Newyddion

16/06/2026 00:00, I Mewn Blog /

The scenic setting for the Tonypandy Classic

England athletes ended as the victors in the first ever Wales Athletics v England Athletics Masters 3,000m International.  The organisers of the Tonypandy Classic hosted this first track international and what a privilege for the master’s to be part of such a great event, sponsored by On Running, and with athletes of all ages and abilities competing in the stunning setting of the King George V Track.

Start of the Women’s Master’s Race, which also incorporated the Welsh U20 Championships

First up was the Women W50 to W64 race and sadly as we didn’t have the interest we would have liked with only four runners taking part, two from England and two from Wales, the race was combined with the Welsh 3,000m for Women under 20. Michelle Lee, Forest of Dean AC (England) was the only W50 in the master’s race and she dominated it from start to finish. Michelle finished just behind the second place u20 women in a great time of 11-23.69 and thanks to the generous support of On Running she took away a £250 voucher as well as the trophy for the best age graded woman’s performance.

Michelle Lee, on her way to victory

There were three W60 athletes and throughout the race there was a great battle between Rosemary Lane, Reading Roadrunners (England) and Yvonne Hill, Oswestry Olympians (Wales) with both athletes stepping on the track for the first time in many, many years. At the start of the last lap Yvonne but Rosemary dug in and with a couple of kicks on the top bend, managed to prevail and take the W60 trophy.

Start of the Men’s 3,000m Master’s International

There were 12 athletes in the men’s race, six from each country, but with only M40 and M45 athletes competing. Craig Berryman, Havant AC (England) took up the running from the off with Mark Gittens on his shoulder and leading the M45 age group. It stayed that way until two laps to go when Mark put in a surge and managed to get away and win comfortable and win both the M45 trophy and the £250 voucher from On Running for the best age graded performance of the day. Vaughan Edwards, Les Croupiers (Wales) was only just behind on the age graded tables.

Mark Gittins on his way to victory

A great evening and one that we hope will be repeated. A big thank you to James Thie and his organising committee and volunteers at the Tonypandy Classic; to On Running for their generous support; and to the athletes from Wales and England who had a great day.

Bernie Jones,                                                                                                                                                                   

Wales Team Manager

Full Results:

Women

1 Michelle Lee (W50), England          11-23-69

2 Rosemary Lane (W60), England      12-58-56

3 Yvonne Hill (W60), Wales                13-02-38

4 Dawn Broom (W60), Wales             13-29-96

Men

1 Mark Gittins (M45), England           9-04-95

2 Craig Berryman (M40), England      9-09-26

3 Gary Crush (M45), England             9-12-30

4 Matthew Lusby (M40), England      9-12-51

5 Vaughan Edwards (M45), Wales      9-14-25

6 Sion Lewis (M40), Wales                 9-19-86

7 Doug Nicholls (M45), Wales            9-25-11

8 James Wardman (M45), England    9-30-40

9 Mitch Blundell (M40), England       9-47-49

10 James Raven (M45), Wales            9-54-64

11 Dean Johnson (M40), Wales          9-55-64

12 Johnny Frampton (M45), Wales    10-08-83