Gareth's Press Report - 27th September 2026

Prestatyn Running Club’s resources will be severely tested next weekend with three big events on the programme.

On Saturday the club, jointly with Denbigh Harriers, hosts the opening fixture of the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country League at Llanerch, St Asaph.

The venue was used for the first time last year and the course proved extremely popular with athletes despite horrendous weather for the junior races in the morning.

The following day the Borders Road-Running League also gets underway when Wrexham AAC host a meeting in Llandegla Forest.

The club’s ladies gained promotion to Division 1 in both Leagues last year, as did the men in the Borders League, and a strong turnout is required in all races to retain their places. It is an ideal opportunity for some of the club’s recent recruits to make their debuts in both competitions.

To add to the congestion several members have entered Sunday’s Cardiff half-marathon, one of the biggest in the country.

Last weekend three members competed in different half-marathons, and all chalked up pbs.

Cathy Wood was the club’s representative in the annual Trailffest half-marathon one of the most scenic races in North Wales.

Starting in Tanygrisiau, near Ffestiniog, it is all off-road and includes several testing climbs before finishing along the Cob in Porthmadog.

It was Cathy’s third outing in the event and she was rightly pleased with her time of 3-05.06, one minute faster than last year, especially as a diversion meant that it was half a mile longer. Out of 203 finishers she was placed 165th.

In the Shrewsbury Half Daniel Gallagher sliced a massive six minutes off his previous best, coming 30th overall in 1-26.40. His previous best was in the Liverpool Half in February, 2025.

On the same day Paul Robson clocked 1-46.24 in the Aintree Half, his best time by three minutes since his return to running.

Yet another lifetime pb was claimed by Heather Battersby – this time in the Sheffield10k. After a hilly start she made up lost ground in the closing stages to finish in 58.31.

Newborough Forest was the venue for the annual Sandman Triathlon, and three Prestatyn members competed in the standard event . The swim was replaced by a 5k run, and was followed by a 42 mile bike ride and 10k run.

Nick Chadwick was placed 57th with an aggregate time of 2-59.36 (30.17, 1-32.08. 52.07), Ben Thomas 76th in 3-06.24 (27.45, 1-33.40, 60.01) and Nicki Triggs 146th in 3-37.09 (35.20, 1-42.50, 1-13.37).

Responding to expressions of interest at various recent events, the club launched its latest Couch-to-5k programme on Sunday, and there are still places available. Details can be obtained on Facebook or Instagram.

Conditions were ideal for Saturday’s Parkrun, with four of the 28 club members in action recordings pbs.

The results of those with club profiles were:- Nova: 4 Alex Ryder 18.18, 14 Dafydd Montgomery 20.39, 21 Eve Manifold 21.49 (1st lady), 26 Ben Lewis 22.12, 34 Dave Ellis 23.08, 43 Katie Baker 24.18 (pb), 45 Paul Sanders 24.36, 56 Chris Bennett 25.23, 59 Marc Jones 25.24. 61 Mark Dakeyne25.26, 62 Ann Claire Jones 25.27, 75 Rhian Jones 26.27 (pb), 77 Jamie Betts 26.28, 79 Geraint Blackwell 26.42 (pb), 99 Andy Scott 27.50, 119 Alice Archer 29.09, 135 Jack Lally 30.40, 139 Grahame Shone 30.45, 168 Claire Manifold 32.31, 204 Judah Eastwell 36.35, 205 Julia Evans 36.43. 261 Steve Hatfield 56.27 (Tailwalker).

Greenfield Valley: 28 Cara Jones 29.08 (pb), 30 Glenda Roberts 29.47, 49 Julie Evans 40.21, 56 Suzanne Evans 46.27.

Chester: 144 Andrew Carter 29.00.

Conwy: 64 Nem James 27.21.