THE London Marathon took the limelight for many at the weekend, but for Prestatyn Running Club (PRC) athletes, there were more important events.

Not least, the opening fixture of the David Alun Williams North Wales Cross-Country Junior and Senior Leagues at Bangor.

Despite a clash with other races, PRC fielded four juniors, 11 women and 16 men, a much more encouraging start than last year.

Among the men were six members making their league debuts, and they included Tom Carter, who finished an excellent eighth overall.

The outstanding performance came from Steve Skates, who, in a strong field, came fifth overall and third in his M40 class.

The senior men finished third in Division Two, while the over-65s came second to Shropshire Shufflers.

Martin Cortvriend showed no after-effects of a long flight home 48 hours earlier, winning the M70 class and coming third overall.

The ladies placed fifth in Division Two, with captain Lisa Lines leading by example by coming 24th.

Ladies: 24 Lisa Lines 28.47, 48 Helen Ashworth 31.12, 68 Sophie Johnson 33.52, 70 Ally Reif 34.09, 72 Ann Claire Jones 34.17, 86 Mandy Cartwright 35.56, 90 Liz Martin 36.31, 97 Julia Evans 39.16, 104 Emma Birchall 43.36, 105 Julie Evans 43.54.

Senior men: 5 Steve Skates 32.26 (3rd M40), 8 Tom Carter 32.40, 55 Lee Bailey 38.05, 101 Dan Liddle 41.56, 111 Steve Weedman 43.13, 128 Reg Jonas ((correct)) 47.00, 133 Steve Brown 49.13, 141 Ian Cummins 56.39, 142 Nem James 64.26.

Men over 65: 3 Martin Cortvriend 28.32 (1st M70), 14 George Nixon 33.40 (3rd M70), 21 Gareth Hughes 35.42, 22 Graham Shone 35.56, 29 Steve Hatfield 46.20, 30 Roger Harrison-Jones 46.31 (1st M85), 31 Phil Jones 50.35 (2nd M80).

Meanwhile, three of the club's juniors competed at the same venue, and the under-11 girls finished as third team.

Under-11s: 8 Freya Valeria 6.51, 11 Liv Standring-Jones 7.11, 13 Tia Calland 7.20. Under 15: 19 Sorrel Blount 11.51.

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Elsewhere, Dave Ellis was the club's sole representative in Sunday's MBA Chester Marathon, which attracted a bigger field than ever, and he clocked 3-55.07.

In the Metric Marathon, Craig Smith was second M50 with a time of 2-04.36, and he was followed by Helena Cox in 2-44.07, Nikki Triggs in 2-48.52 and Debbie Jones in 2-51.47.

And three of the club's ladies, Ally Reid, Sue Hughes and Jo Edwards, completed the London Marathon - virtually - by walking from Rhyl to Llandudno Junction, crossing the imaginary line in seven hours and 29 minutes.

PRC had eight club members turn out in the Nova parkrun, with Steve Stocker leading the pack home in second place.

Steve and Debbie Weedman completed their 99th parkrun, with Steve taking it easy just a few hours before racing at Bangor.

Ian Cummins also "doubled up".

Placings: 2 Steve Stocker 20.31, 17 Andy Clark 25.08, 18 Steve Haimes 25.19, 19 Martin Gill 25.26, 37 Ian Cummins 29.09, 45 Debbie Weedman 30.28, 46 Steve Weedman 30.29, 52 Linda Friar 31.30.