It was close… but we did it!

Friday 5th May saw Ellesmere Port Running Club competing in the final round of the North Wales Border League road race series.   Both the men’s and lady’s teams had a lot at stake and a rallying call went out to all runners to attend and we were not disappointed, with a turn out of 23 athletes.
The ladies team had performed brilliantly throughout the series and were virtually assured of promotion to Ladies Division 1. 

Spearheading this attack was Ellesmere Port’s number one female Nicky Bird, who, on the night completed the 4 mile course in a time of 23:15 and was the  first female home, this combined with her results from previous races was crowned Overall Individual Female Champion.  Second woman home for EPRC and another trophy winner was Alison McDonald, her time of  27:47 secured her 3rd overall in the Ladies Vets 35 category.   In a very close race and finishing just seconds apart,  Madeline Bird (32:14)  and Amanda Penfold (32.18) fought it out for the final scoring place for the ladies team, not to be overlooked was the performance from Tracey Ellis who again put in a great effort and finished in 35:28.

The Men’s team had just as much at stake as the Ladies but at the other end of the table.  Relegation loomed if they could not hold off an attack by Wrexham AC on their home course.  The men’s number one runner Steve Crowe, who in the last few weeks has performed brilliantly in the racing arena was hoping for his first Borders victory, but unfortunately had to settle for third place with a time of 20:46. This result secured him the trophy for 3rd Overall Male in the series. The rest of the men’s team were now battling hard for every place and next home and 12th on the night was Ian Cooper (21:56).  In his final race for Ellesmere Port before he moves away, Dave Sargent finish 32nd in 22:47, we wish him good look for the future. 

Positions 4, 5 and 6 for the club saw Simon Jeffs (22:52), Denis Duret (22:58) and Paul Robertson (23:05) battling it out and all scoring good points for the cause.  Next home was Chris Marshall finishing 53rd in 23.34.  8th for the club and 71st overall was Mark Dodd (24:16), Mike Burns finished in 24:34 and 79th place.  Matt Whitfield was Ellesmere Port’s final counter on the night finishing 91st in a time of 24:46, with 10 men in we had to wait for the results to be tallied to see if we will still be in the premier division for the 2006/07 season. 

A very strong turn out of male EPRC runners meant not everyone could score for the club but everyman tried their hardest and all performed well. 108th on the night was Brian Griffiths (25:15), 121st Danny Legg (25:35), 128th Jon Hawker (25:56), Les Fleetwood (27:14), Keith Musson (28:06), John Jennings (29.09) and Nigel Crierie 235th in a time of 32:02.  With the results in, our men’s team scored a total of 454 points, a club record, and although Wrexham AC had a better score on the night with 421 points it simply wasn’t enough and Ellesmere Port men avoid the drop.

Two days later in Heaton Park, Manchester, Chris Marshall and Mark Dodd competed in the Salford 5k race.  In torrential rain the two hardy runner tackled the hilly course and Chris finished 21st in a time of 18:38 and Mark ran 21:22 to finish 60th .