Mark's Column - 15/03/10

Trimpel 20 Mile Road Race 14th March

Up north in the sunny town of Morecambe, 383 runners lined up in slightly gusty but pleasant conditions for the increasingly popular Trimpel 20 mile road race. The race which is mostly along cycle paths is an out and back course, one which Mark Dodd was running for the third time and Jason Bennett for the first time. Mark was aiming for 2:10 (6:30 m/m), with Jason aiming for his marathon pace of 2:15 (6:45 m/m)... neither unfortunately succeeded. Mark made sure he held onto 6:30 pace until 15 mile, when the wheels well and truly fell off and Mark slowly ground to a halt coming home in a still respectable 2:13:30 (6:40 m/m) in 53rd overall position. Jason however fared even worse suffering from a cold for the past 10 days, it was still present and Jason found it difficult to get back in a fine time of 2:30:07 (7:30 m/m) and 144th place. The race was won in sensational form in a time that will probably remain the fastest this year over 20 mile. Mike Aspinell stormed and smashed the course record in 1:44:56 (5:15 m/m) in a time that seems from bygone glory years when athletics was at its peak in the 80's. Second place and surprised at the overall pace was Dave Norman from Altrincham in 1:49:54 (5:30 m/m) with  Stuart Robinson from Blackpool ac third in 1:51:39. Louise Gardener was first lady home in a scintillating 2:02:21.

Borders League 14th March

With some runners either injured or simply running elsewhere, this was going to be a tough session for Ellesmere Ports runners who needed a great team display. In windy conditions, the tough and hilly 5.2 mile race in Mold wasn't for the faint hearted.
First home for the club was Denis Duret who's now in the best shape of his career and must be looking forward to the Paris Marathon and maybe a shot at the club marathon record come April. Denis was 12th for his highest ever finish in 28:59. Next was Graham Earlam in 31:10 for 42nd, Paul Robertson in 64th in 32:36, Mike Burns 70th in 32:53, Nicky Bird in 33:11 and 73rd place, Dave Nalder in 77th place and 33:32, Mark Barrington in 86th and 34:15, Brian Griffiths in 114th and 35:53, Alison MacDonald in 155th and 38:16, Madeline Bird in 181st and 42:03, Amanda McGonigle in 183rd and 42:34, Debbie Hawker in 188th and 43:00, Julia Fidler in 191st and 43:23, Nigel Crierie in 205th and 46:00 and Ann Ball in 208th and 46:58.
Currently, the mens team are  2nd in division two and all set for promotion while the ladies are still 2nd from bottom and facing relegation. However with some more runners to come back, the last two borders races are there for the taking.