DEAN Longley, who has just completed his first year as Prestatyn Running Club’s cross-country captain, has been named as the club’s runner of the month for February.
He was nominated by chairman Arwel Jones after recording his best-ever placings in both the Border Road-Running League and Grand Prix Express Cross-Country League, as well as leading the men’s team to victory in the North Wales championships.
This weekend three of the club’s older members will be up against the cream of the country’s veterans in the British and Irish Masters’ cross-country championships.
Last year the Prestatyn club hosted the championships in Ruthin but this time the event is being held in the grounds of Stormont Castle.
George Nixon, Griff Owens and Roger Harrison-Jones, who won their respective age-groups at the Welsh Masters’ championships in Builth Wells, face very tough competition, but Griff, in particular, will be keen to repeat his victory in the British and Irish international match in Birmingham.
Dave Hughes, who had hoped to join Roger in the M70 race, has had to withdraw through injury.
It means that the trio will be missing from Sunday’s Border League fixture in Mold, where the club’s men and women will be hoping to repeat their outstanding result in the last race at Abergele.
Four members competed in the Farndon 10k on Sunday and although the conditions were perfect the undulating course proved very testing.
George Nicholls was 16th overall in 37.06 (2nd M40), Des Davies clocked 36.20 in 58th position, Sian Beck had an excellent run to take 143rd place in 46.41 and Gabby Waring was second L50 and 151st overall in 47.01.