RUNNING NEWS: Mark faces a tough challenge for Headway – the brain injury association
Introduction by Don Hale
http://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2025
Mark Davies is an inspirational and popular athlete from Llandudno who has won numerous athletic awards and set some extraordinary records for his incredible mountain and fell running exploits over the years, but now he is about to face his ultimate challenge to test his amazing recovery powers!
In January 2023, he was the victim of a hit and run incident and suffered a traumatic brain injury which completely changed his life. Now, through sheer determination, hard work, and generous support, he is slowly recovering and re-learning to talk, walk and run.
Mark has now entered the gruelling Conwy Half Marathon in November over a challenging route that also includes a circuit of the Great Orme, and he has launched a fundraising appeal to acknowledge the support from HEADWAY – the brain injury association that helps survivors and their family and carers.
This is Mark’s exclusive story……
Every 90 seconds, someone is admitted to a UK hospital with a brain injury. I am now a part of those statistics.
On the 28th of January 2023, I was the victim of a hit and run. I sustained a traumatic brain injury, a completely life changing injury.
Prior to the accident, I was very fit and able, and running was my biggest passion. Through hard work, grit, and determination, plus the help of many different professionals, family, and friends, I am recovering. Relearning to talk, walk, and run.
I have decided to set myself a challenge to complete the Conwy Half Marathon to give back to all the people struggling with a brain injury. Joining me is Zoë my neuro physio who has been instrumental in my physical recovery. Zoë, who works for the Rehab Physio in the Wirral has provided bespoke treatment to get me back to doing what I love.
*This is the link to Mark’s fundraising page:
https://www.justgiving.com/page/mark-davies-50?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL
Silver medal for Steve at European Masters Champs in Madeira
Report by Don Hale
Welsh Master Steve Gardner came home with a prestigious silver medal after competing in the European Masters Athletics Championships in Madeira last week and revealed that competing successfully at this level had been like a ‘dream come true.’
The North Wales Road Runner was representing Great Britain once again in the 2000m steeplechase event, and finished second following a highly competitive encounter against some of the world’s top track athletes.
Veteran Steve was one of 4,200 masters athletes from 33 European countries at this top Euro Masters track championship event, and he praised his North Wales endurance coach John Mussum for his help in reaching such a high standard this season.
Steve said: “After winning the British Championships V60 2000m steeplechase a few weeks ago in a new Welsh V60 record, I was hoping that my form would hold for the European Masters champs, which had been my goal for this season.
“Angel Lebrero Suarez (Spain) set off at a blistering pace followed by Peter Mijsberg (Netherlands) several metres behind, and then me and Alexe Lulica (Roumania) further back. Eventually, Peter Misjberg won in a time of 7.15.01, and I was 2nd in 7.17.09 (and a new PB by 20 seconds), with Angel Suarez 3rd in 7.18.83.
“This has probably been the most successful season of my life. It really has been a dream come true, I’m over the moon, and the stadium in Madeira was great and located in a fantastic setting.”
Quality competition at the Abergele 5k and 10k races
Report by Don Hale
There was a massive turn-out of over 500 quality athletes for the Abergele 5k and 10k races held on the town’s promenade on Sunday, which was well organised by RunWales.
Despite some wind and rain, both events attracted a wealth of elite, club, and social runners and the 5k set a hot pace, with the first 15 finishers all dipping under the 20-minute mark including the first two female athletes. And just 20-seconds separated the first six finishers.
In the 10k race, the first 14 athletes ran under 40-minutes, with some close times between the top six places, and the first female athlete was almost three minutes ahead of her nearest rival.
The first finisher overall at the 5k event was Huw Gwynn (Eryri Harriers) with a good time of 16 minutes and 37 seconds, with Anthony Davidson (Buckley RC) second in 17.00, and Cai Williams (Rhedwyr Hebog Runners) third in 17.02.
It was a close encounter too for the top female places with Llio Jones (Cybi Striders) first in 19.52, and Ella Jennings (Les Croupiers) a narrow second in 19.56, with Lynsey Coan (Bromborough) third in 21.28. There were 187 finishers.
North Wales Road Runners entered three members in the 5k, with master veteran and club chairman Kevin Slattery 22nd overall, and winning his M70 age cat in 21.44.
Kevin Higgins doubled up on both races, and won his M60 cat in 65th place in 29.14, whilst Gwen Charlton was 13th female with a good time of 26.11.
In the 10k race, Bangor University student Andrew Moore was first overall in 33.36, with Steffan Sayer (Menai T&F) second in 34.18, and local footballer and referee Aaron Dodwell third in 35.51.
First female was the outstanding and runaway leader Katie Baldwin (Cybi Striders) in 44.58, well ahead of second placed rival Hannah Ibbotson in 47.47 and Swyn Edwards in 48.26.
Four NWRRC members also ran in the 10k, with Stuart Culverhouse 18th and 1st M50 in 41.16, master vet Rob Fryer 1st M70 in 99th place in 53.12, and Kevin Higgins completed a unique race double, finishing 145th in 59.38, with Gethin Wyn Jones 163rd in 64.50. There were 356 finishers.
Husband and wife celebrate top marathon results
Martin Green (Meirionnydd RC) and his wife Carla Green (NWRRC) represented Wales in the Abingdon Marathon at the weekend.
Martin placed 10th overall, 2 hrs 36 mins and 26 secs on his 18th international appearance and won his MV50 age cat, with Carla clocking a great result in 3 hrs 23 mins.
Penrhyn Dark Run success
It proved to be another great night at the Penrhyn Castle Darkrun last Saturday with 384 participants helping raise funds for Hope House and Ty Gobaith children’s cancer charities.
Event organiser John Hatton said: “I went to the morning parkrun, then back as MC for the Dark Run, an absolutely fantastic evening. We managed to get so many volunteers, which made it so special all around the course. We were overwhelmed by the response.”
Good attendances and times at North Wales parkruns
Report by Don Hale
Conwy
Sam Griffiths was first finisher at the Conwy Parkrun last Saturday where they welcomed 209 club and social athletes, including many visitors from around the UK.
Sam had an outstanding run in just 16 minutes and 42 seconds, with Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) second with a great new PB of 17.51, and visitor John Brogan (RC Warriors) took the third spot on his debut in 18.06.
Vicky Cole (GOG Triathlon) was first female finisher (16th overall), and she ran the course with husband Simon Cole, and claimed a new PB 20.38, with Ellie Evans (Cybi Striders) second (34th) with a PB 22.10 and Katherine Gregson finished third (38th) in 22.26.
North Wales Road Runners entered seven members: Stuart Culverhouse 13th and 1st VM50 in 20.22, Paul Aubert 28th in 21.44; and master vet Barrie Wells finished 91st and 1st VM70 in 25.34.
Rob Fryer was 96th and 2nd VM70 in 25.49, whilst Don Hale struggled with a niggling injury and finished 3rd in the same masters age cat in 28.08; Veteran John O’Shea finished 192nd in 32.23, and super vet Edward Garner was 206th in 35.02.
Prestatyn
The first six finishers all dipped under 20 minutes with Luca Bennett first overall with a PB 19.03, with Dafydd Montgomery (Prestatyn RC) second in 19.08, whilst visitor Joe Duffey finished third on his debut
in 19.21.
The first three female finishers all recorded PBs, including Lisa Lines (Prestatyn RC), who was first (16th overall) in 21.19, visitor Katie Parry (Leeds City) was second (18th) in 21.24, with Kayleigh Williams third (30th) in 22.35.