Alison Macdonald who spearheaded EPRC ladies to 2nd place in Div 2.

Border’s League at Capenhurst Ellesmere Port Running Club played host to the second round of the Border’s League last Sunday and saw 244 runners from around the region assemble to Capenhurst Lane for the start of the 5.4 mile course that got under way in Rectory Lane and eventually finished back at the BNFL entrance. With Abergele Harrier’s Simon Shiels absent through injury and Helsby’s Jon Wycherley pulling out early on with a pulled hamstring the race was there for the taking for the leading pack of several runners. The race was eventually won by Mike Stanley of Wallasey AC (28.44) who managed to pull away at the depth to win by the narrowest of margins from Buckley AC’s Clive West (28.46). Steve Spence of Wirral AC claimed 3rd spot in a time of 28.56. First runner home for Ellesmere Port was Ian Cooper who for the second round running finished 9th overall and 4th Vet 40 in a time of 30.00. Steve Crowe crossed the finish line just 8 seconds after Ian to claim 11th position overall and 5th Senior Male) in a time of 30.08. Denis Duret was the third runner home for EPort after negotiating the course in time of 30.56 for 21st position. The 4th runner in was Tony Hyland who is showing a return to form and had a great race finishing 29th overall in 31.22. John Fidler was right on the heels of Tony finishing 30th overall and 1st Vet 55 in a time of 31.24.

Club captain Matt Whitfield was next runner home for the club in 65th position after tackling the course in 33.23 and just managing to hold of teammate Danny Legg who finished 66th in 33.26. Dave Nalder was next runner home after having a great race to finish 72nd in 33.37. One second behind Dave came Chris Marshall finishing 73rd in 33.38.

Gary Richards was next home for the club and the all important 10th counter finishing 116th in 35.53, Gary was followed immediately after by current runner of the month Ian Robinson who claimed 117th spot in 35.56.

Tony Smith was next to cross the line in 36.16 for 120th position and was joined immediately by Les Fleetwood who finished in 121st position. The final men’s runner back for the club was Alan Durston who completed the race in 144th position in 37.46.

The results for the men’s team gave them a total of 492 points and a position of 4th place on the day but was good enough to hold onto 3rd position overall in Division 1 that now sees West Cheshire as clear leaders but Ellesmere Port now locked in battle with Wirral, Buckley and Wrexham for the next positions.

In the Ladies race it was a delight to see Ellesmere Port with a full team out and a chance to notch up some good league points.

Spearheading the Ladies was Alison Macdonald who tackled the course in 36.55 to claim 8th lady overall and 3rd in the LV35 age category.

Next runner home for EPRC was our new signing Karen Erlandson who gave a tremendous debut to finish in 35th position and 11th in the Senior Ladies category in a superb time of 40.38. Completing the ladies team was Tracey Ellis who had a spirited run to finish 61st and 14th in LV35 category in a time of 46.54.

This gave the ladies team an Excellent 2nd position in Division 2 behind West Cheshire ladies and now moves them up to 4th overall but with lots more miles to run yet in this league.