Steve Gardner smashes record at NW steeplechase open race

Report by Don Hale

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026
coastandcountry.blog

NWRRC veteran Steve Gardner competed in the North Wales Endurance open race meeting at Deeside on May 1 and recorded a new personal best 5 minutes 22 seconds and smashed the record in the 1500m steeplechase race.

He confirmed: “There were no medals awarded as this was just an open meeting. I ran with the girls as the barrier height for them is the same height as V60 male at 76.2cm. The barrier height for men is higher, and I finished 2nd overall.

“I raced on Friday night and achieved a new PB, which just dipped under my previous best of 5.23.83, which currently stood as UK V60 All Time best performance.

“Whilst V60 steeplechase championships races are held over a distance of 2000m, it was extremely satisfying to achieve a PB in the 1500m event on the track where I started my athletics career as a 13-year-old back in 1975.

“It was a cinder track in those days, but the current track surface, new steeplechase barriers and perfect weather conditions on Friday evening definitely helped me achieve this PB.

“The main goals for this season will be the 1500m and 800m in the North Wales Outdoor Track and Field Champs at Bangor on May 9, then I’ll probably do the 1500m and 800m in the Welsh champs at Yate in June, then the 2000m steeplechase at the British
champs in Derby in September.”

Ben and Sarah tackle their 26th marathon on Tyneside

Ben and Sarah Hudson took part in the challenging Newcastle and Gateshead Marathon last Sunday – their 26th such event.

Ben finished in 3:48:59 and Sarah in 4:10:29, and finished 3rd in her age cat.

Bank Holiday bonanza at North Wales parkruns

Report by Don Hale

donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2026
coastandcountry.blog

The Bank Holiday weekend brought in plenty of first timers and mixed ability entrants to the various North Wales parkruns, which were again blessed by mild and sunny weather.

Llandrillo yn Rhos was the top venue yet again with 511 people enjoying the unique atmosphere of this new and exciting promenade dash, where visitor Robin Stacey (York Acorn AC) was first in just 17 minutes and 6 seconds.

Aidan Thomas was runner-up in 17.55, with JM15-17 athlete George Ledshaw celebrating an impressive performance with a new course PB of 18.00.

And it was interesting to see local athlete Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) starting at the back of this large entry to eventually finish in 4th place overall in 18.04.

Olivia Jones was first female finisher (30th overall) with a new CPB 19.45, and Elin Jones was second in 20.05 with Carla Green (NWRRC) third in a CPB 20.59.

North Wales Road Runners entered 10 members with newcomer Robert Evans 5th on course debut in 18.23, and he won his VM40 age cat. Stuart Culverhouse was 29th and 1st VM50 in 19.43, Mal Preece 46th and 3rd VM60 in 20.47.

Carla Green was back to top form in 46th place and 1st VW50 with a new PB 20.59, with ever-improving Tony Price Jones 182nd in 26.20, and Nia Lister 183rd in a CPD 26.23.

Master vet Don Hale also recorded a CPB 26.30 in 186th place and 2nd VM70 with fellow master Rob Fryer 195th and 3rd VM70 in 26.57. Liz Driscoll and running companion Winston were 279th in 29.56, and veteran John O’Shea took 383rd in 34.05.

Some other notable runners included: Colwyn Bay AAC members Josh Mottram (11th and 1st SM18) in 18.45, a great new 44 second CPB, whilst Jared Lee Roberts was second (12) on course debut in 18.49; and Neal Jones recorded a CPB 19.48; whilst Ian Taylor celebrated a CPB 21.21 in 53rd place.

GOG Triathlon: Simon Cole 4th overall in 18.04; Andy Jones (7) in 18.34; first female athlete was Megan New 264th in 29.32.

Porth Eirias Runners (PER) also had several members involved with running or volunteering including: Pedro Gaspar 116th in 24.38; Alan Hackett 205th and CPB 27.19 and Zara Parry 275th in 29.53.

Others: Harry Driscoll (Meirionnydd RC) 17th in 19.19; Marcus Jones (38) in 20.34: Darren Dentith (73) in 22.22; Tony Parvin (107) in 24.05; Peter Johnson (141) in 25.24 and Mike Pemberton (143) in 25.28.

Conwy

Bit of mystery at the Conwy Parkrun on May 2, with Liam Busby (Bedford Harriers) first man home in 17.21, yet the second and third finishers remained unknown.

The first three female finishers however, all recorded new course PBs including JM11-14 athlete Lois Evans, first in 20.36, with Mia Williams second in 21.21 and Rebecca Downs (Colwyn Bay) third in 23.08. There were 221 finishers

NWRRC: Will Williams 5th overall and 1st VM50 in 19.11, Karl Morris 40th in 23.54, and super-vet Mike Hayton was 123rd and 1st VM75 in 28.49.

GOG Triathlon: Jose Eduardo Vega Perez 27th and 3rd VM35 in 22.06, Michelle Farrell 1st VW40 in 24.08, whilst super-vet Liz Evans topped her VW75 age cat in 25.59 in 67th place.

Penrhyn

Plenty of first timers at the Penrhyn Castle Parkrun, with visitor Jordan Cooper (Macclesfield Harriers & AC) first in 18.25, with two other debutants in Will Tomlinson and Maciej Kolterniak (Queen’s Park Harriers) second and third in 18.31 and 18.34.

First female athlete was Emily Wood (25th overall) with a CPB 21.20, with visitors Chloe Lipinski and Tapiwa Sheanesu second
and third in 21.37 and 22.08. There were 320 finishers.

Prestatyn

Luca Bennett ran a new course PB at the Nova Parkrun in 18.48, followed by Joseph Lloyd with another CPB in 19.02, and he finished narrowly ahead of Jacob Collin in 19.05.

Top female was visitor Evie Marsh (City of Stoke AC) in 20.16, with Lisa Lines (Prestatyn RC) second in 22.28, and debutant Annmarie Riley (Penny Lane Striders) third in 23.23. There were 269 finishers.

Prestatyn RC entered 26 members with Alex Ryder their first man (14th) in 21.01; Edward Short (20) in
21.49; and Paul Sanders (21) in 22.07; with Lisa Lines the first female club finisher (26).