Gareth's Press Report - 6th July 2025

The red vests of Prestatyn Running Club were prominent once again on Thursday, with 28 members making up over a quarter of the entire field in the second race of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix series in Shotton.

Twelve of them gained podium places, among them being debutante Erin Thomas, who had a superb run, finishing fourth lady overall and 1st in the U20 class.

The placings were: 2 Tom Carter 24.36 (1st M40), 13 Oliver Birch-Jones 26.21 (1st U20), 14 Dave Ellis 26.24, 15 Gareth Jones 26.35, 23 Lee Bailey 27.35, 27 Dean Longley 28.17, 28 Matty Smith 28.35, 29 Steve Stocker 28.30 (3rd M50), 34 Lewis Pierce 29.33, 37 Canyon Wilson 30.00, 38 Marc Jones 30.16 (2nd M60), 42 Erin Thomas 30.40 (1st FU20), 43 Darrell Jones 31.02 (3rd M60), 46 Judah Eastwell 31.53, 49 Simon Bonfield 32.10, 52 Paul Sanders 32.45, 67 Zack Webster 34.31, 71 Philip Howarth 35.06 (1st M70), 73 Nem James 35.17, 86 Sue Hughes 38.15 (1st L65), 92 Mike Davis 42.35 (1st M75), 93 Debbie Jones 42.42 (3rd L55), 97 Emma Birchall 47.50, 98 Clare Manley 49.14, 100 Steve Hatfield 57.34 (2nd M75), 101 Julie Evans 57.37 (3rd L60).

Less than 48 hours later Off-road captain Lee Bailey hit the hills once again, this time as part of the North Wales Police “A” team which on the annual Snowdonia 7s mountain race.

 The race, covering 22 miles and 2,400 metres of ascent, attracted teams from Forces across the country and it was quite a coup for the local quartet.

Helen Ashworth was another member who took on an endurance challenge at the weekend, having been encouraged to do so by her partner, ultra-specialist Steve Skates.

Steve accompanied her on the Wales Ultra Trail 50-mile race which started on Friday night and finished in Abererch, near Pwllheli. Helen finished in a brilliant 19th place overall and was fourth lady in 13 hours 54 mins.

The club claimed three of the first 10 finishers in the Nova Parkrun, with Dafydd Montgomery chalking up yet another pb

The results were: 4 Dafydd Montgomery 18.54 (pb), 8 Alex Ryder 19.59, 10 Dave Ellis 20.39, 15 Steve Stocker 20.51, 16 Matty Smith 20.54, 18 Darrell Jones 21.53, 20 Eve Manifold 22.03, 33 Canyon Wilson 23.36, 42 Marc Jones 24.07, 53 Neil Davidson 24.45, 54 Philip Howarth 24.51, 67 Nem James 25.44, 87 Mark Dakeyne 27.38, 115 Mike Davis 30.05, 188 Grace Longley 37.24, 189 Dean Longley 37.25.

Other Parkrun results:-

Greenfield Valley: 30 Cathy Wood 29.21.

Chester: 21 Oliver Birch-Jones 21.04, 375 Steve Hatfield 41.02.

Llangollen: 86 Glenda Roberts 31.13.

Penrhyn: 56 Steve Weedman 24.40, 166 Debbie Weedman 31.47.

Church Mean (Amersham): 12 Jamie Betts 22.42.

Samford Parklands (Queensland): 13 Martin Cortvriend 24.22.

Older members of the club will be saddened by the news of the recent death of Mark Farnsworth. He was a member in the 1980s-90s and helped put the club on the map by organising the North Wales Marathon with fellow firefighter Pat Evans, the Prestatyn Half and other local races.