North Wales development athlete Dave Bennett shines on debut

North Wales team debutant Dave Bennett stormed home to claim sixth place among a quality field of more than 500 top athletes last Sunday at the St Michael’s 10k road race in Stone, Staffordshire.

Dave was the first team member home from a squad of eight North Wales development squad athletes. Representing his club, Ellesmere Port RC, he was also 3rd M40 in (33.27). Running over the fast, flat, two-lap course, he was closely followed by Martin Green (NWRRC) 13th in (34.05).

Two Buckley AC runners, Phil Pumford and Elliot Cox, finished 15th and 21st respectively, with Phil clocking 34.37 and Elliot 35.34.

Darren Blazier, representing Abergele Harriers, was 2nd M45 in 32nd place in (37.29), whilst club-mate Rachel Shipley came home as 11th lady (43.09); with another debutant, Jennifer Rambaldi, hot on her heels in 12th spot (43.27), very closely followed by Sian (Kung Fu) Beck from Prestatyn AC in 13th spot (43.29).

Team manager Paul Brooks was very pleased with the overall team performance and gave special credit to the both debutants.

He is again busy this coming weekend with another representative match at the Meerbrook 15km on Saturday – against Staffs, Cheshire, Shropshire and Derbyshire – and the Regional 5km champs at Rhyl on Sunday; not forgetting the Prestatyn junior races on Wednesday.