Gareth's Press Report - 27th October 2025

Marathon Eryri, justifiably described as one of the country's toughest and most scenic marathons, is either blessed with gorgeous autumnal weather or extremely testing conditions, and this year the 2,800 competitors faced the latter.

The strong wind and rain were relentless, but that did not deter Prestatyn Running Club's captain Gareth Jones, who finished a brilliant 69th overall in 3-15.05, slicing a massive 36 minutes off the pb he set in 2022.

Recent recruit Owen Gibson finished in 1,904th place, clocking 5-45.16.

Two of the club's second-claim members also turned in excellent performances. Aled Hughes (GOGS) was 46th in 3-09.40, and Ella Jennings (Les Croupiers) was 393rd overall in 3-53.40.

Ed Shirt travelled to East Cheshire for the Macclesfield half-marathon and finished 76th overall in 1-36.42.

Another member who overcame the elements was Paul Sanders, the club's only representative in the Porth Eirias 10k which,although mainly flat, contains a couple of stiff climbs near Llanddulas. In the circumstances, he was delighted to set a pb of 46.35.

A total of 35 members turned out for the second fixture of the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country League in Eirias Park and the senior men's, male veterans', senior ladies and over-65 men's teams remain in contention for top three places. With a big turnout in the remaining three fixtures promotion from Division 2 is a real possibility.

Once again there were superb performances from Tom Carter and Steve Skates, with the former getting the better of his slightly older clubmate on this occasion.

Lisa Lines again led the ladies home, but there was a very bright debut by Beth English and another big improvement by Rachel Jackson.

 Senior men: 10 Tom Carter 29.34 (2nd M40), 12 Steve Skates 29.59 (1st M45), 47 Oliver Birch-Jones 32.54, 52 Jonah Armstrong 33.29, 75 Ben Garnett 35.13, 89 Danny Williams 36.10, 106 Ben Thomas 38.28, 110 Marc Jnes 38.46, 116 Judah Eastwell 39.07. Team: 4th on the day, 2nd on aggregate. Masters 6th on the day, 3rd on aggregate.

Men over 65: 19 Neil Davidson 23.52, 20 Martin Cortvriend 24.07 (3rd M70), 24 Reg Jonas 24.23, 28 Arwel Jones 25.36, 30 Philip Howarth 25.44, 32 Mark Dakeyne 26.32, 40 Gareth Hughes 28.10 (2nd M75), 41 George Nixon 28.37, 44 Grahame Shone 30.51, 47 Roger Harrison-Jones 37.17 (1st M85). Team: 7th on the day, 3rd on aggregate.

Ladies: 18 Lisa Lines 20.53, 44 Helen Ashworth 22.55, 57 Meg Lewis 23.54, 62 Beth English 24.12, 84 Rachel Jackson 25.19, 102 Sue Hughes 27.20, 107 Nicki Triggs 28.07, 111 Glenda Roberts 28.21, 113 Cath Wood 28.30, 118 Cara Jones 29.13, 122 Liz Martin 29.30, 123 Debbie Jones 29.35, 129 Jo Edwards 31.27, 131 Emma Birchall 32.16, 138 Clare Manley 36.16, 141 Julie Evans 40.27. Team: 7th on the day, 3rd on aggregate. Masters: 11th.

Unsurprisingly, competitors in the Nova Parkrun also had to contend with the weather on the promenade, though Alex Ryder did well to come second. The placings were: 2 Alex Ryder 18.53, 20 Lewis Pierce 24.15, 36 Ed Shirt 26.15, 43 Steve Weedman 20.26, 44 Zack Webster 26.49, 83 Claire Manifold 30.07, 84 Andy Scott 30.08, 108 Claudia Smith 32.09, 128 Debbie Weedman 33.04.

Other Parkrun results:- Ruthin: 5 David Hudd 21.17.

University of Stirling: 5 David Ellis 19.23.