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NORTH WALES REGIONAL INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS... Date: Saturday 20th January, 2024. Location: Deeside Stadium, Connah's Quay. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk EVENT INFORMATION: https://www.welshathletics.org/en/competition/current/view/north-wales-reg **FINAL RESULTS: https://wales.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2024/GBR/nwind/event/ EVENTS TIMETABLE: ENTRIES NOW CLOSED. CLOSING DATE: 11 JANUARY EVENTS: U11’s – RJT Event Challenge (60m, Long Jump, Shot Put,) - £10 which covers all 3 events & athletes must compete in all 3 events.U13B & U13G  = 60m, 60mH, High Jump, Long Jump, Shot PutU15B & U15G = 60m, 60m Hurdles, High Jump, Long Jump, Triple Jump, Shot Put.U17 to Senior = 60m, 60m Hurdles, High Jump, Pole Vault, Triple Jump, Shot Put.Masters included in Senior events ELIGIBILITY Masters may enter the senior age category and will be awarded medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 35-39 age group and then 10 year age groups from M40. Athletes may bring their own equipment for field events (throws). Such implements must be weighed by a qualified official, to confirm that they conform to the appropriate age-specific regulation Qualification – only affiliated athletes are eligible: 1. Birth: born within the area covered by N.W.R.A.C.2. Residence: Continuous current residence within the area covered by N.W.R.A.C. for at least 9 months.3. Retention: An athlete may retain his/her existing qualification to represent N. Wales and compete in the N. Wales Regional Championship, provided that he/she has not represented another Region or County, nor competed in a different Regional or County Championship in the same year of competition.4.Where an athlete competes for a club not based in Wales but does qualify on one of the above three criteria. T&F OFFICIATING TASTER DAY This taster day is a perfect opportunity for anyone interested in learning about officiating as the day will involve guidance by a experienced qualified official with the opportunity to put learning into practise. This taster day is open to parents/guardians, family members, club members, volunteers, students and anyone interested in learning more about officiating. SIGN UP LINK For more information about the North Wales Officiating Taster Day click here. For more information on becoming an Official click here. https://www.welshathletics.org/en/competition/current/view/north-wales-reg

*Some of the NWRRC members (above) pictured at the Twin Piers 10k. Hundreds of runners celebrated a return of the popular Twin Piers 10k race...with medals for the Road Runners. Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk The revised Arthur Bebbington Twin Piers 10k race returned to huge acclaim last Saturday following an absence of several years due to the extensive renovation and flood protection works to the promenade at Rhos on Sea and Colwyn Bay. Nearly four-hundred elite, and mixed ability athletes, many from far afield, celebrated the reinstatement of this popular challenging event from Llandudno Pier to Porth Eirias, and despite the rather dismal and damp weather, enjoyed a new course, which this time included a closed section of the latest one-way road layout just below Cayley promenade. Well organised by Russell Godwin and his support team from Colwyn Bay AC, the race also formed part of the North Wales 10k championships and attracted numerous top club runners, who competed for prestigious medals. Generous plaudits were later offered to all the marshals and volunteers including race MC John Hatton from NWRRC, and photographer Steve Jeffery. Russell Godwin confirmed some updates on Monday. He said: "We had 451 entries which we were very pleased with. This included the fun run held in the morning. We had 375 finishers for the 10k and there is always an average of 10% dropout which could be for several personal reasons. "The winner, Daniel Bebbington was Arthur’s grandson who won it last time it was held. The winning time was 29.47 a fantastic performance although not sure where this sits in terms of course records and will have to enquire within the club to ascertain. The course has changed to accommodate the various road closures and works over the years but essentially it is the same route. "Incidentally, it really was a Bebbington event as I had Arthur’s wife Chris and son Nigel (father of Daniel) assist with the prize giving. A very special day for them and us all in the memory of Arthur who was quite the legend of Colwyn Bay Athletic Club and a key to the success of the club during his term." The overall 10k event was won by Daniel Bebbington (Blackburn Harriers & AC) with a very fast time of 29 minutes and 47 seconds, followed by Elliott Smith-Rasmussen (Newark AC), in 30.39, with Dion Griffith (Menai T&F) 3rd in 31.55. Amie Smith (Cheshire Dragons) was the 1st female finisher, 26th overall, in 37.45, with Rachel Shipley (Abergele Harriers), hot on Amie’s heels, and just seven-seconds adrift, as the runner-up, in 27th place overall, in 37.52, with Emma Alofs (Cybi Striders) 3rd, and 41st overall in 39.23. *Pictured above - Six female members of NWRRC at the finish (l-r): Gwennan Charlton, Nia Lister, Helen Hannam, Nicola Wylie, Hannah Griffith, and Samantha Williams, and (below left), Kevin Slattery and Steve Roberts, with (*below right), Iwan Evans and Stuart Culverhouse. North Wales Road Runners entered a large contingent of some thirty-five athletes and claimed five top-three finishes in the main race, in addition to winning six NW championship medals. This included a well-deserved silver medal for the club’s veteran chairman Kevin Slattery, who recorded an incredible time of 43.47 in his M65 age cat, and fellow vet Cheryl Frost, who also won a marvellous silver medal winner in her F55 cat in 47.11. *Pictured above Cheryl Frost, Gwennan Charlton and Kay Hatton, and (*below) veteran and NWRRC club chairman Kevin Slattery, with Steve Roberts. Llyr ApGeraint Roberts was the first NWRRC club runner home following a superb performance in 21st place, and he was 3rd in his M50 age cat in 37.05, and won a bronze NW champs medal. Will Williams, who made a quick dash back from his holidays, gave chase to Llyr, and finished just one place and twenty-two seconds behind him in 37.27, with Iwan Evans 36th, and 3rd in is M45 cat in 38.55, winning a bronze championship medal. Steve Mason finished just behind Iwan in 37th place in 39.01, with Will Evans 45th in 39.47, and Harry Driscoll was 49th in 40.08, whilst Stuart Culverhouse was just eight-seconds behind Harry in 50th place in 40.16. Richard Eccles also enjoyed a good run in 61st place in 41.01, and Sion Thomas was 92nd in 43.34. Steve Gardner continued his impressive form in 67th place and won a NW bronze medal after finishing 3rd in his M60 cat in 41.29. Vet Kevin Slattery was on fire in his M65 cat finishing 2nd with a silver medal in 43.47 in 96th place, and he was just 13-seconds adrift of winning gold! *Mal Preece and Rachel Morris (above), with their medals at the finish. Mal Preece finished well in 119th place in 45.03, and Steve Roberts was 127th in 45.39, followed closely by Steve Poupart, who was just one place and one second behind. Dave Jones was on form in 133rd place in 46.18, with another holiday returnee, Jamie Tharme, finishing 138th in 46.29. Cheryl Frost put in a determined display to win a superb silver medal after finishing 2nd in her F55 age cat in 149th place in 47.11, with Richard Scamans 158th in 47.45. And vet Kay Hatton won a bronze medal following another good performance in 164th place, and she was 3rd in her F60 cat in 48.00. Adam Lemalle was 174th in 48.49, and both Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennell celebrated massive PBs after running together, with Sarah 185th in 49.56, and Daniel 188th in 50.15. Veteran Tony Gibson was 217th with a good time of 52.20, and Hannah Griffith finished well in 219th in 52.23, with Nicola Wylie making a welcome return to racing in 233rd place in 53.40 and she shared the latter part of the event with colleague Helen Hannam, who matched the exact same time, and finished just one place behind. *Pictured right, Veterans' Don Hale with brothers John and David Jones, at the 10k finish. Master vet Don Hale was pleased with his first 10k for years in 236th place in 54.03, but like several other NWRRC members, he just missed out on a medal after finishing 4th in his M70 age cat. Gethin Wyn Jones continued his recent recovery in 245th place in 55.26, with Nia Lister running well again in 263rd place in 57.35. Another master vet Mark Mason performed well in 265th place in 58.00, with vet Len Jackson in close pursuit of Mark, running home just twenty-seconds behind, in 273rd place in 58.20, whilst fellow master vet Mike Hayton was only nineteen-seconds behind Len in 275th place in 58.39. Gwennan Charlton and Samantha Williams ran the course together in 283rd and 284th places, and both shared the same finishing time of 60.04, whilst ultra-distance and marathon enthusiast Rachel Morris enjoyed another positive run in 321st place in 68.52. *North Wales 10k championships: NWRRC medal results: Male: M45 Iwan Evans (bronze) 38.55; M50 Llyr ApGeraint-Roberts (bronze) 37.05; M60 Steve Gardner (bronze); 41.29; M65 Kevin Slattery (silver) 43.47: Female: F55 Cheryl Frost (silver) 47.11; and F60 (bronze) Kay Hatton(bronze) 48.00. *Some other notable gold NW 10k championship medal winners: Male: M55 Eddie Davies (Buckley) 39.15; M60 Eric Campbell (Buckley) 38.20; M65 John Jones (Eryri Harriers) 43.35; M70 Sandy Johnston (Les Croupiers) 46.05; M75 Gareth Hughes (Prestatyn RC) 56.16; M80 Jack Thomas (Buckley) 75.31; and M85 Roger Harrison-Jones(Prestatyn RC) 67.01. *Super veteran Roger Harrison-Jones (pictured above) won his M85 age cat *Female: F55 Debbie Cattermole (Meirionnydd) 46.31; F60 Margaret Ludden (Buckley) 47.10; F65 Christine Wyn Jones (Deeside) 50.56; F70 Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon) 51.58; F75 Ann D’Albuquerque (GOG Triathlon) 58.59. *Sandy Johnston (right), won his M70 age cat at the Twin Piers 10k. *This is the link to the provisional results from the Twin Piers 10k race: https://www.niftyentries.com/Results/Arthur-Bebbington-Twin-Piers-10k-2024#

*NWRRC Veteran Elizabeth Driscoll (above), performed well at Conwy Parkrun. Good attendance at Conwy parkrun despite a double date. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was another good attendance at the Conwy parkrun last Saturday despite other events, including the Twin Piers 10k race held later on the same day, which offered a unique double date for a number of very keen athletes. The parkrun event again attracted a good number of top club and social runners who were able to enjoy a picturesque 5k dash on an unusually dry but challenging course this week. North Wales Road Runners were heavily depleted however, due to this fixture clash with just five members taking the parkrun option, yet they still claimed three first place age cat wins, and two second places. Master veteran Barrie Wells was in excellent form and finished 40th overall, winning his MV70 age cat in 24 minutes and eight-seconds, whilst Elizabeth Driscoll enjoyed a positive run back on home soil again following her recent deployment with the RAF in the Falkland Islands, and recorded a time of 27.23, and she also won her VW55 cat in 86th place. *Pictured right - Veteran John O'Shea. Veteran John O’Shea claimed the 2nd spot in his MV65 age cat in 28.50, in 111th place, with another master, or rather super-vet, Edward Garner finishing in 159th place in 34.21, and he won his VM75 age cat, with Steve Mason and his dog Coco, volunteering to round-up the stragglers in 197th place in 52.10. *The first parkrunner home was Harty Woodford who claimed an overall victory at Conwy after several near misses, and this week he also celebrated a new course PB in just 17 minutes and 33 seconds, to win his SM30 age cat. Ian Lowe (Oswestry Olympians) was 2nd on his debut in 18.47 and won his MV50 cat, with Richard Wilyman (Abergele Harriers) 3rd in 19.05, who additionally won his VM40 cat. *The 1st female athlete was Hannah Craven (13th overall), who recorded a new PB of 21.52, and won her SW25 age cat, with veteran Vicky Cole (GOG Triathlon) 2nd, and in 17th place overall in 22.03, and won her VW40 age cat; but it was a close finish with Vicky just ten-seconds ahead of Alex Aldous in 22.13, who was 2nd in the same age cat as Hannah. There were 207 finishers at Conwy and praise was given to the run director and to all the marshals and volunteers, and to photographer Steve Jeffery, and popular MC John Hatton. *Other result: Rothay: Lesley Goodson made her debut in the Rothay Park parkrun last Saturday morning and won her VW55 age cat in 26.50 after finishing 48th overall. *This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

*Some of the NWRRC team (above), that competed at the NW cross-country championships last Saturday (l-r): Karen Butler, Cheryl Frost, Kay Hatton, Carla Green, Gwennan Charlton, Iwan Evans, and Stuart Culverhouse, with team supporter Martin Green. Prestigious medals won by Welsh veterans at the North Wales cross-country championships... Report by Don Hale. Most photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Several hundred runners ranging from juniors to master veterans took part in the Grand Prix Express, North Wales cross-country championships, held last Saturday afternoon at Ysgol Morgan Llywd at Wrexham. North Wales Road Runners entered nine athletes including five ladies and four men, and they won six prestigious NW championship awards with one gold, one silver, and four bronze medals. The female athletes competed in the senior/master women’s race with Carla Green bouncing back to form in 29th place overall in 28 minutes and 20 seconds to win a silver medal in her W50 age cat. And Cheryl Frost put in a very determined display but unfortunately, just missed out on a medal in her W55 age cat, despite running well in 35th place in 29.51, whilst Kay Hatton claimed a bronze medal in her W60 cat in 37th place in 30.09. Karen Butler however, struck gold with a new NW champs medal as the W65 age cat winner after finishing 38th overall, following an outstanding performance in 30.16, and Gwennan Charlton completed another excellent run, finishing 52nd in 37.29, and she won a deserved bronze medal in her W35 age cat. *Pictured above - Carla Green, Cheryl Frost and Kay Hatton, and (below), Karen Butler (*left), and Gwennan Charlton. The four-man NWRRC team competed in the senior/master men’s race with Josh Keogh finishing 7th overall in 31.39, and he was 5th in his SW age cat, with Iwan Evans 32nd in 36.32, and he won a bronze medal in his M45 cat. Iwan Evans, (above left), with Stuart Culverhouse. Steve Gardner, meanwhile, put in another strong run in 34th place in 36.45 and he too was 3rd for a bronze NW championship medal in his M60 cat. Stuart Culverhouse though, was another club runner who just missed out on a medal in his M50 cat despite a good run in 40th place in 38.34 and finishing 4th in his M50 cat. *The senior/master women’s race attracted 55 top club runners with Martha Owen (Deeside AC) winning the overall event with a fast time of 22.16, to claim a gold champs medal in her SW age category. She was closely followed by Joanne Henderson (Denbigh Harriers) as the runner-up in 22.32, who also struck gold in her NW W45 cat, and in 3rd place was Samia Jones (Menai T&F), who claimed a silver medal in the same NW age cat as Martha in 22.45. Praise was additionally given to Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers), who won a gold medal in her W40 age cat in 23.50 in 5th place overall, and some other notable race performances included Emma Collins (Denbigh Harriers), who also collected a gold medal in her W60 cat in 20th place in 27.47. And there were generous plaudits to two other highly respected veteran athletes in Liz Evans (GOG Triathlon), who was a NW gold medal winner in her W70 cat in 44th place in 32.08, with fellow GOG and veteran runner Ann D’Alberquerque (*pictured below right), finishing 49th overall, for a gold medal after winning her W75 age cat, in 49th place in 36.03. *In the masters men, 65 race, which attracted 26 entries, the 1st finisher overall was Russell Owen (Eryri Harriers) in 23.29, and he was also the winner of his M65 age cat. Gordon Jones (Prestatyn RC) was 2nd in the same age cat as Russell in 23.53, with Mark Watling (Denbigh Harriers), taking the 3rd spot overall, and 3rd place in the same age cat as the other two athletes in 25.43. Some other notable NW gold medal results from some superb master veterans, included Neil Owen (Run Free Fell), who finished 5th overall in 26.43, and he was a gold medal winner of his M70 age cat, with Gareth Hughes (Prestatyn RC), winning gold in his M75 cat in 20th place overall in 34.44, and top marks to Emyr Davies (Hebog), who won his M80 cat in 11th place with a great time of 29.39, whilst Roger Harrison-Jones also deserves tremendous credit for winning his M85 age cat in 41.26. *The senior men’s race was won by Matthew Willis (Wrexham AC) in 28.20 who collected a gold medal as the first SM age cat winner. The runner-up was Ethan Ackroyrd (Liverpool Harriers) in 28.56, with Tomos Roberts (Meirionnydd RC), 3rd in 30.02, and they all competed in the same age categories, winning appropriate NW championship medals. *The NW cross-country champs were well organised by Bernie Jones and his support team, and Bernie thanked Wrexham AC for hosting the event, all the volunteers, and Dave Peters and his helpers from Newtown, who did the chip timing and registration, in addition to all the Wrexham volunteers, and support from Eryri Harriers, Run Free Fell, NWRRC, and to Noel Butler, who travelled from Warwick to watch his grandson run, and offered his services. He confirmed that without this support, there would be no championships. *This is a link to the provisional results of the NW Champs: https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.northwalesxc.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F01%2FN-Wales-XC-Champs-2024-Wrexham-Draft.docx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK&fbclid=IwAR0Jb5gAI2hJYpPci2dflG-uBgLWxx5hWRBei-n1WZ_Pw1RJT-riNJFUN2U

*Pictured above - a quartet of NWRRC members at the start of the Conwy parkrun (l-r): Sion Thomas, Adam Lemalle, Dave Jones and Gethin Wyn Jones. Splash and dash course at Conwy parkrun attracted a good turn-out... Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Conwy parkrun’s popular splash and dash 5k course attracted a good number of club and social runners from far afield last Saturday for the first event of the New Year. Harri Jackson (Menai T&F) was the first runner home on this puddle-filled and waterlogged riverside route in just 17 minutes and 35 seconds, and he finished just eleven-seconds ahead of rival Harty Woodford in 17.46, with Alison Campbell (Sheffield University Cross-Country & AC) snatching 3rd place overall, in addition to finishing as the 1st female athlete with a new personal best (PB) time of 18.04. Harri also won his SM20 age cat, with Harty winning his SM30 cat, and Alison claimed the top spot in her SW30 cat. The 2nd female finisher was Katherine Gregson in 22.38, with Jaeda Goodman (Bourneville Harriers), 3rd on her debut in 22.56. North Wales Road Runners enjoyed a bumper entry of some sixteen runners and the team were led by Steve Mason in 19.38, and he won his VM45 age cat. The club later celebrated four age category victories, in addition to two second, and one third place finish. Will Evans (*above) enjoyed a good performance at Conwy . Will Evans was a close 6th to Steve in 19.51, and he also won his VM40 age cat, with Sion Thomas 15th with a new course PB of 21.37, followed by Dave Jones, who finished 23rd in 22.43. Adam Lemalle (*pictured above). Adam Lemalle was 28th in 23.27, with veteran Martin Green improving each week in 34th spot in 23.43, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat. And master veteran Barrie Wells won his VM70 age cat in 45th place in 24.40, with fellow master Don Hale returning to parkrun after a period of ill health, to claim the 2nd spot in the same VM70 cat in 25.36 in 57th place. *Pictured above at Conwy Parkrun - Daniel Hennell and Sarah Jones. Youngster Joe Culverhouse ran with his father Stuart and won his JM11-14 age cat with a good run in 58th place in 25.38, with Stuart just one place and one-second behind him. Sarah Jones and Daniel Hennell also ran the course together, with Sarah finishing 91st in 27.09, with Daniel one place and one-second behind. Helen Hannam had a steady run in 102nd place in 28.00, and Gethin Wyn Jones was 116th in 28.54. Meanwhile, veteran John O’Shea finished in 130th place in 29.43, whist Rachel Morris was 171st in 33.37. Helen Hannam (pictured right): Praise was given to the run director Gwyn Williams, and to all the volunteers and marshals on another challenging day for weather. *This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy: Praise to the photographer Steve Jeffery: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

*Ben and Sarah Hudson are pictured (above) after their double marathon. Liverbird Double Marathon challenge for Ben and Sarah over New Year... plus other festive race results. Report by Don Hale. North Wales Road Runners Ben and Sarah Hudson celebrated the New Year in their own unique style by competing in the Liverbird Double Marathon on Merseyside. Both events, well organised by GB Ultras, included the full marathon distance run on consecutive days, with the first race held on New Year’s Eve, quickly followed by the second race on New Year’s Day.The ultra-enthusiastic pair braved gales, and heavy rain, during their first encounter which followed an out and back lapped course from the Merseyside Police Club at Aigburth, Liverpool, and followed a relatively flat course adjacent to the windswept River Mersey. Despite the conditions and this gruelling challenge, they were both pleased with their day one results, with Ben finishing 19th overall, and he was 3rd in his M45-49 age category in 3 hours 49 minutes and 42 seconds, with Sarah running home as the 4th female finisher in a very respectable time of 4.04.25, and she also won her F45-49 age cat! After the first marathon Sarah confirmed: “The marathon went up and down the prom from Otterspool, but it went from fun, to being absolutely horrific every three miles. I was actually the 4th lady in the double marathon. I was not overly pleased with the time, but I was trying to be a little bit sensible with tomorrow in mind. “We came across the other night, and we go back on Tuesday, so we can celebrate New Year tomorrow night instead… although I’m not sure I will be able to walk let alone celebrate. One down, and one to go! It was great fun if a wee bit breezy. Bring on day 2." Sarah also admitted to some fatigue shortly before and after this first marathon, which was not too surprising considering the fact that both Sarah and Ben have recently returned from Spain where they took part in the Malaga Marathon, and just before that, they also ran in the extremely tough Eryri Marathon. On Day 2, Ben and Sarah maintained their excellent form and recorded similar results to New Year’s Eve, with Ben finishing 17th overall in 4 hours 10 minutes and 54 seconds and he was 4th this time in his F45-49 age cat, whilst Sarah repeated her top performance to retain 1st place in her F45-49 age cat, and she was the 4th female finisher once again, recording a good time of 4.15.15. Following the conclusion of the two marathons, Sarah added: “4th lady again for me, and 1st in my age category. Well chuffed with that! It was still cold and windy but not as bad as yesterday, and it stayed dry so I can’t complain!” Kevin Higgins (above), took part in two Liverbird double 5k races. Other results: *Wirral: Kevin Higgins also ran in two unique Liverbird Double 5k trail races, the first on New Year’s Eve, where he finished well in 28.48, and on New Year’s Day he completed the same distance in the second race in 27.47 and he won his M60 age cat. Jamie Tharme (*pictured above) *Newborough Forest: Four members of NWRRC ran on New Year’s Day at the Newborough Forest parkrun, with all recording good times. Will Williams claimed a new course PB of 18.56 in 10th place overall, with Steve Mason 30th in 20.58, whilst Harry Driscoll was 36th in 21.24, and he was 3rd in his SM20 cat, and Jamie Tharme finished 62nd on his course debut in 23.46. *Ruthin: Steve Mason ran on Christmas Day at the Ruthin Memorial playing fields parkrun with his dog Coco. Steve was 65th overall in 25.25, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat, with Coco the lead runner and the first canine finisher!

*Pictured above - Welsh Masters Carla and Martin Green at Conwy Parkrun. Personal best times at final parkrun event of the year. Report by Don Hale. Photos by Steve Jeffery. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was another good turn-out for the final parkrun of the year at Conwy last Saturday morning where a trio of talented students received full marks for a great tussle, with the first two finishers both claiming new personal best times. Morgan Kendall (Durham City & Harriers AC), hit top form again, and he was the 1st finisher despite battling with the usual puddle-filled, muddy, and near waterlogged 5k course, and he just managed to hold off a determined challenge from rivals James Smith and Harri Jackson, both from the Menai Track & Field club. Morgan won his SM20 age cat with a great new PB of just 16 minutes and 16 seconds, with James 2nd despite a PB of 16.49, and Harri was 3rd in 17.40. They all shared the same age cat, and it was good to note that another promising junior runner, Jack Woodhouse (Neath Harriers), won his JM10 age cat on his debut with a great run finishing 6th overall in 19.31. The event proved to be a very fast dash throughout, with the first eight athletes all dipping under 20-minutes, and there were 211 entrants. Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) was the 1st female athlete (7th overall) in 19.46, with Kelly Dicks (Great Western Runners), next home on her course debut in 20.31, and 11th overall, with junior Lexi Dundas 3rd in 20.45, and she also won her JW11-15 age cat, after finishing 15th overall. *Pictured (left) Carla Green. North Wales Road Runners entered eight members and claimed three age cat victories with Steve Mason leading the team home in 14th place overall in 20.46, and he won his VM45 age cat. Adam Lemalle was the next man back, and he finished 53rd in 24.22, with Carla Green 70th in 25.34, and she won her VW50 cat. Veteran Karen Butler ran well in 79th place, and she won her VW65 age cat in 26.00, whilst Martin Green made a welcome return to parkrun with a steady run finishing 96th in 26.46, whilst Helen Hannam claimed 3rd place in her VW45 cat in 127th place in 28.20. Another veteran John O’Shea was 149th overall, and he was 2nd in his VM65 cat in 29.52, whilst Rachel Morris celebrated her 100th parkrun in 181st place in 34.21. After the event, Rachel confirmed: “This was my 100th parkrun. I set a goal to get to 100 parkruns by the end of this year, and I just about scraped it by doing it on the last one of the year but I need to up my running game now, as next year’s goal is the Fire Lighter Ultra 37.5 miles.” Welsh veteran Karen Butler (right): *Other results: Ruthin: Steve Mason ran on Christmas Day at the Ruthin Memorial playing fields parkrun with his dog Coco. Steve was 65th overall in 25.25, and he was 3rd in his VM45 age cat, with Coco the lead runner and the first canine finisher! *Praise was given to the run director and to all the volunteers and marshals on another challenging day for weather. And a special mention should also go to photographer Steve Jeffery; This is the link to the provisional results from Conwy: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/

New proposals for Welsh Masters Athletics - Winter Indoor event in Swansea. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Brett Davis, a director of WMAL, has confirmed proposals for a new winter indoor event for next month. This week he explained: "We’re considering holding an indoor field events championship on Sunday 11th February in Swansea. "However WA have been struggling to get sufficient field officials for their events. So this is a call to see how many members would be interested in competing and would also be able to officiate. "Obviously interested in any field officials who wouldn’t be competing too, although aware that they’re less likely to be looking here. Will be using your responses to help judge if this event had a chance of happening. Thanks in advance." Brett Davis, Director, Welsh Masters Athletics Limited.

Welsh Masters Athletics medalists from the recent Old Father Time 5-mile race. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk Brett Davis of WMAL has confirmed the medal details from the recent Old anger Time 5-mile race... This is a list of the WMAL medallists from the Welsh Masters Road Race championships which took place within the Old Father Time 5-mile road race in Cardiff last Sunday. It took place on an extremely windy day with the heavy rain holding off until most competitors had finished. *The full results are on Les Croupiers website. Presentations of medals took place afterwards but only using the subset of the full results that was available at the time. So only to those medallists who were still there and where their result had been processed. I will be looking to get the remaining medals out either by post or by hand. Cheers, Brett Davis, Director, WMAL. OLD FATHER TIME – WELSH MASTERS 5 MILE ROAD RACE MEDALLISTS 31/12/2023: - W35 Bethan                            Butler-Madden              Gold W40 Louise                            Flynn                            Gold Isobel                             Dawson                        Silver W45 Tracey                            Breedon                       Gold Claire                              Bruce                           Silver W55 Joanne                           Hudson                         Gold W60 Julie                               Scholey                        Gold M35 Oliver                              Williams                        Gold Phil                                 Hambleton                    Silver David                              Aubrey                          Bronze M40 Ben                                Butler-Madden              Gold Gary                               Brown                          Silver Robert                            Pritchard                       Bronze M45 James                            Thie                              Gold Niki                                 Puleio                           Silver M50 Huw                               Evans                           Gold William                            Edwards                       Silver Adrian                             Lewis                            Bronze M55 Lee                                 Aherne                          Gold Stephen                          Bartlett                         Silver Ross                               Flanigan                        Bronze M60 Ifan                                 Lloyd                            Gold Michael                           Ramsey                        Silver Jeremy                           Thomas                        Bronze M65 Elio                                 Lepore                          Gold Gary                               John                             Silver M70 Simon                             Partridge                       Gold Geoff                              Wright                          Silver M80 Barrie                             Roberts                        Gold

Chris Pruski from Welsh Masters Athletics has just compiled the final indoor T&F rankings for 2023. They confirm the dates, times, and venues, as to where the records and rankings were achieved. Our thanks to Chris for his hard work in compiling these details. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk *The results are now available on the following link (see below):

Special festive message and updates including the provisional timetable for Indoor champs on Sunday 25th February 2024, from Brett Davis at WMAL. Hi everybody and a happy New Year! Please see attached provisional inter-area timetable from the England Masters Athletics Association, and details of teams entered so far (*below). So it looks like we can now go ahead with selection on this basis. Both team managers will be focussing their minds on team selection in the coming weeks and from my viewpoint I will be trying to establish which men are in the mix and what form they have, so will be grateful for any indications of availability/from, as previously notified (to Brett-Davis1@sky.com). OLD Father Time 5-mile race: Brett also confirmed some details from his performance at the 5-mile race over the festive period. He said: "I took part in the especially windy Old Father Time 5 miler yesterday. Fortunately the rain didn’t put in an appearance until after around an hour after the start although it was a monsoon! "The first 3 in each age group category were presented with a bottle of wine by the organisers plus additional prizes for the overall men’s and women’s winners. I then presented the Welsh Masters 5 mile medalists, but I only had the aforementioned results to go on as the full results will not be available until today. "So although I presented 16 medals (10 golds and 6 silvers), I expect to have up to 16 further medalists once the results are published, plus a possible further one where there was a membership query on the day from a regular competitor who strongly believes his membership is up to date despite not showing on the list Rod gave me. Cheers, Brett Davis. Director, Welsh Masters Athletics Limited.

Conwy Parkrun director Bethan Wyn Roberts (*above centre) with festive members at Conwy . Bumper Christmas turn-out at a very wild and windy Conwy parkrun... Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com www.welshmastersathletics.co.uk It was another bumper turn-out at Conwy parkrun last Saturday morning for the ever-popular Christmas event with nearly three-hundred club and social runners braving the wild and windy conditions over this challenging 5k course. And it turned out to be a dash with a blast for two top young guns who battled for honours with just five-seconds separating 1st and 2nd places. Students Morgan Kendall and Bryn Woodall, who are both back home again in North Wales for the festive break, raced neck and neck throughout, with a near photo-finish on stand-by! Morgan (Durham University Harriers AC) eventually took the 1st finisher place overall in 17 minutes and 15 seconds, and won his SM20 age cat, with Bryn (Colwyn Bay AC), a very close 2nd in 17.20, and he was 2nd in the same age category as Morgan, with veteran Simon Cole (GOG Triathlon) also celebrating a fast finishing time in 3rd place in 17.30 and he won his VM40 cat. North Wales Road Runners only entered thirteen members this week due to other commitments and with several people recovering from festive parties, illness, or injury. Will Williams was the first club man home in 10th place, and he was 2nd in his VM50 cat in 19.18, with Mark Jessett 13th place, and he was 3rd in his VM35 cat in 20.03, with Steve Mason 18th place overall, and he was 2nd in his VM45 cat in 21.11. *Will Williams (pictured above) who was the first NWRRC finisher at Conwy. Jamie Tharme finished 39th in 23.03, whilst Carla Green won her VW50 age cat, in 51st place overall in 23.53, and Daniel Hennell was 62nd in 24.22, and newcomer Sye Channer ran home in 82nd place in 25.28. Veteran Tony Gibson was 98th in 26.27, with Ceri Jones 139th in 29.11, and another male veteran John O’Shea finished in 158th place in 30.10. Gwennan Charlton and her son Edward ran together in 160th place, in 30.17; meanwhile, Hannah Griffith completed the course in festive attire in 167th spot with Stef and Fred in 30.58, and Rachel Morris ran her 99th parkrun in 209th place in 34.42. *Plaudits were also handed to Ian Slattery, the son of the NWRRC chairman Kevin, who ran at Conwy during his festive visit and finished 9th overall in 19.01, and he was 2nd in his VM35 age cat. *Hannah Griffith (above left) with Stef and Fred in costume. *Parkrun officials including run director Beth Wyn Roberts praised the support for this colourful festive event and confirmed: “Thank you to everyone who turned up to run at Conwy Parkrun this morning. It was a blustery one! “And congratulations to some individuals after reaching hugely impressive milestones this morning: Saxon Ridley 100th, Roy Worden 150th, and Keith Tubman 200th. “As always, a huge thank you to all the volunteers who braved the conditions to allow the magic to happen yet again. "There are some local Parkruns available for you to access should you decide to start your Christmas Day with a run. And from all at Conwy Parkrun, we would like to wish all runners and volunteers a happy and peaceful Christmas.” Nadolig Llawen iawn I bawb. *This is the link to the provisional results at Conwy parkrun: https://www.parkrun.org.uk/conwy/results/latestresults/