TWO top-five spots were secured by Wrexham AAC in the first round of the Borders Road League season.

At Norton Priory, Runcorn, Connor Rogers clocked 25.26 for third place, one spot ahead of Ben Goodfellow (25.42).

Further good showings came from Daniel Weston (20th in 27.22), Joel Gomes (24th in 27.40), Luke Northall (25th in 27.42) and Scott Nixon (28th in 27.50), helping Wrexham’s men to finish sixth in Division One.

Other results: 71, Gareth Chaloner 30.05; 108, Taylor Jones 31.40; 132, Gary Norgrove 32.33; 171, Tony Forster 34.36; 182, David Millington 35.12; 184, David Jones 35.17; 231, Mark Hughes 38.25; 275, Karl Moore 44.42.

Buckley Runners were sporting a new kit for this season and hoping to make a strong start after winning three of the four team categories last season.

On the day, Buckley’s men were second overall in Division One behind hosts Helsby. The leading Buckley men were David White (ninth), Chris Myles (22nd), Sean Truett (28th), Ben Williams (34th) and David Brilley (47th).

Other results: 65, Gerard Coleman; 70, Sam Bellis; 79, Simon Roberts; 80, Anthony Davidson; 83, Jez Brown; 94, David Lyth; 110, Andrew Jones; 115, Matt Wilkins; 159, Charles Barton; 164, Graham Bishop; 193, Paul Kimpton (2nd MV65); 233, Allan McKeown; 278, David Boothroyd; 280, Jamie Lewis; 290, Karl Williams; 324, Paul Donoghue; 333, Craig Hunter; 393, Owen Whitley.

Buckley’s women were seventh in Division One, but with a number of runners missing, they still have plenty of time to make up that ground.

Seventh-placed Jennifer Rambaldi was the first FV35, while Caroline Hardie was 15th and the second FV35.

Other results: 38, Gwennan Henstock; 67, Eleanor Francis; 73, Margaret Ludden (2nd FV60); 92, Jane Lindley; 95, Alison Williams; 414, Irene Blount.

Wrexham’s women were third in Division Two, spear-headed by Immy Jones (22nd in 33.03), Amanda Bailey (35th in 35.41), Claire Purdie (45th in 36.22) and Erin Smith (48th in 36.33).

Both Buckley’s male and female veteran teams were third on the day to complete a solid start all round.

Deestriders men: Max Dowell 29.31; Ryan Johnson-Wilcox 31.58; Tony Woodall 32.34; Rayko Kolev 34.03; Chris Preston 35.22; Paul Lewtey 38.12; Neil Edwards 38.53; Darren Low 38.59; Stuart Brown 39.15; Justin Evans 42.40; Dean Matthews 47.02; Mike Norris 47.23.

Women: Christine Cammillare 36.18; Jay Jennions 38.08; Steph Salusbury 38.48; Hannah Price 42.31; Sue Williams 43.34; Amanda Scoots 44.54; Bernice Matthews 47.56; Claire Harper 48.18; Jane Blackwell 52.25; Fiona Robinson 55.55.

Thomas Povah (61st in 1-29.25) was the leading Wrexham racer in the Shrewsbury half-marathon.

He was joined at the event by Simon Davies (142nd in 1-38.39), Owain Roberts (208th in 1-43.11), Matty Williams (238th in 1-45.16), Ben Gillin (245th in 1-45.45) and Colin Jones (453rd in 1-56.18).

James Nicholls clocked 33.33 for 30th place at the Knutsford 10k, ahead of Gwyn Roberts (327th in 42.08) and Anna Moccia (820th in 51.43). Deestrider Rhian Lloyd ran a good time of 55.24.

If Wrexham’s Andrew Jones (left) wanted a sub-three hour effort at the Berlin marathon, he did an amazing job! Jones was 4,569th in 2-59.59.

Wrexham staged a final flings throws meeting, where home athletes Seren Fidow, Ellis Jones, Alexander Graham, Tomasi Fidow, Olivia Jones, Sally Jones and Paul Brooks all gained victories. They were joined at the event by Olivia Dixon, Seren Graham, Rory Dixon, Tegan Graham, Darcey Jones, Annabelle Jones, Sophie Forgrave, Henry Ellis, William Ellis and Jen Hampton.

A number of Deestriders competed in the Wirral MT race, at Arrowe Park, led by Christine Cammillare (33.27), Fred Aird (36.08), Paul Lewtey (36.40), Stuart Brown (36.49), Ally Morrison (40.49), Amanda Scotter (41.32) and Ann-marie Fauset (42.50).

Paul Lewtey (2-13.06) and third lady Christine Cammillare (2-05.54) took part in the Trailffest half marathon.