THE second of Welsh Athletics’ Marsh Tracks 5k series once again produced a race-within-a-race for members of Prestatyn Running Club.

The men’s race was dominated by Bryn Woodall (Colwyn Bay), who finished second in the first race of the series. But on Saturday he was on his own from the gun and won by a huge margin.

In the chasing pack Prestatyn’s Dean Longley, Andrew Bromley and Alex Ryder had their own battle, with never more than three metres between them throughout the four laps, and were even involved in a sprint finish together.

Slightly further back, Luke Bodman continued his progress. He was on his own much of the time but still managed a huge pb, which augurs well for the future.

The placings were: 3 Dean Longley 16.30, 7 (equal) Andrew Bromley and Alex Ryder 16.37, 14 Luke Bodman 18.52.

The club usually has a large contingency in the Off-Road Grand Prix Series in Shotton but with this year’s licence having been granted only a few days earlier only three members were among the much-reduced field for last Thursday’s opening race.

The 4.3-mile course, whilst basically the same as in previous years, was reduced to one lap, but extended at both ends.

The club placings were: 11 James Rogers 31.17 (3rd M45), 17 Gareth Hughes 37.23 (1st M75), 20 Liz Martin 37.42 (1st L40).

Veteran Emma Crowe (Deeside), who was second last month, took victory this time, with Amie Bagnall (Cheshire Dragons),from Prestatyn, second in 18.22.

Rhyl’s Nathan Jones confirmed his status as one of Wales’s top distance runners with an outstanding performance in the Midsummer Night Classic 10,000 metres track race in Leeds last week.

The three-race programme attracted a host of sub-34 minute runners from across Britain and in the “A” race Nathan, running in the colours of his new club, Cardiff AAC, was in the leading group from the gun.

It developed into a head-to-head battle with Nigel Martin (Sale) but on the final lap Jones powered away to finish in a brilliant pb of 28.54.

In 17th place, with a time of 30.40 – another pb – was fellow Welshman Andrew Davies (Stockport) from Newtown, who won the first Marsh Tracks 5k in Rhyl last month.

In the “C” race on the same evening was Christian Prior (Cardiff), who hails from Prestatyn, but he failed to finish.

Another talented local youngster, Roman Hodgson, from Gwaenysgor, was among the top performers at the Welsh trials in Brecon for the annual British Schools’ track and field international.

The Prestatyn High School pupil won the Middle Boys’ 800 metres in a superb 1-56.28.