THERE has been double joy for a prominent Wrexham athletics figure.

Bernie Jones, the Wrexham AAC president, recently received the Welsh Athletics volunteer of the year award.

And that wasn’t all, as Jones also took the England Athletics (North West Region) services to sport award.

He will be in Belfast this Saturday, November 16 as manager of the Welsh Masters cross-country team.

Then, on November 26, Jones will be the master of ceremonies at the Wrexham AAC 70th anniversary celebrations.

Gwersyllt Park Cricket Club hosts the event, which will also include the club’s AGM.

The evening will be an opportunity for club members old and new to look back over the seven-decade history, with an eye on the future of the vital work that the club offers to local people of all ages and abilities.

Special guests include Paralympic Games gold medal winner Sabrina Fortune and the mayor of Wrexham, Cllr Beryl Blackmore.

Wrexham’s Connor Rogers achieved a personal best as he just missed out on a podium spot at the Podium 5k, in Barrowfield. A time of 14.43 saw Rogers cross the line in fifth place.

It has been a busy spell for Deestriders. A trio of club members took on the 37-mile Pen Llyn winter ultra, with Nige Parr leading the charge courtesy of a stunning 7-56.42.

Christine Cammillare completed her fundraising efforts for Jackson’s Animal Rescue with an excellent 8-25.39 and not far behind, despite gashing her knee in the first mile, was the resilient Sallyann Oneil in 8-37.07.

At the Run Tatton half-marathon, Chris Preston ran a massive personal best of 1-41.19, whilst Linda Turley completed the course in a strong 1-51.44.

Further afield, Gary Martin finished the Athens Marathon in 4-18.14.

Last weekend was originally scheduled to be the final round of Deestriders’ parkrun blitz, starring Llangollen’s Old Railway trail, but that was postponed due to a clash with Mad Jack’s 5, a multi-terrain event in Attingham Park, Shrewsbury.

Jack threw in natural obstacles to navigate including cattle, fallen trees and a knee deep pond!

Paul Lewtey (42.38) led the Deestrider contingent at the tough event, followed by Fred Aird (42.48), Debbie Parry (50.12), Joe Blackwell (54.07), Amanda Scotter (54.07), Claire Harper, pictured left (54.07), Fiona Robinson (58.26) and Jane Blackwell (58.26).

For those unable to make the rescheduled blitz date of the 23rd, anyone who ran at Llangollen on Saturday would count in the club competition. Jay Jennions decided to do just that, overcoming a tight start to finish 23rd overall out of 134 and second lady in 24.17.

A clutch of Wrexham AAC vests were also on show at Llangollen, spear-headed by 10th-placed Oliver Edwards (21.05).

Other results: 15, Steve Jones 22.05; 36, Simon Williams 25.17; 37, Mark Hughes 25.31; 41, Rachael Jones 25.37; 59, Charles Ashley 27.23; 89, Jennifer Moss 30.30; 134, Stephen Walker 49.14.

Wrexham’s Ryan Davis clocked 17.37 to triumph at the most recent Erddig parkrun. He was followed by Harry Simcock (fifth in 20.09), Amanda Bailey (28th in 23.54), Ian Grimshaw (30th in 24.24) and Peter Sussex (69th in 27.39).

Other results: 100, Karl Moore 30.13; 134, David Jones 33.12; 179, Lucy Morris 38.03; 204, Alan Williams 49.23.

Tony Forster (20.48) crossed the line in ninth spot at Wythenshawe, with Mike Robbins (25.14) 16th at Wepre.

Rachel Reeves achieved 55.09 for 219th at Rosliston and Alex Edwards (55.41) was 312th at Conwy. Macey Quick (9.37) was the runner-up at the Alyn Waters junior parkrun.