Atgofion Rhedeg Aelod y Clwb /Club Member Running Memoirs
My Running Life...so far
In 1983 I started running to keep fit. My first race was the Llanfair T.H 10km. I finished work at about 12 o’clock – fish and chips on the way and was second to last in the race in a time of 53minutes 57sec. In 2002 I ran 41 minutes 39 sec in a Border League race about 400yds shorter. I joined the Prestatyn Running Club in 1984 at the Nant Hall Hotel Prestatyn. It was the AGM. If you weren’t there by 7 o’clock it was standing room only. In 1991 Prestatyn won the North Wales Cross Country League – I was a member of the squad ( a non scoring member). I left Prestatyn to become a founder member of Denbigh Harriers in the same year.
When I started running you were classed a good runner if you broke 30mins for 5 miles, 40min for 10km, 60 mins for 10mile, 90 mins for a half marathon and a sub 3 hours would get you into the London Marathon. In 1994 I broke the 3hour barrier at London Marathon. The next year – 1995 I had an elite start. It was a different world believe me!!!!! Everything was laid on for you, 3 to a toilet, carpets to sit on people to bring you a bottle of water.
Between 1991 and 1996 Arwel (PRC Chairman) Jones and I met Roger Hackney at Llanrwst – very nice bloke stopped to talk to us. I did Llanrwst 6 times on the go so can’t remember which year we met him, Arwel might remember. In 1993 I met Steve Jones in the Sale 10. I ran 59.05. He ran about 48minutes! Also in 93 I did the Great North Run in 79 minutes 55 seconds. When I crossed the finishing line Brendon Foster ( I have this on tape) said that I was a top class club runner and broadcasted my name on National T.V as well! In 1994 I got a Clwyd County Vest and in 1997 I got a North Wales Vest. I have gained 7 vests in total.
In 1996 I became North Wales Champion at th Abergele 5 mile. I also did it again in 1998 at Wrexham. The 10km at Prestatyn, 10miler at Wrexham and Half Marathon at Tywyn in 2001. All over the age of 40. I was 5 times North Wales Champion. In 1997 I was 3rd in the o/45 age group in the North Wales Cross Country League – The first Denbigh Harriers to do so.
In 1998, not only did I become North Wales Champion at Prestatyn it was an Inter-County Championship – I had a field day picking up 3 trophies – 1st in North Wales o/40, 1st in the Inter County o/40 and 3rd North Walian home in the race.
In 1996 I rejoined Prestatyn as a second claim runner to do the Border League. I have run 93 out of 98 Border League so far.
In 2005 I ran every day for 12 months. Don’t ask me why!! In 2008 I was ranked 7th in the Welsh Ranking and 181st in the UK Ranking 0/55 with times of 19mins 25sec at Christleton 5km and 40 mins 16sec at Market Drayton 10km.
In 2008 at a Border League Race in Mold I pulled my hamstring, then I pulled my calf muscle in the right leg in 2009 and in 2010 I was told I had an enlarged heart which according to the internet is the biggest killer of athletes in the world, and that all started in January 2010. It’s December now and 31 races down the road for this year and still running and still got a pain in my right knee that I’ve had for about 2 years!
David Alan Jones
