Press Report - 17th November 2025

CAPTION: A happy group of members after the Conwy half-marathon

The times they are a’changing for Prestatyn Running Club – and if proof were needed the weekend’s two main races provided the evidence.

Of the 24 members in competitive action in Saturday’s Penmaenmawr fell-race and the following day’s Conwy half-marathon no fewer than 13 have joined the club in the past 12 months and some had not even joined when they registered for the races.

It was the 50th time for the 11-mile fell-race to be held and this time, as so often in the past, the conditions were extremely testing due to the previous day’s downpour.

The bog, a notorious section of the course, was understandably even worse than usual but all five of the club’s finishers acquitted themselves well.

Stave Skates, who turned down the chance to represent Wales in the Masters’ cross-country international, had a superb run, coming sixth overall and first in the M45 class with a time of 73.11.

Recent recruit Fraser Paton had put himself down for the earlier start for those expecting to take over 2.5 hours, but did brilliantly to finish in 1-56.11 (113th). Off-road captain Lee Bailey withdrew with a muscle problem but joint captain Gareth Jones was again in good form, clocking 1-37.34 in 42nd place.

Making up the contingent were Reg Jonas (121st in 2-09) and Mark Dakeyne (184th in 2-16.32).

Thirteen of the 18 members in the popular half-marathon were recent signings, and for most of those it was the first attempt at the distance. Fortunately conditions were ideal for the scenic run around the Great Orme.

The club’s first finisher was one of the newcomers, Adrian Lewis, who was 190th in a field of over 3,300. Among other impressive performances were that of Erin Thomas, who was second in the under-20s’ class, and Keiley Roberts who took 10 minutes off the pb she set in the Chester Half earlier this year.

The club placings were (chip times): 190 Adrian Lewis 1-32.38, 215 Tom Coen 1-33.17, 231 Marc Jones 1-33.57. 287 Darrell Jones 1-36.08. 334 Lewis Pierce 1-37.34, 437 Ed Shirt 1-39.50, 599 Kieran Williams 1-44.37, 103rd lady Erin Thomas 1-45.13, 675 Zack Webster 1-45.53,  124th lady Meg Lewis 1-47.04, 823 Owen Gibson 1-50.42, 167th lady Tilly Jones 1-50.45, 1089 Andy Thomas 1-50.52, 246th lady Keiley Roberts 1-54.26, 476th lady Beth English 2-03.23, 1523 Philip Howarth 2-07.57, 726th lady Laura Rich 2-11.34, 826th lady Casey Blake 2-17.25, 827th lady Claire Manifold 2-17.05, 828th lady Rachael Hughes 2-17.05.

Nem James was the latest club member to tackle an ultra race. On Saturday he took on the 36-mile Wirral Winter Ultra, much of which is on the coastal trail. Having set himself a target of eight hours he was justifiably delighted to finish in 6-50.16.

In Saturday’s Nova Parkrun Meg Lewis played a captain’s role in leading Tilly Jones to a huge 52-second pb. The club placings were: 6 Dafydd Montgomery 20.01, 9 David Hudd 21.23, 10 Lisa Lines 21.30 (1st lady)m 17 Jamie Betts 22.22, 24 Lewis Pierce 23.35, 35 Meg Lewis 24.23, 36 Tilly Jones 24.24 (pb), 47 Arwel Jones 25.50.

Greenfield Valley: 8 Judah Eastwell 21.65 (pb), 28 Steve Weedman 24.52, 40 Andy Thomas 26.04, 42 Ed Shirt 26.13, 43 Dave Ellis 26.14, 41 Rachel Jackson 26.47 (pb), 72 Andy Scott 29.56, 73 Cathy Wood 30.09, 74 Debbie Jones 30.16, 78 Liz Martin 31.09, 85 Debbie Weedman 32.03, 102 Karl Martin 34.09, 133 Clare Manley 46.17.

Princes Park (Liverpool): 122 Paul Robson 24.01.

This Saturday (22nd) Meirionydd Running Club hosts the third fixture in the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country League in Bala, and club captains will be hoping for a strong turnout to keep the teams' promotion hopes alive.