Plenty to celebrate following a hectic festive schedule

Clearly not suffering from an excess of booze and birds (Turkey that is) EPRC runners were out in great force and to great effect over the festive period.

First up was the Chester Round the Walls 4.2 mile race on Boxing Day which saw Prince Charming, Steve Crowe, gallop home as first senior male, and 3rd overall, in a time of 23m35s. Next home and banishing any residual hangover was Snow White, Mike Burns, in 28m2s, closely followed by the Cavalry Charge of the Seven Dwarfs: Sneezy John Jennings in 29m04s, Happy John Hawker in 29m21s, Grumpy Dave Nalder in 29m24s, Doc Brian Griffiths in 29m56s, Dopey Alison Macdonald in 30m23s (first lady vet 40), Sleepy Dave Roberts in 30m39s, and Bashful Angelina Addis in 35m45s.

Next up was the club’s annual Christmas Handicap held on New Year’s Eve and run over a 4 mile undulating road course. An excellent turnout saw 18 runners competing for the coveted prize, but also clearly attempting to work up the greatest thirst for the later evenings over indulgence. This year’s winner was Cinderella Dave Roberts, 29m34s, with the Ugly Sisters of John Hawker, 30m38s, and Mike Burns, 30m42s, in second and third respectively. Next in were the front and rear ends of the pantomime horse, Matt Whitfield, 30m54s, and Roy Traynor, 30m56s, followed by a supporting cast of thousands that included: Keith Musson, 31m5s, John Jennings, 31m3s, Alison Macdonald, 31m25s, Dave Nalder, 31m40s, Jeff Hadley, 31m53s, Brian Griffiths, 31m57s, Alison Hughes, 31m57s, Danny Legg, 32m15s, Nicky Bird, 32m28s, Madelaine Bird, 32m29s, Nigel Crieri, 33m7s, Alan Durston, 33m16s, Natasha Hadley, 35m13s. Thanks to Danny for setting the handicaps and Chris, Simon and Denis for time keeping.

New Years Eve also saw last year’s most improved runner, Mark Dodd, travel to Blackburn to end the year in superb fashion by competing in the Ribble 10k and securing a new PB of 35m58s.

The New Year got off to a bang (well more of a shout really) with the New Year’s Day 3.4 mile detoxification sprint from Thornton Hough to Willaston, which saw 14 EPRC runners run and several secure prizes. First home for the club, and first male veteran, was Matt Whitfield, 20m25s, just holding off the challenges of Mike Burns, 20m30s, John Jennings, 21m40s, Brian Griffiths, 21m47s, Steve Halligan, 22m25s, Danny Legg, 22m36s, Alison Hughes, first lady, 22m48s, Keith Musson, 23m1s, Alison Macdonald, first veteran lady, 23m11s, Alan Durston, 23m26s, Roy Traynor, 24m29s, Madelaine Bird, 26m15s, Nigel Crieri, 26m35s, EPRC’s Ian Cooper’s son won the race in a little over 18m. Nicky, Denis, Dave and Arthur provided excellent support on the course.  

Congratulations to Madelaine Bird and Dave Roberts who have secured the club’s guaranteed entries into this years London Marathon.