"We welcome runners interested in all running disciplines” - Gareth's Press Report 18th May 2025

is the proud boast of Prestatyn Running Club, and that was underlined at the weekend when the range of events in which they participated could hardly have been more varied.The glorious weekend weather was appreciated by most but added to the challenge facing Ben Thomas and Nicki Triggs in taking on the 57k ultra trail race in Snowdonia.

The event involved 3,400 metres of ascent - tough enough in cool conditions - but both had excellent runs, Ben finishing in 10h 38m and Nicki in 13h 50m.Lee Bailey was in equally good form in the annual Ras y Gader on Cadair Idris. The race attracts many of the country’s top mountain runners and Lee finished a superb 33rd out of 257 starters, with a time of 1-53.08.In sharp contrast was Friday night’s 5k in Christleton, one of the fastest courses in the area. Aiming for a sub-18.30 finish, Alex Ryder finished one second outside his target, while Oliver Birch-Jones was just ahead of him in 18.22.Sue Hughes made her Welsh international debut against England in a 5k event as part of the  Shrewsbury Festival of Running and more than justified her selection with a pb of 25.32.Thirteen members from the club lined up in Sunday’s Chester half-marathon, seven of them using it as a convenient assessor of fitness andform for next month’s Castles Relay.The results were: 104 Dan Williams 1-34.33, 194 Oliver Birch-Jones 1-28.35, 378 Marc Jones 1-34.54, 429 Lewis Pierce 1-35.40, 467 Darrell Jones 1-36.31, 484 Eve Manifold, 1-36.51, 727 Craig Smith 1-40.54, 1446 Meg Lewis 1-50.43, 2657 Zak Webster 2-00.16, 3151 Tilly Jones 2-06.34, 3294 Kelley Roberts 2-04.28, 3952 Debbie Jones 2-16.01, 5020 Claire Manifold 2-33.40.Despite the counter-attractions there was a good turnout of red vests in the weekend’s parkruns, with Dafydd Montgomery again impressing in the Nova run. Placings: 4 Dafydd Montgomery 19.43, 5 Jamie Betts 19.56, 42 Philip Howarth 24.44, 47 Reg Jonas 24.56, 48 Ally Reid 24.57, 57 Paul Sanders 25.41, 66 Marc Jones 26.05, 73 Mark Dakeyne 26.50, 80 Sophie Johnson 27.17, 96 Lewis Pierce 28.13, 99 Andy Scott 28.19, 112 Mandy Cartwright 28.59, 118 Mike Davis 29.20, 176 Liz Martin 32.57. Llangollen: 57 Glenda Roberts 28.49.Chester: 193 Andy Carter 29.05.Ellesmere Port: 48 Steve Weedman 25.13, 132 Debbie Weedman 31.10.Sharpham Estate (Totnes): 38 Martin Cortvriend 26.02.Next Saturday (23rd) the Running Club will taking over the organisation of the Nova Parkrun, and more volunteers are needed to help out on the day.