed the gold medal winners and results from the various 3000m championship races for both male and female athletes from last Sunday at the Cardiff Indoor Stadium. North Wales Road Runner  Steve Gardner  made the long journey south once again to record an excellent time in his veteran M60 age category in a time of 10 minutes and 37 seconds to claim a new PB. After his event Steve, who deservedly struck gold, later said : “ I competed at the 3000m champs in Cardiff yesterday, and I was very pleased with my performance in a time of 10.37, which was a new pb for me, 25 seconds faster than my previous outdoor time set earlier in the year.  ...

Report and results round-up from the Richard Burton 10k. Details from David Gibson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Richard Burton 10k run in early November in the Afan Valley near Port Talbot is a bit of a cult event with a special valley flavour but attracting top club runners from throughout South Wales.  The race is one of the oldest of its type having started in 1982 as a fun run in remembrance of three lads who died in a car crash whilst travelling from Cwmafan to Swansea. In 1983 Richard Burton CBE was asked if he would allow the race to be named after him, which he agreed to. The atmosphere and local support are just two aspects that make it a great event. The circular course has some serious climbing early on compensated by an exhilarating downhill return from Pontrhydyfen to the finish in Cwmafan. Two unique aspects are the Welsh Slate coasters instead of medals along with a Welsh cake for all finishers.   The category firs...

*Pictured above - Master veteran  Alan Davies may have set a new world record at the Swansea Bay 10k race. Alan Davies set out to break a new M70 World Record at the Swansea Bay 10k... Report by David Gibson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The Swansea Bay 10k is a well-loved event that has been going nearly as long as the London Marathon, and the 2024 set of races held on Sunday 15th September was the 43rd edition. Unlike last year which was wet, the weather this year was good for running with only a bit of a south westerly breeze working against the runners on the outward leg. Whilst the 10k race is the headline element of the day, there are also other races encouraging all members of families to take part. These are a 1k for youngsters seven and under; a 1k for 8 to 11-year-olds, a 3k for older children, and a 10k wheelchair race, which was won by Owain Terrell of Disability Sports Wales in a time of 31:05. The main 10k race saw ...

*Pictured above - the Pocket Rocket - Juliet Sidney in action. Welsh Masters athlete Juliet Sidney (the pocket rocket) reflects on an incredible year on the track.. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk That's my athletics done for 2024. Definitely a year of ups and downs, but I hung on in there to have some strong performances and good results.   Indoor Highlights:  60m indoor w55 Welsh and British champion. Made my first 200m indoor European final. Bronze medal 4 x 200 w50 European masters championships  Outdoor Highlights:  100m and 200m w55 Welsh and British Champion. Managed a W55 PB in the 100m and a PB in the 200m.   Made my first world outdoor final in the 100m.   First ever world medal 4 x 100m silver.  So many people to thank  @elite82high  for overall training programme. Eric Oram speed sessions. Helen James for your support and guidance. Team-mates and Newport Harriers for their support to masters athlet...

*Welsh Master veteran Alan Davies (*above), at the Ammanford 10k DG Credit Stuart Ladd - South Wales Guardian Top Two UK M70s at the Ammanford 10k. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The 2024 Ammanford 10k road race was run in ideal conditions of a light breeze and sunshine last Sunday morning.  The Carmarthenshire race is run on undulating open roads between Ammanford and Landybie with a generally steady uphill first half followed by a short sharp hill and then generally downhill to the finish. The current two top men on the Run Britain V70 National ladder - who are both from Swansea - were taking part and put in solid performances.  *Pictured above - Welsh Master veteran David Gibson at the Ammanford 10k DG Credit Stuart Ladd - South Wales Guardian. Top Two UK M70s at the Ammanford 10k Once again Swansea Harrier Alan Davies gave a masterclass to finish in 18th place with an excellent time of 38:47 with Tri Hard Harrier David Gibson foll...