Borders League - Prestatyn 2015
Published In Borders League
There was cause for great celebrations on Sunday when Prestatyn Running Club hosted the fourth of this season’s fixtures in the Borders Road-Running League .
For not only did the club claim the winner of the race in Dean Longley but there was also a record turnout of 18 men and 17 women, including debutants Jo Edwards, Matty Smith and Hadyn Johnson, in addition to about 20 marshals.
And the new venue and course at Ffrith Beach proved a big hit with the runners despite the miserable weather.
Another cause for celebration was the fact that it was the 100th League race for club captain Glenda Davies, the fourth club member but first lady to complete the feat.
Dean’s victory was his first in the League but was not unexpected as he has been in such good form recently. Over the two-lap course he was under pressure from veterans Lee Jones (Deeside) and Rob Grantham (Chester Tri).
Jones was dropped on the second lap and in the closing stages through the Ffrith Dean pulled away from the Cheshire police officer for a well-deserved win, proudly pointing to his club logo as he crossed the line in his home town.
The placings were: 1 Dean Longley 28.11, 35 George Nicholls 31.20, 52 Darrell Davies 32.59, 81 Alex Ryder 34.14 (2nd U20), 96 George Nixon 35.15 (2nd M60), 111 Gareth Roberts 35.59, 117 Tony Benton 36.15, 127 Chris Taft 36.58, 131 Russ Cheetham 37.04, 134 Des Davies 37.17, 137 Victoria Whitehead 37.32, 150 Arwel Jones 38.02, 152 Sian Beck 38.07, 160 Brenda Tiedtke 38.36, 163 Katie Brandrick 38.47, 165 Matty Smith 38.59, 173 Gabby Waring 39.21 (1st L55), 178 John Hughes-Roberts 39.39, 180 Jayne Penrhyn-Jones 39.49, 186 Paul Brandrick 40.04, 188 Helen Ashworth 40.11, 190 Alan Jones 40.17, 193 Coral McShane 40.34 (3rd U20), 204 Jo Lewis 41.55, 210 Deborah Richards 42.17 (2nd L55), 211 Hadyn Johnson 42.27, 212 Ann-Marie White 42.30, 217 Sue Rodgers 43.03 (3rd L55), 219 Jo Edwards 43.11, 225 David A Jones 44.07, 227 Glenda Davies 44.40, 235 Caroline Jones 46.45, 236 Liz Martin 46.48.
Two members of the club helped North Wales Police pick up an award at the annual British Police cross-country championships in Nottingham.
Sian Beck and Gabby Waring joined Tracy Llewellyn (Cybi Striders) in the side which finished fourth in the section for minor forces, and Gabby also finished second in the L55 class. Sian was 40th lady overall and Gabby 42nd.
Two other members were in the North Wales senior women’s team at the British inter-counties’ cross-country championships in Birmingham, and they had their own duel. In a sprint finish Amie Bagnall just managed to get the better of Abbie Bagnall, finishing one place and two seconds ahead of her in 262nd place.
This Saturday ((14th)) the club hosts one of the country’s most prestigious cross-country meetings, the British Masters’ championships, at Ruthin School, which it last staged six years ago.
Many of the country’s top veteran athletes have entered the races, with competitors coming from all corners of the four home countries.
There are two races – at 12 noon for all ladies and men over 65 and upwards, then at 1pm for men aged 35 – 64 - and the courses take in the Ruthin School playing-field and land belonging to Cae’r Groes farm.
Organiser Gareth Hughes said the event was returning to Ruthin because the course and facilities were so well received in 2009 by athletes and officials.
“Both Tudor Jones of Cae’r Groes and Ruthin School have given us tremendous support and encouragement and we cannot thank them enough,” he said.
“With so many of the competitors coming from far afield it’s also a boost for the economy of the area as they will be staying overnight,” he said.
On March 20th the club holds its annual general meeting at the Victoria Hotel, Prestatyn, starting at 7pm.