EPRC Borders raiding party returns with some fine spoils

Borders League Race 2 – Caernarfon - 12.11.06

A large number of EPRC runners made the long (and in some cases costly) trek to Caernarfon for round 2 of the highly competitive Borders League. On a fine sunny morning all were amply rewarded for their travels and endeavours with excellent times and points scoring.

Alison Macdonald led home the EPRC ladies in 44m28s, with Madelaine Bird next home in a superb time of 48m32s, shortly followed in by Debbie Hawker, who was making her Borders debut for the club, in very impressive 52m48s. All Ladies scored well for the team but due to a combination of injury, holidays, Remembrance Day parades, and some unaccounted absences, the Ladies team could only muster 3 runners and suffered in their points haul as a direct result dropping down to 6th place in Division 1. However, a full complement of runners in the next race should see the Ladies rocket back up the league.

A talented and complete mens team ensured that we remain competitively placed in 3rd spot in Division 1. Leading home the mens team in imperious fashion, and underwriting his reputation as one of the regions top runners, was Steve Crowe in a time of 34m18s. Providing more than able support were Paul Robertson in 37m57s, with another club debutant, Keith Jones, just behind in 38m20s. Keeping up his impressive recent form was Steve Laker in 39m07s, staying just ahead of Tony Hyland who showed a welcome return to form, (and obviously benefiting from some recent covert training), to clock 39m26s. Tony was just able to see off the challenge of Mike Burns who, in a performance of which Lazarus would be proud, dragged his ailing body home in 39m31s just ahead of his nemesis Matt Whitfield. Matt may have been seduced into too slow a start by Mike’s stated pre-race target finish time of just under 45m. 

Next home came the fastest postie in the Port, Brian Griffiths in 41m26s, just ahead of the blur of orange that signalled the fast closing pack of Danny Legg, 42m13s, Keith Musson, 42m23s, John Hawker, 42m41s, Dave Nalder, 43m10s, John Jennings 43m15s, and Dave Roberts 44m41s. Although recording one his poorer Borders performances Les Jones in 48m32s still finished with a smile on his face, as did Nigel Crierie who broke the tape in 52m48s.

In a series of races that is not just about individual achievement but representing your club, it was most pleasing to once again achieve an excellent turnout.

Next Borders League race is at Prestatyn on 10.12.06, with the usual 11am start.