EPRC runners claim new World record

EPRC’s Alison Macdonald and Mike Burns, together with their 3 adorable children and future EPRC members, Eve, Freya and Ingrid, made the short trip over the water to Liverpool on Sunday 3.12.06 to run in the 2006 Santa Dash 5k and childrens Mini-Dash. Liverpool’s event was bidding to retain its world record for the most Santas in a race in the face of stiff competition including that of Las Vegas. On a blustery, and occasionally but fortunately briefly wet, morning in excess of 5,000 runners helped to deliver a very merry improvement on last year’s record of just shy of 4,000 runners. Clearly inspired by running resplendent in their Santa suits Mike and Alison both ran well, with Mike again finishing in the top 10 and Alison just behind but content with what she felt was her best run for some time. 

Meanwhile, over in North Wales it was fair tipping it down at the Helena Tipping 10k, which resulted in long stretches of the course being under at least a foot of water. Undeterred, six waterproofed EPRC runners gamely battled through the gale force winds and along flooded roads to record impressive times. A fantastic run by the club’s sole lady runner, Madelaine Bird, secured her 1st position in the Lady Vet 50 category, and 127th overall, in a time of 49m29s (possibly going sub 50 minutes for the first time). First gentleman home for the club, netting a superb 3rd place overall, was Steve Crowe in 34m45s, shortly followed in by 12th placed Mark Dodd in 37m32s (possibly setting a new PB).  Matt Whitfield registered a creditable 41st overall in 41m dead, just ahead of John Jennings, showing a welcome and timely return to form, in 42m42s. Completing the sextet was Nigel Crierie who put in another solid performance to drive himself across the line in 51m56s for 153rd place.

All performances last weekend were clearly affected by the adverse weather conditions so we can be assured of some blistering times over the next few weeks starting at the Borders League Race 3 in Prestatyn on Sunday 10.12.06.