TWO Harriers won Championship titles and a third took runner-up in their category as ten club members were in action in the Cross Country Championships.
Jeni Richards led the ladies home at the steep muddy course to win the competitive FV45 title and finish 12th overall in 25min 59sec, whilst Chris Birch ran 28min 6sec to retain her FV60 title and finish 21st overall.
Rachel Shipley, in her first cross country season, had a fantastic run finishing in 32min 52sec for 35th overall, her highest position to date.
Richie Lee had an excellent run to lead the men home in 44min 55sec for 26th overall and runner-up in the MV45 category. Sean McCormack and Steven McCormack ran in together in 47min 19sec for 36th and 37th place, and Mark Mayers and Dave Edwards both crossed the line in 52min 37sec for 56th and 57th positions.
The team was completed by Hayden Jones running 53min 42sec for 59th overall and Tom Bancroft finishing in 55min 48sec for 60th position.
PRESTATYN Running Club also enjoyed themselves at the Corwen championships after taking home four individual awards.
Roger Harrison-Jones celebrated the 50th anniversary of picking up his first North Wales senior men’s title with second place in the M70 class, finishing one place behind his brother Ron, whilst Amie Bagnall and Gay Waring scooped second in the Under 20s and third in the L50’s respectively.
Two of the day’s champions had come through the ranks at the club, with senior ladies champion Katie Parry and Under 11s winner Holly Roberts both former Prestatyn RC members.
The full club placings were: Senior men: George Nicholls (21st, 43min 35sec), Dean Longley (28th, 45min 27sec), (George Nixon 38th, 48min 13sec), Des Davies (46th, 49min 46sec), Russ Cheetham (50th, 50min 13sec), Neil Owen (52nd, 50min 28sec), Arwel Jones (53rd, 50min 33sec). M65: Steve Hatfield (4th, 42min 4sec). M70: Ronald Harrison-Jones (1st, 28min 17sec), Roger Harrison-Jones (2nd, 29min 37sec). Ladies: Brenda Tiedtke (20th, 27min 58sec), Gay Waring (22nd, 28min 12sec, 3rd L50), Sharon Jones (27th, 30min 15sec), Eleri Jones (31st, 30min 53sec), Eleri Goddard (32nd, 31min 23sec).
Only two club members competed in the Four Villages half-marathon in Helsby last week. In a very strong field Matthew Anwyl was 71st overall in 1hr 23min 35sec and Anna Lewis was 663rd in 1hr 44min 33sec.
“Mr Duracell” David Owen braved the elements and natural obstacles to take part in the Dash in the Dark race in Llandegla Forest, finishing in 36min 52sec.
This Saturday sees the final fixture of the Grand Prix Express North Wales League at Oswestry.
RHYL athlete Nathan Jones continued his fine season by winning the North Wales Under 17s Cross Country Championship at the Rhug Estate, Corwen on Saturday.
The win comes a week after Nathan’s superb fifth place overall and first under 20s place in the Colwyn Bay Twin Piers 10k, finishing in a personal best 33min 37sec.
Next month Blessed Edward Jones student Nathan, who runs for Colwyn Bay Athletics Club, will represent North East Wales schools in the Welsh championships at Brecon.