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14/07/2026 00:00, In Blog /

Davies hot streak continues

Welsh Team before the Shrewsbury Festival of Running

On a day when temperatures reached 33degrees, Swansea Harriers’ Alan Davies scorched to victory, to maintain his hot streak in 2026.

Saturday’s 5km Masters’ International was the fourth international of the year and was held within the Shrewsbury Festival of Running on a 1km cycling track. The festival includes 3 Master races and 3 open races and once again there was a fantastic atmosphere at the event.

The M65 to M85 and W65 to W75 was the opening race and it was the highlight of the day for Wales as Alan Davies not only retained the M70 title he won last year but also won the race, beating all the M65 runners as well. Having already won the 10km and half marathon internationals this year, Alan truly showed he is an outstanding master international.

Alan Davies crossing the line to win the opening race of the day

In the same M70 age group, David Gibson, Tri Hard Harriers, picked up a third-place trophy, to add to his growing collection, and Paul Griffiths, Chepstow Harriers also finished third in the M75 category. Paul Griffiths, Chepstow Harriers, also made the podium in the M75 age group. Les Croupiers teammates, David James (M65) and David Cindy (M75) both just missed out on the podium finishing in fourth place in their respective age groups. We only had women competing in the W65 age group in the opening race and Judy Rhys, Les Croupiers led Wales home in 8th place.

Emma Crowe 2^nd in the W50 age group

The second international master’s race was the W35 to W60 and the race was dominated by England’s Christa Cain. Wales’s quickest runner on the day was Builth and District’s Donna Morris who finished just outside the medals in fourth place. Emma Crowe, Deeside AAC, is slowly getting back to her best after years of injury and just missed out on top position as she had a great race to finish second in the W50 age group. The ever consistent Niki Morgan, despite being at the top of her W55 age group had another good run to finish in fourth place whilst Joy Hickman, West Cheshire AC, also finished fourth on her debut for Wales, outdoing her brother John, Caerphilly Runners, who finished fifth in the M65 age group.

Alaistair Campbell, 2^nd in the M35 age group

The third master’s international of the day was the M35 to M60 and Wales picked up trophies at either end of the age groups. Alastair Campbell, Lliswery Runners was our quickest runner of the day with an excellent time of 15-26 in the extreme conditions and finished seventh overall but second in his M35 age group. At the other end of the scale, Parc Bryn Bach Chairman and birthday boy Lee Aherne also finished second in his M60 age group. There were three fourth place finishes with Marc Hobbs, Swansea Harriers(M40), Tom Newman, Caerleon(M50), and Tony Allan, San Domenico(M60) all just missing out on podium finishes.

Thanks to Run Cheshire for superbly organising the event again in extreme conditions, and to Team Managers Bernie and Caroline Jones.

Expressions of interest are still being sought for the Trail Half Marathon international which will take place within the Forest of Dean Autumn race on 27 September. Athletes can express an interest via the following link:

FOREST OF DEAN TRAIL HALF MARATHON - 27th SEPTEMBER 2026

Results
 

Bernie Jones