Gareth's Press Report - 25th August 2025

The weather on Bank Holiday Monday was ideal for lazing on the beach, certainly not for racing, but over 250 runners took to the hills.

Once again the annual Cilcain mountain race incorporated the North Wales and Welsh championships, drawing a good quality field.

Though only 4.5-miles, the up-and-down event is a real tester, and the stifling heat made it more of a challenge than usual.

Seven members of Prestatyn Running Club took part, with off-road captain Gareth Jones leading the squad home. He was followed by Judah Eastwell, making a rare outing on the hills, then Leah Hughes, Reg Jonas, Mark Dakeyne, Nem James and Rachel Jackson, The full results were not available at the time of going to Press.

By contrast, conditions were perfect for Saturday’s Nova Parkrun, with no breeze and a mild temperature.

Twenty-two club members took part and four of them recorded pbs. Among them was Tom Carter, who was second overall, while Eve Manifold was again the first female home.

The placings were: 2 Tom Carter 16.58 (pb), 7 Alex Ryder 18.49, 10 Dafydd Montgomery 19.35, 16 Dave Ellis 20.44, 17 Jonah Armstrong 20.47, 21 Darrell Jones 20.53, 27 Eve Manifold 21.39, 30 Paul Sanders 21.53, 48 Meg Lewis 23.18, 59 Neil Davidson 23.58 (pb), 74 Nem James 24.51, 75 Matty Smith 24.51, 90 Lewis Pierce 25.19, 101 Martin Cortvriend 26.20, 110 Rachel Jackson 26.48 (pb), 118 Mark Dakeyne 27.05, 130 Casey Blake 27.55 (pb), 142 Glenda Roberts 28.38, 157 Mike Davis 29.33, 210 Olivia Standring-Jones 32.14, 221 Davidd Hudd 33.10, 270 Roger Harrison-Jones 39.09.

Other Parkruns:-

Conwy: 108 Steve Weedman 25.00, 229 Debbie Weedman 30.25.

Chester: 320 Steve Hatfield 37.57.

Princes (Liverpool): 411 Emma Birchall 34.23.

King’s Lynn: 96 Ed Shirt 24.56.

Last week Alex Ryder took to the track again at the Deeside Endurance  Open Meeting. He is always prepared to take on a quality field but in his 1,500 metres heat found himself  among some class athletes.

Though dropped early on, he battled bravely and finished in a commendable 5-03.