Port Runner endure mud bath at Stockport X-Country The second round of the Cheshire Cross Country league was held at Woodbank Park, Stockport last Sunday with six Ellesmere Port runners making the trip. Starting with the Senior Ladies race, which consisted of a 4.8km two lap course with lots of mud and puddles to tackle and a killer hill to ascend up.

Nicky Bird was our sole representative for EPRC and cruised to victory in a winning time of 18.29 with Macclesfield’s Anne Farmer 2nd (18.43) and Alison Hartop 3rd (18.51). This was an even more impressive victory for Nicky when you consider she completed a 19 mile training run only 24 hours early in preparation for her London Marathon debut in April.

On the Men’s race, which followed the same course as the ladies but with an extra lap added to make the distance 7.2km the winner was Chris Leigh of Trafford AC who finished in 23.35. Chris Bryan also of Trafford AC was 2nd (23.46) and Malcolm Fowler of Wilmslow 3rd in 23.53.

First Ellesmere Port runner back for the club was Steve Crowe who negotiated the course in 26.30 for 23rd position. Danny Legg was the next runner home finishing in a time of 28.37 to secure 40th position.

Club captain Matt Whitfield was the 3rd EPRC runner home finishing in 29.00 for 45th position. Matt was followed by Paul Welsh who tackled the course in 30.44 securing 55th place. Finally, club coach Tony Smith suffering from the effects of a cold finished the race in 33.42 for 65th position.

The results meant EPRC finished 8th in the overall team position and 7th in the Vet standings.

On the same day two Ellesmere Port runners made the trip to Llandudno for the Nick Beer 10km race which starts on the promenade and climbs up to the top of the Great Orme and around the back before descending back down to finish on the promenade.

Simon Jeffs was the first runner back for the club after tacking the course in 41.04 (42nd) reflecting that the race not only run uphill for 3 miles but also in strong winds. Les Fleetwood was next to finish in 44.13 to secure 98th position.