AFTER a largely disappointing season, the Borders Road-Running League ended on an encouraging note for Prestatyn Running Club.

Although only 13 members – nine men and four women - turned out for the final fixture at Birkenhead Park, three of them collected end-of-season awards, and there was a useful contribution from league debutant, Dave Ellis.

Unexpectedly, the race also marked the return to competition of club stalwart George Nicholls, who has his sights once again set on much longer distances.

On the day both the men and women’s teams finished in third place in Division Two and on aggregate, after seven fixtures, the men were fourth, with the women fifth.

Those who were placed in the top 10 in their categories over the season were: L45: Ally Reid 10th. M55: 2 John Simpson; M65: 1 Martin Cortvriend 1st, George Nixon 4th. M70 Grahame Shone 3rd. M75: Gareth Hughes 1st.

Birkenhead Park results (four miles): 40 Alex Ryder 23.22, 64 John Simpson 24.34 (2nd M55), 120 Dave Ellis 27.41, 123 Martin Cortvriend 27.44 (1st M65), 142 Lisa Lines 28.42 (4th SL), 169 James Rogers 30.11, 170 George Nicholls 30.12, 189 George Nixon 31.33 (3rd M65), 200 Andrew Scott 32.08, 215 Ally Reid 33.07, 220 Gareth Hughes 33.34 (1st M75), 225 Cara Jones 34.30, 240 Liz Martin 36.51.

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Elsewhere, Lee Bailey turned in a superb performance last week in the ultra-tough Excalibur Marathon on the Clwydian Hills.

He finished second overall and first M40 with a time of 4-22.07, and was rightly delighted with the result.

Four members joined the huge field in Sunday’s Essar Half-Marathon in Chester, with Craig Smith leading the quartet home in 398th place, clocking 1-36.15.

He was followed by Darren Thompson (753rd in 1-47.22), David Frickleton (2,065th in 2-10.52) and Debbie Jones (2,231st in 2-13.54).

Former club chairman Paul Brandrick, still taking things steady after long-term illness and injury, made his debut in the Nova Parkrun on Saturday.

Placings: 14 Martin Gill 24.34, 17 James Rogers 25.17, 35 Grahame Shone 27.38, 50 Paul Brandrick 30.09, 53 Linda Friar 30.45, 56 Roger Harrison-Jones 31.42, 65 Steve Hatfield 33.26, 95 Mike Pearson 52.27.

Wepre Park: 10 Martin Cortvriend 23.58 (new M70 course record). Croxteth Hall (Liverpool): 27 Steve Weedman 21.36, 172 Debbie Weedman 29.55.