Gareth's Press Report - 9th August 2026

Prestatyn Running Club’s domination of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix series has grown over the years and last week’s race, the third in the series, was the most fruitful yet.

Of the 81 competitors 29 were Prestatyn members and so, unsurprisingly 19 of them gained podium places in their age-groups.

It was a familiar story at the front of the race, with Tom Carter and Oliver Birch-Jones taking first and second places, and Tom Gregory narrowly failing to make it a 1-2-3.

With just once race to go it looks as if there will be a big haul of trophies heading from Shotton back to Prestatyn next month.

The placings were: 1 Tom Carter 24.02, 2 Oliver Birch-Jones 24.41 (1st U20), 4 Tom Gregory 25.21 (2nd U20), 10 Ben Lewis 26.12 (2nd SM), 11 Dafydd Montgomery 26.24 (3rd SM), 13 Daniel Gallagher 27.00, 22 Robert Grima 28.56, 23 Jack Hughes 29.06, 26 Ben Thomas 29.19 (1st M35), 29 Paul Sanders 30.08, 32 Steve Stocker 30.26, 33 Zack Webster 30.33, 40 Owen Gibson 31.18, 43 Jenna Bagnall 31.28 (1st SL), 45 Andy Thomas 32.33 (2nd M60), 51 Paul Robson 34.08, 53 Nem James 34.47, 54 Martin Cortvriend 35.08 (1st M70), 59 Phil Howarth 36.03 (3rd M70), 64 Glenda Roberts 38,27 (1st L65), 67 Liz Martin 40.21 (2nd L45), 68 Sue Hughes 40.39 (2nd L65), 69 Gareth Hughes 40.51 (1sr M80), 70 Rhian Jones 41.24 (2nd L35), 71 Nicki Triggs 41.24 (3rd SL), 75 Karl Martin 42.40 (3rd M55), 79  Mike Davis 45.43 (1st M75), 80 Clare Manley 51.29 (2nd L55), 81 Steve Hatfield 58.34 (2nd M75).

Just a couple of weeks after becoming North Wales 5-mile champion Glenda Roberts once again won her class, this time in the Ponderosa fell-race near Llangollen. The 4-mile race involves stiff climbs at the start and finish, and Glenda finished in 45.01.

Alex Ryder made yet another trip over the border, hoping to improve his time in the 3,000m at the latest Trafford open meeting. He felt a little below par, however,  finishing in 10.30.

The club hosted Saturday’s Nova Parkrun and members were out in force as volunteers, but a total of 29 were in action at 13 different venues.

The Nova placings were: 4 Oliver Birch-Jonesw 19.46, 6 Jack Richards 19.48, 8 Jamie Betts 19.58, 17 Dafydd Montgomery 22.05, 20 Ed Shirt 22.27, 28 Owen Gibson 23.43, 31 Michelle Meredith-Roberts 23.54, 48 Martin Cortvriend 25.16, 143 Katie Newe 32.59, 208 Steve Hatfield 42.58, 242 Will Lines 56.26, 244 Lisa Lines 56.40, 250 Suzanne Evans 61.58 (Tailwalker), 251 Linda Friar 61.59 (Tailwalker), 252 Julie Evans 62.00 (Tailwalker).

Other Parkruns:- Llandtillo-yn-Rhos: 386 Roger Harrison-Jones 35.41.

Conwy: 85 Jack Lally 27.08.

Park in the Past: 54 Andy Carter 27.01.

Greenfield Valley: 6 Jenna Bagnall 23.34.

Pwllheli: 8 David Hudd 23.10.

Oswestry: Ann Claire Jones 27.30.

Newborough Forest: 168 Ben Thomas 33.12, 169 Nicki Triggs 33.13.

Whinlatter Forest (Keswick): 138 Helen Alefounder 39.01.

Trentham Gardens: 414 Karl Martin 31.49, 419 Liz Martin 31.56.

Ballymoney: 30 Brian Williams 25.57.

Shrewsbury: 191 Paul Robson 25.24.

Dolgellau: 32 Andy Thomas 23.40.