Don Hale Blog

*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...

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...

*The above photo including the bench is of the Tri Hard Harriers runners at the opening event, and is courtesy of Mike Roderick. The article author David Gibson is shown in a black top in the centre at the rear. New Welsh parkrun in Swansea Valley Report by David Gibson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The popularity of parkruns seems unbounded. With the flat and scenic Swansea Bay parkrun now often getting 500 participants, and sometimes going over 600, a new Welsh parkrun in the Swansea Valley is very welcome.    For parkrun tourists, the recent YouTube video about the  Swansea Bay Parkrun  and local sights by Harry Morgan of Jogon is well worth a watch -   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MczE96cE9iQ   On 28th April, the Cycle Route 43, Ystalyfera parkrun ran its first event attracting 210 runners and walkers, including at least four who had run the London Marathon on the previous Sunday. 43 different clubs were repre...

Funeral arrangements for the former Swansea Harrier and WMAA secretary Jonathan Kersting... Message from Mel James at Welsh Masters Athletics.   I have received the sad news of the passing of a previous WMAA secretary   Jonathan Kersting , on April 12th. Jon was secretary around the millennium time, alongside the great John Collins and Ken Bray.   He competed for  Swansea Harriers  and WMAA within the B&I Cross Country International and many other masters events. I received this info from Ken Bray's daughter Yvonne, (Bullen) It was Jon's wife that informed her. I will attempt to find out more info, ASAP.  These are the  details of Jon Kersting's funeral arrangements. The funeral will take place on Wednesday 8th May.   The Service is at St Mary's Church, Burry Port. SA16 0SL at 12.30pm. Followed by Cremation at Llanelli Crematorium, Penprys Rd. SA14 8BX.  Friends and Family are cordially invited to meet after the funeral at Ashburnham Golf...

New proposals for Welsh Masters Athletics - Winter Indoor event in Swansea. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Brett Davis, a director of WMAL, has confirmed proposals for a new winter indoor event for next month. This week he explained: " We’re considering holding an indoor field events championship on Sunday 11th February in Swansea.  "However WA have been struggling to get sufficient field officials for their events. So this is a call to see how many members would be interested in competing and would also be able to officiate.  "Obviously interested in any field officials who wouldn’t be competing too, although aware that they’re less likely to be looking here. Will be using your responses to help judge if this event had a chance of happening. Thanks in advance." Brett Davis,  Director,  Welsh Masters Athletics Limited.

Unique WMAL opportunity and special webinar offer about Men’s Health...with Elite82 and experts. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Welsh Masters Athletics are promoting a unique Men’s Health opportunity provided by Elite82, who are a local company based in South Wales, and are a High Performance and Movement specialist.   They are running an informative webinar on Tuesday 5th December between 7pm-8.30pm, and WMAL have arranged a special offer for interested persons, including a 10% discount deal!  In addition, there is an Early Bird offer with the sale ending on 24th November, of just £20, less the special discount for registrations.  *Check out the details of this special seminar on the link below:   https://www.elite82.co.uk/event-details/mens-health-the-facts-around-testosterone   Men's Health: The facts around testosterone: About the event: All questions answered by a qualified physician.  Male Hormone Cycle - Testost...

Welsh Masters Notice of AGM This email is being sent to all confirmed members of Welsh Masters Athletics Limited who are on the Register of Members as at today’s date to provide the formal notice of Annual General Meeting of the Company to be held on 3 November 2023 at 7:30 pm. As the sport is still struggling to recover from Covid, the Board has decided that no awards will be made for 2022 so the opportunities for a celebration should be postponed till next year when the 2023 results will be available.   For that reason we will hold the formal AGM by Zoom, and those wishing to attend need to register in advance by emailing me before 31 October 2023 to get the system set up.  I attach -                     Notice of Meeting, Proxy Form.                Accounts to 31 December 2022. There are no formal votes required, so the provision of the Proxy Form is a fo...

Endurance Open Meeting inc. Welsh 3000m & 5000m Championships - 31st May 2023. WEDNESDAY 31 MAY:  Venue:  Newport Start Time 18:00:  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com WELSH CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR 3000m & 5000m Closing date for entries Tuesday 23rd 23:59 3000m AGE GROUPS:  SENM-SENW 5000m AGE GROUPS:  U20M-U20W-SENM-SENW 3000m are open to U15 & U17 athletes but not as the Welsh championships U15 3000m Welsh Championships are 24th/25th June U17 & U20 Welsh Championships are 12th/13th August NB: Welsh Championship entrants must be Welsh by A-birth, B-Parents and or C-residence. B & C conditions must have been ratified by WA before entry. The above events are open to non-Welsh athletes who are in the U15, U17 age groups and will not be part of the Welsh Championships Non-Welsh U20 and older age groups will be included into the Welsh Championships and must indicate on entry they are not Welsh. ADDITIONAL MEETING EVENTS Closing date for entries Tuesday 2...