Prestatyn Running Club’s recent recruit Katie Baker had two reasons to celebrate at the weekend, as she not only completed her first 10k race but achieved her target time. She was the club’s only participant in the Ellesmere 10k, which has an undulating course, and Katie was aiming to finish inside 55 minutes. She crossed the line in 54.02, in 317th place overall. “It was a little up and down in places, but nothing compared with the Welsh hills. I’m very pleased with my time

To read Gareth's report please click here

The Capenhurst 5k once again justified its reputation as one of the fastest races in the area, with over 50 runners finishing under 17 minutes. As usual, there was a strong contingent from Prestatyn Running Club – 14 men and only two women – and four of them came away with age category awards. First home from the squad was Tom Carter, who was 17th overall and won the M40 class. The placings were: 17 Tom Carter 16.06 (1st M40), 58 Tom Gregory 17.05, 66 Oliver Birch-Jones 17.15

Prestatyn Running Club’s domination of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix series has grown over the years and last week’s race, the third in the series, was the most fruitful yet. Of the 81 competitors 29 were Prestatyn members and so, unsurprisingly 19 of them gained podium places in their age-groups. It was a familiar story at the front of the race, with Tom Carter and Oliver Birch-Jones taking first and second places, and Tom Gregory narrowly failing to make it a 1-2-3. With

Two weeks ago, in the Race the Train 5k, Oliver Harrison-Jones finished well ahead of his grandfather Roger, and Saturday saw another Prestatyn Running Club veteran being beaten by his grandson. Neil Davidson set his slowest time ever in Saturday’s Nova Parkrun but he was still proud as he was pipped on the line by grandson Arthur, who only recently turned five years of age. The two had run together in what was Arthur’s first ever Parkrun. With no other races in the area memb

The contrast in challenges taken on by members of Prestatyn Running Club over the past week could hardly be greater – ranging from a 100-mile ultra involving 24,000 feet of ascent to a slightly downhill 5k. With two of the club’s ladies also becoming North Wales champions it’s been an interesting few days. Undoubtedly the greatest achievement was that of David Hudd (pictured), who completed the 100-mile Lakeland 100 trail race. A veteran of several ultras, he was determined t

One of the highlights of mountain running in Wales is undoubtedly the long standing Ras Yr Wyddfa, held annually since 1976. This tough race features a 5 mile run from Llanberis to the peak of Yr Wyddfa and back down again. During the headlong return down the mountain accidents are not uncommon and the first aid tent at the finish has often been referred to as the “Hospital Tent”. Returning unscathed this weekend following the gruelling ordeal were three intrepid club members

Prestatyn Running Club members are fortunate in having such different courses to run on, from the fast, flat promenade to the steep Gwaenysgor hill and intermediate venues such as the sand dunes and playing-fields. Luckily, the club also has an ideal circuit for its annual relays at Rhyl’s Marine Lake, each lap being just short of 1,500 metres and last week four teams of seven lined up in what turned out to be a fascinating contest. The winning team, with an aggregate time of

Over the years Prestatyn Running Club members have been the biggest supporters of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix and this season that has been more noticeable than ever. In last week’s event, the second of the four-race series in Shotton, over a quarter of the 93 participants were wearing the red vests and 13 of them claimed top-three places in their age-groups. Another very encouraging feature was that five of the members were making their debuts in the event. In contrast,

The weekend’s high temperatures were not ideal for members of Prestatyn Running Club but just what some others had hoped for. Fourteen members were glad of the breeze as they participated in the Nova Coast half-marathon on their home course. Meanwhile the hot weather was welcomed by another group who enjoyed the club’s annual social weekend, this time in Anglesey instead of Aberdaron. Ben Lewis led the squad home in Sunday’s Half, finishing 23rd overall in 1-29.21, and three

Nine o’clock on Saturday morning means just one thing to thousands of runners, joggers and walkers – and that is Parkrun time. Many participants rarely, if ever, venture beyond their local courses while some attempt something different each week and others are Alphabet Parkrunners, ticking off venues which begin with different letters. A clear leader of Prestatyn Running Club’s Travellers’ List is veteran Martin Cortvriend, whose 433 appearances have been in 222 different Par

After a hectic couple of weeks most members of Prestatyn Running Club have had some downtime over the past 10 days, one of the reasons being the decision to cancel the Nova Parkrun due to a high wind and high tide. Three members travelled to Cheshire on Sunday for the Colshaw Hall 10k, known for its fast and scenic route. Ryan Bateman led the trio home, finishing 137th overall in a good quality field, with a time of 36.14. Zack Webster, one of the club’s most prolific racers

One of the most unique and compelling events in road running is the Welsh Castles Relay. Teams of 20 runners from some of the top athletics clubs in Wales and England compete across the length of Wales from Caernarfon Castle to Cardiff Castle, the route passing over mountains and within sight of numerous castles en route. Olympic athletes run alongside ordinary club runners and it’s a real festival of running for all those involved. Prestatyn Running Club have been one of the

Highlights of the latest crowded week of running events included one of the all time classic mountain races, this is the formidable and long established Welsh 1000 metres race which takes in, as you might guess, some of the highest peaks in Snowdonia. Three Prestatyn Running Club runners took part in the short course event which still climbed some of the highest peaks including Snowdon and a double traverse of Crib Goch. With a heroic effort over the very challenging short co

The prospect of competing in one of the country’s fastest races may be off-putting for some, but eight members of Prestatyn Running Club were pleased they made the trip to last week’s Mid-Cheshire 5k. With 300 runners finishing inside 17 minutes the quality is obvious and it rubbed off on the Prestatyn contingent, all of whom had good reason to be delighted with their performances. They included Ryan Bateman, who was making his competitive debut for the club. The placings we

Two members of Prestatyn Running Club have received a unique honour by being named as the North Wales Cross-Country Association’s first Life Members. The announcement was made at the Association’s AGM in Gwersyllt where both Roger Harrison-Jones and Gareth Hughes had turned up to represent the club. Roger, still competing at the age of 89, is a legend in the sport, having won the very first North Wales League fixture in 1958. He has gained numerous honours including being res

The mood at Prestatyn Running Club’s annual awards night was even more upbeat that usual after the most successful 12 months for many years. It was fitting that the event, held at Rhuddlan Golf Club, came just two days after the presentations for the 2025-26 Borders Road-Running League in which both the men and women have gained promotion to Division 1. The ladies have also been promoted in the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country League. At the Borders League presen

Nine members of Prestatyn Running Club took a Bank Holiday break overseas, combining socialising and exercising. They were among 13,000 who lined up in the Dublin City half-marathon and produced an excellent set of results performances, all finishing well inside two hours. The official times were not available, but according to Strava their results were: Oliver Birch-Jones 1-21, Dave Ellis 1-28, Tom Coen 1-35, Erin Thomas 1-35, Lewis Pierce 1-38, Zack Webster 1-38, Sarah Hill

Prestatyn Running Club’s David Hudd was among the competitors in Sunday’s Shakespeare Marathon who ignored the Bard’s advice “Wisely and slow. They stumble that run fast”. Just two weeks after the Boston (Lincs) Marathon he was delighted to slice 11 minutes off his time in Stratford-upon-Avon, , clocking 3-06.16. He is now looking forward to next year’s marathon in Boston, USA. The club had six representatives in this year’s London Marathon, and they adopted a range of tactic

Spring is very much in the air for members of Prestatyn Running Club who have been taking advantage of the fine weather to turn in fine performances on road, trail and fells. Four members including recent recruit Ben Lewis took part in the Chester Spring 5, a very popular event over a fast course. Oliver Birch-Jones led the quartet home in 40th place overall, clocking 29.38, and was followed by Ben Lewis (62nd in 31.04), Ben Garnett (91st in 33.00) and Judah Eastwell (141s