The Summer Sun Is Here… Sweat The Fat Off!

On a nice and sunny July Thursday evening, the second Sale Sizzler 5k of a series of four races was run in Wythenshawe Park in Manchester. Attracting a superb calibre field with over 125 runners under the 20 minute barrier, this race isn’t the fastest course with its multi lap and twists and turns but despite this, has a course record of 14:37.

Winning the race was Gareth Raven of Sale Harriors in a superb 14:41 with the women’s race being won by Alex Gostling fro Leeds City Athletic Club in 17:24.

Steve Crowe was Ellesmere Port Runners sole representative but did the club proud as usual. Improving on his first attempt at this race 2 weeks earlier, Steve knocked 13 seconds off his previous effort finishing in 18th position in a field of 439 runners. With a remaining two races for this series, Steve will be pushing hard for sub 16 minute which would be a superb achievement on this course.

2 Days later, Saturday the 15th, saw Chris Marshall and Mark Dodd brave the scorching afternoon summer sun in the Moel Siabod fell race and Burtonwood 5 Mile road race respectively.

Chris Marshall made the trip to Snowdonia to compete in the 6.2 mile course with 2300ft of ascent. Reaching the top in a solid 44:14:08, the fun was to start with a 20:04:17 decent picking off 5-6 people on the way. Chris finished the race in 1:04:18 which is a superb time considering the toughness of the course and sweltering conditions.

Over in Burtonwood, Mark felt the heat in his 5 mile race. Two laps of a relatively flat course seen winner Gerry Healy of Salford Harriers post a superb 25:40, second place Tarus Elly of Salford Harriers 26:08 with 3rd place going to Michael Halman of Wilmslow 26:27.

Marks first two miles were completed in 12:01, however the sheer heat got the better and Mark finished in a disappointing 32:41 and 25th position out of 70 runners.