Port Ladies Race to Summit at Borders League

The 2005-2006 Borders League kicked off in Shotton last Sunday with a record 299 runners taking part. The overall race was won by Pete Lambert of new Border League members Deeside AAC after Pete completed the 5.7 mile course in a time of 30.17. Last Years winner Clive West of Buckley was 2 nd in 30.32 and Bernie Jones of Wrexham 3 rd in 31.14.

Outshining the men's team, Ellesmere Port RC ladies raced to the top of Division 2 with an excellent team performance that sees the ladies already 28 points ahead of second place Helsby.

First home for the EPRC & overall in the ladies race out of a field of 89 was Nicky Bird who finished in 35.27 26 seconds ahead of 2 nd place Sarah Hammond of Tattenhall.

Alison Macdonald was 12 th lady overall after posting a time of 40.12. Completing the team to take EPRC to the top was Alison Hughes who tackled the course in 41.56 and was the 25 th lady to finish.

On the men's team EPRC sit a lowly 5 th in Division 1 after accumulating 759 points, however more important was the fantastic turnout & team spirit of the 17 men on the start line with over a third of the make up carrying or just coming back from injuries.

First runner home for the club was Steve Crowe who finished in his highest position yet of 6 th in the Borders League after posting a time of 32.02.

Ian Cooper was the 2 nd runner to finish for the club, coming home in 11 th position in 32.31.

A much improved Denis Duret had another great run to finish in 18 th position in 33.17.

Easing his way back onto the race scene was Tony Hyland who is still carrying a groin strain but still managed an excellent 35.52 for 66 th place.

Chris Marshall had a tremendous run to finish 72 nd in 36.15 and was followed by Matt Whitfield who finished 100 th in 37.41.

Ian Robinson was the 7 th counter for the club after tackling the course in 38.04 for 108 th place.

Dave Nalder was the 8 th counter after clocking a time of 38.31 for 116 th place.

A good display by Gary Richards saw him cross the line in 39.18 to clinch 130 th position.

Simon Jeffs starting his comeback from a foot injury was the all important 10 th counter after finishing 39.29 for 132 nd with Danny Legg immediately behind in 133 rd (39.30)

Men's captain Steve Blaylock was the 150 th finisher on the day in 40.30 and was followed by an excellent performing Andrew Hunt who finished 165 th in 41.26.

Alan Durston was the 14 th finisher for the club after clocking a time of 41.32 for 169 th place and was followed by Les Fleetwood who finished in 174 th place in 41.41.

Mark Dodd pulled up with an injury with less than a mile to go but managed to limp to the finish and cross the line for the cause in 221 st position in a time of 44.45.

The final EPRC runner to finish making his debut for the club was Nigel Crierie who posted an excellent 47.10 to claim 247 th position.