Gareth's Press Report - 5th July 2026

Over the years Prestatyn Running Club members have been the biggest supporters of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix and this season that has been more noticeable than ever.

In last week’s event, the second of the four-race series in Shotton, over a quarter of the 93 participants were wearing the red vests and 13 of them claimed top-three places in their age-groups.

Another very encouraging feature was that five of the members were making their debuts in the event. In contrast, only two of the club’s ladies turned out while 10 of them were in action two days later in the Nova Parkrun.

What augurs well for the future was that the club had the first three finishers in the under-20 men’s class.

The placings were: 2 Tom Carter 24.06 (1stM40), 4 Oliver Birch-Jones 25.24 (1st U20), 11 Thomas Gregory 26.35 (2nd U20), 13 Jack Richards 27.17 (3rd U20), 18 Daniel Gallagher 28.25, 27 Robert Grima 29.24, 29 Dafydd Montgomery 29.36, 30 Steve Stocker 29.48 (3rd M50), 31 Ed Shirt 29.55, 32 Jack Hughes 30.20, 34 Marc Jones 30.39 (2nd M60), 35 Paul Sanders 30.55, 38 Owen Jones 31.25, 39 Jenna Bagnall 31.28 (3rd lady), 45 Judah Eastwell 32.08, 55 Owen Gibson 33.58, 58 Martin Cortvriend 34.55 (1st M70), 60 Paul Robson 35.28, 64 Nem James 36.23, 66 Philip Howarth 36.29 (3rd M70), 78 Glenda Roberts 39.41 (1st L65), 91 Gareth Hughes 47.40 (1st M80), 92 Mike Davis 47.40 (1st M75), 93 Steve Hatfield 60.10 (2nd M75).

Eight  of those members were in action again 36 hours later in Parkruns, and again there were some encouraging points, including the return to the club of Michelle Meredith-Roberts. The club’s supervets have also had a boost with the finalising the transfer of Brian Williams from Ellesmere Port.

A total of 27 members took part in the Nova event, where they faced a strong wind in the opening and closing stages. Some of them once again took on the role of pacemakers for the various groups.

The positions were: 8 Jonathon Puleston-Jones 19.59, 12 Alex Ryder 20.05, 15 Lisa Lines 21.04 (1st lady), 17 Thomas Watkiss 21.11, 18 Dafydd Montgomery 21.12, 19 Robert Grima 21.19 (pb), 20 Adam Jeffers 21.34, 28 Marc Jones 21.43, 29 Tim Cahill 22.51, 32 David Hudd 23.00, 38 Michelle Meredith-Roberts 23.32 (pb), 40 Erin Thomas 23.42, 43 Eve Manifold 23.52, 46 Beth English 24.01 (pb), 47 Paul Sanders 24.22, 48 Jamie Betts 24.22, 52 Jack Lally 24.53, 54 Judah Eastwell 24.58, 60 Tilly Jones 25.51, 85 Brian Williams 27.17, 99 Jo Lewis 28.29, 107 Mark Dakeyne 28.54, 147 Nem James 30.38, 174 Casey Blake 32.29, 175 Claire Manifold 32.33, 195 Claudia Smith 33.52, 271 Steve Hatfield 44.45.

Other Parkruns:-

Conwy: 41 Andy Thomas 25.02 (pb).

Skipton: 101 Neil Davidson 26.24.

Nant y Pandy: 92 Katie Newe 33.28.

Park in the Past: 40 Martin Cortvriend 25.24.

Newborough: 113 Liz Martin 29.56, 127 Karl Martin 30.38.

Penrhyn: 62 Andrew Carter 26.31.

Woodhouse Moor (Leeds): 286 Alice Archer 27.58.