Little and large - Prestatyn supervets Sue Hughes and Mark Dakeyne present a contrast in styles and size as both go on to claim cross country medals - Gareth's press report 9th Feb 2025

The final weekend of the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country

League saw yet another unfortunate clash with another popular road race, this time the Nick Beer 10k, but five members of Prestatyn Running Club did the "double", competing at both Oswestry and Llandudno.

Marc Jones went one better, also turning out in the final race of the Dash in the Dark race in Llandegla Forest on Friday evening, making it three races in less than 48 hours. It was a very successful weekend for him, as he finished third M60 over the cross-country season as well as in Llandudno.

Another very satisfying "double" saw Jonah Armstrong being the club's first finisher in both races, in the process setting a new 10k pb of 36.17.

Nick Beer results(chip times): 14 Jonah Armstrong 36.17, 27 Andy Parry 38.48, 32 Lee Bailey 40.05 (3rd M45), 89 George Williams 40.33, 63 Jamie Betts 42.58, 80 Dafydd Montgomery 43.38, 90 Marc Jones 44.10 (3rd M60), 93 Dan Liddle 44.39, 132 Darrell Jones 46.33, 134 Craig Smith 47.03, 141 Eve Manifold 46.30, 298 Helen Ashworth 42.31, 419 Ann Claire Jones 55.50, 472 Andy Scott 58.40, 473 Debbie Jones 58.58, 503 Liz Martin 60.16, 509 HelenmAlefounder 59.50, 603 Emma Birchall 64.34, 657 Karl Martin 69.20, 735 Julie Evans 82.20.

Gordon Jones had already clinched first place in the M65 in the Cross-Country League and so, in addition to nursing an ankle injury, sensible took it easy in the final race. He also helped the men's over-65 team, boosted by a solid debut by Neil Davidson,  take bronze on aggregate.

It was great to see two of the club's most consistent performers coming away with trophies. Sue Hughes won the L65 class on the day and was second on aggregate, while Marc Jones was third M60.

Placings:- Senior men: 25 Jonah Armstrong 33.03, 60 Gareth Jones 36.11, 93 Marc Jones 42.05.

Men over 65: 3 Gordon Jones 20.19 (1st over season), 15 Reg Jonas 34.42, 20 Arwel Jones 25.30, 23 Neil Davidson 25.58, 25 Mark Dakeyne 26.52, 28 George Nixon 29.03. Team: 2nd on the day, 3rd overall)

Ladies: 29 Leah Hughes 22.25 (3rd L40), 68 Ally Reid 25.17, 87 Sue Hughes 27.00 (1st L65 on the day and 2nd overall), 91 Jo Lewis 27.16, 106 Liz Martin 31.31, 109 Clare Manley 33.53, 113 Emma Birchall 39.53, 114 Julie Evans 40.37.

The previous day Dafydd Montgomery continued his tremendous run of success

in the Ruthin Parkrun, not only setting yet another pb of 19.44 but finishing first overall, his first victory.

Another with cause to celebrate was Cathy Wood, who also set a pb in the Nova Parkrun, finishing just six seconds behind daughter Rachel. The event marked a significant return to form for ex-captain Lisa Lines after becoming a Mum.

The Nova placings were: 11 Craig Smith 22.12, 15 Ed Shirt 23.18, 19 Dave Ellis 23.54, 21 Cam Askan 23.55, 28 Meg Lewis 24.48, 30 Jamie Betts 25.00, 32 Lisa Lines 25.31, 55 Rachel Jackson 27.54, 57 Cathy Wood 28.00, 85 Mike Davis 30.44, 86 Nicki Triggs 30.44, 160 Steve Hatfield 43.09.

Penrhyn Parkrun: 27 Andy Clark 24.48, 39 Steve Weedman 25.42, 92 Debbie Weedman 29.27.

Greenfield Valley: 22 Mandy Cartwright 27.20, 35 Andy Carter 29.23.

Blackpool: 260 Martin Cortvriend 24.43.

The results of the final Dash in the Dark race were unavailable at the time of going to Press, but the Prestatyn representatives were Oliver Birch-=Jones, Marc Jones, Mandy Cartwright, Sophie Johnson and Nicki Trigga.