Gareth's Press Report - 19th April 2026

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 (141st  in 35.33).

 Veteran Tim Cahill, who has been dogged by injury, made a comeback in the second race in the Tuesday Evening Fell-Racing Series on Conwy Mountain, which attracted a large field of 178.

 The club results were: 38 Gareth Jones 35.20, 61 Ben Thomas 37,12, 109 Rachel Jackson 44.58, 113 Andy Thomas 45.32, 114 Neil Davidson 45.55, 118 Tim Cahill 46.09, 152 Nem James 52.23, 154 Phil Howarth 52.41, 155 Mark Dakeyne 52.51, 165 Nicki Triggs 57.37, 166 Karl Martin 57.39, 171 Liz Martin 59.08.

 On Sunday Andy Thomas was the club’s sole representative in the Traws Trail race, an undulating 8.6-mile event around Trawsfynydd Lake. Conditions were ideal, and Andy, who finished 75th in 70.08, has already put next year’s race in his diary.

 The club had a 1-2 in the Nova Parkrun, with Tom Carter taking first place and regular winner Alex Ryder having to settle for second. The first woman home, in 10th place overall, was former PRC member Katie Parry (Leeds City), who set a course pb of 20.57.

 The club placings were: 1 Tom Carter 17.44, 2 Alex Ryder 18.20, 9 Dafydd Montgomery 20.45, 11 Jonah Armstrong 21.07, 12 Adam Jeffers 21.16, 14 Oliver Birch-Jones 22.07, 16 Judah Eastwell 22.12, 23 Ben Thomas 23.23, 27 Darrell Jones 23.46, 28 Paul Sanders 23.48, 34 Reg Jonas 24.43, 39 Andy Thomas 25.24, 41 Steve Weedman 25.34, 49 Jamie Betts 26.20, 71 Jack Lally 27.59, 88 Nicki Triggs 28.54, 89 Eve Manifold 28.56, 90 Tilly Jones 28.58, 99 Andy Scott 29.53, 106 Nem James 30.25, 111 Claire Manifold 30.42, 112 Alice Archer 30.43, 119 Debbie Weedman 31.16, 144 Claudia Smith 34.12.

 A group of the club’s ladies were joined by Andy Carter in Hope for the Park in the Past Parkrun where they were supporting the Feel, Find, Mind, campaign. Their positions were: 53 Ann Claire Jones 27.32, 54 Andy Carter 27.53, 108 Emma Birchall 35.53, 128 Julie Evans 41.40 (pb).

 Other Parkruns results were:-

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos: 314 Rachael Peel 34.42.

Greenfield Valley: 16 Martin Cortvriend 25.12, 28 Cathy Wood 28.29, 49 Steve Hatfield 40.04.

Flint: 4 Ben Garnett 19.57, 249 Ian Cummins 56.46.

Aberystwyth: 46 Rachel Jackson 25.07.

 Next Sunday six members who have been in good form in recent months will be hoping iy will continue when they join the 50,000 runners in the London Marathon. They are Marc Jones, Canyon Wilson, Nem James, Dafydd Montgomery, Jamie Betts and Darrell Jones.

 The club’s awards night is being held at Rhuddlan Golf Club on May 8 and the annual Rhewl Run will be held on May 20. Those wishing to attend in Rhewl are asked to notify Clare Manley or Sue Hughes.