Mark's Column - 01/06/09

Dunham Massey Park 5k 22nd May

Only one Ellesmere Port Runner, Ian Cooper travelled the short distance to compete in the 1st of 5 races over 5k, at Dunham Massey. Over an undulating and tough course, Ian proved just what a quality athlete he is, after recently disappearing from the race scene for a month or two, he's back. Posting 17:05 (5:30 m/m) in a sprint finish for 9th position overall and 2nd Vet45, he's set his stall out in for the next four races.  1

Winning the race was Sale Harriers Mike Hatch, running 15:56 (5:08 m/m). The Ladies race was won in 19:09 (6:10 m/m) by Jayne Taylor of Wigan Phoenix.

Delamere Trail Race 1/4 27th May

In warm conditions, Mark Dodd and Simon Jeffs toed the line once again in the 4.75 mile off road race through Delamere Forest with 95 other runners. Both suffering hangovers from the previous nights European Cup Final, both found it tough over the hilly course. First home in 28:48 (6:03 m/m) was Mark Dodd for 4th place overall with Simon sprinting in to capture 7th position in 29:29 (6:13 m/m). After this first race of four over the next 3 months, Mark is currently lying 3rd and Simon is 6th in the senior men's cat.

The overall Men's winner was Ben Reese in 27:49 (5:51 m/m) with the ladies race being won by Karrie Hawitt in 30:23 (6:24 m/m).

Mobberley 5.3 Mile Multi Terrain Race 27th May

Denis Duret was back in racing action, making the most of nice and warm conditions to run the Mobberley trail race. A 1 lap course on scenic roads, paths and bridleways near to Manchester Airport...a perfect summer evening and a lovely countryside course which Wilmslow Running Club made the most of enjoying the top 5 positions with the race being won by Damian Nicholls in 28:17 (5:20 m/m).

Denis Duret however made a superb return to racing coming home in 8th place in 32:08 (6:07 m/m) and first V40 competitor. The ladies race was won by Kath Lamplough from Macclesfield Harriers in 33:37 (6:20 m/m).

Hollins Green 5k Steve Crowe Cheshire Champ 30th May

26C degrees of heat on the hottest day of the year so far,  welcomed both Steve Crowe and Mark Dodd to the Hollins Green 5k near Warrington which this year was hosting the Cheshire County 5k Championships. On a slightly undulating course and in very hot conditions, times weren't important, however Steve's target of being the top 5k runner in Cheshire was. Tagging onto the leading men, a group of 5 broke free from 1k. This was reduced to 4 when Sale's Mike Hatch felt the pace and dropped off at 2km. Steve was running a perfect tactical race tucked in the group of; eventual winner Gareth Booth, Rob Hughes and Alastair Murray.

Over the final 1k, a gap between 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Steve) was starting to open up, but over the final 400 meters, Steve gained 3rd spot almost snatching 2nd place off Rob Hughes in the final steps. Posting a time of 16:24 (5:16 m/m), Steve managed to win this years Cheshire Championships as the 1st and 2nd men weren't eligible to partake.

A minute behind Steve was Mark Dodd running his 3rd race in 5 days. Suffering in the heat but running extremely strongly, Mark grasped 10th place in 17:28 (5:36 m/m).

The overall winner was Gareth Booth from Horwich in 16:17 (5:14 m/m), 2nd place Rob Hughes from Salford in 16:23 (5:16 m/m) and Steve in 3rd. The ladies race was won by Heather Timms from Warrington AC in 18:08.

As a consequence of this and other races, Ellesmere Port currently has the 2009 ladies 5k, 10k and men's 5k Cheshire Championship Gold Medallists' in Nicky Bird and Steve Crowe and also the men's 5 mile Bronze Cheshire Champ medallist in Mark Dodd. Hopefully this is an indication of the improvement in the quality at the club.