Meet the Committee
Below are the elected Committee Members for 2024/2025 and a short paragraph about why they run and what they do within the club
Club Chair & Run Leader
Duncan Longley
I first started running towards the end of the 1980’s as a replacement for playing football. I found out that once I got into it, I really enjoyed it and built myself up to marathon distance.
After running on my own for several years and having concerns about not being a good enough runner, I joined Prestatyn Running Club in 1995 and I have been an active member ever since. I quickly learned to appreciate running with the club due to the support and camaraderie I experienced, and I have made some very good friends.
I have filled numerous roles over the years including vice chairman and membership secretary and social co-ordinator.
I have also been one of the key figures in the club’s very successful Couch -2 – 5k programmes. I am a qualified run leader to ensure I am looking after people correctly.
Vice Chair, Run Leader, Female Welfare Officer & Web Officer
Debbie Jones
I first started running to train for a 5k obstacle course run to raise money for the animal charity that I worked for. I ran with a friend and we quickly got the running bug. That year we both ran the Flintshire 10k race and then joined Prestatyn running club.
I enjoy running in a group, so club runs are ideal for me. In 2018 I had a stroke and temporarily lost the use of my right hand side. Thanks to the support of my running buddies at PRC I got back up and running enough to complete my first half marathon 12 weeks after leaving hospital.
I will never be anywhere near the front of a race but I enjoy the challenge and like to have a go at the different types of racing, although fell racing and ultra marathons may be a bit too far out of my comfort zone,
I have been a run leader for the club for a few years and also a committee member. Last year I trained for the position of welfare officer, and am currently helping with the club website and social media pages.
I would encourage anyone to give running a go - if I can do it, anyone can! You don't have to be fast, you don't have to be thin, you just have to want to give it a go.
Club President
Gareth Hughes
I started running in 1980 for the first London Marathon in '81, havingpreviously played football. With interest in the sport booming I called a public meeting which led to
Prestatyn Running Club being formed in 1982. I certainly didn't think I would still be running 42 years later at the age of 77 and have the honour
of representing Wales several times.
Over the years I have been chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and social secretary of the club and have organized numerous social events and races including four British and Irish Masters' cross-country championships on
behalf of Welsh Masters, as well as Welsh and North Wales championships.
I think I'm more suited to road-running but enjoy trail and cross-country much more, though my confidence in descending has waned with age.
Treasurer & Social Co-ordinator
Sue Rodgers
I started running in 2013 in preparation for entering my first ever race at Blenheim Palace, Oxford with my daughter . I was introduced to the club by a club member who has become a good friend. I now run to keep fit and being a member of the club means I have people to run with and have since made more friends. I enjoy being involved in the running of the club, which being Treasurer allows me to do.
Membership Secretary
Ally Reid
I started running with my daughters in 2014. They were doing lots of sports at school and wanted to improve their fitness so I decided to join them. We used to run between lamp posts to start off with. Then they left home to go to Uni, so I decided to join a club as I was enjoying getting fit. PRC was right on my doorstep!
I enjoy the social side of running and like to get to races when I can. My favourite race was definitely the London Marathon. The training was fun and the atmosphere and people that I met at the event were amazing. I finished in 4 hours and 22 mins and am very proud of that achievement. I am currently training for the NW Ultra in April and would like to try & do more fell /trail races in future.
My role as Membership Secretary involves registering new club members with both the club and Welsh Athletics, adding them to our facebook group.
I am wearing vest number 339 in the above photo
Club Secretary & Club Captain
Nicki Triggs
i first started running in 2017 with the goal of completing the Mersey Tunnel 10k in October. I’d previously been involved in other sports like rowing and open-water swimming, however running felt like a real challenge and certainly didn’t come naturally to me. I kept myself accountable by training with a group of friends on Saturday mornings, slowly increasing the distance but keeping a similar steady pace. Very quickly, I found myself hooked and just five months later I was running the Liverpool Half Marathon. Fast forward to now, I’ve been a member of PRC for almost 2 years and I’m currently one of the club’s Captains. I joined shortly after moving to Prestatyn, to keep myself accountable for regular training, meet new people and feel part of a community. Beyond the obvious physical benefits, PRC offers a great social environment, with members from a range of backgrounds and various ages. In addition to the weekly training runs, we attend various road and off-road events throughout the year and turning up in club kit with other team members, genuinely creates a real sense of belonging. We have an inclusive environment for everyone, regardless of running ability so whether you’re just starting out on your running journey or training for an Ultramarathon, you’re sure to find like-minded people here to support you!
Male Welfare Officer & Run Leader
James Rogers
A short bio will appear here shortly
Social Co-ordinator
Clare Manley
I have been running for 11 years , and started using a couch to 5k book . I enjoy running as I love to be outside in the fresh air , and want to maintain my fitness and wellbeing . I like being a member of a club because I enjoy running with others , helping each other along and motivating each other. I have made great friendships within the club.
I enjoy helping organise social events within the club and also enjoy marshalling at events and generally helping where ever I am needed.
In the above photo, I am wearing race number 331
Committee Member
Mike Davis
I ran as a teenager & represented school and county (Surrey) but as an adult since 1986. I ran because I could forget the pressures of life & work, that also helps by being in a club & training with friends to help us all improve. Since 1986 helping to start up my old club Skipton A C & joining PRC i've always been a committee member as Chair, Vice chair,& juniors coach, maintaining PRC going in a positive direction.
Committee Member & Run Leader
Julie Evans
So, I never expected to join a running club. In October 2014 I did the Great North Run with my brother, because we wanted to. Trained, my way, which was not very good but managed to complete it and was more than happy.
In February 2016 I went to Saints Gym to join a gym class. The class was cancelled and I was a bit disappointed. A friend asked me why I didn’t go with Prestatyn Running Club (PRC) for a run as they were doing a 10 week couch to 5km session. My response was not likely. She introduced me to Duncan, who I actually knew and so I said I would ‘give it a try’ that night. I continued with the couch to 5km and then joined PRC.
In 2021 I was ‘lucky’ enough to run the London Marathon having won my place in the club drawer.
I am an active member of the club and one of the many run leaders that we have. I marshal races both for the club and for Run Wales.
I am very approachable and good at ‘encouraging’ participants in races that they are doing well and to keep going. I am currently an active committee member and have been for a number of years
Committee Member
Mark Dakeyne
I started running when I lived in Essex in the 1980’s, completing 2 marathons and some shorter races in between playing football for my local team. When I moved to North Wales more than 30 years ago, I joined the ‘legendary’ Berserkers when my love of running up, down and around hills was born. Since then, I have completed Marathon Eryri 5 times, and taken part in many fell and trail races.
I joined Prestatyn Running Club in 2023 to give my running fresh impetus. So far, I’ve enjoyed the cross country and Tuesday evening fell races that I’ve been able to attend, as well as the Tuesday morning session with fellow retirees on the Meadows.
Although a newcomer to the club I’ve soon been made to feel at home. I’m happy to help on the Committee and contribute to the club going forward.
Committee Member & Run Leader
Ben Thomas
I should start off by saying I’ve loved running all my life. Apparently though bare faced lying isn’t appropriate for committee members! So in more truthful prose; I despised running in my Teens, I strongly disliked running in my Twenties and then in my early Thirties something odd happened and I found myself at the start line of the 2019 Berlin Marathon…. in the rain! A rather love-hate relationship with the sport followed until joining Prestatyn Running Club in 2022 where I was able to focus on the love aspect of that fairly fickle relationship. In the relatively short time that I have been a member of the club I have ventured into Cross Country, Trail Running, Fell Running and completed my first Ultra Marathon. The encouragement from my fellow team members has been nothing shy of fab’ and has in no small way been key to my continued enjoyment for the sport and ongoing joyful participation. In a bid to be more useful I have recently qualified as a Run Leader to help support on the training runs and I am excited to be able to support further through joining the committee.
Club Captain & Run Leader
Mandy Cartwright
I started running in 2018 and joined PRC in 2021 to meet like- minded people and progress my running abilities. After running on our local mountain, I was soon encouraged to partake in fell running for the club. I started competing in the Tuesday Night Fell Series, hosted by one of our neighbouring running clubs, Eryri Harriers. Once you get the fell running ‘bug’ you are always looking out for that next adventure. I have now progressed to longer and increasingly steeper ascent/decent mountains such as Tal y fan and Yr Wyddfa. The Welsh Fell Running Association has many races on its annual calender, and you will find me entering quite a few of these throughout the year. Hope to see some of you there or at our regular training sessions in Prestatyn.
Club Captain
Lee Bailey
I've always ran, but never really taken it seriously. That was until Covid happened and that was all we could do. At that point I was already training for a local trail marathon and never looked back. Since then I've mostly spent my time training for mountainous Ultras including 50km, 50m and 100k courses. I returned back to Prestatyn RC in 2021 after an 8 year gap. I attend club on a Wednesday evening and really enjoy the easy 10k routes where we get to have a good old natter. I represent the club at Cross-country and at Fell races (these are my favourites) and I might turn out for the odd winter road race. For me, the best days are the Cross-country events where we all gather as a large team under the shelter of a gazebo and share stories of how muddy we all are. In my role as captain I encourage participation in races (especially the off-road versions), welcome new members, and have especially enjoyed helping people feel confident to enter into the world of Fell and Ultra running. See you Wednesday, come and say hello!
Club Captain
Sophie Johnson
My love of running began on the hills of Halkyn Mountain, where I completed Couch to 5k in 2018. I took part in a few Parkrun events, but didn’t run for a team or enter any races until I joined Prestatyn in Autumn 2021. Here the running bug continued as I started to train more and enter all sorts of races.
Whether racing or training, my heart lies in the hills and mountains. I’m not the fastest, but it’s where I get the most joy from running. I’m partial to a bit of cross country racing and do take part in road races, but hills are my thing so flat road races are mostly avoided! Over the last 2 years I’ve entered increasingly challenging fell/mountain races and endeavour to improve on my skills and speed.
Running with the club has given me a lot of confidence and when not racing I enjoy cheering on team mates and marshalling at some events.
Since Spring 2023 the team of 6 captains have been working together to support and encourage individuals, and team as a whole. We have a really friendly, inclusive and supportive crew, and always have a great time at races and training - regardless of the weather!
Club Captain
Liz Martin
I stared running back in 1998 at university, a friend said come and do a mountain marathon in Scotland it would be fun! So I competed in the Low Alpine Mountain Marathon. It was a 2-day orienteering event around Ardgour in Scotland. It was indeed fun but tough. I then met my husband on the train on my return! Following that I entered many more LAMMs and also the KIM, with my husband. Running this when I was 6 months pregnant with my first son! We completed the Chester half & Great North Run in 1999. I then had a family but continued running, doing the Lake Vyrnwy half in 2007, and Conway half in 2011. My Mum sadly became ill with MMD and passed away so I did Coniston 14 to raise money for MMD in her memory in 2012. I joined Prestatyn running club around this time & have competed in many races with the club, park runs, road races, cross country, fell and trail. My husband joined the club and even our sons ran a few races. They often came with me cheering on the side-lines and taking photos. I mostly run for fun and the social side but my husband and I have a fun competitive banter. (I generally beat him!) Last year post covid I set myself a challenge to complete the entire club cross country and border league races in one season. This meant that I won the clubs grand prix trophy with the most points for participation! As club captain I just want to encourage all runners and it is not about being the fastest it is about participation and enjoying it and setting your own goals and challenges. There is something for everyone.
Club Captain & Run Leader
David Ellis
I started running in 2021 with the intention to just get myself fit. I was out running each morning running between 1-2 miles each time. Not only did it improve my running, I found it helped my mental health and also got me ready for the workday. After running solo for several months, I eventually joined PRC in September 2021. Initially, it was strange to run with other people, but I soon got used to this and found it much more enjoyable to have others to run with and have a chat at the same time. I believe that being associated with the running club gave me an enhanced purpose when it came to race day, as results were not only for me but for the whole club. It was a pleasant surprise to get voted in as one of the captains, where my role involves doing several things such as promoting the club, encouraging fellow members, writing a captains report, and helping recruit new members. The thing I like about the club is that no matter your ability everyone is treated the same. Every level is catered for & everyone is welcome at PRC
Committee Member
Andy Clark
My running journey started fairly late on in my life, after joining the club with friends and family and on completing the beginner’s course back in 2018. Prior to this point, I had not enjoyed or done any running as far back as my teenage years. On completion of the beginner’s course, I decided to continue on account of the progress made and the confidence that this gave me, which resulted in myself gaining the most improved male runner club award in 2019.
I have made some good friendships in my time with the club, and with their support and encouragement, running has become a key part of my life and has resulted in my taking part in variety of running events, culminating in running with fellow club members in the Chester Ultra 50 mile Marathon, along with the London Marathon back in 2021, which I have to say I would never have even contemplated before taking up running with the support of the club.
More recently, I attended and qualified as a run leader in September 2023, which also included being licenced as a guide for partially sighted and visually impaired runners.
I have been an active member of the club and the committee for some time now, and I always try to support and encourage anyone who is looking to take up running for the physical and social benefits along with being part of a supportive and inclusive network, who all share the same interest and enjoyment of running.
Committee Member
Nem James
I started running in 2018, after completing a ‘Couch to 5K’ course, after searching for a 5K race in Prestatyn, I found that Prestatyn Running Club at the time hosted a “Ffrith 5k” race. I entered that to test my time in preparation for a Tough Mudder later that year.
I now try to keep fit by running with the club twice a week and aim to run a parkrun every Saturday. Along with running at Saturday parkruns, I am a Run Director at the Sunday junior parkruns.
I’ve increased my mileage up to running half marathons, and hope to complete a triathlon next year. I enjoy the social aspect of the club, which throughout the year holds something for everyone.
Committee Member & Run Leader
Jo Lewis
I updated my Welsh Athletics Run Leader qualification this year. Running’s been part of my life since starting as an Abergele Harrier back in 2007. From day one, I’ve squeezed running in amidst raising family, balancing a career and life in general. Infact, I still maintain that running helped me both physically and mentally to juggle it all. This was always helped too by the friendships I’ve made through running - nothing beats a run and a good old natter!
I’m championing the Back to Running group at Prestatyn RC. I wanted to offer a relaxed option on club nights to welcome anyone wanting to get back - for whatever reason. I’ve enjoyed being part of our friendly club since 2012, chipping in to support the club as committee member, Ladies’ Captain and one of the original Run Leaders in 2015 when the club first launched its successful Beginners Programme. I’m also a Guide Runner for the Blind or Visually Impaired. When it comes to my own running preferences ..I adore getting up into the hills and the Clwydians in particular.
My proudest running moment has to be at one of our club favourite outings to Deestriders Off Road Series this year, when both my daughter and son represented Team PRC too.