Sefton Park 5 Mile 21st July

302 runners including numerous Ellesmere Port Runners made the short trip up the Wirral for Mossley Hill AC's Sefton Park 5 Miler. Always classed as a quick course, however, conditions were difficult with wind and rain the main protagonists and a few flooded pathways adding to the fun. Maybe the sound and sight of thunder and lightening helped, as there were flashes of inspiration in the times recorded.

First home for the club was and continuing his fine form Denis Duret for 12th place in a time of 29:08 (5:49 m/m). Coming back from injury was Ian Cooper. Being off the racing scene hasn't hurt Ian's speed, although someway off his best coming home in 15th place in29:40 (5:56 m/m). Roy Traynor who seems to be addicted to not only love but racing at the moment was next home in 62nd place in 33:19 (6:39 m/m). Catherine Evans was EPRC's sole lady putting in a superb and soggy performance coming home in 158th place in new PB time of 38:38 (7:43 m/m).

Winning the race in 25:46 (5:09 m/m) was Richard Burney of Liverpool Harriers, 2nd was John Mccole also of Liverpool in 26:02 (5:12 m/m) with 3rd going to Andy Ward of Wigan Phoenix in 26:04 (5:13 m/m). The ladies race was won by Jenny Clague of Liverpool Harriers in 14th overall in 29:12 (5:50 m/m). 2nd lady was Sophie Whiteside of Liverpool also in 23rd 30:05 (6:01 m/m) and 3rd was Catherine Draper making it a clean sweep for Liverpool Harriers in 29th place and 30:46 (6:09 m/m).

Full results available http://www.slac.btinternet.co.uk/SP2010Result.pdf

35th International Snowdon 10 Mile Race 24th July

The 2010 International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa lived up to all expectations on Saturday as two young Scottish athletes swept all before them on this most famous of mountain races. Robbie Simpson and Catriona Buchanan, both just 18, won the men's and women's crowns respectively, and made light work of some of the worst conditions that the event has had to endure in recent years.

The athletes were greeted with mist and light rain as they took to the start line at 2pm, however these conditions were nothing compared to what awaited them on the upper slopes of Snowdon, with strong winds and driving rain awaiting them at the summit, some 5 miles away and at an elevation of over 3500 feet. The race is basically a 5 mile climb then a 5 mile descent.

Winning the mens race was Robbie Simpson (Scotland) 01:07:59, 2nd was Alex Baldaccini (Italy) 01:09:11 and 3rd was Ian Homes (England) 01:09:11. The ladies results were 1st Catriona Buchanan (Scotland) 01:21:19, 2nd Pippa Maddams (England) 01:21:56 and 33rd Lauren Jeska (England) 01:24:33.

First home for Ellesmere Port was Graham "The Mountain Goat" Earlam in 83rd place in 1:30:53 with the uphill first 5 mile completed in 57:12 and 91st place and 4th V50. Graham is built for this kind of terrain with his diminutive size, however couldn't been blown off the top of Snowdon and pounded back down like a whippet. Next was Jon "This Isn't Tough Enough" Cole completing the uphill 5 in 1:05:58 and coming home in an overall time of 1:40:41 and 154th place. Disappointed to not take Grahams scalp, Jon will be back next year as these two men love nothing but tougher and tougher races. 474 runners finished the race.

Full results available http://www.tdl.ltd.uk with a full race report available at http://snowdonrace.co.uk/default.aspx

Moonraker 10k 25th July

Over in Middleton near Manchester, Mark Dodd wasn't taking on Jaws, the infamous villain from the Roger Moore era of Bond, but infact a popular and his first ever 10k when he raced this back in 2005. With the race being multi terrain and extremely hilly for the first 4.5k, PB's were not on the agenda however Mark was still disappointed with a 37:03 (5:58 m/m) run for 15th position losing 3 positions in the last 3k. However, after the previous week of illness, nothing more could've been expected.

Winning the race was Ian Grime of Newham & Essex Beagles in 32:28 (5:13 m/m) with the inform Damian Nicholls of Wilmslow in 2nd in 33:27 (2:23 m/m) and 3rd place Andy Wilton of Staffords Moorlands AC in 33:50 (5:27 m/m). The ladies race was won by Sarah Ridehalgh of Accrington Road Runners in 38:33 (6:12 m/m). 2nd place was Jenny Hall in 40:10 (6:28 m/m) and 3rd was Kath Lampulph of Macclefield Harriers in 41:06 (6:37 m/m).

Running At Ellesmere Port Running Club

Finally, anyone wishing to join the club whether beginner or competent runner, we meet at the Whitby Sports and Social Club on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.45pm to commence running at 7pm and welcome all abilities in a fun and friendly atmosphere. Please be aware that a beginners club every Wednesday night is also running until 29th September. If you can only run 200m or run a mile, feel free to join Gary Richards for the beginners sessions following his expert advice. All that is asked is, be at the Whitby Sports & Social Club for 6:40pm and a 6:45pm start. For more information, see

http://www.ellesmereportrunningclub.org.uk

News from 2007, 2006, 2005 & 2004