Athletics: Prestatyn Running Club put on good show

Oct 14 2009

ILLNESS and injury was put to one side in a spirited showing from Prestatyn Running Club members competing in the second fixture of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country League at Bridgnorth on Saturday.

Despite being far from fully fit team captain Glenda Davies led by example in the ladies’ race.

Typical of the spirit on show was Shelly Ward, who pulled up at one stage feeling unwell but kept going to the finish to help capture valuable points and 15-year old Aimee Bagnall gave another mature performance to finish third U17.

In the M70 race Dave Hughes took second behind Wrexham’s Peter Norman.

Dean Longley, too, more than filled his captain’s role, holding off the fast-finishing Mathew Anwyl to lead the team home, while the much-improved George Nicholls was just a place back.

George Nixon turned out despite a back problem and though beaten in the M55 class this time by team-mate Neil Owen, his presence boosted the morale and points total of the squad.

The men again finished second in Division Two and if all athletes are available for the remaining fixtures, Menai’s lead could be very tight by the end of the season.

Club placings: Ladies – 35 Glenda Davies 23.26, 38 Gay Waring 23.34 (3rd L50), 50 Eleri Goddard 25.07, 52 Aimee Bagnall 25.37 (3rd U17L), 53 Shelly Ward 25.39.

Men: 27 Dean Longley 35.20, 30 Mathew Anwyl 35.36, 39 George Nicholls 36.04, 79 Neil Owen 39.09 (3rd M55), 85 George Nixon 39.39, 101 Arwel Jones 41.11, 104 Paul Brandrick 41.23, 137 Steve Hatfield 44.46, 141 Gareth Hughes 45.14. M70: 2 Dave Hughes 25.33.

Some of the club’s juniors shone at the second race of the Energy Solutions North Wales Junior League at Northop.

Lucy McEwen finished fourth in the under-11 girls’ race and Josh Ablett did likewise in the U11 boys’.

Sunday sees the opening fixture of the Borders Road- Running League at Christleton, Chester, and a good turnout of men and women is expected, with some of the recent new recruits likely to make their debuts.