Gareth's Press Report - 12th August 2025

There was the usual large contingent from the club in the third race of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix in Shotton, and with only one remaining several are in line for age-group awards.

Tom Carter was again the club’s first finisher, coming fourth overall, and he closely followed by Dave Ellis.

Erin Thomas had another excellent run, coming second female overall, with Eve Manifold, Sue Hughes and Mike Davis again winning their categories.

Results: Tom Carter 24.58, Dave Ellis 26.15, Gareth Jones 27.05, Matty Smith 27.42, Steve Stocker 28.36, Marc Jones 29.46, Dean Longley 29.49, Erin Thomas 30.38, Eve Manifold 32.24, Megan Lewis 32.40, Paul Sanders 32.54, Zack Webster 33.21, Nem James 34.10, Philip Howarth 34.22, Sue Hughes 38.31, Mike Davis 41.14, Carly Wong 41.38, Debbie Jones  41.52, Nicki Triggs 44.01, Liz Martin  44.55, Emma Birchall 47.08, Steve Hatfield 55.39, Julie Evans 56.22.

About the same number turned out in the club’s annual handicap race on the Morfa, which was organised by Ben Thomas.

Darrell Jones recorded the fastest time for the 5k course, clocking 20.12, but after taking the handicap into consideration the best time was  - 30.43 – was that of Sophie Reddaway.  The closest estimate to one’s finishing time came from Nem James, who was just one second off-target.

The net finishing times were: Darrell Jones 20.12, Chris Snow 20.15, Lewis Pierce 20.31, Marc Jones 20.50,  Eve Manifold 21.44, Paul Sanders 22.03, Efan Lewis 23.02, Meg Lewis 23.20, Chris Bennett 22.59, Zack Webster 23.36, Dean Longley 23.56, Canyon Wilson 23.59, Nem James 23.59, Patrick Haberland 23.37,  Martin Cortvriend 24.37,  Philip Howarth 25.00, Arwel Jones 25.31,  Tilly Jones 25.42, Rebecca Bishop 26.10, Sue Hughes 26.25,  Brian Williams 27.10,  Mark Dakeyne 28.02, Cara Jones 28.02, Mike Davis 29.35, Sophie Reddaway 30.49, Emma Birchall 32.11.

Only five members travelled to Caernarfon on Sunday for the 10k race which incorporated the North Wales championships. Darrell Jones was again the fastest finisher, and was second in his M60 class.

The results were: 86 Darrell Jones 43.30, 117 Meg Lewis 48.07, 205 Ally Reid 53.43, 209 Beth English 54.08, 320 Jo Edwards 66.48.

With 15 members enjoying a social run on Conwy mountain there were fewer than usual in Parkrun action on Saturday.

Nova Parkrun results: 3 Jonah Armstrong 19.18, 5 Dave Ellis 19.49, 6 Alex Ryder 20.10, 10 Lewis Pierce 21.21, 13 Darrell Jones 21.54, 41 Paul Sanders 24.51, 89 Mark Dakeyne 27.23, 90 Chris Bennett 27.23, 91 Andy Scott 27.26.

Conwy: 167 Casey Blake 28.54.

Greenfield Valley: 65 Steve Hatfield 38.22.

Ruthin: 49 Glenda Roberts 29.40.

Falkirk: 22 Oliver Birch-Jones 20.58.

Peel  (Salford): 118 Martin Cortvriend 24.02.

King’s Lynn: 173 Ed Shirt 28.13.

Alderford Lake (Whitchurch): 22 Judah Eastwell 22.51.

This Friday ((15th)) the club is holding another social run in Cyffylliog, near Ruthin, to be followed by a meal in the nearby Red Lion.

It’s not for nothing that club member Arwel Jones was once dubbed “Stato” for his encyclopaedic knowledge of past races  and his vast collection of Athletics Weekly magazines.

Scanning the edition for August 8, 1975, last week he came across one particularly interesting result from the British Schools’ track and field international held that year – exactly 50 years ago - in Colwyn Bay.

Third in the boys’ 1,500m steeplechase, with a time of 4-35.7, was a certain A Jones of Wales – yes, Arwel.

Among other familiar names listed was Eamonn Martin, who came second in the boys’ 1,500m that day, and who later went on to win the London Marathon on 1991, the last Briton to do so.