Ian Wins Vet’s race at Sefton Park 5 Ellesmere Port running clubs Ian Cooper was the pride of the club last Wednesday evening following the Sefton Park 5 mile race. The race which consists of undulating laps around Liverpool’s Sefton Park was entered by know fewer than 234 runners. Ian, who has been in terrific form this season (thanks in a small way to his lucky running glove he wears to carry his key around in) finished the race in an impressive 10th position but more importantly was the first Vet 40 home holding off Liverpool Running clubs David Edwards by 14 seconds to claim the honour and finish the race in a time of 28.09

On the same night back across the water, Steve Crowe found himself locked in a battle with the very fast and experienced Graham Jenkins of West Cheshire at the Wirral Seaside run. The course which is ran over an approximate distance of 5 kilometres starts from Leasowe Lighthouse and runs right along the coast to Harrison Drive in Wallasey. With a fast start to the race Steve & Graham found themselves quite far back and helped push each other through the field. With the finish line in sight the inevitable sprint finish beckoned and Steve kicked first with about 300 metres to go and soon opened up a 10 metre gap on Graham to secure 5th position overall in a time of 16.56 and beating Graham for the first time who will no doubt be looking for revenge when the borders league restarts in late October.

On Friday 16th July Denis Duret travelled to the strangely named Ruyton XI Towns in Shropshire for the Packwood 5 mile race. With 124 runners participating on the tricky hilly course Denis finished an excellent 10th overall in a time of 28.59 which is just over 10 seconds outside his PB showing that Denis is truly returning to form.

On Saturday 24th Tony Hyland and Chris Marshall tackled their first mountain race, the challenging 10 mile "International Snowdon Race", Tony was the first of the Ellesmere Port runners to the summit of the highest mountain in England and Wales in 1.01.43. Chris made it to the top in 1.04.19 and eventually caught and passed Tony on the five mile descent crossing the finish line in 1:33.53, Tony finished just behind in 1:46.11.

Chris was also in action on Sunday 18th July at the Burnden 10k Challenge in Bolton. With what can only be described as a challenging course, Chris completed the race in 42.53 to claim 46th position in a field of 171 runners.