Martin's Press Report - 31st May 2026

Highlights of the latest crowded week of running events included one of the all time classic mountain races, this is the formidable and long established Welsh 1000 metres race which takes in, as you might guess, some of the highest peaks in Snowdonia. Three Prestatyn Running Club runners took part in the short course event which still climbed some of the highest peaks including Snowdon and a double traverse of Crib Goch. With a heroic effort over the very challenging short course race, Nicki Triggs and Ben Thomas sticking closely together throughout, came second in the pairs category in 3:35. Gareth Jones with a time of 2:32:59 (tbc) completed the male solo male division with another immense display of long distance mountain running.

Earlier in the week eight Prestatyn mountain runners continued their assault on the Eryri Tuesday night race series, this time they were tackling Mynydd Mawr at Fron near Caernarfon on a steamy night. Representing PRC were Ben Thomas 45:11, Gareth Jones 46:14, Adam Jeffers 53:46, Andy Thomas 55.05, Liz Martin 63.19, Nem James 69:06, Nicki Triggs 62:03, Carly Wong 68:39.

An enthusiastic group of members competed in an annual evening event which has been very popular with club members for a number of years; this is the 5 mile Deganwy Dash, which takes in some of the coastal path over the bay from Conwy. Weather forecasts had indicated that temperatures would be starting to drop by Friday. This just didn’t happen and, for the unfortunate 28 club members who took part, the evening temperature was still in the mid 20’s and furthermore there wasn’t a breath of wind to cool runners down. 

First senior male and second overall was Jonah Armstrong in 28:39. Second female and first under 20 was Erin Thomas with a very impressive 33.58 and Ollie Birch Jones won the under 20 male class in 29.31 in sixth overall. Other Prestatyn timings included new member Ryan Bateman in 30:25, Dan Williams 32:23, Dafydd Montgomery 32:37, Marc Jones 33:50 (1st V60), Stephen Stocker 34:13, Dan Liddle 35:04, Darrell Jones 35:18, Paul Sanders 35:49,  Jack Hughes 36:11, Judah Eastwell 36:45, Beth English 38:21, Andy Thomas 39:28, Nem James 39:59, Chris Bennett 40:36, Martin Cortvriend 41:14 (2nd V70),  Olivia Trimm 41:48,  Megan Lewis 42:51, Tilly Jones 43:05, Philip Rawson Howarth 43:34, Susan Hughes (1st FV65) 44:32, Andy Scott 48:41, Kieran Williams 51:17, Clare Manifold 51:17, Michael Davis 57:14, Clare Manley 58:43.

Three intrepid Prestatyn runners took a pleasant trip to New Brighton for the Wirral Running Festival, Chris Snow finished the 10K in 59:29 and, completing the half marathon were Kelly Lewis 2:10:07 and Debbie Jones 2:13:55 (3rd FV55). Slightly further afield the improving Alex Ryder achieved his aim of a sub 37 minutes time by some margin in the Greater Manchester 10K he came 186th out of around 30,000 runners in a superb 35:55. Finally heading across North Wales in the other direction Nick Chadwick took on the scenic Abersoch 10K and did well with a time of 49:12.

A number of the Friday night Deganwy competitors doubled up (at a steadier pace  understandably) at Saturday morning parkruns. Full club parkrun results are as follows:

Nova Prestatyn parkrun 14th Jonathan Puleston Jones 20:14, 21st Lisa Lines 21:43 (3rd lady), 23rd Jonah Armstrong 21:50, 32nd Tim Cahill 23:05, 35th Alex Ryder 23:14, 38th Oliver Birch Jones 23:40, 42nd Neil Davidson 23:58, 52nd Gareth Bailey 25:03 (pb), 61st Andy Thomas 25:34, 63rd David Tudor 25:42, 73rd Olivia Trimm 26:17, 111th Cathy Wood 28:45, 163 David Roberts 32:13, 191st Emma Birchall 33:47, 232nd Judah Eastwell 37:01, 318 Martin Cortvriend (parkwalker) 59:00.

Penrhyn parkrun 176th Katie Newe 33:41, 234th Clare Manley 41:42.

Greenfield Valley parkrun 1st Tom Carter 17:54

Chester parkrun 103rd Andrew Carter 26:23

King’s Lynn parkrun 67th Ed Shirt 23:01

Flint Castle parkrun 26th Jack Lally 23:50