Running: Riverbank in Rhuddlan event a success

Jun 24 2009 by Our Correspondent, Denbigh Visitor

SUNDAY’S annual Riverbank in Rhuddlan produced another success for the hosts, Prestatyn Running Club, for the event proved as popular as ever and several members were among the prizewinners.

The race, which incorporated the Eddie Faure Memorial 10k, started and finished at the Clwyd View Caravan Park, through the kind support of Councillor and Mrs Selwyn Thomas. Other sponsorship came from Rhuddlan Town Council and CBI Insurance.

In near-perfect conditions there was a very close battle at the front which saw both winner Brendan Rothery (Eryri) and Lee Jones (Deeside) finishing inside the old record. Local runner Isabel Redfern (Colwyn Bay) won the ladies’ trophy by over four minutes.

It was fitting that the competitors included two runners who had fond memories of Eddie Faure from his days in Manchester before he joined the Prestatyn club.

The club finished 41st out of 57 teams in the Welsh Castles Relay, a very respectable showing considering the number of members unavailable. On the six mountain stages, two of which were tackled by female members, the club was one place higher.

Special mention must go not only to Andrew Jones, Matt Sims and George Nicholls, all of whom achieved top-10 places, but also to Jo McDonough who tackled the infamous Drovers’ Arms mountain section for the second time and took two minutes off last year’s time.

There was a good turnout of club members last week in the Druids race at Llanferres, the first race in the Clwydian Hills series. Jayne Penrhyn-Jones, Brenda Tiedtke and Des Davies were among the prizewinners, and Steve Hatfield, Phil Jones, Julie Logan and Helen Baxandall and turned out.

Riverbank Rhuddlan event (Prestatyn places): 10 George Nicholls 38.51 (2nd M40), 16 Neil Owen 40.14, 22 Des Davies 41.12, 35 Jayne Penrhyn Jones 43.47 (2nd lady overall and 1st L45), 36 John Hughes Roberts 44.13, 40 John McKenna 44.44, 56 Brenda Tiedtke 46.29 (3rd L45), 68 Sian Beck 48.04 (2nd Senior), 69 Gabby Waring 48.13 (1st L50), 78 Roger Harrison-Jones 49.45 (1st M70), 97 Alonso Angel 54.50, 109 Mdadenka Hooper 60.21.

Welsh Castle relay results: Stage 1: 28 John McKenna; Stage 2: 29 Paul Brandrick; Stage 3 (mountain): 51 Steve Hatfield; Stage 4: 50 Helen Baxandall; Stage 5: 47 Tracy Colligan; Stage 6: 7 Andrew Jones; Stage 7 (mountain): 24 Griff Owens; Stage 8: Peter Blundell (dnf); Stage 9: 28 John Hughes Roberts; Stage 10 (mountain): 49 Des Davies; Stage 11 (mountain): 55 Glenda Davies; Stage 12: 39 Brenda Tiedtke; Stage 13: 50 Shelly Ward; Stage 14 (mountain): 44 Jo McDonough; Stage 15: 9 George Nicholls; Stage 16 (mountain): 25 Gareth Brandrick; Stage 17: 29 Gareth Hughes; Stage 18: 7 Matt Sims; Stage 19: 52 Phil Jones; Stage 20: 19 Dean Longley.