An action-packed weekend - Gareth's press report 9th March 2025

An action-packed weekend saw members of Prestatyn Running Club compete in a wide variety of events ranging from 5k to 20 miles, the good weather helping to produce a clutch of personal bests.

 The toughest challenge was undoubtedly faced by Jonah Armstrong, who was rewarded for his fine cross-country League results by included in the North Wales team for the British Inter-Counties’ Championships in Wollaton Hall, Nottingham.

 The final domestic meeting of the season always attracts the cream of the country’s distance athletes and this year was no exception. Sadly, only two of the senior men selected from the region saw fit to travel and Jonah was justifiably proud to be given the opportunity.

 He finished 231st, but was rightly proud of his display. As he said: “I had hoped to be in the first 200 but overall was happy with it on a hot and hilly course.”

Craig Smith was the club’s only representative in the Colwyn Bay 20-miler on Sunday, and he finished 22nd overall in 2-34.59.

 In the 10-miler at the same venue Ally Reid was 26th female and 2nd L50, but took gold in the class in the North Wales championship. After crossing the line in 86.01 she kept on going, running the 11 miles back to Rhyl as part of her training for next month’s Lleyn Ladies’ 50k Ultra.

 Five of the nine club members who joined the very large field for the Chester 10k claimed pbs, Eve Manifold taking over two minutes off the time she clocked in the recent Nick Beer 10k.

 Twenty-four hours after a steady run in the Nova Parkrun the in-form Marc Jones set another pb and took an excellent third prize in the M60 category.

 The Chester placings were: 62 Dan Williams 37.36, 259 Marc Jones 41.57 (pb), 409 Darrell Jones 43.52 (pb), 427 Eve Manifold 43.58 (pb), 566 Fraser Paton 45.30 (pb), 876 Harri Tucker 46.32, 1541 Zack Webster 49.15 (pb), 3581 Debbie4 Jones 58.44, 5871 Julie Evans 81.54.

 Results of Nova Parkrun: 4 Alex Ryder 21.21, 12 Darren Thompson 22.22, 25 Neil Davidson 25.17, 33 Zack Webster 25.47, 34 Jamie Betts 26.02, 35 Marc Jones 26.02, 36 Meg Lewis 26.05, 49 Andy Scott 27.16, 53 Martin Gill 27.26, 93 Claudia Smith 30.28.

 Conwy: 2 Tom Carter 17.38.

 Greenfield Valley: 8 Ben Thomas 24.46. 20 Ann Claire Jones 26.23, 29 Andrew Carter 28.56, 32 Nicki Triggs 29.43, 44 Mike Davis 32.15.

 Llangollen: 32 Steve Weedman 25.18, 53 Debbie Weedman 29.46 (pb).

 Pont y Bala: 17 Andy Clark: 23.06 (pb).

 Birchall Playing Fields, Leek: 46 Martin Cortvriend 24.40 (M70 course record).

 Delamere: 145 Mandy Cartwright 27.33.

 Penrhyn: 28 Ed Shirt 22.29.

 Newtown Abbey (Antrim): 3 Dave Ellis 20.39.

  With so many members, including recent recruits, in such good form at present the club has the potential to produce an impressiuve result in next Sunday’s Borders League fixture in Capenhurst. On a fast, flat course there is also the chance to chalk yet more pbs.

· The club’s long-serving members were saddened to learn of the death last week of Terry Miles from Rhyl.

Terry was one of the group of locally-based athletes who transferred from Wrexham AAC to Prestatyn in the mid-80s and brought with him a wealth of experienced. Known for his fierce training sessions, he remained a tough competitor until well into his 70s.

 He retains a link with the club through his nephew, Craig Smith, whom he insp[ired to take up running.

“I remember the first time I beat him I was ecstatic, but I was 35 and he was 70"