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...

*Welsh Master David Gibson is pictured (*above left) , after the race with his daughter Stephanie, who was the first F40 and fourth overall female. New Welsh Masters PB and record for David Gibson at Swansea half-marathon Two weeks after setting a Welsh M70 Half Marathon record in the Wales Masters v England HM match in Manchester, Welsh Master David Gibson , aged 72, of Tri Hard Harriers ran the Swansea Half Marathon on Sunday with a new PB of 87 minutes and 11 seconds, and setting a new Welsh M70 Half Marathon record (subject to official confirmation).  In addition, it is likely that this is the fastest UK M70 Half Marathon time this year-to-date.   At this event last year, David nearly collapsed at the finish owing to the after effects of Covid, so this year’s result is particularly pleasing.   *Two talented Welsh Masters and record holders (*above left), David Gibson, and (*above right), Dave Gardner from NWRRC, who set a new shot put record. Dave Gardener also set a...

*Welsh Master Dave Watson (*above) flew the flag for Wales in Edinburgh Welsh Master Dave Watson is fighting fit and recording great new PBs…and well done to Tracey Smedley on recording a new 400m record on the track. Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Welsh Master Dave Watson seems to have hit a genuine purple patch of form this year by recording some superb results on his travels in a variety of events. The MV65 veteran competed yesterday (4th June) at the British Masters BMAF Scottish Mile in Edinburgh and was believed to be the only Welsh Masters’ athlete. He enjoyed a great run in the sun and finished 2nd in his age cat with a fast PB time of just 5 minutes and 35 seconds. Afterwards Dave, who is pictured (*above) with his  medal ,  said: “I think the inaugural running of this race was in Cardiff, then it moved to London, The Mall, before now moving to Edinburgh. “The interesting bit was that the race was advertised...