Different types of steps challenged our team this weekend - Gareth's press report 2nd March 2025

Less than 24 hours after learning the steps at the club’s ceilidh three members of Prestatyn Running Club faced steps of a more difficult kind in the Pipedream fell-race.

 The 4.2-mile race in Dolgarrog involves only 1,280 feet of ascents but most of the climbiing is up the very steep steps alongside the giant pipeline.

 Gareth Jones was the club’s first finisher, and he was followed by supervets Neil Davidson and Mark Dakeyne, both of whom has been in action on the dance floor the previous evening.

 The placings were: 38 Gareth Jones 44.00, 93 Neil Davidson 56.22, 117 Mark Dakeyne 64.54, 134 Ann Claire Jones 74.02, 136 Nicki Triggs 78.21, 138 Nem James 81.30.

 Linda Friar returned to competitive action on Sunday for the first time since breaking her ankle. She joined a large field in the St Helens 10k, clocking a confidence-boosting 77.07.

On a relatively quiet weekend a number of members got in some long-distance training for upcoming marathons and ultra-races. Six of the ladies are taking on the Lleyn 50k Women’s Ultra in April.

 Otherwise, it was Parkruns which once again provided the competition for members, with a total of 30 of them turning out at eight different venues.

 In the Nova run the most eyecatching performance came from Eve Manifold, who finished ninth overall and was the first lady finisher and took another 21 seconds off her pb.

 Placings: 3 Dafydd Montgomery 19.37 (pb), 6 Cam Askan 21.05, 8 Darrell Jones 21.38 (pb), 10 Ed Shirt 21.28, 9 Eve Manifold 21.50 (pb), 12 Jonah Armstrong 22.34, 14 Jamie Betts 23.06, 23 Lewis Pierce 23.31 (pb), 48 Zack Webster 26.43, 68 Debbie Jones 28.39 (pb), 70 Nem James 28.38, 72 Nicki Triggs 28.51, 73 Ben Thomas 28.52, 75 Martin Gill 29.02, 82 Grahame Shone 29.23, 91 Mike Davis 30.06, 162 Julie Evans 41.07, 172 Claudia Smith 44.43, 194 (Tailwalker) Simon Bonfield 63.25.

 Ruthin: 12 Darren Thompson 22.22, 24 Steve Weedman 24.01, 26 Arwel Jones 24.15 (pb), 67 Debbie Weedman 28.50.

 Croxteth Hall: 101 Vic Manley 25.06, 355 Clare Manley 33.37, Greenfield Valley: 27 Andrew Carter 28.01.

Newborough Forest: 38 Andy Clark 25.37.

 Marlay (Dublin): 61 Dave Ellis 21.38.

 Castlewellan (NI): 63 Martin Cortvriend 26.27.

 Palacerigg (Glasgow): 3 Oliver Birch-Jones 20.01.