Press Report 24th November 2025

A strong all-round team performance on Saturday saw Prestatyn Running Club's ladies keep alive their chance of promotion to Division 1 of the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country League.

The third fixture in Bala was hosted by Meirionnydd Running Club, and though the course was generally flat and surprisingly firm it contained one stretch of deep, sloppy mud.

The 10-strong ladies' team finished 2nd on the day and hold that same position on aggregate with two races left. 

The senior men, meanwhile, were fifth on the day and lie fourth overall. With Tom Carter still feeling the effects of his fine run in the mud of Rounday Park, Leeds, the previous week, when he was second Welsh counter in the M40 class at the British and Irish Masters' international, it was left again to Steve Skates to lead the squad home. He turned in another strong performance, coming 10th overall and first M45.

There was solid back-up from joint captains Gareth Jones and Lee Bailey, and lower down the field it was good to welcome recent recruit Andy Thomas.

The over-65s' team lost some ground - quite literally in the case of supervet Roger Harrison-Jones, who took a dramatic tumble in the closing stages. 

The placings were:- Ladies: 14 Lisa Lines 25.13m 36 Leah Hughes 27.01, 44 Helen Ashworth 27.43, 78 Rachel Jackson 31.10, 89 Sue Hughes 33.21 (2nd L65), 101 Glenda Roberts 34.47, 103 Nicki Triggs 35.21, 106 Cathy Wood 36.03, 118 Emma Birchall 40.50, 120 Clare Manley 45.31, 126 Julie Evans 52.00.

Men over 65: 16 Neil Davidson 28.50, 19 Reg Jonas 29.01, 24 Arwel Jones 30.54, 29 Philip Howarth 31.59, 32 Mark Dakeyne 32.54, 41 George Nixon 36.00, 43 Grahame Shone 36.17 (3rd M75), 47 Roger Harrison-Jones 47.31 (1st M85).

Senior men: 10 Steve Skates 34.04 (1st M45), 47  Gareth Jones 38.24, 86 Lee Bailey 42.30, 94 Matty Smith 43.31, 111 Ben Thomas 44.44, 123 Marc Jones 45.31 (3rd M60), 137 Andy Thomas 51.50.

Men o65: 16 Neil Davidson 28.50, 19  Reg Jonas 29.01, 24 Arwel Jones 30.54, 29 Philip Howarth 31.59, 32 Mark Dakeyne 32.54, 41 George Nixon 36.00, 43 Grahame Shone 36.17 (3rd M75), 47 Roger Harrison-Jones 47.31 (1st M85).

Two members travelled to Cheshire for different 10k road races. In Wilmslow Alex Ryder clocked 36.10, setting himself a sub-36 target in his next race, while Paul Robson took to the track - the Oulton Park race circuit. He had hoped to break 50 minutes but was reasonably with his 50.24 timing as it was 90 seconds faster than he clocked in Anglesey last year, confirming his progress since rejoining the club.

Recent recruit Jon Puleston-Jones had a "blinder" in the Nova Parkrun, coming second in a pb of 20.04, and Eve Manifold, returning from injury, was the first female.

Placings: 2 Jon Puleston-Jones 20.04, 4 Lewis Pierce 20.42, 6 Darrell Jones 21.28, 15 Eve Manifold 23.01, 16 Alex Ryder 23.03, 17 Chris Bennett 23.03, 23 Nem James 23.55 (pb), 32 Tilly Jones 25.04, 40 Keiley Roberts 25.57, 76 Ann Claire Jones 29.59, 114 Claudia Smith 34.15, 145 Martin Cortvriend 48.05.

Delamere Parkrun: 90 Steve Weedman 25.45, 304 Debbie Weedman 34.03.

Encliffe Park Parkrun (Sheffield): 383  Liz Martin 31.02, 441 Karl Martin 32.42.

This Saturday (29th) five club members are in the North Wales team for the Welsh inter-regional cross-country championships being held at Newtown. They are Ally Reid, Sue Hughes, Danny Williams, Jonah Armstrong and Oliver Birch-Jones. Others were also invited but declined.