Ian wins Standish Hall Trail Race Ian Cooper produced an excellent run last Saturday by winning his first individual title. The Ellesmere Port RC ace travelled to Wigan for the 10K trail race and stayed with the leading group on the first of the two lap tough undulating course before breaking away and finishing 23 seconds ahead of Wigan Phoenix runner David Townsend in a winning time of 38.11. Ian was supported by Tony Hyland who finished in a strong 12th position in 41.18. The hugely popular Chester Zoo 10K was staged last Sunday on saw 12 Ellesmere Port runners participate with the backing of a large crowd of spectators around the 6.2 mile course. Steve Crowe was the first runner back for EPRC after a quick start saw Steve climbing into the top ten places and reach the 5K point in 17.12 before a tough second half of the race meant Steve dropped a few places but still produced an excellent position of 16th out of 1194 runners in a time of 35.26 and a prize for finishing 8th in the Senior Men’s age category. John Fiddler was the next runner home for EPRC finishing in a quick time of 36.42 (34th) and easily winning the V55 age category award. Denis Duret was next runner home finishing the race in 42nd position in a time of 37.07 and was followed straight after by Simon Jeffs who tackled the course in 37.18 for 43rd position.

Ellesmere Port’s current Runner of the Month Chris Marshall made a change from fell running to finish next home for the club in a satisfactory time of 39.52 for 92nd position. Club captain Matt Whitfield was to follow Chris and complete the race in 40.12 for 107th position. Matt was followed by club chairman Dave Nalder who crossed the finishing line in 41.55 for 160th position.

John Jennings who led the race (as usual) for the first 800 metres eventually got pegged back into 168th position in a time 42.02. Alan Durston produced a time of 44.58 to claim 282nd position and was followed by Brian Treadwell running his first race in a while and finishing in 53.11 for 705th position and finally Eric Corker came home in a time of 55.08 for 798th position.

The strong performances by the men meant that Ellesmere Port finished 5th in the team event one place ahead of local rivals West Cheshire who finished 6th.

Alison Macdonald was the only EPRC lady running the race following the late withdraw of Nicky Bird through injury. Alison completed the race in an improving time of 43.13 and was the 23rd lady to cross the line.

On Sunday 10th in Haworth, Chris Marshall completed his third fell race in as many weeks. The Bronte Way 8, a point to point race that takes in nearly 9 miles of the hills and moors of the Pennines in West Yorkshire. Battling against tough climbs, headwinds and muddy conditions Chris finished in 38th place with a time of 1:08.51.

On the same morning the Liverpool Half Marathon was staged and had 5 EPRC runners take part. First runner home for Ellesmere Port was Tony Hyland who completed the 13.11 mile course in a satisfying time of 123.09 to claim 43rd position in a field of over 2500 runners. John Jennings was next runner home for the club after completing the course in 133.58 for 224th place.

Keith Musson running his first half marathon in a few years was next home after finishing in an excellent 1.37.14.

On the ladies runners, the ever improving Alison Macdonald was first home after completing the course in a very satisfactory 1.37.20. Alison was followed by Nicky Musson who finished in 2.10.19.

Finally, on Saturday 9th October Nicky Bird participated in the Manchester University Cross Country Relays and helped her team finish 3rd by running the 10th fastest leg of the afternoon.