Gareth's Press Report - 11th October 2026

Prestatyn Running Club’s Paul Robson was happy to complete his first marathon on Sunday, enabling him to claim “I’m now the third fastest marathon runnerin the family”.

Paul was one of 11 club members in the Chester Marathon, one of the country’s largest, and has some way to go to match the record of his parents Richard and Mary.

Both were tough competitors in the 1980s, Richard, in particular, being one of the most respected distance runners in North Wales.

In the Queensferry – Prestatyn North Wales Marathon he clocked 2-30 and among his many other achievements he was the first British runner in the Amsterdam Marathon.

Mary, like Richard a club captain at the time, chalked up numerous impressive times including 3-10 in the North Wales Marathon.

Paul had good reason to be satisfied with his time as he had twice trained for marathons only to have to withdraw through injury.

Several members were delighted with their performances in Chester. Dafydd Montgomery, the club’s first finisher, took 15 minutes off last year’s time and Oliver Birch-Jones did even better, improving his pb by 29 minutes.

The results were: Dafydd Montgomery 2-56.20, Oliver Birch-Jones 2-57.42, Ben Lewis 3-22.47, Lewis Pierce 3-29.21, Jack Hughes and Robert Grima 3-29.46, Tom Gregory 3-59.18, Paul Robson 4-13.28, Nem James 4-43.28, Owen Gibson 5-03.44, Katie Newe 5-22.11 (13 minutes faster than last year).

In the Chester Metric Marathon (16.3m) Luke Bodman returned to form, clocking 1-56.04. Zack Webster and Olivia Trimm crossed the line together in 2-36.54 and Laura Rich finished in 2-59.18.

Conditions were also perfect on Sunday for the Wirral 10k, George Williams clocking 55.18 and Andy Scott in 57.01.

Competitors in Saturday’s Nova Parkrun faced a severe headwind in the early stages and some of the marathon runners prepared for Sunday’s races with a gentle workout. Alex Ryder, Jack Lally, Paul Sanders, Nem James and Jo Lewis, were on pacemaking duty.

The race produced double wins for the club, with Tom Carter first overall and Michelle Meredith-Roberts first lady.

Placings: 1 Tom Carter 19.03, 7 Alex Ryder 22.17, 9 David Hudd 22.29, 10 Adam Jeffers 22.36, 11 Jack Lally 22.40, 16 Paul Sanders 23.41, 18 Jonah Armstrong 23.49, 20 Jamie Betts 23.52, 21 Marc Jones 23.55, 24 Michelle Meredith-Roberts 24.16, 27 Lewis Pierce 24.36, 31 Jack Hughes 24.51, 32 Robert Grima 24.53, 36 Oliver Birch-Jones 25.15, 37 Ben Lewis 25.19, 51 Reg Jonas 26.49, 52 Ann Claire Jones 26.56, 59 Neil Davidson 27.16, 63 Zack Webster 27.25, 67 Rhian Jones 27.54, 69 Alice Archer 27.58, 71 Nem James 28.15, 96 Heather Battersby 30.47, 103 Nicki Triggs 31.51, 104 Ben Thomas 31.52, 105 Mike Davis 31.53, 116 Helen Alefounder 32.45, 156 Julia Evans 38.32, 157 Jo Lewis 38.33.

Other Parkruns:- Llandrillo yn Rhos: 71 Martin Cortvriend 24.25, 258 Rachel Peel 33.15, 283 Helen Baxandall 36.02.

Greenfield Valley: 12 Stephen Langley 26.10, 31 Debbie Jones 30.00.

Wepre: 32 Glenda Roberts 31.33, 37 Karl Martin 32.09, 38 Liz Martin 32.11, 44 Cara Jones 33.19, 72 Julie Evans 44.28.

Newborough: 52 Andy Carter 27.54.

Brimstage (Birkenhead): 379 Brian Williams 34.31.

Fulham Palace: 326 Cathy Wood 29.26.

With the long dark nights now upon us many women may feel nervous about running alone, and so the club is backing the Welsh Athletics “Own the Night” campaign.

The first group session – a 5k run – will be on October 25, starting at the Kite Surf Cafe on Rhyl Promenade.