Hi everyone
Once again, thank you for all the reports this week. It’s been another busy one for the Helsby contingent so I’ll get started with the weekly parkrun report:
Parkrun
With a few big races taking precedence this weekend it was expected to be a quiet Saturday at the parkruns, but we had 11 runners lining up at the various courses with some doing the double and racing the next day! Delamere had the biggest turn out with 9 Helsby runners, Laura Baynham Hughes flew around the course for a podium finish and Donna Geer and Tim Palmer both obtained new PBs! Nice one folks!
Helsby results below:
St Helens parkrun
A total of 121 runners took part.
View full results for St Helens parkrun event #37
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 5 | 5 | Adrian JACKSON | Helsby RC | 00:20:35 |
Warrington parkrun
A total of 250 runners took part.
View full results for Warrington parkrun event #61
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 67 | 11 | Rhea THOMAS | Helsby RC | 00:25:01 |
Delamere parkrun
A total of 275 runners took part.
View full results for Delamere parkrun event #101
| Position | Gender Position | parkrunner | Club | Run Time |
| 28 | 28 | Tim PALMER | Helsby RC | 00:21:47 |
| 35 | 34 | David MADDERS | Helsby RC | 00:22:14 |
| 42 | 2 | Laura BAYNHAM-HUGHES | Helsby RC | 00:22:42 |
| 101 | 11 | Lesley FEAKES | Helsby RC | 00:25:54 |
| 120 | 18 | Donna GEER | Helsby RC | 00:26:35 |
| 126 | 22 | Jackie KEASLEY | Helsby RC | 00:27:11 |
| 245 | 161 | Stephen WIGGINS | Helsby RC | 00:35:14 |
| 247 | 162 | Paul BULMER | Helsby RC | 00:35:15 |
| 246 | 85 | Louise MCEVELEY | Helsby RC | 00:35:15 |
Road Running
Borders League Race #4 (Prestatyn) 8.8km (approx.)
Sunday saw our 4th borders league race at Ffrith Beach Arena in Prestatyn which is a brand new race in the Border League calendar. A 2 lap course with an out and back section along the promenade and a loop around the park arena would have made this a very fast course, if only the weather gods were looking out for us (it did make it good to spot the other Helsby runners and shout encouragement on the way though!) The conditions were quite challenging from the start with heavy rain and wind present for most of the race but the 15 Green Army members braved the weather and ran their socks off to produce some brilliant results.
Congratulations to Colin Bishop on another fantastic run for 8th place and first Helsby runner home (also 1st in his age category) with Colin Thompson close behind in 9th. Chris Baynham Hughes ditched his fell shoes this time to partake in some tarmac slapping and whizzed around to secure a top 50 position with Adam following in 55th. Ian Rutherford slipped into the green vest for his maiden club race and had a stormer to secure 69th and the ever improving Adrian Jackson having a brilliant run to break into the top 100 for the first time and secure 71st. Andy Smith and Ben Williams both had a good race with Graham Lloyd running strong to chase down the Helsby pack. The men finished 2nd in division 2 on the day, well done guys!
In the ladies corner, Joanne Lacking was in good form once again to take the chequered flag for the Helsby ladies and secure 3rd in her age group. Well done Jo! Vanessa and Carol both had solid runs with Carol securing 3rd in her age category. Sue Buck, Shan McCarthy and Jackie Keasley all produced some great running to round up the Helsby pack and secure some valuable points for the club. The ladies team finished 5th on the day.
Helsby results:
8th Colin BISHOP 29:10 (1st in age cat)
9th Colin THOMPSON 29:11
46th Chris BAYNHAM HUGHES 32:05
55th Adam GORDON 32:27
69th Ian RUTHERFORD 33:25
71st Adrian JACKSON 33:39
139th Andy SMITH 37:34
157th Benjamin WILLIAMS 38:29
232th Graham LLOYD 45:44
105th Joanne LACKING 35:43 (3rd in age cat)
129th Vanessa GRIFFITHS 37:02
156th Carol SHAW 38:25 (3rd in age cat)
209th Sue BUCK 42:13
223th Shan MCCARTHY 43:58
228th Jackie KEASLEY 44:52
Full results here: http://www.bordersleague.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/results2014-15R41.html
The men are currently 2nd overall in division 2 and the ladies 5th in division 1. We still have 3 races left so we need to try and get a good turn out for these final races folks! The next race is more local (hosted by Wrexham Tri) and approx. 5 miles. Final details are still to be announced but the date to put in your diaries is March 22nd.
Wrexham Half Marathon
On Sunday 3 Helsby vests ventured to Wrexham for the inaugural Wrexham half marathon, a new event by Run Wales. Gaz O’Connor has sent the following match report:
“3 Helsby runners, Darren O’Connor, Scot Steel and Gary O’Connor braved the wind and rain to take part in the inaugral Wrexham Half Marathon (not to be confused with the Village Bakery Half Marathon that also takes part in Wrexham). The course starts and ends in the town centre but the majority of the race takes part on undulating rural and A roads on the outskirts of Wrexham. The standout Helsby performance of the day was from Darren who made light of the conditions to take 2 minutes off his PB, taking it down to 1:32:48.”
Well done guys, some great running there. Nice to see new members Darren and Scot running so well.
Helsby results:
18th Gary O’Connor 1:24:08
49th Darren O’connor 1:32:48
81st Scot Steel 1:39:47
Full results can be found here: http://www.runwales.com/content/general-downloads/Half_Marathon_Results_1823_080315.pdf
Fell Running
Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round
On Saturday there was a good turn out at the Stan Bradshaw Pendle Round. Looking at the results it’s clear to see what an astonishing run Max Wainwright had to secure 3rd overall and win a prize. Good going Max to mix it with some of the best fell runners in the business. A comment from Jim read “It was great to see so many green vests at one of the further afield fell races today. Decent finishes were had by all too – well done guys. And special congratulations to Max who came 3rd today in a massive field of over 175 runners!”
Good stuff guys!
Upcoming races and reminders
20 Mile TT Sat 14 MAR. Don’t forget it’s the 20 mile time trial this Saturday. The main event will be at 10am at Silverdale Park in Mickle Trafford CH2 4TA. An earlier one is at 7am for the speedier folk.
7am – Group 1 (sub 3 hour pace) – there are a small number of runners in the club aiming for the magical sub 3 hour mark. This group will cater for those who wish to run at 6:50 min miles or faster.
10am – Group 2 (any pace) – this is the main event and this group will cater for any pace and is inclusive of all abilities.
Jackie has also sent the following reminder:
We wish Jane Ashbrook and the whole of Helsby Community Sports Club good luck in CWAC annual sports awards which will be announced at the annual CWAC sports award dinner this Friday in Chester. Jane, Chris, Colin and Jackie will be there to support along with representatives from the club.
The following week, the long awaited planning for the new club house build will be considered at a CWAC council planning meeting. It would be great if we can have some green army club hoodies there at the meeting to emphasise the importance of the case for continuing sport in the area. The plan is to run there from Helsby. Meet at the club to leave at 2:15pm for the 8 mile run to Guilden Sutton, then along the green lane into Chester. We will have a photo shot for the Chronicle as we arrive. I know its a work day so time is limited for most but if you can run, or meet us part way along or just in Chester that would be great. For those not wanting to run as far, Bill can give a partial lift, provide water and carry our sweatshirts to Chester. Plus give us a lift home!
Details of the meeting are:
Thursday 19th March, CWaC’s Chester HQ
Venue: Room G1, HQ Building, 58 Nicholas Street, Chester, CH1 2NP
Strategic Planning Committee – 4:00 pm
That’s all this week folks, if I have missed anything please let me know at helsby-race-reports@outlook.com or col808@hotmail.com and I will update the blog.
Cheers
Colin
