Trimpell 20 Mile Road Race - NEW CLUB RECORD -
15th March
Following on from last weeks first race win in the Chester Good Sheppard 5 Mile Road Race, Mark Dodd has now gone on to smash the 3 year old club record for 20 miles previously held by Steve Crowe, in the Trimpell 20 Mile Road Race in Morecambe. The weather which had been windy for the previous few days, had settled on the Sunday, and with perfect temperatures and a fast flat course, the scene was set with 493 eager athletes, the highest ever for this race.
Still on the comeback trail with limited long runs in his legs, Mark stormed through the first 5 mile in 30:13, 10 mile marker in 60:03 and the 15 mile mark in 1:31:05. However, knowing that this pace wasn't going to be held through fatigue setting in, Mark dug in, knowing that the previous club record of 2:05:23 was within his grasp if he could do the last 5 mile in under 34:18. He did, posting a final 5 mile of 32:33 crossing the line in 15th position and a new club record of 2:03:38 (6:10 m/m).
Fellow Ellesmere Port Runner, Dave Roberts who's currently in full training for the upcoming London Marathon n April 26th also put in a fine performance coming home in 284th position in 2:46:54 (8:21 m/m). Hopefully from this race, Dave should be targeting a sub 3:35 London Marathon if all goes well.
The race was won by one of the countries top runners in Mike Apsinall from Lancaster & Morecambe AC in a staggering time of 1:50:01 (5:30 m/m) with first lady back in 2:13:17 (6:39 m/m) in the shape of Sarah Lomas from Stockport Harriers.
Trafford 10k 15th March
Simon Jeffs, who's quickly returning to form was EPRC's sole representative in the quality Trafford 10k. Boasting some of the fastest runners in the area with some four men going under the holly grail of 30 minutes, this race boasts one of the finest 10k fields assembled in recent times.
Simon, running at an even, yet rapid pace, exceeded his own expectations running a superb 36:57 (5:56 m/m) for 105th position.
The race was won in 29:25 (4:44 m/m) by Mark Miles of Belgrave Harriers with Andi Jones of Salford Harriers in 2nd 29:41 (4:46 m/m) with 3rd position going to Bristol & West's Jonathon Wills in 29:50 (4:48 m/m). The ladies race was won in a staggering 32:45 (5:16 m/m) by City Of Stokes Michelle Ross-Cope.
6th Round - Borders Race Deeside - 15th March
The penultimate round of the local borders series took place near Deeside with Ellesmere Port fielding a somewhat ravaged squad and could only muster 9 counters' in the men's team meaning a default 300 points for the missing runner. However, those that were there ran superbly in their attempt to stop EPRC's relegation to division 2 next season.
The hilly course of 4.5 miles was a test and also a new route so surprised a few runners with it's climbs.
Flying the flag and first home was Steve Crowe in 18th position in 25:17, followed by Ian cooper in 32nd (26:04), Denis Duret 62nd (27:07), Nicola Bird (82nd (27:53), Mike Burns 94th (28:27), john Cole 104th (28:50), Dave Nalder 116th (29:35), Danny Legg 124th (30:00), Alison Hughes 130th (30:25), Matt Whitfield 137th (30:50), Alison MacDonald 169th (32:17) and Nigel Crierie 236th (38:39).
This result, currently leaves the men's team 1049 points behind a safe spot in the league which means almost certain relegation with only one race to go in Wrexham in April. The ladies team is currently riding high in division 2 in the 2nd promotion spot and could well be making a return to the top flight.
Following on from last weeks first race win in the Chester Good Sheppard 5 Mile Road Race, Mark Dodd has now gone on to smash the 3 year old club record for 20 miles previously held by Steve Crowe, in the Trimpell 20 Mile Road Race in Morecambe. The weather which had been windy for the previous few days, had settled on the Sunday, and with perfect temperatures and a fast flat course, the scene was set with 493 eager athletes, the highest ever for this race.