Awesome Stuff… PB’s fall at Chester Half Marathon

Sunday 21st saw the Chester Half Marathon, which attracted well over 1900 competitors. Despite the gloomy and wet conditions, Ellesmere Port Running Club had one of their biggest turnouts ever in a local race.

Winning the race was Altrincham’s Nick Leigh in a rapid 1:09:41. Second position went to Michael Halman of Wilmslow RC in 1:10:47 with last year’s winner Mike Proudlove suffering this year coming home 3rd in 1:12:57.

EPRC had a superb turnout. First home for the club was Steve Crowe. Steve had been holding onto Clive West’s coat tails but just couldn’t manage to stay with him. However Steve pushed on to finish a stunning 6th place in a new all-time club record of 1:13:22.

Second man home for the club was Simon Jeffs. Simon was running strongly until 8 miles when fatigue caught up with him. Simon struggled on to finish 43rd in 1:22:05.

Third EPRC runner home and one of the performances of the day and breaking his 3rd PB in 2 weeks was Mark Dodd. Mark set out hard and went through the 11 mile marker on target for a sub 1:24. However the last couple of hilly miles took their toll on Mark who was suffering with the fast early pace. He pushed on however and finished in a commendable 71st position with a new PB of 1:24:50 knocking almost 3 minutes of his previous best.

Closing in on Mark for 4th EPRC runner was Keith Jones. Keith finished 79th in a superb 1:25:16

Having a slightly disappointing run by his very own standards was 5th EPRC runner, Matt Whitfield. Matt was hoping for around the 1:26 mark, however worked hard to post 1:28:26 for 137th place over two minutes slower than last years time.

Sixth man to finish and also one of the performances of the day was the dramatically improving Brian Griffiths. Running a PB to clinch 141st position in a time of 1:29:40 was a supreme effort and also secured him 11th V50 male.

Still struggling for form since injury Mike Burns worked hard for 152nd place in a time of 1:29:29. Mike will be hoping to get back to the sort of form he was in late last year.

Eighth EPRC runner home was a disappointed Danny Legg. Aiming for around 1:28, Danny struggled for stamina but fought bravely on to post a respectable 1:30:47 for 181st position.

Andrew Kinninmonth made a rare appearance for the club and ran strongly to secure 193rd place in a solid time of 1:31:23.

Third PB of the day came from EPRC first lady home, Alison Hughes. Alison ran superbly to once again smash her PB posting 1:34:33 for 285th place overall but more importantly securing a brilliant 16th senior lady.

Eleventh EPRC runner to finish was the improving Jon Hawker. Jon, closing in on Alison managed to finish the course in a new PB of 1:35:27 knocking almost 30 seconds off his previous PB at Liverpool earlier in the year. Jon will now be working hard to break the 1:30 barrier before the end of the year.

Twelfth EPRC runner to cross the line was Alison MacDonald. Alison worked hard in rainy conditions to finish 319th overall and 4th V40 lady in a very good 1:35:39.

Following Alison was the little seen David Roberts. Dave ran a good race to post a very pleased 1:38:02 and 389th place.

After deciding to run, Alan Durston was pleased with his overall time of 1:39:54 and 472nd place. Alan, who’s been struggling of late, will now rest this week as he contemplates two marathons later in the year.

Fifteenth EPRC runner to cross the line was Thomas Downey  in 1:46:04 and 713th place.

Not far behind Tommy was John Jennings. John racing his brother Geoff pipped him at the finish line to claim 880th position in a time of 1:49:57.

With a superb turnout form the club, Ellesmere Port Running Club managed to secure the 4th team position just behind Wirral AC. Buckley were 2nd with Wilmslow grabbing the top spot.

Earlier in the week, Wednesday 17th, Chris Marshall traveled to Wigan to compete in the first race of the four race Haigh Hall 5 mile series.  In atrocious weather conditions and on a course not conducive to fast times he still managed to power around the 3 lap hilly route in a time of 30:30 to place 26th and record his 3rd personal best time in 6 days.