THE annual North Wales Cross-Country Championships at Rhug, Corwen, once again proved a triumph for the host club Prestatyn Running Club with a haul of medals and the satisfaction of putting on a great event.

The outstanding individual performances came from Steve Skates and Amie Bagnall, both of whom improved on last year’s placings.

In the senior men’s three-lap race, Steve, who was fourth in 2017, had a fascinating tussle with 2010 champion Ricky Challinor (Liverpool Harriers). After pulling away from the rest of the field, they were shoulder-to shoulder most of the way before Challinor opened up a gap in the closing stages.

Last year, Amie had a battle with veteran Andrea Rowlands (Eryri), who went on to win, but this time she had things very much her own way and was never under any serious threat as she took the North Wales title.

Other gold medal winners were George Nixon (M65), who held off his arch-rival Martin Cortvriend (Denbigh), John Hickman (M75) and Sian Beck (L40).

The senior ladies were placed second behind Eryri, while the over-70s’ men were once again first.

In addition to the medal successes, it was very satisfying to see some of the club’s juniors competing well in what were very testing, muddy conditions, and huge praise must go to the large number of marshals who braved the weather and mud throughout the afternoon.

Results:

Boys' U-11: 4, Joe Duphy 8.41.

Girls' U-11: 12, Lily-Ava Morris 6.17; 13, Ffion Armstrong 6.20; 20, Eden Jones 7.05 (4th team).

Ladies' U-17: 6, Lois Lee 15.27; 7, Jenna Bagnall 16.03.

Senior ladies: 1, Amie Bagnall 22.18; 8, Helen Ashworth (3rd L35) 24.53; 15, Sian Beck 26.14; 16, Joy Hickman 26.32; 37, Emma Fairhurst 32.02; 41, Claire Manley 37.37.

Senior team: 2nd; O-35 team: 2nd.

M65: 1, George Nixon 34.59.

M70: 4, Mike Davis 31.31.

M75: 1, John Hickman 32.33; 3, Dave Hughes 37.12. M70 team: 1st.

The previous weekend saw Steve Skates finishing up second in the hell-for-leather downhill race, the Jubilee Plunge on Moel Famau, clocking 11.47.

Helen Ashworth was fourth lady and 23rd overall in 16.43, with Jayne Penrhyn-Jones the first lady over 50 and 31st overall in 20.30.

Also running were Tracy Colligan (39th in 21.51), Julie Logan (40th in 22.08) and Jo McDonagh (44th in 27.49).

Val Jones was the club’s sole representative in Saturday’s Conwy Parkrun, coming home in 41.43, while Steven Brown was 80th at the Wepre Parkrun in 30.11.

On Sunday, Haydn Johnson represented the club in the Wirral Way trail half-marathon, and in perfect running conditions, he clocked 2-11.05.

On the same day, Andrew Bromley joined a high-quality field in the Telford 10k, finishing 114th in 36.18.

The previous week, Steven Weedman led the club’s seven runners at Conwy.

He was 45th in 22.34.

Other results were: 50, Callum Dally 22.58; 129, Roger Harrison-Jones 28.29; 188, Lesley Furneaux 34.44; 189, Alex White 34.50; 193, Suzanne Evans 35.10; 210, Julie Evans 36.41.

On New Year’s Day, Amie Bagnall was the second lady home and 26th overall in the Wepre Parkrun, with partner Matty Smith one place and two seconds behind in 23.48.

Jenna Bagnall was 42nd in 25.14, while Mike Davis finished 157th in 33.26, the same time as Clare Atterbury.

Julie Evans was 45th in 45.15.