Port Runners Impress in Local Race

The inaugural David Lloyds Leisure Centre 10K was staged through the streets of Ellesmere Port on Sunday morning and was hosted by Capenhurst Running Club.

A good turn out saw some 271 official finishers with the race starting and finishing on the new Running Track on Stanney Lane.

The race was won by former Wrexham AC ace Luke Northall now representing Tipton Harriers in a time of 33.28 with Brendan Rothery of Cybi Striders 2 nd in 35.17 just seconds ahead of Ellesmere Port RC's Steve Crowe who finished in his highest position so far for a 10K race of 3 rd in 35.23.

Mike Burns continued his excellent form of recent with a personal best time of 38.53 when most times where a lot slower due to the 30+ turns and Woodland part of the course. Mike finished 12 th overall and collected a prize for 5 th senior male.

Mark Dodd who is quickly catching up to Chris Marshall & John Jennings as EPRC's number one race junkie was the third runner home for the club after positing a good time of 39.49 for 17 th position.

In the Men's team event (3 to count) Steve, Mike & Mark should have been awarded the team prize but due to an organisational error with the results they where unfortunately overlooked.

Brian Griffiths was the fourth EPRC runner to finish after tackling the course in 43.05 to secure 54 th place overall.

Kevin Curtis was the final Ellesmere Port male to finish after clocking a time of 45.50.

Alison Macdonald was the sole female EPRC runner at the race and finished a fantastic 3 rd lady overall and 1 st Lady Vet 35 in 44.13 to collect a prize for the second week in a row at a 10 kilometre race.

On the same day over in Holland, Ellesmere Port had a representative to challenge the great Halie Gebrselassie in the Amsterdam Marathon, however whilst Halie was setting a new course record of 2.06.19, Ellesmere Port RC's Alan Durston was still about 11 miles from the finish after going through half way in 1.47.18 and completing the 26.22 miles in a more than satisfactory 3.47.08.

The last race of the day saw Chris Marshall head down to Oxfordshire to compete in his 2 nd Marathon within two months, the Abingdon Marathon. A much more successful race this time saw Chris go through the half way point in 1.33.55 and complete the course in a very good 3.25.01.