WITH the Borders League and cross-country season on the horizon, things are shaping up nicely for Prestatyn Running Club, with several members recovering from injuries and showing good form over a variety of distances.
The long trek to Holyhead’s Breakwater paid off for two members, who came away with gold medals from the North Wales five-mile championships.
Gordon Jones, having just turned 65 and overcome a troublesome injury, not only won his class in the championships but was also first over-60 in the open race.
Despite the stiff wind on the out-and-back course, his time is believed to be a course record and it places him second in the UK rankings.
Meanwhile, Mike Davis was second over-70 in the open race and first M75 in the championships.
Placings: 15 Gordon Jones 31.08, 74 James Rogers 45.00, 105 Mike Davis 45.00.
The previous day, James and Mike had been part of a large club contingent in the Rhesycae multi-terrain 10k.
Oliver Birch-Jones was third in 40.55, Helan Ashworth second female in 51.54, and Sophie Johnson third in 53.35.
Meanwhile, three entrants and as many trophies was the club’s satisfying haul from Saturday (July 29)’s Dolgellau five-mile race.
Ann-Claire Jones won the L50 class in 42.12 and was 46th overall, and Helen Alefounder won the L45 category in 46.32.
With Julie Evans clocking 58.45, they then took third place in the ladies’ team competition.
On the track, Alex Ryder last week achieved his aim of breaking 10 minutes for 3,000m in the fourth and final Trafford Grand Prix open meeting.
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He crossed the line in 9:57 in second place in his heat and just one second outside his PB.
He then had the bonus of winning his 800m heat.
Elsewhere, conditions were perfect for the weekend’s parkruns, with members turning out in five different venues.
In Prestatyn, Sian Beck was the first female finisher and her 15-year-old son Iestyn was third overall, with both setting PBs.
Nova results: 4 Steve Stocker 19.08, 35 Gethin Evans 23.24, 36 Sian Beck 23.25 (pb), 38 Marc Jones 23.44, 65 Gareth Hughes 26.13, 81 Nem James 27.24 (pb), 82 Paul Sanders 27.25, 83 Dave Ellis 27.25, 113 Rachel Jackson 30.48.
Conwy parkrun: 57 Steve Weedman 24.13, 178 Debbie Weedman 31.22.
Greenfield Valley: 1 Tom Carter 18.13.
Knowsley: 37 Martin Cortvriend 26.34.
Crichton (Dumfries): 44 Ally Reid 25.21.
The previous week, six members joined a high-class field in the Helena Tipping 10k in Wrexham, with Tom Carter happily coming through unscathed after his recent injury.
Placings: 101 Tom Carter 37.06, 233 Darren Thompson 42.59, 336 Sian Beck 48.09, 378 Helen Ashworth 50.10, 410 Ally Reid 52.02, 571 Roger Harrison-Jones 65.09 (1st M85).
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