IF any confirmation were needed that Prestatyn Running Club’s Griff Owens was the best athlete in the country in his age-group then it came officially last week.
In the UK rankings for 2009 the 62-year-old came top in the M60 class for 10 miles, following his 60.47 clocking in Sale in August.
If the statisticians had also taken into account his performance in the Race The Train event at Caernarfon. Griff, who returned to competition less than a year ago after 15 years out, would also have topped the 5k rankings.
He was once again in superb form at the weekend, not only winning his age-group in the Twin Piers 10k but also finishing ahead of all runners in the M55, M50 and even M45 categories.
He was just one of four club members to pick up individual awards, while the ladies also won the ream competition.
The club’s first finisher, in 13th place overall, was Matt Sims, who recorded a new personal best for the distance, while at the age of 81, Eddie Naisby finished two minutes faster than he did in the event five years ago.
The placings were: 13 Matt Sims 36.33, 18 Dean Longley 37.14, 19 Griff Owens 37.16 (1st M60), 25 George Nicholls 38.18, 69 Paul Brandrick 42.54, 91 Steve Hatfield 44.01, 124 Brenda Tiedtke 46.23 (3rd L45), 139 Sian Beck 47.25, 144 Gay Waring 47.45 (1st L50), 166 Katie Brandrick 49.09, 183 Roger Harrison-Jones 50.22 (1st M70), 267 Eddie Naisby 55.17.
l This Saturday, club captains will be hoping for a good turnout for the Rhug Organics North Wales Cross-Country Championships at Rhug, Corwen.
Also, more volunteers are sought for the 12-hour treadmill relay at Saints Fitness Centre on February 13. Contact Gareth Hughes on 888078.