Six of Ellesmere Ports Runners made the short trip up the Wirral for the Birkenhead Park 5 Miler last Wednesday evening. Boasting a shiny new course consisting of three laps with a 264m sprint finish hopes were high for some fast times.
First home for the club in 13th position overall was Steve Crowe in 27:49. Currently just working out his future plans for the rest of the year, this was a last minute race for Steve and is a solid training run.
Closely behind Steve was Simon Jeffs. Simon, who was aiming for a sub 28 minute target time ran hard but like so many of the runners taking part on the night, seemed to suffer on the undulating course for 19th position in 28:29 someway off his previous outing at the Chester Spring 5.
Running a solid race was the ever-improving Keith Jones. Keith’s been very consistent with training over the last 6 months and it’s all coming to fruition over the last few weeks showing good displays recently with Birkenhead being no exception. Finishing in a time of 30.11, a new PB for 36th place must be satisfying and surely a sub 30 minute 5 miles must only be around the corner on a flatter course.
Tony Hyland who’s been slowly and quietly improving and starting to show the kind of form that made him a 28 minute 5 mile runner a couple of years ago ran a good race as well. Finishing 45th in 31:49 showing he’s finally starting to get that speed back into his legs.
Matt Whitfield who will soon will be taking over the mantel of “Race Machine” from the likes of John Jennings and Chris Marshall also ran, even though only 3 days earlier he was involved in the Tunnel 10k. Running 31:40 for 48th place, Matt must of felt the race from a few days earlier as he was over a minute and a half outside his PB set at Chester in April.
EPRC’s only Lady representative was Alison Hughes. Still on the comeback trail after an ankle injury ruled her out for 3+ months earlier in the year, Alison ran superbly well clocking 34:09, 5th Senior Lady overall receiving some silverware for her efforts.
For anyone wishing to partake in an ultra flat, friendly and welcoming 5k race whether it’s going to be your first race or you are a seasoned runner, Ellesmere Port Running Club will be hosting their 5th running of the “Original Capenhurst 5k” starting from the Urenco Electricity Sports & Social Club, Capenhurst Technology Park at 7pm Wednesday 22nd August. Anyone wishing to pre-enter can do so by visiting downloading the entry form and forwarding to Dave Nalder, Race Secretary, Ellesmere Port Running Club, 4 Dolphin Crescent, Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, CH66 4SZ. There is however entry on the night for an additional £1.
