Chariots of Fire 5k
Over in Oswestry, Ellesmere Ports premiere runner Steve Crowe was taking on yet another 5k, this time the “Chariots Of Fire 5k” race. Winning the race was Tim Davies in a time of 15:26, followed by Oliver Mott in 15:47 and 3rd place going to Nick Andrews in 15:55.

Steve narrowly missed out on a top 3 position finishing 5th in a respectable but slightly disappointing 16:35.

York Millennium Bridge 5k
The previous week saw Ian Cooper from EPRC compete in the York Millennium Bridge 5k. Winning the race was Steve Hepples from Loftus&Whitby AC in a superb 14:46.

Ian, who seems to be hitting tremendous form recently after last months DeeStriders off Road Race, ran superbly to claim 18th position overall in a time of 16:59. However, Ian claimed the 3rd V40 category winner.

Race the Train
At 2:05 on Saturday 19th of August the train blew its whistle and the Race the Train event was under way and Ellesmere Port’s three runners set off in pursuit.

In a test of speed and endurance you must race the Talyllyn narrow-gauge steam railway from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and back. In atrocious weather the 14.75 mile hilly cross country course was turned into a mix of flooded farm tracks, muddy fields and deep bogs.

The first runner home was Chris Marshall, battered and bloody and covered in mud but not withstanding, ahead of the train, posted a time of 1:45:43 and finishing 69th overall, in 190th place was Matt Whitfield with a time of 1:57:07, unfortunately not quite beating the train this year. Completing the trio Keith Musson, a veteran of this event and train beater in the past, He clocked a time of 2:xx:xx to finish in xxxth place.

Birchwood 10k
Over in Warrington, three Ellesmere Port Runners we’re racing in one of the top 10k races in the country, The Birchwood 10k. The ever popular race attracted 762 runners this year and once again EPRC did the town proud on a bright and breezy Sunday morning.

Winning the race in a scintillating time of 30:14 was Preston Harriers Adam Sutton. Taking 2nd spot was Jason Ward of Altrincham in 30:40. A distant 3rd place went to John McCole of Liverpool Harriers in a time of 32:23.

Winning the ladies race was Susan Partridge from The City of Glasgow running club in a new course record of 33:34 knocking 10 seconds off the previous course record. 2nd place went to Gill Laithwaite in a time of 35:50 and 3rd spot was taken by Blue Haywood in 36:11.

Representing EPRC and first club member home was Brian Griffiths in a new PB time of 40:24 and 141st position overall. Brian must now be eying breaking the 40 minute barrier in his next 10k road race and is due to shatter all his previous PB in the coming months.

Next runner for the club was the vastly improved Alison Hughes in her first ever attempt at a 10k race in producing a fabulous 42:28 to average 6:50 m/m pace for 202nd place overall.

Final EPRC home was Dave Roberts in 49:46 and 457th place.

Belper Rugby Rover 30K
On the same day but 90 miles away in Belper, Derby, Mark Dodd was trying his hand at his first true off road/trail race, The Belper 30k Off Road Race. Ascending over 2300ft, this extremely hilly and muddy course was going to prove the toughest of tests.

Producing his best display of running ever, Mark produced an outstanding performance to claim 8th position overall out of 145 runner’s in a time of 2:23:07. Another 3:10 minutes and Mark would’ve been in the medal positions.

Capenhurst 5k
Wednesday the 23rd August, seen the running of EPRC’s own race, the Capenhurst 5k. A fantastic turn out of 124 athletes seen Tarus Elly of Salford Harriers smash the course record in a stunning 14:56. 2nd place went to Paul Freary of Belgrave Harriers in 15:01 with Adam Peers of Liverpool Harriers grabbing 3rd spot in 16:02.

The ladies race was won by Rachael Thompson in 16:56, with last year’s winner, Nicola Bird managing 2nd position in 18:00. 3rd spot went to Emma Parry in 18:49.

Representing EPRC and first man home for the club was Steve Crowe. Still coming back after a bout of Cold, Steve still ran a solid 16:26 for 8th Place.

Simon Jeffs also coming back from injury came 23rd in a positive 17:49.

Danny Legg was next man home for 49th position in 19:13 and will be looking to get back into sub 18:30 shape ASAP.

Jon Hawker ran a superb race finishing 56th and breaking the 20 minute barrier for the first time by the skin of his teeth in 19:59.

Alison Hughes continued her good form claiming 67th in 20:28. Next target will be sub 20 for Alison.