DESPITE the high winds and heavy rain of late, Vale of Clwyd athletes are already thinking about the summer.

Sunday saw the start of the Denbigh Harriers' summer handicap series.

Luckily, it was a clear day, even if the ground was still saturated making the course muddier than usual.

The course had been shortened to just over two miles due to the groundwork taking place on the Denbigh High School playing fields.

In the handicap series, runners are set off at intervals based on their predicted finishing time.

After a storming run, the first Harrier home was Katy Baugh in a time of 17.29, beating Peter Lester-Own by one second.

The third person home was Victoria Whitehead, who was pleased with her return from injury.

The fastest person over the course was Tony Wood in 15.43, just a few seconds ahead of Huw Williams.

Results: 1, Katy Baugh 17.29; 2, Peter Lester Owen 19.50; 3, Victoria Whitehead 18.25; 4, Jon Whitehead 21.16; 5, Chris Roberts 19.20; 6, Tony Benton 17.43; 7, Chris Baldwin 20.42; 8, Menai Baugh 21.10; 9, Huw Williams 15.48; 10, Tracey Williams 18.50; 11, Tony Wood 15.43; 12, David Baugh 17.09; 13, Mat Jones 17.10; 14, Anwen Brown 22.15; 15, Gareth Powell 18.58.

Duncan Jones was pleased with his 45.39 in the Oswestry Marchers 10k, although he went through the 5k mark in 22.02.

A harder last 5k that was mainly into a stiff breeze made his overall time a little slower.

It was a very well organised race by Oswestry Olympians to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their club, of which Duncan was a member in the early 90s.

He finished 58th out of 409 competitors and fourth out of 10 in the O-60 age group.

Vic Belshaw and Emma Collins travelled to Church Stretton for the legendary Long Mynd Valley fell race.

This covered 11.5 miles, with a 4,500ft climb and steep slippery descents.

This tough race had vetted entries and cut off times.

The duo ran together as they used it as a training run.

Vic finished as the second V60 and Emma had a battle with a few ladies before finishing as the first V55 in front of the first V50.

They crossed the line in 2-32.42.

Four Harriers participated in the 2020 Anglesey half marathon.

The race course was adapted twice, first for Storm Jorge, omitting the Menai Bridge.

Overnight, a fallen tree at mile four forced another route change.

The route was undulating to say the least, including a steep climb back up from Beaumaris.

A battle with the wind in parts also made this course a tough one.

The route change meant that the course measured 13.8 miles.

Harriers' results: 150, Adam McDonnell 1-47.36; 279, Carys Davies 1-55.15; 323, David Jones 1-58.21; 358, Lisa Pope 2-00.20.

In the Anglesey 10k, Catherine Tudor Jones continued her good form to finish as the sixth female and 32nd overall in 44.46.

Parkrun results:

Kingston: 152, Sian Pritchard 30.12.

Conwy: 283, John Llewelyn Thomas 50.53.

Northwich: 33, Tony Benton 23.30.