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2024 Masters Round-Up
27/12/2024 00:00, In Blog /
The Welsh Athletics Masters Advisory Group has been going for approximately three years now. The Advisory Group has focused on road, country and trail both domestically and internationally. The international programme started in July 2022, since when over 330 different athletes have represented Wales at Masters level. By the end of 2024, eleven road internationals will have been held against England and the Advisory Group has also organised Welsh teams for 3 BMAF Cross Country Internationals.
2024 has been a year when the quality of the races and the standard of the performances (from both England and Wales athletes) has improved considerably and the programme has become firmly established amongst athletes in England and Wales. During the year Wales have increased the sizes of teams and the age range of athletes competing against England whilst at the same time ensuring that all of the athletes representing their country have achieved the minimum standards prescribed. Indeed having annually reviewed our standards, based on Welsh rankings, our qualifying standards are in some cases harder then England’s.
The year kicked off on 5th May with the Great Birmingham Run 10km, and it was the first time in which we had 5 year age groups from 35 through to 65+, albeit teams of four. Tom Roberts, Meirionnydd, was our star athlete finishing second overall and his masters debut was made all the more special by his wife Elliw Haf-Roberts, Eryri Harriers, also running with their two young boys watching. Niki Morgan, Chepstow, was our only other winner of the day as she won the W55 age group by nearly a minute. Individual medals were also gained by Matt Edmonds, Newport and Nic Jukes, Parc Bryn Bach.
The second international race was also part of the Great Run series and this time it was the Great Manchester Half Marathon held on 26th May. Wales had a much better day with four wins, two male and two female. Donna Morris, Builth finished 3rd overall and her run was good enough to win the W40 category whilst Tracey Jenkins, Porthcawl, had an unbelievable run to win the W55 age group. On the Men’s side there were wins for Bob Foreman, Matlock, on his international debut in the M65 category and David Gibson, Tri Hard Harriers, in the M70 category. Wales also won a further four medals including Tom Roberts repeating his second place at Birmingham.
Tom Roberts, runner-up in Birmingham & Manchester
The 5km has been held within the Mid Cheshire 5km, which is one of the UK’s quickest circuits but a late change of date of the race caused us a few selection issues and some athletes who were not available for the original date (and therefore not selected) went on to beat some of those selected. We only had two winners on the night with Lee Aherne, Parc Bryn Bach, who had a great race with the first four in the M55 category all finishing within 6 seconds of each other but with Lee coming out on top and Bob Foreman getting his second win of the series. Other medallist’s on the night including Niki Morgan (W55), Ewelina Ciesielska, Parc Bryn Bach in the W35 and Ryan Davis, Wrexham in the M35.
The final road race of the season was the Chester Marathon and Wales gained six medals with wins with our older athletes leading the way with Bob Hind, Cybi Striders in the M70 Category and Fiona Davies, Pontypridd Roadents in W65 category. Jane Ogilvie, Brackla, making her Masters International debut alongside her husband, who was also making his debut, was the most delighted and surprised winner of the day, in the W60 category.
Lee Aherne, medalist in all four road internationals, finishing the Chester Marathon
Lee Aherne, Parc Bryn Bach, won medals at every distance this year and his silver at Chester capped an unbelievable season of consistency. The only other medals came from Daryl John, Pembrokeshire in the M50 category and our oldest runner Sandy Johnston, North Wales Road Runners in the M75+ category. Special mention should go to Jeremy Mower, Western Tempo, who completed his 100th marathon in the race.
The final Masters International of the season was the 35th staging of the BMAF Cross Country International in Belfast. Due to the costs involved and a clash with the Welsh Inter Regional Cross Country Championships in Newtown, we didn’t have the strongest of teams out but the undoubted star of the weekend was Ifan Lloyd, Swansea who won the first race of the afternoon emphatically. Ifan has been competing in the event for 25 years and whilst he has medalled on a number of occasions he has always missed out but a few weeks after breaking a long standing British M65 marathon record when winning the World Masters Marathon title, Ifan was far too strong for all of the other competitors. Sadly, Ifan’s medal was our only medal of the day.
Ifan Lloyd on his way to victory in the BMAF Cross Country International
During 2024, 160 different athletes represented Wales at Masters level at the five events with the youngest being 35 and the oldest being 77 years old. Jeremy Mower is the only athlete to compete across all five events which shows not only his versatility across the distances but also his ability to recover after the marathon and get fit for the cross country.
Based on the success of the past three years there will be more opportunities to represent Wales at Masters Level across all distances from 5km to marathon with the addition of a Trail Half Marathon in 2025. In addition it is hoped that teams from Northern Ireland and/or the Armed Forces will join us for some of the matches.
Athletes have to be eligible to compete for Wales and registered athletes in Wales. It is expected that all athletes competing for Wales would take part in at least one Welsh Championship in the preceding or current year.
Full details of the Master International opportunities in 2025, including the minimum standards required along with the selection dates are now available via: Masters Programme 2025.pdf where athletes can express an interest.
Further details are available from Bernie-jones@sky.com