Don Hale Blog

*Pictured above - Mark Jessett - who won a most unusual naked 5k race. Mark Jessett ran his socks off to win a naked 5k charity trail race in Kent... Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Welsh athlete Mark Jessett took part in a most unusual race last Sunday where he almost literally ran his socks off – in addition to all his other clothing – as it was all part of a unique and very naked 5k fundraising event for the Naturist Foundation at Brocken Hurst, near Orpington, in Kent. Mark, who is a member of North Wales Road Runners, and is also one of the regular run directors at Conwy parkrun, was the first male runner home out of 130-completely naked entrants, winning the race in style in a fast time of 18 minutes and 50 seconds, despite the very hot weather with temperatures hovering around 27 degrees. After his run, Mark said: “A rather rare running appearance for me these days. The event was organised by the Naturist Foundation, and it

*Paul Brooks (*pictured above) with his throwing medals. Throwing champion Paul Brooks celebrated a productive day at the Telford Games last weekend...and reviews the Caernarfon half-marathon Regional championships. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Welsh Masters veteran athlete Paul Brooks, who represents Wrexham AAC, said he was very happy with a productive day at the Telford Games last Saturday, where he set three new MV75 Wrexham club records. The evergreen throwing champion competed in several T&F events and his times included: hammer, 15.12m; shot putt, 7.19m, and discus 23.94m. Paul additionally said well done to colleagues Will and Sally, and says he has his fingers crossed for another similar T&F event this weekend in Sheffield. And (*above)  Paul Brooks  is shown with in his other role as an official with the North Wales Regional Athletics Council (NWRAC), with  Rachel Shipley  (Abergele Harriers), who received her champion’s shield and

Great medal showing by Welsh Masters Athletics men at the British Championships at Moorways, Derby. Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Welsh Masters Athletics men’s team collected 21 prestigious age category medals at the British Masters T&F championships at Derby in August, including 6 gold, 6 silver and 9 bronze! Many of the medals were won by multi-event participants with  Graham Holder  claiming two gold medals for his success in the HT6K, and WT1134K events, and a silver in the DT 1.5K, whilst  Ian Broadhurst  won gold in the 200m race, and a bronze in the 100m. Russell Whiting  also won a gold medal in the 100m, and a silver in the 200m, and  Sean Price  was the other gold medal winner following his efforts in the 400m. In addition,  Barrie Roberts  won a silver and a bronze medal from his 800m and 1500m events, as did  Oliver Williams  over the same distances, but in different age category races. Master veteran  Mark Wynd

*Melanie Garland (*above) won three gold medals at Derby. Massive medal haul for Welsh Masters Athletics ladies at the British championships held at Moorways, Derby.   Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Welsh Masters Athletics members celebrated their success in style last weekend after collecting a massive haul of thirty-three prestigious medals at the British Masters T&F championships held at the Moorways Sports Complex in Derby. Numerous WMAL club members displayed their talents in somewhat breezy conditions and won sixteen gold medals, five silver, and twelve bronze medals in a wide variety of events in their respective age categories; and  Melanie Garland claimed a superb hat-trick of gold medals and one bronze medal after successfully competing in the 100m, long jump, and triple jump competitions.  Juliet Sidney  (*pictured above centre on the podium) won two gold medals for her efforts in the 100m and 200m events, and sim

*Pictured above - Martin Green crosses the finish line to win the half-marathon. (Photo credit Mick Hall). Martin Green wins the Caernarfon half-marathon and strikes regional gold. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   North Wales Road Runner Martin Green recorded another tremendous result last weekend with victory at the Caernarfon half-marathon race, which also included the Regional Championships. The talented veteran athlete finished nearly two minutes ahead of his nearest rival, and he also won a gold medal and a winning trophy in his MV45-49 age category with an impressive time of just 1 hour 14 minutes and 35 seconds. *My report is based on chip times. Martin was followed by  Llyr Gruffydd  (Eryri Harriers) who was 2nd overall in 1.16.20, and he won his M35-39 cat, with  Scott Nixon  (Wrexham AAC) 3rd in 1.16.33, and he was only 13-seconds adrift of Llyr, and he won his M21-34 age cat.  The 1st female athlete was  Rachel Shipley  

*Rachel Morris (*above) with her medal at the Great North Run. New course PB for Rachel Morris at the Great North Run. Report by Don Hale.  https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Road Runner Rachel Morris claimed a great new course PB by more than two-minutes at the Great North Run last Sunday, with an excellent run, despite the heat!  After her run, which she completed in 2 hours 32 minutes, she was later able to celebrate her time and performance at this spectacular event with her parents Brian and Hilda, who also took part in the race, and power-walked the route from Newcastle to South Shields in an amazing time of just 3 hours and 42 minutes. Rachel later confirmed : “It was a great race, but it took us an hour to get through the starting line. GNR officials however, put on extra water stations, and they also put crates of water all around the waiting areas in the waves. “There were 60,000 runners and it’s now the World’s biggest half marathon. It was so

* Gwennan Charlton (*above) on the finish line after her Torchlight Trail race. Gwennan enjoyed her night race in the woods. Report by Don Hale.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   NWRRC athlete Gwennan Charlton took part in the Sandman Black Diamond Torchlight Trail 5k plus event last Saturday night which was set amidst the pine trees and sand dunes of Newborough Forest, Anglesey.  Staged during the Sandman Triathlon weekend, the events offered either a 5.3k, or a 10.6k trail race option, promising a very special experience for all those taking part.  The trail races started and finished in the village and took runners around the forest trails before welcoming them back at the end of their adventure. It was primarily a fun-run for all abilities, and for people who love trail running but perhaps wanted to try something different. Gwennan certainly enjoyed her night-out and finished 8th overall, and she was also the 4th female finisher in 37 minutes 29 s

*Pictured (*above), NWRRC members Karl Morris, Richard Scamans and Stuart Culverhouse at Conwy parkrun. Hot and Humid for athletes at Conwy parkrun Report by Don Hale. Photos courtesy of Mike Smith. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk   Hot and humid was the order of the day at Conwy parkrun last Saturday, as a generous sprinkling of visitors, social runners, and top cub athletes took part in this 5k dash on a picturesque riverside course. Student Harri Jackson  (Manchester Metro University AC) was the first runner back for the second consecutive week, but this time he was 18-seconds down on his previous time, but he still finished well ahead of his nearest challengers, which included promising Prestatyn RC pair,  Andy Bromley  and  Alex Ryder. Harri’s  time was 17 minutes and 30 seconds, and he won his SM20 age cat, with  Andy  2nd overall in 18.10, and the first SM30 cat, with  Alex  third and the first SM25 cat in 18.16. The first female finisher was  Ha

*Steven Owen (*pictured above) at the finish of the Ironman Wales event. Amazing all-round performance from GOG Triathlete Steven Owen at the Ironman Wales challenge.   Report and photos produced with the kind permission of GOG Triathlete Steven Owen, who was another talented athlete that competed in the Ironman Wales challenge last weekend.   https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk     Wow! What an amazing time I had in Tenby!  By Steven Owen.   I have never experienced anything like it ever before! This was by far the biggest and toughest race I have ever done before and despite last minute nerves on the morning, I loved every minute, even when I was feeling depleted on the bike and run!    Now I have done it, I am left wondering what event will be next and what could possibly compare to the amazing atmosphere and challenge of  Ironman Wales .  *Action photos from last weekend's event.    Never before have I experienced an epic swim start like IMW, experi