Nicky Bird was rubbing shoulders with the top British woman athletes at the inter-counties cross county championships in Nottingham on 6th March. Nicky, who was representing Cheshire produced an excellent performance to finish a very respectable 90th overall. To put this into perspective the 287 strong field included the likes of Kathy Butler and Hayley Yelling and out of the 10 women selected to run for Cheshire Nicky was the first home. The race was shown live on Sky Sports.

Steve Crowe, on the same weekend continued the success for Ellesmere Port by winning the Senior Men’s category of the Farndon 10K in a personal best time of 36.07, Steve was well supported by Simon Jeffs who also produced a gritty performance in strong winds in a PB time of 38.01. Andrew Hunt was the third runner back for E Port in 43.26.

Last Weekend saw E.Port runners spread across the North West and Midlands and competing in a variation of running disciplines. Firstly Steve Crowe and Matt Whitfield made the trip to the Trafford 10K, another day of strong winds hindered any hopes of quick times, however Steve finished 33rd in 36.21 and Matt, on his way back from injury finished 86th in 40.43.

With a few Marathons coming up on the race calendar Alan Durston and Andrew Hunt made the trip to the Midlands for the Stafford 20 (Miler). Andrew finishing in a time of 2.38.47 was closely followed by Alan who finished in a time of 2.39.46.

The final race of last weekend was the Cheshire Cross Country League Round 3 at Macclesfield with four Ellesmere Port runners making the trip. Denis Duret produced an excellent run which has his fellow club runners now looking over their shoulders as Denis was first home for EPort, Denis was followed in by Ian Cooper, Peter Geoghegan and finally Danny Legg.

February saw Ellesmere Port competing in two Border League Meetings:

On the 8th Birkenhead Park was the venue for an accurately measured 5 mile course. First home for EPort was Phil Langan in 9th position with a time of 28.05, second for EPort was Ian Cooper (11th) in 28.13, then came Paul Robertson (23rd) in 29.09 quickly followed by Steve Crowe (24th) in 29.13. Tony Hyland (30th) was next home in 29.39, Denis Duret (36th) finished in 29.58 followed by Peter Geoghegan (41st) in 30.23. Simon Jeffs (48th) was next in 30.38 followed by John Jennings (71st) in 31.38, Danny Legg (81st) in 32.10, Gary Richards (93rd) in 32.56, Dave Nalder (107th) in 33.48, Les Fleetwood (112th) in 34.01, Mike Burns (129th) in 35.29. This was one of the best results Ellesmere Port Men has had in the Team standings beating Wrexham, Wirral and Buckley AC in Division 1 and finishing 2nd only to local rivals West Cheshire. The ladies team were supported by Alison Mcdonald who finished 128th in 35.28 and newly crowned “Most Improved Runner” at our recent presentation night Tracey Ellis who finished 153rd in a pleasing time of 36.53.

Helsby RC hosted the Border League on the 29th February and we were treated to an undulating 6 mile course. The Ladies Team saw Nicky Bird finish 4th lady in 38.29 and Tracey Ellis finish 27th lady in 45.56. Phil Langan who has only finished outside the top ten once in the series was first runner home for EPort men in 5th position in 33.58, Phil was followed by Ian Cooper who himself is having a great season finished 10th in 34.32. Steve Crowe was next home finishing in his best ever position of 18th in 35.17, John Fidler finished 28th in 35.50 and was 1st in the Vet 50 category. Next home for EPort was Denis Duret (32nd) in 36.04 followed by the ever-improving Peter Geoghegan (47th) in 37.02. Danny Legg showed a return form finishing 57th in 37.42, Simon Jeffs (62nd) finished in 37.51 followed by Dave Nalder (99th) 39.44, men’s captain Gary Richards (100th) 39.45, Steve Blaylock (118th) 41.08, Les Fleetwood (129th) 42.23 and finally Eric Corker (205th) 51.15.

Results from recent races involving Ellesmere Port runners: -

Feb 1st, Alsager 5 – Ian Cooper (103rd) 28.27, Steve Crowe (134th) 29.29, P.Geoghegan (180th) 30.34, John Jennings (226th) 31.46 and Eric Corker (715th) 43.09

Feb 15th Nick Beer 10K – Steve Crowe (34th) 38.16, Les Fleetwood (113th) 43.29

Feb 15th Cheshire X-Country Stockport– Ian Cooper (16th) 27.29, Peter Geoghegan (29th) 29.13, Danny Legg (34th) 29.59 and Tony Smith (47th) 33.53

Feb 22nd Village Bakery Half Marathon – Tony Hyland (24th) 1.20.24, Danny Legg (49th) 1.25.17, Rob Grantham (107th) 131.01, Dave Nalder (113th) 131.30, Alan Durston (152nd) 1.35.37, Alison Mcdonald (166th) 1.36.30, Andrew Hunt (181st) 1.38.12, Michael Mcshane (232nd) 1.42.52, Brian Treadwell (298th) 1.49.26 and Steve Crowe (299th) 1.49.27.

Anyone wishing to join Ellesmere Port running club can contact club captain Gary Richards, alternatively the club meet at Whitby Sports and Social Club Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.50 pm.