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Welsh Masters Athletics set to hold Summer T&F championships at Yate again this year. Brett Davis, a director of Welsh Masters Athletics, has confirmed an important update this week regarding the WMAL championships. He said: "WMAL will be holding our Summer Athletics T&F championships in Yate again! We are combining with Avon Athletics Association and Yate AC, who are hosting the Masters Open Track and Field Event on Sunday 21st July. This is a week before the BMAF Championships in Derby on 27/28th July." *Further details to follow.

Is the end of the road in sight for local parkruns? https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The problems behind the scenes at Parkrun HQ finally hit boiling point this week following a highly controversial decision to delete speed and course records from the regular Saturday morning results data. This unjustified and totally unnecessary action could eventually spell the beginning of the end for hundreds of thousands of runners if further restrictions, omissions, and deletions/adjustments to finishing times, records, and age category results are implemented. This is the latest update from the BBC which has left hundreds of parkrun organisers and volunteers completely baffled... PARKRUN WILL NO LONGER PUBLISH DATA ABOUT FIRST AND FAST FINISHERS, AGE GRADE, OR CATEGORY RECORDS... Report from the BBC online. 8/2/24. Parkrun says it has removed data such as speed records from its website to be less "off-putting" to new entrants. It will no longer publish data including most first finishes, sub-17-minute men and sub-20 minute women, and age grade or category records. Parkrun says it is working to "find ways to remove barriers to registration and participation". It comes amid criticism it has faced for allowing transgender women to participate in the female category. In December, think tank Policy Exchange said its analysis found that at least three Parkrun female records are held by transgender women. Parkrun told BBC Sport it has been looking into making such changes to the data it publishes since before the Covid pandemic, and the decision is not in reaction to the transgender issue. "As parkrun has grown over the years we have made many changes to our digital communication including things such as layout, design, imagery and the language we use - and will continue to do so as we evolve," Parkrun said in a statement. "We try hard to make sure the information we share is consistent with our values, and that, in all that we do, we continue to find ways to remove barriers to registration and participation. "We know that our websites are an important source of information for all parkrunners, especially those who are new and yet to take part, and we therefore established a global working group to consider how we can present data in a way that is not off-putting and doesn't imply that parkrun is a race. "This project group has spent many months now making detailed investigations and recommendations. "What was clear is that there was a disconnect between the performance data displayed so prominently on the site, and our mission to create opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in parkrun events - especially those who are anxious about activities such as parkrun, but who potentially have an enormous amount to gain." *Parkrun participants will continue to receive personalised results emails, and both individual profile pages and event results pages will stay the same. Parkrun is a free 5km community event that takes place at more than 800 locations. To date, there have been more than three million finishers.

BRITISH MASTERS ATHLETIC FEDERATION - action above from a previous event. BRITISH MASTERS CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS 2024: Under UKA Rules: Saturday 16th March 2024: RHUG FARM, CORWEN, DENBIGHSHIRE, NORTH WALES LL21 0EH (courtesy of Lord Newborough). https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Event organiser Gareth Hughes, on behalf of Prestatyn RC, and Welsh Masters, is urgently appealing for runners to enter the British Masters’ cross-country champs at Rhug, Corwen, on Saturday, March 16th, 2024. He explained: "Just flagging up that entries are now open and all details are now on the BMAF website:" https://bmaf.org.uk/ "At the moment entries are very slow and it has been proved in the past that team medals are achievable just by turning out three runners in an age-group. Four years ago we in Prestatyn RC won three team medals. "It’s not often that we have the chance to compete in British championships in North Wales, and for tor those of you who haven’t run in Rhug before, I can assure you that it is a “proper” cross-country course, with a bit of everything involved." NOTE: Brett Davis, a director of Welsh Masters Athletics has just said:""Can you also add an update to say that the Welsh masters Inter-area men’s team and ladies team will each consist of the first 6 Welsh masters members. Travelling expenses will be available for all Welsh masters who take part with the top 6 men and the top 6 women scoring against the other masters area associations." *This is the entry link to the races: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/bmaf-xc/ VENUE: Corwen is on the A5 trunk road in the DEE Valley, 20 miles west of Wrexham and 10 miles west of Llangollen where there are several hotels and guest houses. Rhug farm is owned by Llord Newborough and is located along the A5 about one mile west of the town. The farm is on the left approaching from the Corwen direction. The course is on the opposite side of the road. No dogs are allowed on the farmland due to the presence of deer and other livestock. Race 1 – 12.00, approximately 6k - all ladies and M65+ Race 2 – 13.00, approximately 8k - M35 to M60 All competitors must be affiliated to a UKA athletics club. Sorry no unattached athletes. Entry fees:- BMAF club members - £12 Non-BMAF area club members - £15 *Closing date for entries is Saturday March 9th 2024. Medals will be awarded to the 1st three individuals in each five-year age category. Entries from 1st claim athletes registered with UKA clubs only. Medals will also be awarded to the first three teams, each consisting of 3 men or three women, in ten-year age categories – 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55 to 64, 65 to 74, 75+. The teams will be automatically allocated from the members of each club in that age group. Down- ageing only permitted if there are not enough natural age category runners in the ten-year age categories. Those men down-ageing will still compete in their individual age category except men 65 years or older who have made a specific request to down-age to a younger team which means they will be running in Race 2 and therefore they will run as an individual in the same age category as their team age-group (e.g. M60, if the team age group is 55-64). Composite teams must be declared than later than Thursday 14th March. The competition secretary will set up composite teams wherever possible and thus you only need to declare a composite team if you wish to choose specific people to down-age. Race numbers to be collected from the registration desk in the meeting/conference room behind the farm shop. Toilets are available in the farm shop building and mobile toilets near the start/finish area. No showers or changing facilities available. The event will incorporate the England Masters Athletics Association Inter-Area Cross Country Challenge. The inter-area challenge will consist of a separate men’s and women’s team from each BMAF area club. Each team will consist of a minimum of 6 runners. If there are more than 6 runners of an area club competing, the first 6 members finishing will count for the team. All affiliated masters area club team members must enter as individuals and inform their relevant masters area club/association that they intend competing for their area club in the inter-area challenge. Area club team members must be paid up or life members of the area club they represent. *Queries regarding entries should be addressed to OpenTrack via the email address given above but queries about the race itself should be sent to: Harry Matthews, BMAF Cross Country Secretary Email: hmatthews@bmaf.org.uk

*The NWRRC team at the tough Conwy fell race (l-r): Helen Hannam, Nia Lister, Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones, Nicola Wylie and Adam Lemalle. Tough challenge for brave runners at the Conwy Fell Race... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Five North Wales Road Club members braved the tough challenge of the Conwy fell race last Saturday afternoon in cold, misty, and drizzly conditions which tested stamina to the limits. Amidst a quality field of 106 finishers, mainly of experienced fell runners from clubs across the country, they all battled well despite the testing conditions. Adam Lemalle was the first NWRRC man home in 71st place in 71 minutes and 15 seconds, with Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones 2nd in 87th place overall in 85.46. She was closely followed by Nicola Wylie in 94th place in 89.45, with Nia Lister 104th in 123.38, and Helen Hannam 105th in 130.05. Charlotte Rose Wilton Jones (*above) is pictured disappearing into the mist at the gruelling Conwy Fell Race. Mixed emotions: After the race, they all revealed mixed emotions following their efforts, with most runners making their debuts at this highly competitive, gruelling, and perhaps specialised event. Adam Lemalle admitted: It was brutal, and I’ll be having nightmares about those climbs tonight.” Helen Hannam also claimed it was brutal, but with a true fell running attitude, she remained determined to finish, and confirmed: “I came last. I moaned and I cried a lot! I wanted to quit but I didn’t, thanks to the amazing, and very tolerant tail runner.” Nia Lister inquired: “Who said it was going to be fun? Sliding on my bum down a mountain so I can climb back up it!” And Nicola Wylie said: “That was some experience. I was 3rd in my age cat. It was very hard, but somehow, I enjoyed it!” GOG Triathlon members confirmed: “Saturday saw the Conwy Fell Race take place in some of the most challenging conditions we've seen for many a year. With a combination of poor visibility, very greasy rock, and plenty of mud, making it slippery underfoot, athletes were pushed to their limits. “However, this did not deter the three GOG squad athletes of Dan Wellings (60.08), Andy Jones (64.11) and Lizzie Irvine (77.22) from delivering excellent performances.” And one member of the Conwy Trail Crew added: “Fantastic Saturday outing with awesome people and good vibes. Short fast fell races are completely out of my comfort zone, but leaving the comfort zone is the only way we grow. I loved it! “Final descent to the caravan site was one long muddy slide before the steep final ascent to finish! Thank you to the race organiser for this fun race and big well done to everyone including these beautiful humans!” *The race winner was Math Roberts (CVFR) M40 in 42.17, with Joe Gomes (Run Free Fell Runners) M40, 2nd in 44.06, and Gavin Roberts (CVFR) MO, 3rd in 44.30. It was a very close contest for the ladies with three members from Eryri Harriers in contention, but the 1st first female finisher was Kasia Osipowicz (Eryri), FO, (18th overall) in 58.21, with Efa Baines (Eryri), FU23 (20th overall) in 59.09, and Nia Albiston (Eryri), F40, (22nd overall), who finished 3rd in 59.50. OFFICIAL RESULTS & REPORT FROM THE CONWY FELL RACE. Saturday 3/2/24. Report courtesy of the race organiser: Michael Corrales. First of all, I want to thank you all for coming on a challenging day, especially the marshals, Alan, Felicity, Sean, John, Stephen, Keith, Paul, Hoppy, the dream team at registration and Conwy Cricket Club. Thank you. Today we saw a total of 106 runners taking on the course. The conditions were challenging due to a combination of poor visibility, a very greasy rock and plenty of mud, making it very slippery underfoot. This forced one runner to retire, which is a first for the event. After a visit to A&E he's ok and at home. We wish you a quick recovery Rob. Navigating the course proved to be very difficult for some runners that took a little detour between Check Point 3 and Check Point 4, as some tape was missing, presumably due to some walkers thinking they were clearing rubbish. Sadly, it's not the first time. In the male race we saw another great performance from Matthew Roberts, taking the win, and a good battle between Joel Gomes and Gavin Roberts for second place. Joel looked stronger today, but Gavin's local knowledge kept him in the battle with Joel taking second place in the end to current course record holder Gavin. In the ladies, there was a great battle between Kasia Osipowicz and Efa Baines, closely followed by Nia Albiston. After changing positions a couple of times they finished in that order with just 90-seconds separating the top three ladies. Well done to everyone today, tackling those climbs and descents on a day like today is a real achievement. I hope you had a great muddy experience and I'll see you on the hills soon. Michael Corrales. *LOST PROPERTY: WE HAVE FOUND A RING, IF YOU ARE MISSING IT, SENT US A MESSAGE. *This is the link to the provisional results from the Conwy fell race: https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=876955247773168&id=100063761011983

Kelly Marie Alford (pictured above), enjoyed a good 10k run in Manchester. Kelly on form at the Manchester Winter Warmer 10k - plus other race results... Kelly Marie Alford and her partner Cai Roberts took part in the breezy Manchester Winter Warmer 10k race last Sunday, with Kelly finishing 2nd in her F40 age cat in 49th place overall in a chip time of 50.12, whilst Cai was 77th in 53.18. *local athlete Gee Outen made her half-marathon debut in the Manchester Winter Warmer race and finished 2nd in her SW age cat in 1.44.30. She was 45th overall and the 4th female runner, and her partner Val also claimed a new PB in the 10k race. *Cardiff: Lesley Goodson made her debut at the Cardiff parkrun last Saturday and claimed 3rd place in her VW55 age cat in 25.28. Afterwards, she confirmed: “It was a lovely run along the river and very busy. I was 293rd out of a field of 931 parkrunners, the 50th female, and 3rd in my age category.” *Newborough: Richard Scamans and his dog Freddie enjoyed their debut in the Newborough Forest parkrun last weekend finishing 20th in 23.02, and he also won his VM50 age cat. After the run Richard confirmed: “Another amazing PB for the Fredster, running two-minutes faster than his previous PB, and he was the 3rd dog home! And a kipper for dragging me out at 7.45am!

*Josh Keogh (above left), with Jonathan Kettle. North Wales Road Runners claimed top three places at Conwy parkrun...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk A hat-trick of North Wales Road Runners celebrated after claiming the first three places at last Saturday’s Conwy parkrun, which included another bumper attendance of nearly 300-entrants, despite the blustery and damp conditions. Josh Keogh and Jonathan Kettle battled for glory throughout this challenging 5k dash amidst a route that was splattered with mud, deep puddles, along a narrow out and back course, and led home a strong team of eighteen club members. Josh eventually finished 1st, but he was only 22-seconds ahead of his cub rival Jonathan, who had just returned to Conwy following his amazing half-marathon win in Cyprus last weekend. He also won his SM30 age cat in just 17 minutes and 28 seconds, with Jonathan winning his VM45 cat in 17.50, and Will Williams additionally ran well again, and he finished 3rd overall, and won his VM50 age cat in 18.42. Jamie Tharme finished in 15th place in 21.55, and he was 3rd in his VM45 cat, and Steve Mason was 18th in 21.55. Pictured above - Welsh Master Will Williams. Endurance athlete Karl Morris was on top-form, and he finished 27th in 22.59, and claimed the 2nd place in his VM40 cat, whilst Kelly Marie Alford added another deserved PB to her recent career best, taking another 18-seconds off last week’s previous PB to finish in 45th place, as the 6th female, in 24.26, and she was 2nd in her VW40 age cat. Sion Thomas was 53rd, and he was 3rd in his VW40 cat in 24.55, with Carla Green jogging around in 67th place in 25.42, and she won her VW50 age cat. Master veteran Don Hale finished 2nd in his VM70 age cat, finishing 71st overall in 25.53, with Gethin Wyn Jones 79th in 26.18, and vet Rob Fryer confirmed his steady recovery programme to finish 87th overall in 26.44. Sarah Jones enjoyed a steady run in 97th place in 27.03, with Daniel Hennel 100th in 27.10, and Hannah Griffith finished well in 113th place in 27.39, and she was 3rd in her VM50 cat. Meanwhile, Nia Lister also took things easy in 164th place in 30.30, with Vicky Taylor 184th in 31.23, and Rachel Morris continued her marathon training build-up to finish 217th in 33.46. *MC John Hatton told parkrunners about the funeral details for the late photographer Steve Jeffery, who lost his life last week, and he confirmed: “For those who are interested, Steve Jeffery’s funeral will be held at St Asaph crematorium on 9th February at 4pm, then onto Bod Erw, St Asaph. Other results: *Cardiff: Lesley Goodson made her debut at the Cardiff parkrun last Saturday and finished 293rd overall, and she was 3rd in her VW55 age cat amongst nearly 1,000 entrants in a good time of 25.28. *Lesley Goodson (*above) at the Cardiff parkrun with her friend Anthony Paul Davies. *Newborough: Richard Scamans and his dog Freddie enjoyed their debut in the Newborough Forest parkrun last weekend finishing 20th in 23.02, and he also won his VM50 age cat. After the run Richard confirmed: “Another amazing PB for the Fredster, running two-minutes faster than his previous PB, and he was the 3rd dog home! And a kipper for dragging me out at 7.45am! *Praise was given to the Conwy run director and to all the volunteers and marshalls, and this is the link to the provisional results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

*Pictured above - Some Welsh Masters Athletics members at a previous event. Welsh Masters Athletics - New Indoor Records for 2023/24...plus North Wales indoor records. Welsh Masters Athletics - New Indoor Records https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk\ The start of the 2023 -24 Indoor season has seen WMAL athletes in many age groups breaking and creating new records….and some breaking their own records…report by Chris Pruski. Jonathan Williams V35 300 38.77 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. Oliver Williams 2023 V35 600 1:27.20 Cardiff Met Indoor Christmas Classic 17/12/2023. Ewelina Ciesielska 2024 V35 1500 4:59.20 Welsh Athletics Senior & U15 Championships 27/01/2024. New Event W 300m… Rhiannon Jenkins 2023 V35 300 51.77 Cardiff Met Indoor Christmas Classic 17/12/2023. Juliet Sidney (*pictured right): 2023 V50 300 49.63 Cardiff Met Indoor Christmas Classic 17/12/2023. Sarah Coote 2024 V40 300 46.15 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. David John Williams 2023 V40 3000 9:16.05 Cardiff Met Indoor Christmas Classic 17/12/2023. Neil Davies 2023 V50 300 45.82 Sportcity Manchester Indoor Open Meeting 10/12/2023 Adrian Lewis 2024 V50 800 2:38.11 Cardiff Welsh Athletics Senior & U15 Championships 28/01/2024 *Bettered his own record…Glyn Price 2024 V55 PV 3.75 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. Juliet Sidney 2024 V55 60 8.82 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. *WMAL Chair leading the way! …. Brett Davis 2024 V60 300 44.14 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. Ifan Lloyd 2023 V60 3000 10:21.35 Cardiff Met Indoor Christmas Classic 17/12/2023. And 4 Records … Improving her 60m and LJ records…Melanie Garland 2023 V60 Long Jump 4.49 Sheffield Run Jump Throw & Master GP Sheffield 29/12/2023. Melanie Garland (*pictured right): 2023 V60 60 9.21 Sheffield Run Jump Throw & Master GP Sheffield 29/12/2023. Melanie Garland 2023 V60 150 23.50 Sheffield Northern Athletics November Open 2023 25/11/2023 Melanie Garland 2024 V60 200 32.41 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. Angela Bryant 2024 V60 300 54.88 Cardiff Metropolitan University Non-Thomas Open 21/01/2024. Records will appear on the WA website in due course and certificates in recognition of these achievements will be sent by email. Many congratulations and thank you for giving me some work to fill my dull days!!! Chris Pruski NOTE FROM WEBSITE EDITOR DON HALE: The link on the Welsh Athletics site to the current indoor records is not very easy to identify or to navigate, so I would recommend using the link (shown below) on our Welsh Masters Athletics site, which then takes you directly to the records from last year 2023: https://www.welshathletics.org/image/Documents/Records/WELSH%20MASTERS%20MALE%20INDOOR%20RECORDS.pdf I have also added the latest updated link (see below) to the Indoor records compiled by Ian Robinson to the Indoor records for athletes who have competed in the North Wales indoor championship events and recorded by the North Wales Regional Athletics council (NWRAC): https://northwalesathletics.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/11.-North-Wales-Regional-Indoor-TF-Championship-Records.pdf

Veteran W50 runner wanted for 800m race in Welsh Masters T&F Inter-area championships race. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Attention all veteran female athletes - do you want to run and represent Welsh Masters Athletics as a W50 800m athlete? WMAL team manager Eleri Jones is urgently looking for someone to join her squad for the forthcoming Inter-area T&F championships. This week she asked: “Is it possible to put a shout out on the Welsh Masters page for a W50 800m runner please? We’ve had a couple of people who aren’t available and running out of options? "We have a vacancy in the team for a W50 800m runner, whilst the men’s team is heading towards announcement of a provisional team. Thanks." Eleri can be contacted via email: eleri9uk@yahoo.com Brett Davis can be contacted via email: brett-davis1@sky.com

Welsh Masters Athletics roll of honour and list of champions from the Non Thomas Indoor championships. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk There were some excellent results and some fast times recorded at the Welsh Masters 2024 Indoor track events, held at the Indoor Stadium at Cardiff Metropolitan University last Sunday (21/1/24), which formed part of the Non Thomas meeting. These included the 60m, 200m and 300m events, and Brett Davies, a director from Welsh Masters Athletics Ltd, has just confirmed the roll of honour, and champions list of WMAL champion members from this event. He added: “The full results from the meeting are now available online via this link, and/or (via Cardiff Met /Welsh Athletics/Opentrack) and they will also be on the Power of 10 site very soon.” *This is the current link to the provisional results: https://wales.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nonthomasnyo/event/ Don Hale Blog: Welsh Masters Athletics roll of honour and list of...https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com/2024/01/welsh-masters-roll-of-honour-and-list.html?spref=tw ROLL OF CHAMPIONS: 60 metres: M35 Mike Dickens M50 James Morgan M60 Paul Yeoman M65 Ian Broadhurst M75 Mel James W35 Emma Pengelly W40 Eleri Jones W50 Amanda Broadhurst W55 Juliet Sidney W60 Mel Garland W80 Iris Holder 200 metres: M35 Mike Dickens M50 James Morgan W35 Amy Pinkney W40 Eleri Jones W55 Juliet Sidney W60 Mel Garland W65 Nicky Buckwell 300 Metres: M35 Jon Williams M50 Adrian Lewis M55 Neil Davies M60 Brett Davis M65 Ian Broadhurst W35 Sarah Coote W60 Angela Bryant Sad news about the future of indoor field events: Brett Davis additionally confirmed some other rather unfortunate news for some future athletic events regarding track and field activities, and confirmed: “Unfortunately, I have to announce that we won’t be able to hold the indoor field events championships, due to a severe shortage of available officials. I will also notify this on our WMAL Facebook. And members and officials, who have previously volunteered their services with be notified. Thanks.”

*Four veteran age category winners celebrated their victories at the NW Regional Indoor championship on Saturday, (l-r) Michael Finnie (NWRRC), the MV65 winner; Martin Weetman (Cannock & Staffs AC), the MV60 winner; Joe Horner (Menai T&F), the MV55 winner; and Don Hale (NWRRC), the MV70 winner. Records smashed records, new PB times recorded, and prestigious medals won at the North Wales Indoor champs. Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Nearly one-hundred top male and female competitors, aged from 11-80 years of age, took part in the North Wales Regional Indoor Track & Field championships last Saturday, held at the Deeside Stadium, Connah’s Quay, where three North Wales Road Runners (NWRRC), smashed records, set new PB times, and won prestigious age category medals. These particular championships attracted a mixture of junior, senior, and veteran track & field athletes from clubs around the region, with gold, silver, and bronze medals awarded to the first three finishers in the varied age cat finals, with over fifty mixed track and field events offered. Events ranged from the long jump, high jump, triple jump, hurdles, pole vault, and shot put, to the popular 60 dash, with several records smashed, and numerous fast finishing times recorded. NWRRC entered three athletes and claimed two gold medals, and one silver, with each member setting new T&F records, and also recording some outstanding new PBs, and age category wins. Super-vet Dave Gardner competed in the Male Masters shot-put competition and repeated his amazing victory from last month’s Open Competition, to win his MV80 age cat with a new PB throw of 7.04, which was a vast improvement from his previous throw of 6.36. Super-veteran Dave Gardner (*pictured right), who won his MV80 age cat in the shot-put final, with 60m dash MV65 age cat winner Michael Finnie, and master vet Don Hale, who won his MV70 age cat over the same 60m distance, with each member smashing records, and receiving medals on podium places. Master vet Don Hale and veteran Michael Finnie ran in the 60m Male Masters grand final dash, and both athletes won their respective age categories, recorded new PB times, and claimed top medals. Michael in particular, enjoyed another tremendous sprint run of just 10.97 seconds and confirmed his rapid improvement at indoor track events, with another new PB, and he also won his MV65 age cat, but unfortunately, he had to settle for a silver medal overall, as the competition only offered 10-year age bands based on his MV60-69. Don Hale, meanwhile, won a gold medal for winning his MV70 age cat in the MV70-79 band, with a new and improved age cat PB of 12.33 seconds, to retain his top national ranking. Both athletes have set new records once again at this latest event in their respective age categories over this same distance for successive indoor meetings at this same venue. *A special mention should also go to male master veteran Paul Brooks, from Wrexham AAC, a popular and long-serving official with the North Wales Regional Athletics Council, who won a gold medal in his MV75 age cat after throwing 7.32 in the shot-put competition. Peter Franklin (Colwyn Bay AC) also won a gold medal in the MV60 age cat with a throw of 11.26. Martin Weetman (*above left) from Cannock & Staffs, who won a gold medal in his MV60 age cat, pictured on the podium with Michael Finnie (NWRRC), who won a silver medal overall, in the MM 60-69 race, but won his MV65 age cat. The 60m sprint results included: *MM55-75 age cat final: 1, Martin Weetman (Cannock & Staffs), 1st MV60, 8.64 seconds; 2nd Joe Horner (Menai T&F), 1st MV55, 9.03 secs, 3rd Michael Finnie (NWRRC), 2nd M60 overall cat, but 1st M65, with a new PB of 10.97 seconds; and 4th Don Hale (NWRRC), 1st MV70 cat with a new age cat PB of 12.33 seconds. *MM35-50 age cat final: 1. Owen Chesher (Maldwyn Harriers), 1st MV40, 8.08 seconds; 2. Matthew Harding (Deeside AAC), 2nd MV40, 8.09 secs; 3. Glyn Wise (Wrexham AAC), 1st MV35, 8.60 secs; and 4th Luke Earnshaw (Meirionnydd RC), 1st MV45, 9.11 secs. *Plaudits were later given to all the Welsh Athletics and local T&F officials, and to all the hard-working volunteers. This is a ink to the provisional results from the NW Indoor championships at Connah’s Quay: https://wales.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nwind/event/

*Will Williams (above) tackled the gruelling cross country course at Dolgellau. Mud, wind, and rain at a very muddy cross-country race at Dolgellau... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Lesley Goodson. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Three Road Runners braved the strong blustery winds, rain, and heavy mud at Dolgellau this weekend during the latest fixture within the Grand Prix Express, North Wales XC league. Will Williams ran well in the Senior Men’s race and finished well in 38th place overall amongst 125 starters, and he was 3rd in his MV50 age cat in 36 minutes and 19 seconds. Will later said: “I really love cross-country. Always a great atmosphere.” The race was won by Matthew Collins (Oswestry Olympians) in 30.11 and he won his SM age cat. Janos Vranek (Aberystwyth University) was 2nd in 30.22, with Rhodri Owen (Meirionnydd) 3rd in 31.11. Emyr Davies competed in the over 65’s race and won his M80 age cat in 29.25, finishing 15th overall, with Roger Harrison Jones winning his M85 cat in 44.03. Meanwhile, NWRRC ladies Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton competed in the Senior Women’s race with Cheryl running home in 65th place in 28.35, and she was 6th in her W55 age cat, whilst Kay finished 74th in 29.22, and she was 4th in her W60 age cat. Cheryl commented: “I quite enjoyed it except for the wind. Super slippery but spikes do their job.”  And Kay Hatton added: “It was actually nicer out there than it looked.” *Cheryl Frost (above) at the Dolgellau cross country race. The SW race was won by Joanne Henderson (Denbigh Harriers) in 21.49, and she also won her W40 age cat. There were 137 starters, and there were some other notable results, which also included Ann D’Alburquerque (GOG Triathlon), who won her W70 age cat in 35.36, in 124th place. NWCCL secretary and race referee Bernie Jones later confirmed: “A big thank you to Tom Roberts and all his helpers from Meirionydd RC for putting on yet another good course. It was good to come back to Dolgellau after a few years gap and the changes to the course was welcomed by most, even if a few didn’t like the removal of the water splash! “Once again there was some great running in testing conditions. Joanne Henderson, Denbigh took her first league victory in the women’s race whilst Matthew Collins, Oswestry Olympians got the better of Janos Vranek, Aberystwyth Uni after a race long battle. “Special mention to Tom Roberts after all his race organising duties helped Meirionnydd to not only win the team race on the day but for the first time in 10 years another club than Shrewsbury is leading the Division 1 table! It should be an interesting last fixture.” *The final North Wales Cross Country League fixture is as usual at the Marches School, Oswestry, SY11 2AP on Saturday 10th February 2024. *This final results from Dolgellau are now available on the NW Cross-country league Facebook page: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx...

*Jonathan Kettle (above) was the first man back at Conwy Parkrun. Fast finishers at Conwy parkrun despite the blustery conditions...plus other results. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was wild, windy, and very wet underfoot at Conwy parkrun last Saturday for nearly two-hundred mixed ability entrants who braved the cold and the challenging 5k course to record some superb times despite the unpredictable conditions. North Wales Road Runner Jonathan Kettle was the first man home in just 17 minutes and 49 seconds, to win his VM45 age cat, but he was made to fight all the way following a determined run by Harty Woodford, who finished just one place, and eleven-seconds behind in 18.01, to win his SM30 cat. And Stephen Skates (Prestatyn RC) deservedly claimed the 3rd spot overall with another fast finish in 18.26, and 2nd place in the same cat as Jonathan, whilst also holding off a stern effort from his club rivals Andrew Bromley, who finished 4th in 18.57, and promising junior Oliver Birch-Jones, who was 5th in 19.11, and won his JM15-17 age cat. Anna Mathew (Lindley RC) was the 1st female finisher (15th overall), with a new course PB of 21.16, and she also won her SW20 age cat, with junior runner Eira Owen 2nd (and 22nd overall), with another PB of 22.11, to win her JW11-14 age cat, and Laura McKenzie (Betsi Runaways), ran well as the 3rd female finisher in 23.50, and she won her VW40 cat. A large contingent of NW Road Runners returned from other duties this week and they entered twelve athletes who claimed two age victories, one second placing, and one third, with Jonathan Kettle finishing as the 1st runner overall. *Steve Roberts (above) at Conwy Steve Roberts enjoyed an excellent run in 28th place in 22.54, and he won his VM55 cat in 22.54, with Josh Keogh in hot pursuit finishing 30th in 23.14, and Tony Price-Jones gave Josh a hard chase and finished just one place and one-second behind and claimed the 3rd spot in his VM40 age cat. Karl Morris continued his improvement at shorter distance runs with another strong performance in 37th place in 23.55, and Jamie Tharme was 48th in 24.43. Sion Thomas enjoyed a steady run finishing 59th in 25.33. *Pictured (above) Kelly Marie Alford, who made welcome return to parkrun. Kelly Marie Alford made a rare, second-ever parkrun appearance, but claimed a new PB by over 30-seconds in 25.51, finishing 61st overall, and 2nd in her VW40 cat. And Gethin Wyn Jones continued his comeback with another positive run in 78th place in 27.22, with Ceri Jones 83rd in 27.35, whist veteran John O’Shea was 107th in 29.15, and Rachel Morris finished well in 142nd place in 33.48. *Praise was given to the Conwy run director and to all the volunteers and marshals, plus their regular hard working MC and volunteer John Hatton: This is a link to the provisional results: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/ Other results: *Bala. Road running and endurance couple Ben and Sarah Hudson made their debuts in the Pont y Bala parkrun last Saturday with both athletes recording excellent times and top-ten finishing positions. Ben was 5th and claimed the 2nd spot in his VM45 age cat in 22.05, whilst Sarah was the 1st female finisher in 6th place overall, and she won her VW45 cat in 23.17. After her run, Sarah said: “Great fun course and super friendly. We will be back.” *Prestatyn: Dave Jones and Carol Moss recorded good times at the Nova parkrun at Prestatyn on Saturday, with Dave finishing 15th in 22.52, and he was 2nd in his VM50 age cat, whilst Carol won her VW55 cat in 51st place in 27.40. Glasgow: Steve Mason took part in the Queen’s Park parkrun at the weekend and finished 2nd in his VM45 age cat on his course debut in 22.22. He later confirmed: “It’s a city centre one, quite hilly, and very friendly.”