ELEVEN Harriers joined more than 275 runners on Saturday for the second round of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross Country League held at St David’s College, Llandudno.
The ladies ran one lap and the men two circuits of the new 2.6 mile course, with Jeni Richards leading the ladies home in 22min 44sec for 29th position.
Chris Birch finished in 23min 22sec for 41st overall and 1st LV60, whilst Rachel Shipley made her debut for the club, completing the ladies team with a run of 29min 22sec for 89th position.
Richie Lee was first for the men’s team in 35min 37sec for 68th position, whilst Mark Mayers ran 37min 35sec for 94th and Rob Armstrong finishing in 38min 5sec for 100th.
Ed Reid crossed the line in 38min 30sec for 108th, Paul Thomas’ sprint to the line saw him finish 124th with a time of 39min 53sec for 124th, whilst Dave Edwards was just behind in a time of 40min 9sec for 127th.
Tom Bancroft and Graham Arden, both racing for the Harriers for the first time, completed a strong men’s performance with runs of 44min 48sec for 158th and 55min 38sec for 166th respectively.
Chris Birch has been selected for the Welsh Masters team to compete in the British and Irish Masters Cross Country International held at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on Saturday November 26.
Welsh International Ultra-Distance runner and Club Secretary Sean McCormack has been short-listed for the Conwy Senior Sportsman of the Year award to be held in November.
Sean won the award last year and has been shortlisted again this year following outstanding performances in the 100k Anglo-Celtic Plate in March and the Commonwealth 24 hour race in September.
ILLNESS, injuries and other commitments left Prestatyn Running Club with a severely weakened team for the second fixture of the Grand Prix Express North Wales Cross-Country League.
With only eight men lining up, including League debutants Iwan Jones and Russ Cheetham, the men were outnumbered by the women, who had 10 in action.
George Nicholls led the men home in 58th place, with Griff Owens 75th and first M60.
Cousins Lee and Gareth Bailey had their own family battle, while behind them Iwan Jones just beat a fast-finishing Russ Cheetham. Paul Brandrick and super-vet David Owen made up the squad.
Jo McDonough, making a rare outing on the country, led the women home in 38th place, and there was the usual excellent support from Katie Brandrick, Brenda Tiedtke, Shelley Ward, Glenda Davies, Eleri Goddard and Eleri Jones. The strong squad was completed by Amie Bagnall, Sharon Jones and Helen Baxandall.
On November 23 the club is holding a 5k run on the Marsh Tracks site in Rhyl, and, if it proves successful, a short series of 5k races may follow early next year.
Members of all standards as well as members of other clubs are welcome to attend. The entry fee will be £2 and no prizes will be awarded.