CHRISTMAS has come early for local runners with a new weekly run having been launched.

The Nova Prestatyn parkrun, organised by Eva Brewer, replaces that previously held at Bodelwyddan Castle and, like all parkruns across the country, it starts at 9am each Saturday and is held over a 5k course.

The Prestatyn course starts on the prom and heads towards Rhyl, passing through the Ffrith gardens and the former pitch-and-putt course before returning along the prom.

The event began in low-key fashion last Saturday, when 136 took part, including 26 members of Prestatyn Running Club.

Prestatyn RC placings: 3, Rob Alexander 19.22; 5, Stephen Haimes 20.43; 12, John Simpson 21.43; 16, Stephen Weedman 22.35; 17, Josh Cerefice 22.41; 21, Andy Clark 23.09; 22, Lisa Johnson 23.12; 29, Hannah Garnett 24.17; 31, Jo Hoppes 24.19; 43, Amy Williamson 25.31; 45, Katy West 25.41; 47, Alan Jones 25.46; 51, Martin Gill 26.06; 61, Cara Jones 27.22; 62, Kat Prestwich 27.34; 64, Amy Jones 27.35; 68, Julia Evans 28.35; 69, Rachel Jackson 28.38; 75, Helen Baxandall 28.51; 77, Nem James 28.54; 84, Steve Hatfield 30.10; 85, Debbie Weedman 30.32; 86, Sandra Bickerstaff 30.39; 100, Emma Birchall 32.57; 104, Rhian Williams 34.22; 106, Karen Bancroft 35.01.

Conwy parkrun: 2, Chris Yorke 17.45; 113 Mark Johnson 28.41 (pb); 140, Bill Scriven 31.00.

Only 12 hours before the parkrun, Cara Jones and Julia Evans were joined by James Rogers for the Hawarden Estate Winter Trail Relay.

They completed 10 laps of the muddy 2k course in one hour and 58 minutes to take third place in the mixed team class.

Amie Bagnall was back on form at Sunday’s Telford 10k, clocking 37.19, which is just outside her personal best.

On the same day, Steve Forsyth created a bit of club history by winning the Ayia Napa 10 in Cyprus in a new course record of 35.07, about three minutes ahead of his closest challenger.

Also on Sunday, Steve Weedman came 18th in the Vale of Clwyd Half-Marathon in Llandyrnog, in 1-40.15.