donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026

BMAF Indoor Track Fixtures 2027 Three Great British 2027 winter events organised by the British Masters Athletics Federation In Wales, Scotland, and England, in that order. Wales - Indoors in January Indoor Pentathlon, 3000m and Open Events will take place on Saturday 23rd January 2027 at National Indoor Athletics Centre, Cardiff Scotland - Indoors in February Indoor Championships will take place on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st February 2027 at Glasgow International Arena England - Outdoors in March Winter Throws will take place on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th March 2027 at Horspath, Oxford Keep checking our fixtures page for more details as they emerge.  https://bmaf.org.uk/fixtures/ Thanks to Wendy Kane for giving us plenty of advance notice.

*Pictured above - the rather wet start to the Conwy parkrun. Tough challenge for volunteers at North Wales parkruns. Report by Don Hale. Conwy photos by Michael (Pat) Finnie. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog   It was wild wet and very windy at the Llandrillo yn Rhos parkrun and at most other North Wales events last Saturday morning with entrants later praising the hard-working run directors, volunteers, and marshalls for turning out on such a challenging day. Once again, the visiting speed merchants ignored the conditions to record numerous top 5k finishing times, but  James Yarwood  (Wrexham AAC) and his sturdy twin-buggy claimed first place yet again with a fast finish in just 18 minutes and 5 seconds.  Quite remarkably, the first six finishers all dipped under 19 minutes with JM15-17 athlete  Joe Culverhouse  (NWRRC) taking the second spot with a determined effort, and he was only two seconds adrift of James, with  Sion Hill  ...

*Steve Gardner (*above centre) on the podium at the  BMAF championships at Derby last weekend where he set  the fastest time this year in his particular  V60 event. North Wales athlete Steve Gardner sets the fastest 2000m steeplechase time this year at V60. Report by Don Hale. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk North Wales Road Runner and Welsh Master Steve Gardner competed in the BMAF championships at Derby over the weekend and set the fastest time this year in the 2000m steeplechase race in his respective veteran age category. The Team GB member and track champion at various distances over the past few seasons was delighted with his outstanding gold medal performance in this three-day event at Derby’s Moorways Stadium, and he finished in first place overall, and he was the first V60 athlete in a mixed gender event. After his race, Steve confirmed:  “ Leading the race from gun to tape, I finished six seconds faster tha...

Entries now open for the British Masters half marathon championships in Dumfries on 20th September 2026. donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog www.welshmastersathletis.co.uk By the time you read this there will only be less than two weeks left to enter the British Masters Half Marathon Championships in Dumfries on the 20th  September. The course is on scenic undulating roads with little traffic. Promoted by a true running club the Dumfries Half Marathon charges a very realistic entry fee which is rare in this day and age.   The race limits its entry numbers which means the Championships are well catered for, however I advise entering now before the Half is declared full. Just follow these links:  https://www.eventsupnorth.co.uk/event/2076 And once entered register your entry on open track via the link below: https://bmaf.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/bmaf-hm/   As your Road Race Secretary, I want to support grass roots running clubs and I know Dum...

*Pictured above - the Moorways Stadium at Derby. LAST CHANCE TO ENTER THE BMAF T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog URGENT MESSAGE FROM KEVIN WHITE AT BMAF: Thank you to everyone who has entered the BMAF Track & Field champs which are taking place in Derby from Friday 11th to Sunday 13th Sept. For those of you who have been thinking about it but have not yet entered:  ENTRIES CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT THIS SUNDAY - 30th AUGUST. BMAF Track & Field Championship ​  Summarise ​ Contact Details:  bmaf@opentrack.run Please contact the organiser, not OpenTrack, for all queries Start Lists  Enter Here 7 hours, 42 min to go   Competitors   (740) Competition Dates: 11 – 13 September 2026, Moorways, Derby This event will be held over 3 full days. It will include all the events that used to be incorporated in the timetable in the ‘older days’ together with an additional 3000m.  There will also be heats and finals in both th...

*Pictured above and below - some great  photos of the Welsh Masters Athletics  team members at the recent Inter-Area championships at Yate. Master’s Inter Area T&F Championships - Sunday 2nd August – Yate Special report courtesy of Gareth Robbins. Photos by Aled Hughes and Joe Horner. donhaleblog.bogspot.com/2026 coastandcountry.blog. www.welshmasterathletics.co.uk The men’s team provisionally finished 5th – with 2 events still to be declared by the end of the day.  The ladies team finished a wonderful 4th overall, meaning that the combined scores provisionally gave us a 4th place finish.  Special mention to all our debutants at this event, well done everyone pulling on the red Welsh vest for the first time.  The team produced some brilliant performances across the board, with a total of 9 Welsh age group records broken (subject to ratification):  -                M65 – 100mH – I...