*Welsh Master Dave Watson (*above) flew the flag for Wales in Edinburgh
Welsh Master Dave Watson is fighting fit and recording great new PBs…and well done to Tracey Smedley on recording a new 400m record on the track.
Report by Don Hale. https://donhaleblog.blogspot.com
Welsh Master Dave Watson seems to have hit a genuine purple patch of form this year by recording some superb results on his travels in a variety of events.
The MV65 veteran competed yesterday (4th June) at the British Masters BMAF Scottish Mile in Edinburgh and was believed to be the only Welsh Masters’ athlete. He enjoyed a great run in the sun and finished 2nd in his age cat with a fast PB time of just 5 minutes and 35 seconds.
Afterwards Dave, who is pictured (*above) with his medal, said: “I think the inaugural running of this race was in Cardiff, then it moved to London, The Mall, before now moving to Edinburgh.
“The interesting bit was that the race was advertised this week as “135-runners from all four Home Nations taking part.... which was true, but the Wales contingent was just one runner …me!
“Fortunately, I didn’t let the side down, and I managed to run into 2nd place as a V65 with a decent time and PB. I even made sure there was a Welsh flag flying, and a couple of cheesy photos are attached!”
Dave also admitted that quite remarkably, after recovering from serious illness, his times are rapidly improving, and now aged 66, he confirmed some of his other impressive recent results: -
“*Cardiff Victory 5k on 30 April 23. The first two V65's automatically qualify to run for Wales Masters in the 5k in Cheshire in August. I managed to run 20.04 and outright 2nd, so I should be included in the V65 team. *Christleton 5k on 19th May. I ran 19.40, as I'm getting stronger and fitter, and was the 1st V65, and then the *Scottish Mile BMAF championships, where I ran 5.35 and 2nd cat place.”
He added; “Perhaps more relevant to the Inter-areas, at the 1,500m point yesterday in the mile race, I went through in 5.12.56, which would represent an almost 8 second improvement on my last Inter-area time for Welsh Masters’ at Lee Valley. I'm fit now, and hopefully will keep on improving!”
New 400m track record for Tracey Smedley.
Report by Don Hale.
Another Welsh Master in the news is Tracey Smedley, who has had her 400m record confirmed as a new record time and has received her commemorative certificate.
Chris Pruski, from Welsh Masters’ statistics and records section, confirmed: “On Behalf of Welsh Masters Athletics Limited, congratulations to Tracey on setting a new W55 400m record at Lea Valley on 26th March 2023. I have sent a certificate in recognition of your achievement. Very well done.”