THE Anglesey Coastal Path may be one of the most scenic in Britain but running it is a real challenge, as three of Prestatyn Running Club’s ladies found at the weekend.

Ann-Claire Jones, Helen Alefounder and Cara Jones competed in the 35-mile Firelighter race, the first part of the Ring of Fire event around the whole island.

Conditions were perfect for the run, which started in Holyhead and finished in Amlwch, with a total of 877 metres of ascent.

Cara crossed the line in 8:54:31, with Ann-Claire just a minute behind.

Helen pulled out after 17 miles but then assisted her friends by supporting and advising on the second half of the course.

Also helping them at intervals was club captain Lee Bailey, who last year completed the full Ring of Fire, and his wife Natalie.

The trio have raised more than £1,000 for St David’s Hospice.

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The club received three more timely boosts during the past week.

On Friday (September 1), Tom Carter won the fourth and final event in Deestriders’ Off-Road Grand Prix in Shotton.

And on Saturday, Jamie Betts finished third in the Nova parkrun only days after becoming a member, and supervet Martin Cortvriend, still recovering from heart surgery, set a new M70 record in the  Llangollen parkrun with his best time of the year.

The Shotton course was unexpectedly muddy and wet but 18 Prestatyn members turned out and several are expected to be among the medal winners when the end-of-season results are revealed.

Placings: 1 Tom Carter 24.33, 5 Alex Ryder 26.20,  13 Dave Ellis 28.20, 14 Steve Stocker 29.23, 27 John Clayton-Hughes 31.55, 32 George Nicholls 32.33, 37 Simon Bonfield 33.25, 42 Marc Jones 34.04, 45 James Rogers 34.46, 55 Sue Hughes 38.25, 59 Liz Martin 40.09, 60 Nem James 40.24, 64 Gareth Hughes 41.10, 65 Karl Martin 42.02, 70 Debbie Jones 43.31, 74 Mike Davis 46.10, 76 Emma Birchall 47.14, 79 Julie Evans 51.54.

Parkruns - Nova: 3 Jamie Betts 18.52, 6 Steve Stocker19.50, 13 Darren Thompson 21.26, 18 Lisa Lines 23.33, 23 Will Lines 24.09,  58 Jo Lewis 26.57, 61 Tia Calland 27.18, 63 Andrew Scott 27.31, 65 Paul Sanders 27.39, 66 Andy Clark 27.40, 75 Rachel Jackson 29.08, 89 Sion Jones 30.59, 105 Nem James 33.58, 109 Linda Friar 34.52, 162 Steve Hatfield (Tailwalker) 62.05.

Greenfield Valley: 12 Sophie Johnson 26.03, 15 Mandy Cartwright, 2741.

Ruthin: 41 Claudia Smith 29.14, 44 Roger Harrison-Jones 30.04.

Llangollen: 22 Martin Cortvriend 24.22.

Birkenhead: 76 Steve Weedman 22.18, 363 Debbie Weedman 29.49.

Haga (Stockholm): 115 Nicki Triggs 28.56.

Prestatyn Junior parkrun: 3 Tia Calland 9.29, 5 Olivia Standring-Jones 10.19, 33 Ffion Standring-Jones 17.17.

On Bank Holiday Monday (August 28), Ann-Claire and Helen warmed up for their Anglesey ultra run by competing in the popular Moel Famau race from Cilcain.

Captain Lee Bailey led the 10 club members home and it was good to see Steve Skates in action again, albeit taking things steadily by running with partner Helen.

Placings: 24 Lee Bailey 40.36, 106 Simon Bonfield 50.36, 121 Helen Ashworth 52.19, 122 Steve Skates 52.42, 132 Reg Jonas 52.59, 141 Sophie Johnson 54.42, 151 Mandy Cartwright 57.15, 188 Claudia Smith 70.08, 189 Helen Alefounder 70.09, 190 Ann-Claire Jones 70.31.