Matt Whitfield who finished in 1:24:00

Nicky sets another new course record at Village Bakery Half Marathon. A huge turn out of Ellesmere Port runners were present for the start of the very popular Village Bakery half marathon in Wrexham last Sunday. The men’s race was won by Wrexham AAC’s Ted Partridge in a time of 1.12.00. Nicky Bird was once again crowned champion by powering to victory in a stunning personal best time of 1 hour 19 minutes 27 seconds and once again setting a new course record. Nicky was supported well by Alison Macdonald and Amanda Penfold who gave a terrific display knocking four minutes off her personal best to finish in 1 hour 51 minutes. Steve Crowe was the first male runner home for the club after averaging 5.58 per mile for the 13.11 mile distance to give Steve 17th position in a personal best time of 1.18.25. Just a minute behind Steve came Tony Hyland who dipped under the 1.20 landmark for the first time in a few years to finish in 1.19.26 for 23rd position.

Simon Jeffs was the next runner home for the club after working hard with Tony and Nicky for the first 9 miles before digging deep to produce an excellent PB of 1.20.35 for 34th position.

Dave Winder continues to take chunks out of his personal best times and finished the race in a tremendous 1.22.55 to secure 48th position.

Club captain Matt Whitfield and veteran runner of many years showed that age is no barrier when it comes to endurance as Matt powered home in a personal best time of 1 hour 24 dead to secure 56th position.

Next runner home for the club was Dave Nalder who finished in 1.29.33 (95th) and was followed seconds later by Mike Burns who is starting to show a return to form after a long layoff through injury by finishing in 1.29.39 for 97th position.

Steve Blaylock was next runner home in 1.31.15 (107th) after piping the steadily improving Keith Musson on the line 1.31.16 (108th).

Les Fleetwood was next home for the club finishing in 1.34.30 for 146th and was followed shortly afterwards by Brian Griffith who gave a good solid performance to finish in 1.34.44 for 153rd position.

Alan Durston was the next runner home after shaving a few minutes of his Helsby half time a month early by finishing in 1.35.42. Mike Mcshane was next to follow in 1.36.28 for 164th position.

Unfortunately at the time of going to press the full list of results were not available but the other Ellesmere Port runners on the day included, Kevin Curtis, Chris Bennion, Brian Treadwell who gave an excellent run in a personal best time of approximately 1.47.00 and finally Eric Corker. Apologies if anybody has been missed.