Gareth's Press Report - 1st September 2026

The new regime of Prestatyn Running Club was more evident than ever over the weekend as a number of recent recruits made their mark.

Three of the six who turned out in the Mid-Cheshire 5k on Friday have all joined the club in the past 12 months, and all recorded new personal bests.

The course is one of the fastest in the country and again attracted a high-quality field, with over 460 finishing inside 18 minutes.

Though Ryan Bateman’s chip time was slightly faster, the club’s first finisher was Ben Lewis, who took 79 seconds off the time he clocked on the same course in May. Ryan made an even greater improvement, slicing three minutes off.

The placings were: 371 Ben Lewis 17.07 (pb), 413 Ryan Bateman 17.00 (pb), 605 Robert Grimma 19.00 (pb), 668 Tom Coen 19.13 (pb), 794 Marc Jones 20.12, 795 Ben Garnett 20.12.

Gareth Hughes was also in 5k action last week in the final race in the Wirral Seaside series from Leasowe. As is so often the case in the event, runners faced a stiff headwind all the way. Gareth finished in 28.24 and, with no M80 category, was second M70.

The Nova Parkrun produced a 1-2 for the club, with Jack Richards, who joined the club last year, recording his first victory. He was followed by Evan Lewis, who recently rejoined, and new recruit Sancho Edwards was close behind. All three recorded pbs.

The placings were: 1 Jack Richards 18.18 (pb), 2 Evan Lewis 18.43 (pb), 3 Sancho Edwards 19.14 (pb), 5 Jamie Betts 19.29, 6 Dafydd Montgomery 20.17, 17 Alex Ryder 21.43, 18 Parc Jones 21.44, 20 Eve Manifold 21.51, 23 Owen Gibson 22.24, 34 Tilly Jones 23.39 (pb), 35 Reg Jonas 23.40, 37 Andy Thomas 23.43, 62 Katie Baker 25.12, 68 Jenna Bagnall 26.00, 79 Philip Howarth 26.30, 84 Geraint Blackwell 27.12, 88 Rhian Jones 27.26, 109 Mark Dakeyne 28.53, 112 Cara Jones 28.58, 144 Mike Davis 31.59, 172 David Tudor 33.17, 189 Emma Birchall 35.20, 207 Linda Friar 37.42, 231 Julie Evans 40.01.

Other Parkrun results:- Greenfield Valley: 13 Ann Claire Jones 26.12 (1st lady), 40 Debbie Jones 30.29.

Llangollen: 64 Glenda Roberts 27.07.

Maarave (Germany): 44 Martin Cortvriend 24.43.

Chester: 310 Steve Hatfield 40.42.

Wepre: 25 Paul Robson 26.02.

Llandrillo-yn-Rhos: 200 Martyn Barnaby 27.30.

Southport: 120 Andrew Carter 26.40.

Conwy: 129 Claire Manifold 31.04.