THE contrast between races in the past week could hardly have been greater, but serves to prove that Prestatyn Running Club caters for lovers of all disciplines.

The weekend got underway with the Christleton 5k in Chester, which is one of the fastest, flattest races in the area.

For that reason, it attracts a high-quality field, as athletes know they have a chance of setting PBs.

In total, four Prestatyn members took part, the standard reflected in the fact that Alex Ryder was 155th in the creditable time of 17.55.

“It was nowhere where I should have been, but after an injury and missing training I can’t complain,” he said.

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Behind him were Dave Ellis (175th in 18.10), Steve Stocker (210th in 18.45) and Oliver Birch-Jones (221st in 18.51).

The following day, a trio of members joined the large field for the Ras y Gader, the 11-mile race to the 3,000-feet summit of Cader Idris and back.

It’s a tough one, with the terrain including a steep climb on tarmac, boggy fields, woodland paths and rocks.

The heat added to the challenge, but all three were inside the cut-off time on  the course, with Sophie Johnson the first of the three home in 2-49.10.

Mandy Cartwright was close behind in 2-51.33, with James Rogers clocking 3-21.38.

The Great Orme race is one of the most popular in the Joe Brown Tuesday Night series of fell races, and among the nine Prestatyn members who turned out were some for whom it is their only fell race of the year.

The outstanding performance came from Ceri Vaughan who finished 58th overall in 42.55.

The other placings were: 109 Martin Cortvriend 50.17, 126  Nicki Triggs 54.21, 129 James Rogers 55.06, 130 Ann Claire Jones 55.44, 132 Liz Martin 56.40, 133 Helen Alefounder 56.50, 136 Karl Martin 57.03, 146 Nem James 64.26.

Meanwhile, 17 club members made the trip to Conwy on Saturday where the aim of attracting 400 competitors for the 400th parkrun was achieved.

Jamie Betts finished in an excellent eighth place, clocking 19.46.

Other placings were: 57 Martin Cortvriend 23.52, 63 Steve Weedman 24.02, 92 Andy Clark 25.01, 105 Marc Jones 25.42, 165 Ann Claire Jones 28.41, 185 Sue Hughes 29.34, 194 Alan Jones 29.47, 210 Debbie Jones 30.25, 222 Nem James 30.47 (pb), 223 Martin Gill 30.48, 253 Debbie Weedman 31.48, 255 Paul Sanders 31.50, 256 Jo Lewis 31.56, 291 Emma Birchall 34.22, 353 Suzanne Evans 40.06, 368 Julie Evans 42.10.

The Nova parkrun was a double family affair, with Nathan Williams (Vale Royal) first in 19.01, and his Welsh international father Gareth, who is originally from Ruthin, second in 19.44.

Lower down the field, Rachel Jackson was followed by her mother Cathy Wood and partner Sion Jones.

Results: 3 Cam Askan 19.59, 52 Rachel Jackson 28.37, 60 Grahame Shone 29.50, 87 Cathy Wood 31.46, 100 Jo Edwards 33.38, 108 Sion Jones 34.31, 125 Steve Hatfield 38.12.

Other parkrun results were:

Ruthin: 33 Glenda Roberts 27.27.

Greenfield Valley: 23 Arwel Jones 28.11.

Chester: 132 Andy Carter 27.33.

This Friday (May 24) the club’s annual social run in Rhewl, near Ruthin, is being held and, as usual, will be followed by a meal in Rhewl Pavillion.