DESPITE the continuing heat, it’s been a week of multiple races.

Leading the way was Phil Hayes, who took to the start line in no fewer than three races.

The racing week started on Tuesday night on the fields behind Denbigh Leisure Centre for the monthly Noel Morris summer handicap series.

It came as no surprise that it was hot - 26C - but the heat was at least dry with a breeze and the ground was firm with short grass.

Numbers were down, but this was great for the championship chances of those who were there.

‘Man of the match’ was Tony Benton, who got himself through six of the opposition and was a lot closer in time to Phil Hayes than usual.

Nice to see Sioned Griffiths and Ruth Crowther back and going well, too.

Jeff Jones knocked four minutes off his best previous time and with four races gone, Phil Hayes is looking like the bookies favourite for the championship.

Results: 1, Jeff Jones 28.59; 2, Diane Roberts 33.57; 3, Sioned Griffiths 24.39; 4, Ruth Crowther 34.48; 5, Tony Benton 22.06; 6, Gerwyn Lloyd 24.25; 7, Melina Morris 24.43; 8, Menai Baugh 26.58; 9, Philip Hayes 21.45; 10, Duncan Jones 24.31; 11, Anwen Brown 28.16; 12, Tony Wood 19.50; 13, Jon Whitehead 27.21.

With members choosing the Ruthin evening 5k over the handicap, a total of 15 Harriers lined up for this popular local race.

It was no surprise to see Shaun Hughes as the first Harrier home.

He finished third overall in a new personal best of 17.10.

It’s only a matter of time before Hughes goes below the 17-minute mark at this distance.

He was followed by Craig Jones, also running a personal best as he finished eighth in 18.31.

Meanwhile, the third Harrier across the line was Philip Hayes, putting in an impressive 20.59 for 27th, despite racing the previous night.

Also finishing in the top quarter of the field were Hywel Roberts (36th in 22.23) and the first lady Harrier Katy Baugh (41st in 22.58).

Other Harriers' results: 64, Rhian Griffiths-Jones 25.58; 65, Sali Powell 25.59; 89, Hannah McDonnell 28.13; 101, Jeff Jones 29.25; 102, Nicola Field 29.28; 133, Angela Beedles 33.19; 152, Jess Jones 36.51; 153, Ian Jones 36.53; 165, Caroline Parry 44.52.

The second in the series of four Deestriders Summer Series races took place on Thursday night.

Just two Denbigh Harriers turned out on another nice, sunny evening.

Tony Benton was 35th overall and the third VM55 in 33.27.

First in the VF55 category was Emma Collins, who crossed the line in 33.44 for 36th.

Ian Jones and Nicola Field ran the Let’s Rock, Conwy 10k on Saturday morning.

It was a flat course along the coastal path towards Penmaenmawr, although the very hot weather made it a difficult run.

Provisional results: Ian Jones 52.07; Nicola Field 64.55.

Also on Saturday, there was just one Denbigh Harrier running the Moel Siabod fell race.

This 5.8-mile / 8k classic fell race starts and finishes in the carnival field in Capel Curig.

It ascends 2,300 feet from the field, through the forest, up a rocky trail to the summit of the mountain and back the same way.

In 25C heat, Menai Baugh enjoyed running her second race of the week in one hour and 38 minutes, picking up the prize for the first VF60.

At the Conwy Parkrun, Phil Hayes ran his third 5k of the week.

He finished in 21.14 for 14th position.

Dawn Marshall was in 100th place in 29.18.

Over at Wepre, Sarah Bayliss finished 44th in 27.55.

There's a couple of additional special mentions.

It was great to see previous member Martin Cortvriend back at the Conwy Parkrun over the weekend.

Martin, who has a 20:29 personal best for the course, completed it in 48.32, which is fantastic given it was his first run back following recent surgery. Phil Hayes' three daughters raced their first junior parkruns at Alyn Waters in Wrexham on Sunday.

Eight-year-old Rose was second over the line in a fantastic 8.45 for the 2k race and she was the first girl home, beating many boys and girls considerably older than herself.

Younger sisters and twins Ella and Gwen were 18th (11.22) and 19th (11.23) respectively in a field of 63, again beating many considerably older children.