Deestriders Off Road Races

Summer Multi-Terrain Race Series – Race 1 Royden Park 5 September 2006

On Wednesday 5th September thirteen Ellesmere Port runners turned out to race over then the sandstone hills and through the woods of Royden Park, Thurstaston, which was the venue for the first race of the Summer Multi-Terrain race series.

Ian Cooper, with undoubtedly the performance of the day finished in second place overall. Next home was Chris Marshall in 20th place, in 30th was Steve Laker, 49th place went to Mike Burns, Danny Legg placed 76th, completing the line up for the men were Alan Durston 83rd, Keith Musson 89th, Chris Bennion 111th, Les Fleetwood 131st and Nigel Crearie 137th.

The best lady on the day was Alison MacDonald securing 9th place in the women’s division. Madeleine Bird was second lady home taking 43rd place and making her racing debut was Topsy Lee who finished in a very creditable 52nd place.

Hyde Park 5k
Over in Leeds city centre on Wednesday 6th, Mark Dodd was going for a new 5k PB. However, tired legs and a late arrival hampered him to his target time. However, he still produced a new PB of 18:09 for 33rd position. The race with 154 runners was won by Andy Hilton in 14:52, 2nd place going to Darren Bilton in 14:59 and the 3rd position, Steve Body in 15:11.

Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon
Eight of Ellesmere Ports finest made the trip to one of the most scenic half marathons in the country, The Lake Vyrnwy Half Marathon. Attracting a quality field as usual, a slighter lower than usual field of 1256 runners took part. The course is set with one lap of the lake. A warm day with temperatures reaching 25C hampered all times but that didn’t stop the race being won in 1:05:31 by Kenyon Marc Yattich. 2nd place, also a Kenyon was Patrick Makau a second behind the winner in 1:05:32. 3rd place went to Zachary Kihari in 1:08:17.

EPRC’s first runner was Mark Dodd. After a week of self doubt, he ran a superb race exceeding all expectations and placed 31st and his third PB in 8 days, a new personal best time of 1:21:10.

Chasing Mark hard was 2nd EPRC runner home, Si Jeffs. Simon was catching Mark all the way to 7 mile, however suffered in the heat. He still posted a great time of 1:22:47 for 47th place and is even more remarkable due to a 3 month lay off earlier in the summer through injury.

Making her half marathon comeback due to an injury was EPRC’s premiere female athlete, Nicky Bird. Nicky found it hard from 3 mile out, but still recorded a respectable comeback time of 1:26:23 76th position and overall 5th lady.

Sporting a rather nice tan from a week in the sun was the next EPRC to finish, Matt Whitfield. Finding the course and conditions too tough on the day, Matt will be slightly disappointed with his 1:32:25 for 143rd place.

Jon Hawker was next to find the finish line. Still suffering with a shin injury, Jon worked hard for 305th place in a time of 1:43:57.

Just behind Jon, was Dave Roberts. In one of his favourite races, he didn’t disappoint, coming home in 320th place in 1:44:40.

Battling hard and looking good for Amsterdam was Alan Durston. 15th V55 and 349th overall, Alan ran well to complete the course in 1:45:41.

Final EPRC runner to cross the finish was Amanda Penfold. Amanda found the course tough but still posted a great time of 1:53:05 for 536th place.

Mizuno Trafford 10k
Steve Crowe and Chris Marshall competed in the Mizuno Trafford 10k on Sunday 10th September. Steve running on one of his favourite courses was first of the two to finish, placing 10th overall in a time of 33:32 agonisingly missing out on a PB by two seconds. Chris finished in 37:38 taking 67th place.