Nicky scoops bronze at Cheshire cross country championships

Sunday 8th January saw this years Cheshire cross country championships held on a very challenging and muddy course in Crewe.

Flying the flag for Ellesmere Port RC was Nicky Bird who produced an excellent run to finish 3rd in the bronze medal position and gain automatic selection for Cheshire in the inter-counties championship later in the year. Experienced runner Jayne Knowles of Altrincham and District was the runaway winner of the race finishing in 27.33 with Nicki Archer of Vale Royal second in 29.07 followed by Nicky who completed the race in a time of 29.33.

Alison Hughes was the second finisher for EPRC in a superb 25th overall in a pleasing time of 35.17.

On the men’s race Notts AC & Great Britain runner Rob Birchall was the clear winner after coasting home in 30.31 from Pete Benyon of City of Stoke who finished second in 32.17.

First runner back for Ellesmere Port was Denis Duret who completed the longer men’s race in 37.20 to secure 50th position.

Matt Whitfield was the second runner home for the club after posting an impressive time of 39.22 taking 70th position. Jon Hawker was the third runner home in a time of 45.39 to take 112th place.

Last Saturday saw 304 runners take part in the Twin Piers 10K race that starts at Llandudno Pier and finishes at Colwyn Bay Pier.

Gary Williams of Menai Track & Field won the race in a time of 34.01 with Abergele Harrier Darren Blazier second in 34.08 and Brendan Rothery of Cybi Striders third in 34.17.

Steve Crowe was the only representative of Ellesmere Port RC and finished 6th overall in a time of 34.55 and collected a prize for 3rd Senior Male.

This weekend sees the hugely popular Four Villages Half Marathon starting at 11am in Helsby and should see a large number of Orange vests participating in the race.