Prestatyn Running Club members celebrated at annual awards
A record 13 members were nominated for the main award for member of the year, all having contributed in different ways.
The winner, and recipient of the Pat Evans Memorial Plate, was Jo Lewis, who has not only helped to recruit new members by setting up groups for beginners and those wishing to return to running, but has also been largely responsible for the new kit.
The other nominees were Jo's daughter Meg, Ben Thomas, Clare Manley, Nem James, Debbie Jones, Julie Evans, Liz Martin, Lee Bailey, Jonah Armstrong, Nicki Triggs and Duncan Longley.
Despite missing out on the main, award Nem James had a double success, picking up the trophies for most improved male and volunteer of the year.
Another double winner was Marc Jones, voted the male road runner and winner of the Grand Prix.
Other recipients were: Ally Reid (Female Road Runner), Gordon Jones (Male Cross-country Runner for the third consecutive year); Sue Hughes (Female Cross-Country Runner), Lee Bailey (Male Fellrunner), Ann Claire Jones (Female Fellrunner), Meg Lewis (Most Improved Female), Jonah Armstrong (Best Newcomer), Ben Thomas (Men's Captains' Award), and Nicki Triggs and Clare Manley (joint winners of the Captains' Awards).
During the evening, held at the Scala, club captain Lee Bailey summarised the club's many achievements during the year, Ben Thomas outlined the structure of the club's training sessions and members enjoyed a sports quiz.
The annual Deganwy Dash five-mile race, held on Friday (May 30), provided rich pickings for the club as members claimed 10 podium places.
Among the age-group winners was Darrell Jones, who claimed his first victory since joining the club last year.
The results were: 4 Jonah Armstrong 28.33 (1st SM), 16 Tom Carter 29.40 (2nd M40), 17 Oliver Birch-Jones 31.10 (1st U24), 21 George Williams 31.19, 25 Dave Ellis , 31 Lewis Pierce 32.59, 47 Darrell Jones 34.37 (1st M60), 58 Eve Manifold 35.55 (1st U24), 77 Lisa Lines 37.28 (3rd SL), 84 Simon Bonfield 37.57, 96 Meg Lewis 39.02 (2nd U24), 110 Keiley Roberts 39.55, 112 Steve Weedman 40.11, 119 Newm James 40.27, 165 Sue Hughes 44.01 (2nd L65), 172 Andy Scott 44.31, 223 Debbie Jones 48.42, 256 Mike Davis 51.13 (1st M75), 263 Debbie Weedman 51.39, 300 Clare Manley 54.44, 342 Julie Evans 68.21.
The following day, 16 members supporting the Feel, Find, Mind breast cancer awareness campaign, travelled to Hope for the Park in the Past parkrun, North Wales' newest parkrun, though some took it easy after their efforts the previous evening.
The placings were: 11 Dave Ellis 20.40, 49 Ben Thomas 23.47, 121 Steve Weedman27.12, 123 Ally Reid 27.20, 179 Andrew Carter 29.51, 205 Sophie Johnson 31.18, 215 Cara Jones 31.44, 247 Mandy Cartwright 32.45, 269 Debbie Jones 33.20, 293 Debbie Weedman 34.37, 302 Emma Birchall 33.02, 325 Clare Manley 36.32, 405 Suzanne Evans 52.39, 406 Julie Evans 52.40, 407 Nicki Triggs 52.41, 409 Liz Martin 52.42.
On a "high" after his Deganwy run, Darrell Jones had another good run in the Nova parkrun in which supervet Roger Harrison-Jones made a cautious comeback after a lengthy lay-off through injury.
Placings: 21 Darrell Jones 21.26, 30 Jamie Betts 22.48, 55 Philip Howarth 25.05, 58 Neil Davidson 25.33, 123 Grahame Shone 29.49, 274 Roger Harrison-Jones 53.47.
Other parkruns: Greenfield Valley: 7 David Hudd 20.56 (pb), 40 Cath Wood 28.23 (pb).
Marple: 72 Martin Cortvriend 25.21.
Pont y Bala: 2 Dan Williams 18.17.
Llangollen: 75 Glenda Roberts 28.58.
Next weekend, the club will be one of four from North Wales taking part in the annual Welsh Castles Relay, a two-day, 200-mile event from Caernarfon to Cardiff.
The Prestatyn squad has received a welcome boost in sponsorship by the Denbigh firm of Choice Handles, owned by the brother of club member Marc Jones, a significant contribution from Prestatyn Town Council and support from Mold Car and Van Hire.
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