TWO Wrexham racers have been muddy marvels in a national event.

Nottingham played host to the UK inter-counties cross country championships and there were a couple of Wrexham AAC vests on show.

In the senior men’s race, Matthew Willis clocked 27.33 for 16th position, while Bethan Roberts was 227th in the under-13 girls’ race in a time of 13.39.

A quintet of Wrexham members took to the start line for the Chester 10k.

Leading the contingent was Gwyn Roberts, who crossed the line in 44.37 for 359th spot.

He was followed by Claire Purdie (581st in 46.29), Matty Williams (796th in 48.33), Deb Pugh (1,040th in 50.04) and Karl Moore (2,591st in 59.22).

There was a strong turnout from Deestriders at the Chester event, both competing and marshalling.

Graham Bryan (44.07), Paul Lyth (45.11), Donna Griffiths (47.59), Mike Salusbury (49.14), Ann-Marie Fauset (59.31), Claire Harper (59.33), Emma Stanley (60.00) and Bernice Matthews (62.54) all achieved personal bests.

They were joined at the popular event by clubmates Max Dowell (38.29), Ryan Johnson-Wilcock (44.52), Grant McGowan (46.42), Jay Jennions (47.46), Linda Turley (50.10), Neil Edwards (51.17), Steph Salusbury (52.49), Holly Kendrick (53.50), Darren Low (53.54), Bridget Aldridge (55.44), David Temple (55.58), John Owen (59.07) and Mike Norris (61.47).

Deestrider James Bruce took part in the Tatton Park 10k. With eventual winner Jake Wilson pulling clear by nearly two minutes, Bruce found himself in a battle with the chasing group for the remaining podium places.

He was narrowly pipped for second at the end by Jake Dearden, but Bruce still clocking a strong time of 35.48 for the bronze.

Parkruns have proved to once more be popular venture for athletes.

Deestrider Michelle Bowes was third lady at the Wepre event in 25.21.

Wrexham’s Dave Gallagher was in Italy for the Milano Nord parkrun, where he clocked 26.43 for 63rd.

There was an eighth-placed finish at Hackney Marshes for clubmate Christian Smith (19.14), while Glyn Wise (21.36) was the runner-up at Pwllheli.

Steve Jones (13th in 23.11) and Charles Ashley (45th in 29.31) competed at Llangollen, with Tomos Marriott (97th in 33.29) competing at Newborough and Mark Hughes (232nd in 26.49) taking part in the Alexandra Moss Side event.

A strong contingent of Wrexham AAC members took on the Erddig parkrun, spear-headed by sixth-placed Michael Hazel (21.45) and Ted Atkinson (seventh in 22.20).

There were also top-30 positions for Evie Hughes (13th in 23.13), Ally Hughes (14th in 23.13), Tony Forster (16th in 23.31), Dave Millington (19th in 24.10) and Grace Hughes (24th in 24.32).

They were followed by Peter Sussex (41st in 26.00), Beth Christy (47th in 26.30), Jane Atkinson (66th in 27.38), David Jones (75th in 28.45) and Karl Moore (94th in 30.19).

There’s a busy weekend in store for athletes.

Saturday sees the British masters cross-country championships in Corwen and the Llantysilio hill race, at Rhewl.

Then, on Sunday, Hoylake host the next fixture in the Borders road race league and the day also sees the Trafford AC medal meeting.