Port Runners Impress in Borders League Ellesmere Port Running Club headed to Hoylake last weekend for the penultimate round of the Borders League. The race was organised by Wirral AC and the course was measured at 6.1 miles with the start and finish on the seafront.

In the men’s race Phil Langan was the first runner home for the port finishing 7th in a time of 34.39, straight behind Phil came Ian Cooper who not only had his highest finish of the series in 8th (35.02) but was 1st in the very competitive Vets 40 category.

Steve Crowe and the in-form Denis Duret worked together around the course to be the 3rd and 4th runners back for the Port with Steve just pulling away in the final hundred metres to finish in his highest position yet 15th (35.45) from Denis who also had his highest finish 17th (35.49).

Tony Hyland was 5th runner home for EPort finishing 24th (36.43), at this stage of the race Ellesmere Port were leading the team event as no other club could lay claim to having 5 runners home in the first 24 positions.

Another top 50 finish saw Peter Geoghegan become our 6th runner in, finishing 44th (37.53) followed shortly afterwards by Danny Legg who tackled the course in a satisfying time of 38.37. Men’s captain Gary Richards 70th (40.05) was our 8th counter, just sneaking ahead of Matt Whitfield 71st (40.07) 9th Counter, Matt also finished a very respectable 5th in the V45 category.

Les Fleetwood was the all-important 10th runner home for EPort 84th (41.43). Steve Blaylock, not feeling well before the race finished 86th (41.48) and finally John Jennings starting his comeback from injury finished 101st (42.59)

The results meant EPort finished 3rd in the team event and are also in 3rd Position overall in the Top Division behind Buckley and West Cheshire.

The Ladies team where made up on the day of Nicky Bird and Alison Macdonald.
Nicky, back from her recent success at the inter-counties was 2nd only to Wirral and Merseyside runner Caroline McIlroy in 38.22. Alison on the other hand finished a lowly 30th by her standards in 49.52, however not bad when revealed that Alison had already ran 11 miles earlier in the day as she prepares for London.

Anyone wishing to join Ellesmere Port running club can contact club captain Gary Richards, alternatively the club meet at Whitby Sports and Social Club Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.50 pm.