Gareth's Press Report - 31st August 2025

Weekly press report (prepared by Gareth H): A triathlon is tough enough on its own but Prestatyn Running Club’s Oliver Birch-Jones completed a remarkable “tri” at the weekend, completing three events in three days, the third being a standard-length triathlon.

On Friday evening he was one of five club members in a high-class field at the Mid-Cheshire 5k and was just one second outside his pb.

The following day he and Nicki Triggs took on a new challenge, the Across Mersey Swim.It began at Liverpool’s Coburg Wharf, and was closely scrutinized by Wirral Coastguards, Harbourside Sea School and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. On completing the swim in Birkenhead each of the 120 brave participants was congratulated by the Mayor of Wirral and High Sheriff of Merseyside.

The final results have not yet been released, but according to Strava Nicki and Oliver finished in 41 minutes.

The results from the Mid-Cheshire 5k were: 209 Tom Carter 16.21(pb), 253 Jonah Armstrong 16.39, 470 Dave Ellis 17.41 (pb), 250 Oliver Birch-Jones 17.53. 519 Dafydd Montgomery 18.18.

For Jonah, too, it was a busy weekend, following up Friday’s race with a Parkrun and then a rare outing on the hills on Sunday . He chose a tough one, the Gladstone 9 above Penmaenmawr which involves 855 metres of ascent.

Gareth Jones, who stands third M40 in the North Wales fell-racing championship series, was the first of the club’s trio of runners and was second in his class on the day.

The placings were: 19 Gareth Jones 1-33.36, 29 Jonah Armstrong 1-42.49, 80 Mark Dakeyne 2-22.54.

With the results of the Bank Holiday Monday Cilcain Mountain race now in hand it has been confirmed that Gareth Jones took silver in the M40 class in the North Wales championship and Judah Eastwell bronze. Reg Jonas won bronze in the M60 category in both the North Wales and Welsh championship.

The placings were: 37 Gareth Jones 40.28, 122 Judah Eastwell 51.21, 164 Leah Hughes 56.41, 165 Reg Jonas 57.11, 174 Mark Dakeyne 58.37, 203 Nem James 62.16, 216 Rachel Jackson 65.07.

Another member in Tri action at the weekend was second-claimer Darren Thompson, who was called up for the GP team for the European Tri Championships in Turkey. Now a first-claim member for the GOGS club, he finished 15th in the 55-59 age-group.

Less than 24 hours after his 5k race Dafydd Montgomery set a new course pb of 19.01 in the Ruthin Parkrun, finisnhing second overall. At the same event Arwel Jones was 27th in 24.40.

Other Parkrun results:- Nova: 3 Alex Ryder 18.56, 6 Jonah Armstrong 20.30, 9 Marc Jones 20.52 (pb), 10 Dave Ellis 20.52, 12 Darrell Jones 21.02, 13 Lewis Pierce 21.08, 26 Ed Shirt 23.16, 39 Zack Webster 24.16, 44 Martin Cortvriend 24.32, 45 Will Lines 24.36, 62 Phillip Howarth 25.47, 82 Casey Blake 27.59, 102 Andy Scott 29.04, 153 Claire Manifold 33.09.

Greenfield Valley: 27 Steve Weedman 25.10, 40 Rachel Jackson 27.43 (pb), 46 Cathy Wood 28.55, 48 Debbie Jones 29.11, 67 Debbie Weedman 31.22, 90 Steve Hatfield 37.29.

Knowsley (Feel, Find, Mind campaign visit): 83 Cara Jones 29.26, 125 Emma Birchall 33.59, 146 Clare Manley 38.14, 179 Julie Evans 59.06, 180 Ann Claire Jones 59.08.

Sherwood Pines: 204 Claudia Smith 21.30.

Dolgellau: 45 Glenda Roberts 31.20.