Newyddion

21/05/2025 00:00, I Mewn Blog /

In the first Masters International of the season, Wales had a great day in the scintillating heat at the Shrewsbury Festival of Running with Mike Whyatt, Eryri Harriers and Sue Peters, Swansea, and Dave Gibson, Tri Hard Harriers leading the charge with gold medals in their respective M60, W65 and M70 age groups.

There were 3 Masters International races in the event superbly organised by Run Cheshire, which showcased Masters running at its best. In the opening 65+ Masters International race, Dave James, Les Croupiers, paced his run superbly to work his way through to third position in the M65 age group and lead home the Welsh contingent home. Dave Gibson was next home winning the M70 category and he was delighted with his victory. In the women’s 65 category there was a great race between Sue Petre and Karen Butler, NWRRC which was only settled in the last few strids with just one second seperatying them in 1st and 2nd place. After a long time away from racing for Wales, Sue Graves, Hook Runners did well to pick up a well earned 3rd place.

Sue Graves 3rd W75

Dave Giibson 1st M70

     Dave James 3rd M65

The second Masters International race was for Women 35 to 64 and as ever the reliable Donna Morris, Builth, did her country proud with a great run to finish 3rd overall and 2nd in her W40 age group. Hayley Lawton’s (3M Gorseinon) sprint finish did enough to earn her her first medal at this level and her delight at the end was unending. Joanne Henderson, Denbigh, and better known for her fell running ran a well timed race to pick up 3rd place in a competitive W45 age group. Emma Crowe, Deeside was another returning after a long lay-off with injuries and whilst disappointed with her time (and the fact her husband Steve was quicker in one of the Open races) was pleased to pick up 3rd place.

However, Wales showed its truth strength in the W55 age group where we secured 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places after a race long battle between Tracy Jenkins, Porthcawl and Angela Deeley, Deestriders was only settled on the line. Niki Morgan, Chepstow, despite not being at her best, still finished 4th.

Onto the fifth race of the day which was the M35-64 Masters Men’s International which saw the Welsh boys dictating the pace through the early laps. Rhodri Owen, Meirionnydd led home the contingent with second place overall and in his M35 age group with clubmate Tom Roberts only conceding a podium place on the last lap.

Hywel Care, Liverpool, had a mixed day! He ran superbly to pick up third place in the M40 category but left his train ticket in his tracksuit bottoms at the venue and only realised when he got to the train station. Thankfully his negotiating skills were as good as his running!! At the presentation, Steve Davies, Parc Bryn Bach didn’t even know he’d picked up a medal and was too busy regaling stories to hearb his name called out as third in the M50 category. Darren Rowlands has always been a talented athlete but has suffered with various illnesses over the past few years so it was great to see him back and picking up where he left off with 3rd in the M55 category. 

Mike Whyatt winner of the M60 race in 16-39

However, the star of the day for Wales was undoubtedly Mike Whyat, Eryri Harriers. He won his age group by 60 seconds and he finished 29th in the race beating many, many younger athletes.

The day was a huge success, with a great family atmosphere created at Shrewsbury, which helped produce our best results in the past 3 years. The next Masters International is in a couple of weeks on home soil when the Masters Half Marathon International takes place within the Swansea University Swansea Half Marathon. We will also be selecting teams on 4 June for the 10km and Marathon internationals.

Bernie Jones   

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