WHEN the London Marathon used to be held in March or April, many athletes used the Essar 4 Villages half-marathon in Helsby to assess how their training was going.

Though the marathon is now in October, the “4 Villages” remains as popular as ever, with more than 1,400 lining up for last Sunday (January 15)’s event.

Only two members of Prestatyn Running Club were among them this time, and both Ann Claire Jones and Helen Alefounder found the conditions wet, cold and miserable.

Ann Claire finished in 767th place, clocking 1-58.24, with Helen 1,014th in 2-17.29.

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Individual and team success for Prestatyn at cross-country event

With no other races being held in the area, 14 members kept active in parkruns at three different venues.

Once again the outstanding performer was Alex Ryder, who continued his consistently good form by chalking up yet another win the Nova Run in Prestatyn.

He finished in 18.29, three minutes clear of his closest challenger.

Results:- Nova: 1 Alex Ryder 18.29, 17 Andrew Scott 26.25, 35 Grahame Shone 29.40, 36 Nicki Triggs 29.56, 37 Nem James 29.59m 46 Ian Cummings 32.48, 47 Cathy Wood 33.00, 50 Linda Friar 33.49.

Conwy: 58 Martin Cortvriend 25.23, 78 Ann Claire Jones 27.04, 99 Helen Alefounder 28.34.

Greenfield Valley: 23 Arwel Jones 26.52, 46 Debbie Jones 30.27, 62 Julie Evans 34.35.

Next weekend, members have a difficult choice to make, with the fourth and penultimate fixture of the North Wales Cross-Country League at Colwyn Bay on Saturday, and the fourth Borders League fixture in Delamere Forest the following day.

Many runners will be relieved that the Colwyn Bay races are returning to Eirias Park after three years on the Nant-y-Glyn Valley course.