Don Hale Blog

British Masters Cross Country championships https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk RHUG FARM, CORWEN, DENBIGHSHIRE,  NORTH WALES LL21 0EH, CORWEN 16 MAR 2024. BMAF Cross Country Championships -Rhug 16 March Bernie Jones, the secretary of the NW Cross-country league, is urging local runners to enter the British Masters championships at Rhug, near Corwen. The BMAF Cross Country Championships are being held at Rhug on 16 March and is a great opportunity for all North Wales athletes over 35 years old to try and win a medal in their age group at these British Championships which are being held on our door. You DO NOT have to be a Masters member; anyone over 35 is eligible to enter. Let’s see some North Walians get amongst the medals. Entry via the following link: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-xc/ Contact Details: bmaf@opentrack.run Please contact the organiser, not OpenTrack, for all queries. https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-xc/?f

Sad loss of outstanding Welsh Master athlete Glyn Pugh. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Rod Davies from Welsh Masters Athletics has confirmed some important news. He has confirmed: “We have a rather sad post for the website. One of our throwing stalwarts, Glyn Pugh, has passed away. This is our statement from WMAL.” Welsh Masters Athletics are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Glyn Pugh of Rhondda AC on Tuesday 20th February. As well as a dedicated supporter of WMAL. including representing the club in inter area matches over the years, he was a well-respected lynchpin of Rhondda AC and of Welsh Athletics in general, especially the throws.  He will be greatly missed by his many friends in Masters Athletics. Somehow the throwing events will not be quite so much fun. Our thoughts go out to his many friends, his family, and those at the King George Track for which he worked so hard. *A full obituary can be found on the Welsh At

*Gold medal winner Juliet Sidney (*above) at last week's championship The 'Pocket Rocket' struck gold in the British Masters indoor sprint events at Lee Valley. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   The ‘Pocket Rocket’ in the impressive form of Juliet Sidney, the popular website chief of Welsh Masters Athletics, was on fire at the British Masters Indoor championships last weekend, at Lee Valley, despite feeling somewhat under the weather, where she still struck gold in her sprint events. *Pictured above - Fiona Steele (*left),  and Juliet Sidney jump fo joy at the Lee Valley indoor centre, and (*below), back on top of the podium for another gold She explained:  “A great day at the British Masters Indoor Champs. W55 200m gold. Struggling with a cold but really happy with my race. Good catching up with masters, friends, and competing, and a seasons best time too!  “A double British Champion w55 60m, and 200m. One very happy poc

Parkrun boss finally makes a belated statement about the latest controversy to remove important record! But is it just a smokescreen to cover up a previous row over transgender athletes? By Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   It's taken about a week for Russ Jefferys, the CEO of parkrun global to belatedly make a statement about last Thursday’s controversial decision to remove male and female, first, and fast finishers, plus age grades, and age category records from their website. It is something that has naturally attracted strong debate up and down the country, and no doubt at numerous parkruns across the world! But I still question whether this latest debacle is just a smokescreen to try to hide, and hence remove any existing records relating to transgender athletes! Parkrun came into being many years ago following a great idea by several like-minded runners, who organised a timed 5k run in their local park, and so from a small acorn, a

WELSH MASTERS ATHLETICS TEAMS FOR INTER-AREA INDOOR T&F CHAMPIONSHIPS AT LEE VALLEY on 25th FEBRUARY. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The latest updates have Now been revealed for both the male and female T&F teams to represent Welsh Masters Athletics at the forthcoming Masters Inter-Area (Indoor) challenge championships at Lee Valley on Sunday 25th February. WMAL director Brett Davis confirmed : “This is the current list for the Welsh Masters Athletics men’s team for the Inter-Area male team as they currently stand. Any gaps shown are still available for people to approach myself, Eleri Jones, or Louise Kirby about.  “In addition, the M35-49 age group 400m slot may become available due to an injury that is being assessed.” WMAL MALE TEAM MEMBERS: 60m hurdles:  M50 Glyn Price. M60 Iain Moody. 1500m:  M35 Oli Williams. M50 Adrian Lewis. M60 Dave Watson. M70 Paul Allen. 400m:  M35 Jonathan Williams. M50 Adrian Lewis. M60 Brett Davis. M70 Barrie Ro