Steve Gardner sets fastest 2000m steeplechase time this year
Report by Don Hale
North Wales Road Runner and Welsh Master Steve Gardner competed in the BMAF Championships at Derby last weekend and set the fastest time this year in the 2000m steeplechase race in his respective veteran age category.
The GB Team member and international track champion at various distances over the past few seasons was delighted with his outstanding performance in this three-day event at Derby’s Moorways Stadium. He finished in first place overall, and was also the first V60 athlete in a mixed gender event.
After his race, Steve confirmed: “Leading the race from gun to tape, I finished six seconds faster than my winning time from last year. It is also the fastest V60 time in the UK this year, and I suspect that it will also be the fastest V60 time in the World for 2026!
“The World Masters Rankings show Peter Stevens from New Zealand currently in the number one position, after he won a gold medal at the World Masters Champs in Daegu, South Korea, last month, with a time of 7 mins 31 seconds.
“My time of 7 mins 25 seconds will most likely move me into the number one position in the World for 2026, improving on my 3rd place ranking from 2025. I appreciate that the oppressive humidity in South Korea would have adversely affected the finish times in Korea, but it is still very satisfying to have such a high ranking worldwide.”
Ruthin Evening 5k race
Report by Don Hale
It was fast and furious at the Ruthin Evening 5k race in midweek with 151 mixed ability athletes competing for honours.
David Brilley (Buckley RC) was the first finisher overall in just 17 minutes and 11 seconds, but he was challenged all the way by Lloyd Richmond (Denbigh Harriers) in 17.43, and Osian Tulloch (Deeside AAC) in 17.56.
The ladies race was equally competitive with sisters Ella and Gwen Hayes (Deeside AAC) battling for the top two places, with Ella eventually winning out in 19.13, with Gwen second in 19.25, and Joanne Henderson (Denbigh Harriers) third in 19.51.
NWRRC member Stuart Culverhouse, and his son Joe Culverhouse – who this time was competing for his second claim club (Colwyn Bay AAC) – both enjoyed good results with Joe 4th overall in 18.17, with Stuart 20th, and second M50 in 20.33.
Colwyn Bay AAC had ten members running including Joe, and their other top finishers were Harrison Leonard 7th in 18.55; Finley Williams 17th in 20.06; and Matthew Bissett 35th in 22.09. Denbigh Harriers also had ten members running, with Lloyd Richmond their first finisher; Joanne Henderson 14th in 19.51; and sisters Katy Baugh 18th in 20.11, and Elen Baugh 21st in 20.48. Prestatyn RC had six runners with Daniel Williams their first finisher in 27th place in 21.20; Owen Jones 33rd in 21.47; and Ann Claire Jones 59th in 25.12. *Other local runners included: Zara Parry (Porth Eirias Runners) 78th in 28.05, and Peter Johnson 79th in 28.15.
Wild, wet and windy for North Wales parkrunners
It was wild, wet, and very windy at the Llandrillo yn Rhos Parkrun last Saturday, which may have helped to reduce the number of entrants at this venue, and at many other similar events this weekend.
The conditions however, failed to deter another excellent turn-out of volunteers, walkers and supporters, who faced some strong blustery winds along this exposed 5k promenade course.
Several talented and fast-paced young runners battled for glory again with just six-seconds separating the first four finishers, which also included two first-timers. Henry Pickard was the first finisher overall in his debut in 16.56, with fellow visitor Ben
Rogers second in 16.59, and David Williams (Royal Sutton Coldfield AC) was third in 17.00, whilst Matthew Feetenby (Ely Runners) finished a close fourth in 17.05. James Yarwood (Wrexham AAC) was 6th in 18.01.
The first female finisher (8th overall) was Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) in 18.25, and Rebecca Downs (Colwyn Bay) was the runner-up in 22.29, with Katerina Williams third on her debut in 22.37. There were 349 finishers.
North Wales Road Runners had six runners involved with Chris Davies 7th and 1st VM40 with a new course PB in 18.02, Richard Scamans 35th in 22.04, with Paddy Walsh 36th in 22.11. Jenny Appleton finished in 78th place and 2nd VW55 in 24.31 Master vet Don Hale was 128th and 2nd VM70 in 27.01, with Hannah Griffith 249th in 32.32.
GOG Triathlon entered 11 and their top finishers included: Andy Jones 26th in 21.10, Jose Eduardo Vega Perez was 38th on his debut in 22.14, Steve Owen 41st in 22.24.
Colwyn Bay AAC had three runners at Rhos with Josh Mottram their first finisher in 16th place and 2nd SM20 in 19.59, Rebecca Downs was 42nd, second female overall in 22.29 and 1st VW45, with Ian Taylor 49th in 22.43.
Some other local runners of note included: Rhys Pugh 21st in 20.39; Daniel Owens was 54th with CPB 22.58; Dave Spofforth was 61st with CPB 23.24; and Marcus Jones finished 90th place in 25.03. In addition, Pete Brocklehurst placed 107th in 25.52; Mandy Owen 169th in 28.34; and Steffan Griffiths was 163rd in 28.12.
CONWY
Veteran visitor David Chaplin won the Conwy Parkrun in 19.35, JM15-17 junior athlete Elijah Bunton was second with a CPB 20.01, and Tom Woodall took the third spot in 20.28. Kristin Luke (Eryri Harriers) was first female finisher in 23.26, with Sarah Thomas second in CPB in 24.43, and Ellen Chaplin third on debut in 25.07. There were 154 finishers.
NWRRC runners: Adam Lemalle 7th and 2nd VM40 in 21.38, Paul Aubert 10th and 2nd VM45 in 21.48.
Some other local runners of note included: Andy Brazier (GOG Triathlon) 15th and 1st VM55 in 22.55, Karl Morris (Eryri Harriers) 16th in 22.57; and Bethan Wyn Davies and Amanda Durber ran ogether in 81/82nd places in 28.45, with Pam Grant 108th and 1st VW65 in 31.31.
PRESTATYN
Sancho Edwards was tfirst finisher at the Nova Parkrun in 19.47, with Dafydd Montgomery (Prestatyn RC) second in 20.23 and Jonny Roberts third in 20.36.
Top female was visitor Emma Mills (5th overall) in 21.32, followed by Natalie Pointon in 26.05, and first-timer Pantiro Boonpati third in 26.39. There were 187 finishers.
Prestatyn RC entered 17 members, and the first few club finishers were: Dafydd Montgomery, Jack Hughes 9th in 22.02 and Paul Sanders 12th in 22.40.