A WOMAN who is almost unrecognisable from when she joined the club 18 months ago was rewarded for her determination and effort at Prestatyn Running Club’s annual awards night.

Clair Atterbury, who not only sets personal bests almost every time she competes, but now also copes admirably with tough fell-races, left the social at Melyd Golf Club with three trophies – for the most improved female, the new member of the year and, most prestigiously, member of the year.

Unsurprisingly, Steve Skates was named as male cross-country and fell-runner of the year, with Andrew Bromley taking the road-running title for his 100 per cent effort in every race.

The winners were: Grand prix: Men, Steve Skates; Women, Amie Bagnall; Volunteer of the year, Duncan Longley; New member, Clair Atterbury; Most improved: Men, Matty Smith; Ladies, Clair Atterbury; Male fell-runner, Steve Skates; Female fell-runner, Helen Ashworth; Cross-country runner: Male, Steve Skates; Female, Jenna Bagnall; Road-runner: Male, Andrew Bromley; Female, Amie Bagnall; Men’s captain’s award, Andrew Bromley and James Rogers (shared). Ladies’ captain’s award: Jenna Bagnall and Helen Ashworth (shared).

Steve Skates added to his haul of awards at last week’s Essar Chester Spring 5 race which, as usual, attracted a good quality field.

He finished third, one place higher than last year, with Andrew Bromley and second-claimer Steve Forsyth renewing their recent battle and coming ninth and 10th respectively.

Prestatyn RC placings: 3, Steve Skates 26.13; 9, Andrew Bromley 27.34; 10, Steve Forsyth 27.37; 30, Leon Bagnall 29.11; 93, James Rogers 33.34; 220, Gareth Hughes 39.37; 264, Steven Brown 41.30; 266, Jo Lewis 41.39; 269, Mike Davis 41.58; 306, Roger Harrison-Jones 43.40 (1st M80); 374, David Hughes 51.14.

Four members, including 90-year-old Eddie Naisby, ran in the Liverpool Tunnel 10k, with Joy Hickman winning the L50 class in 43.01.

She was followed by Ally Reid in 47.06 (pb), Jo Edwards (52.28) and Eddie (77.08).

Sian Beck was the club’s sole representative in the scenic Whitley 10k in Cheshire, clocking 43.30 to gain her second place in the 35-44 category.

Conwy Parkrun results: 130, Martin Gill 26.07 (pb); 150, Roger Harrison-Jones 26.56; 249, Lesley Furneaux 33.03 (pb); 303, Diane Bancroft 35.47 (pb); 334, Val Jones 42.07.

Mother-and-daughter Evie and Alex White travelled to Bangor for the Penrhyn Parkrun, which is more testing than the Conwy course, and young Evie came an excellent 56th in 24.17, with Alex 193rd in 35.41.

Steven Brown ran his third race in five days, coming 61st at the Wepre Parkrun in 29.19.

The previous Tuesday and Steven was one of four members who turned out in the Moel Lus fell-race near Penmaenmawr, the third race in the Joe Brown Tuesday Night Series.

The placings were: 111, Neil Stephenson 39.14; 116, Steven Brown 40.50; 123, Clare Atterbury 42.50; 125, Julie Logan 43.41.

George Nixon (M65) and Gareth Hughes and Mike Davis (both M70) have been included in the Celtic combined team to race against England Masters in a special challenge within the Great Birmingham 10k on May 6.