PRESTATYN produced the winner of Sunday’s Borders Road Running League fixture in Abergele, but unfortunately he was not a member of the town’s running club.
Christian Prior, who represents Chester Triathlon Club, claimed his first league victory on the five-mile course to add to his recent win in the Helena Tipping 10k in Wrexham.
More than 300 athletes took part in the event which was hosted by Abergele Harriers.
It was still an encouraging day for Prestatyn RC though with 15 men and 15 women in action.
Dean Longley and George Nixon made a welcome return after injuries, while Russ Cheetham continued his recent improvement by setting another personal best.
Jo McDonough had a superb run to lead the ladies’ team home and Emma Collins also returned after injuring her arm in a cycling accident to boost the ladies’ total.
The men finished third in Division Two and the ladies fourth in Division One.
The full placings were: Matthew Anwyl (47th, 29min 57sec), George Nicholls (49th, 30min 3sec), Dean Longley (72nd, 31min 11sec), Gareth Brandrick (89th 32min 13sec), Russ Cheetham (116th, 33min 17sec), Tony Benton (158th, 35min 18sec), Jo McDonough (164th 35min 36sec), Arwel Jones (170th, 35min 48sec), George Nixon (178th, 36min 8sec), John Hughes-Roberts (190th, 36min 30sec), Emma Collins (192nd, 36min 37sec), Sian Beck (199th, 37min 1sec), Katie Brandrick (211th, 37min 29sec), Mike Lindsay (214th, 37min 36sec), David A Jones (215th, 37min 40sec), Steve Hatfield (218th, 37min 50sec), David Owen (219th, 37min 58sec), Shelley Ward (226th, 38min 28sec), Gay Waring (229th, 38min 34sec, 3rd L50), Brenda Tiedtke (231st, 38min 39sec), Amie Bagnall (1st U20), Glenda Davies (265th, 41min), Eleri Jones (276th, 41min 52sec), Sharon Jones (280th, 42min 22sec), John Jones (281st, 42min 24sec), Erin Ross (283rd, 42min 41sec), Mike Davis (287th, 43min 3sec), Eleri Goddard (294th, 43min 38sec), Helen Baxandall (303rd, 45min 12sec), Gill Brandrick (308th, 46min 35sec).
Russ Cheetham, who has been the club’s most prolific racer over the past few months, has been named by chairman Arwel Jones as the club’s Runner of the Month for November and December, only one award being made because of the small number of races during the period.
Dave Henley, who is taking over as Chief Marshal for the North Wales Cross-Country Championships on January 28, is appealing for volunteers to help on the day.