Super-vet Owens is victorious off-road

Jun 10 2009 by Our Correspondent, Denbigh Visitor

PRESTATYN Running Club’s new super-veteran Griff Owens chalked up another victory when he led the M60 age-group in the opening race of Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix.

He finished 20th overall – right behind clubmate George Nicholls – and his current form belies the fact that he has been away from competition for so many years.

Steve Hatfield was third in the M60 class, while Brenda Tiedtke and Glenda Davies were 1-2 in the F45 category. Phil Jones, who has just resumed training after injury problems, was second M65 and Eleri Goddard was third F35.

The club placings were: 19 George Nicholls 30mins 37secs, 20 Griff Owens 30.52, 34 Des Davies 33.27, 52 Brenda Tiedtke 35.14, 55 Steve Hatfield 35.54, 57 Glenda Tiedtke 36.24, 68 Philip Jones 39.11, 69 Eleri Goddard 39.16, 71 Eleri Jones 39.39.

Neil Owen was the only club member in action at the weekend, and he set a new personal best of 39.38 in the Capenhurst 10k.

There was a record turnout of 23 members for the second race in the club’s summer handicap series, with the women again dominating.

First home was Helen Ashworth, who now leads the series, followed by recent recruit Amy Evans. After a long absence from the club John McKenna made a welcome return and looked comfortable finishing seventh.

The placings were: 1 Helen Ashworth race time 26.48, actual time 24.48, 2 Amy Evans 26.52/25.52, 3 Katie Brandrick 27.14/26.14, 4 Helen Baxandall 27.52/24.52, 5 Angel Alonso 28.05/25.05, 6 Matt Sims 28.07/17.37, 7 John McKenna 28.46/20.46, 8 John Hughes Roberts 28.47/20.47, 9 Dean Longley 28.48/17.48, 10 Magda Fattah 28.55/26.55, 11 Jenny Harrowby 29.05/29.05, 12 Chris Taft 29.07/20.37, 13 Tracy Colligan 29.09/23.09, 14 Gareth Bailey 29.15/19.15, 15 Griff Owens 29.18/19.18, 16 Paul Das 29.20/23.20, 17 Gareth Jones 29.26/21.56, 18 Gareth Hughes 29.20/21.30, 19 Gill Brandrick 29.40/28.40, 20 Sandra Mayers 29.42/28.42, 21 Paul Brandrick 30.16/21.16, 22 Steve Hatfield 30.20/22.50, 23 George Nicholls 32.52/22.22.

Three members took part in the annual Ras y Gader on Cader Idris, with Neil Owen leading the way in a strong time of 2h 01.37, finishing in 78th place overall. Des Davies was 171st 2-22.35 (PB) and Glenda Davies 11 places behind in 2-26.04.

This weekend is seen as the highlight of the club’s year, the Welsh Castles Relay from Caernarfon to Cardiff.