Welsh Castles Relay 2008
Gareth Brandrick, who always performs well in the Castles Relay, got things off to a good start, finishing 12th on the first leg. Gareth took on the Caernarfon to Penygroes,one of the best off road sections in the relay.Pictured left Gareth has a mile or so to go.The weather was cool at this stage of the race, and Gareth finished 12th in his leg in a time of 61.01 for the 9.1 mile leg.
Steve who has for some years organised the Castles Relay, took on the sencond leg of the event,finishing the 10.7 mile route in 1.16.30.
The 200-mile event from Caernarfon to Cardiff was thoroughly
enjoyed by the 20 members of Prestatyn Running Club who took part as well as their supporters.Though it sometimes became uncomfortably warm the weather was generally superb and added greatly to the occasion.
The members turned in some tremendous performances, none more so than Jo McDonough, who became the first female members of the club to tackle the notorious Drover's Arms stage, with an undulating 10k followed by an unrelentingly tough climb. Jo turned in an outstanding performance, judging her pace superbly to finish strongly.
Similarly, Tracy Colligan, in her first year with the club, took on the
long 11th stage from Newtown, which climbs interminably for about eight miles.
Gordon Jones put in a storming anchor leg, crossing the line at Cardiff Castle in 15th place.The highest place finisher of the weekend, however, was George Nicholls, who was seventh home in the Drover's Arms - Brecon stage.
Also worthy of note was Matt Sims, who sliced 12 minutes off last year's
time for the Dolgellau - Dinas Mawddwy mountain stage.
The placings were:- Stage 1 (9.1 miles) 12 Gareth Brandrick 61.01; Stage 2 (10.7m) 34 Steve Hatfield 1:16.30; Stage 3 (12.1m mountain stage) 40 Aaron Aspinall 1:26.11; Stage 4 (9.4m) 41 Mike Doolan 1:16.23; Stage 5 (9.6m) 45 Phil Jones 1:18.33; Stage 6 (10.7m) 17 Andrew Jones 69.09; Stage 7 (9.75m mountain stage) 31 Matt Sims 67.50; Stage 8 (11.2m) 28 Arwel Jones 1:16.12; Stage 9 (8.6m) 34 Shelley Ward 64.47; Stage 10 (13.3m mountain stage) 40 Paul Brandrick 1:34.31; Stage 11 (12.3m mountain stage) 57 Tracy Colligan 1:48.54; Stage 12 (11.2m) 56 Julie Logan 1:33.29; Stage 13 (10.6m) 31 Gareth Hughes 1:13.53; Stage 14 (11m mountain stage) 49 Jo McDonough 1:26.53; Stage 15 (12.4m) 7 George Nicholls 1:16.21; Stage 16 (9m mountain stage) 54 David A Jones 1:15.11; Stage 17 (9.2m) 45 Glenda Davies 68.36; Stage 18 (9.1m) 32Brenda Tiedtke 69.34; Stage 19 (10.4m) Eleri Goddard 1:38.30; Stage 20 (10.4m) 15 Gordon Jones 67.43.