LAST weekend saw two British Championship races in North Wales, with runners from all over the UK coming to test themselves against the elements.

Both races were organised to limit indoor gathering and encouraged social distancing in line with health guidance.

Three Denbigh Harriers ran in the British Masters Cross Country Championships on Saturday, a national event which was held on the Rhug Estate, Corwen.

The ever improving Melina Morris ran an exceptional race, finishing 26th overall, the 20th female and fourth O-45 female in a time of 27 minutes and 22 seconds

Fred Jones, running in the same race, finished in an admirable 48th position in a time of 29 minutes and 48 seconds.

He was very pleased with an overall sixth position in his M65 age category.

Menai Baugh was 77th overall and the seventh F60, finishing in a time of 33 minutes and 42 seconds

Many thanks go to Prestatyn Running Club for expertly organising this high profile national race.

Not far away and at the same time in Llanuwchllyn, two Denbigh Harriers were part of a very large field for the first of the British Fell Running Championship races.

Runners came from all corners of the UK for this unique gathering.

The event was a 10.6-mile race, climbing 3,100 feet to the summit of Aran Fawddwy in wet conditions, with the runners encountering snow patches and ice on the rocky path to the summit.

With all the recent rain and melting snow, the course was treacherous, resulting in multiple slips and falls for both runners.

Luckily, no serious damage was done to either runner.

Vic Belshaw was the first Harrier home in two hours and eight minutes, while David Baugh finished in 2-13.

Of the 36 entries in their M60 age group, 29 finished the race, with Vic finishing eighth and David 11th.