North Wales Road Runner, Welsh Master and Team GB track athlete Steve Gardner smashed his own previous best record time in the 800m event during the World Masters Athletics Championships in Sweden last week – and in the process set a new Welsh Masters record.
Competing on the track in Bjorlanda, Sweden, on 15th August, for Team GB, the M60 veteran ran home in 2 minutes 22.26 seconds. He was also the 3rd British athlete and the 1st Welshman, finishing 23rd overall based on the times over seven heats. There were 72 starters.
And in the 1500m he recorded another excellent PB finishing in 5.07.05, in 24th place overall, the 4th British athlete, and once again he was understood to be the 1st Welshman. There were 57 starters over three heats.
Report by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Talented Colwyn Bay AC student Bryn Woodall set an incredible new course record of just 14
minutes and 45 seconds on Saturday at Conwy Parkrun.
It was an outstanding performance over this challenging 5k riverside route from the RSPB Nature Reserve to Deganwy and back.
And it was almost three years to the day since he first recorded a previous exceptional parkrun PB, when he set a course best at the same venue on 21st August 2021 of 15.16.
And Bryn, who is on a summer break from his studies in America, finished more than two minutes ahead of his nearest rival and clearly dominated the event with his runaway success.
It seemed right from the start that this popular athlete was determined to attack the course record before
returning to his overseas studies, and with weather conditions favourable he just went flat out to
finally achieve his goal.
John Hatton from North Wales Road Runners, who has been the parkrun MC, and a keen volunteer
at Conwy for many years, was thrilled by Bryn’s results and said: “What a parkrun this morning, Bryn
Woodall beat his old record of 15.16 to do 14.45.
“I spoke to him at the start, and he said he was going for it, he wanted to go sub 15 before going back to the States. Bryn was delighted, and talking to him afterwards, he said he wants to compete in the U23 European championships next year.”
The Road Runners entered 14 members and Alastair Canaway led the team home in 4th place overall in 17.42 and won his VM35 age cat.
Will Williams enjoyed a good run after injury and finished 19th in 20.25, with Sion Thomas celebrating a new PB of 20.49 and 2nd VW40.
Adam Lemalle was 29th in 21.24, with Steve Roberts 43rd and 2nd VM55 in 22.06, and Richard Scamans finished in 50th place in 22.19.
Jamie Tharme looked back to his best again finishing 68th in 23.31, and veteran Kay Hatton won her VW60 cat with an excellent run in 24.22 as the 9th female in 77th place overall.
Master veteran Barrie Wells claimed 2nd VM70 in 78th place 24.24, Hannah Griffith finished 2nd VW50 in 117th place in 26.14, whilst master vet Rob Fryer gave Hannah a close chase on his 200th Conwy Parkrun, finishing just one place and six seconds adrift, and 3rd VM70 in 118th place in 26.20.
Another master vet in Mike Hayton ran well in 154th place in 28.20, with Nia Lister 207th in 30.25, meanwhile, Steve Mason walked the course as a sweeper in 394th place in 60.42. *There were 396 finishers.
*The first three male runners at Conwy Parkrun were: 1st Bryn Woodall (Colwyn Bay AC), SM20-24
with a new PB in 14.45, and in 2nd place was youngster Thomas Bushby (City of Hull), JM15-17, on
his debut in 17.04, with Tim Rogers (Trafford AC), SM30, 3rd on his debut in 17.23.
The first female finisher was Anna Drinkwater (Eryri Harriers), 8th in 19.04, with Tracey Holdcroft
2nd (26th overall), with a new PB in 21.19, and Alex Aldous was the 3rd female (35th overall), who
also recorded a new PB in 21.42.
*Nottingham: Ben and Sarah Hudson took part in the Rushcliffe Country Park Parkrun, near Nottingham, on Saturday with Ben 65th overall in 22.21, and Sarah 12th female, 107th overall in 23.48, and 3rd VW45 among 444 entrants.
* Penrhyn: Sandy Johnston easily won his MV75 age cat with another superb performance at the Penrhyn Castle parkrun, finishing in 46th place overall in 23.52.
Report courtesy of Bernie Jones, secretary.
The 2024/25 cross country season is just around the corner, and clubs are now asked to register
athletes wishing to compete in the league using the forms on the North Wales Cross Country website – please note a change of venues in the revised fixture list.
Forms should be e-mailed to me at Bernie-jones@sky.com. Clubs are also reminded that league fees
(£100 per club for seniors and £50 for juniors) are payable by at the latest before the start of the
second fixture.
CHANGE OF VENUES: Please note due to the unavailability of the PGL Centre, Baschurch in October,
we have changed around the dates for the Wrexham and Shrewsbury fixtures.
The revised fixtures/venues for the 2024/25 Season are:
*Sat 5th October 24 – Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay. *Sat 19th October 24 – Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham.
*Sat 30th November 24 – Aberysywyth. *Sat 11th January 25 – PGL Centre, Baschurch, Shrewsbury.
*Sat 8th February 25 – Marches School, Oswestry
The North Wales Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday 4th January 2025 at
Treborth Track, Bangor.
Introduction by Don Hale
https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
The Conwy Dark Run is all set to go ahead once again and this year it will be staged on Saturday
26th October from 6pm at the RSPB Nature Reserve at Conwy and will help to raise thousands of
pounds for Hope House Children’s Hospices.
Entrants will have the option to run or walk either the full 5k course, or the 2.5k reduced version,
and they will be encouraged to wear fancy dress or Halloween themed costumes.
One of the event organisers, John Hatton, said this week: “It’s time to glow crazy for Hope House
Children’s Hospices and have fun in the dark! Run, jog or walk, join with friends, take your family or
do it solo the choice is yours!
“We can’t wait to light up Conwy and see everyone waving their glow sticks in aid of local families.
The warm-up-will start at 6.10pm, and at 6.30pm sharp the starter hooter goes crazy!”
“Complete the Dark Run amidst music, cheering spectators, and finish your 5k Dark Run for your
extra special goody bag (2.5k for tired legs). There is no dress code but if you fancy going all neon or
Halloween, we always love the colourful scenes our Dark Run crowds create.
“Sign up today and you will ensure that we can continue to be there for every family who needs
us. Thank you to Capalona for acting as our medal sponsors.”
*Entry details and tickets are available via this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/conwy-dark-
run-2024…
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