A FANTASTIC five Denbigh Harriers took to the start line of last weekend's Twin Piers 10k, alongside 434 other runners who were racing.

There was the usual headwind, but none of the dreadful conditions the Twin Piers can be famous for.

Joe Welsh was the first Harrier home in 39.30, enough to finish 36th overall and the fifth MV35.

He was delighted to feel comfortable racing, coming back after two months of injury.

Next over the line and improving on his time last year by well over a minute was Bob Neale in 49.55.

This was sufficient for him to take first place in the M65 category.

The next two Harriers were Ruth Crowther and Andy Morris, both aiming to cross the finishing line in under an hour and for Ruth, this was her first 10k.

Both of them comfortably achieved their goals.

Ruth came home in a time of 56.49, while Andy crossed the line in 58.31.

Returning from illness and injury was Dawn Marshall, who finished in one hour and 40 seconds.

While this was nowhere near her personal best for this course, it was in line with last year and it was used as a fitness test.

It was a great day out for all five Harriers.

Harriers' positions: 36, Joe Welch 39.30; 172, Robert Neale 49.55 (1st MV65); 272, Ruth Crowther 56.49; 296, Andrew Morris 58.31; 318, Dawn Marshall 60.40.

Two Denbigh Harriers took part in the Shropshire Mercia Hill Trial on Sunday.

This is a superb mountain navigation event and thick freezing fog down to the valley base made for a technical course, especially for non-locals like the two Harriers on the Shropshire hills.

Tony Wood and Vic Belshaw were in the third tranche of starters and they were taken on a coach to a secret location for the start of the linear course.

Each team and individual competitor was started at a one-minute interval and given their map.

There were two courses, one medium and one long.

Tony and Vic went for the medium option, which didn't disappoint.

Although they made one serious navigational error early on - along with several others - after that they were pretty much on perfect lines and they consistently moved up the field.

It was a cracking day out and a big day as well, with almost 10 miles covered and 3,000 feet of ascent.

Tony was placed 10th overall in the individual category.

On a cold, wet and misty morning, three Harriers made their way over to Helsby to run in the Four Villages Half Marathon.

Thankfully, the rain stopped about a quarter-of-an-hour before the start time and then stayed off for the race.

Hywel Roberts was the first Harrier home in 1-50.50, ahead of Ian Jones, who finished in 1-57.54, and Rob Parry crossed the line in 2-00.09.

It was a nice, well-organised race, with plenty of support and great marshalling.

Brett Jones completed the Buff Winter Trail Wales in a time of 1-43.03.

This knocked six minutes off his time from last year and saw Brett finish 23rd overall and the sixth M40.

Globetrotting members played their part in a busy week of action.

Nine Harriers ran Saturday morning parkruns in New Zealand, England and Wales.

Taking part in the Foster Parkrun, in New Zealand, was Ceri Belshaw, who finished 11th in 23.11.

Parkrun results:

Kingston: 202, Sian Pritchard 29.05.

Conwy: 40, Philip Hayes 23.37; 211, Joanne White 40.28.

Newborough: 26, Chris Baldwin 25.08.

Foster (New Zealand): 11, Ceri Belshaw 23.11.

Bodelwyddan: 6, David Baugh 21.45; 14, Tony Benton 23.10; 17, Duncan Jones 24.04; 19, Katy Baugh 24.38.