Vale Royal AC - Senior Section

15 Aug: There was a good VRAC turnout for this traditionally quick course (now known as the Ellesmere Port RC 5k). Conditions were fairly good apart from a headwind between the 2km and 3km points. James Ainsworth had a great run despite his many ailments as mentioned on social media in the build up to the race. There was a category win for Mike Harrington but Dave Gough, Debbie Broad and Barry Chambers just missed out on their respective age group awards due to the usual strong field this race attracts from Merseyside and North Wales. There were solid runs throughout the field including a big PB for Mark Pilliner and seasons best from Richard Pettitt.  Full Results

31 July: The final race in the 3 race series and another good turn out with 10 VRAC representing the club at a course not renowned for producing fast times. Well done to Ollie Williams in 3rd place and congratulations also to Kate Moulds on being first female and Gemma Barnett who finished 3rd female. Full Results Race Photos

29 July: In a change to the recent weather, torrential rain and 20mph wind greeted 11 VRAC runners amongst the record 750 sell out at the latest of the Mike Harrington stable of races.  The rain eased at the start but the wind affected times and most people appeared to be a minute or more on what we would expect. There was a category win for Lisa Meadows who was remarkably only 6 seconds outside of her PB and another age group win for Colin Rathbone. Full Results. Race Photos

22 July: Mike Harrington was the lone VRAC  to take part in this race. Mike claimed it was an excellently organised race and a great course.  As with most races in the last few months the heat was a factor and Mike managed a 36.24 to equal his season's best. Full results.

Helen Harrington and Lisa Meadows were part of the 369 strong field of runners who chose running over football last Wednesday turning out for the Tony Barnes Memorial Sefton Park 5 mile race. Though signs with the latest score, radio coverage and the noises coming from the local pub helped keep runners upto speed on how the game was progressing. To continue the theme of late, it was another warm and sunny evening for racing two loops on the undulating paths within Sefton Park. Helen having last ran this race some 14 years previously (some fellow runners did question how old or young she must have been back then!) ran a fantastic 32:34 to finish 4th lady. Lisa running this event for the first time finished in 37:24 which was a PB for the distance. Runners were treated to not only a t-shirt and a medal for their efforts but also a curry.  With the football on at race HQ there was even the opportunity to catch the extra time whilst enjoying the post race curry and waiting for the race presentation. A really well organised race and definitely one for next years calendar.

July 1: The hot weather continues to effect races and this one was just a matter of surviving. Five VRAC runners ran this out and back 10k on the bypass as it was temporarily closed to traffic. Another fine run from Chris WIlliams in 3rd place and just dipping under 33 minutes. Good to see Tommy Armstrong back racing and after a quick check on Power of Ten there didn't seem to be any PBs.  

June 23: A belated well done to Chris Perry who ran a fantastic 14.18 over 5000m improving his PB from 14.57. An amazing time that puts Chris well within the elite criteria set by England Athletics. 

21 June: Mike Harrington was the only VRAC member to take part in this long standing 10k in and around the park at Woolston. It was a last minute decision as by his own words "lacks the self-discipline to do a tempo session". Mike finished 4th overall and was first in the 40-49 category in a season's best of 36.24. Full results. 

17 June: Round 4 of the Cheshire Road Race Grand Pris series saw 16 VRAC toe the line at the magnificent Colshaw Hall 10k. Conditions were ideal on a course not known for PB potential.  There were age group wins for Stuart Doyle, James Ainsworth and Gareth Williams who had sneaked into the Vet 50 category just days earlier.  There was a PB for Rick Murray on this undulating course and Mel Johnson was just a second outside of her seasons best which bodes well for them on a quicker course. Good run also for Debbie Broad who narrowly missed out on her category prize. Full results.

14 June: Round 4 of the North Cheshire Grand Prix series saw some more strong performances from the VRAC contingent. Chris Jones was first back in his first race in over a month just one place and two seconds ahead of Mike Harrington who again took the V45 prize and with it almost guaranteed the series win. Gary Richardson was next with a season's best run. Dave Haines was along next quickly followed by Chris Beard who knocked another 20 seconds of his PB set only last week with a 19.29 and must be heading for a sub 19 soon. John Clarke was in next with another solid run which has been the tale of his series. Jill Haines rounded it off for VRAC and looked like she had plenty left in the tank.  Full Results

The final race in the series is the Hollins Green 5k on Sunday 24th June.  Full details.

7 Jun: Race 3 of the North Cheshire Grand Prix Series saw another 6 VRAC tackle this traditionally quick 5k. Another warm evening which has been the story of this series saw Jake Wilson first home with another junior age prize. Next home was Mike Harrington with another V45 win and is looking good for the series win.  Dave Humphreys was next home quickly followed by Chris Beard with a huge PB of almost 20 seconds. Barry Chambers had another solid run and Pauline Davies rounded it off for VRAC with another category win.  Full Results.

The next race in the series is Thursday 14th June at Dunham Massey for the fast version of the course.  Full Details.

31 May: Round 2 of the North Cheshire Grand Prix Series with another hot and humid 5k.  The course is a reverse route of the multi-terrain Forest Park Ladies 5k. Mike Harrington again took the V45 win.  The men (mainly V45!) took second team place. Most VRAC runners seemed to be a bit quicker than last weeks Dunham Massey race. Full Results

The next race in the series is the Bowdon 5k on Thursday 7th June.  Full details.

24 May: 8 VRAC members travelled to the national trust estate at Dunham Massey for race 1 of the North Cheshire Grand Prix Series.  This race was the 'uphill' version of the two that are staged in the parkland and as seems usual for this race runners faced hot conditions. There was a win for Ed Shepherd in his first outing in a VRAC vest (2nd claim) and category wins for both Jake Wilson and Mike Harrington. On the whole runners appeared to be abut a minute down compared to recent faster 5ks. Full Results 

The next race in the series is at Birchwood Brook on Thursday 31st May at 7.30pm.  Details here. 

13 May: Nathan Williams was the only VRAC runner as far as we know to have taken part in this race. Huge congratulations to Nathan with a PB and first sub 35 10k.  Nathan finished in 47th place in a time of 34.55.  Full Results.

13 May: Fan of the odd trail race Chris Griffiths in company with six of our friends from Northwich Running Club took part in this 10k trail race.  The course is within a picturesque nature reserve in the former mining areas between Hindley and Spring View.  Also representing VRAC was Claire Thompson and Stephen Thompson.  Claire finished 4th female and won her age category.  Full Results. 

12 May: Mike Harrington was (not surprisingly) the only VRAC to make the trip to Suffolk for this 5k and was rewarded with a 16.59 and 51st place.  Full Results.

12 & 13 May: Some great performances as a number of VRAC swapped the road for a rare track outing in the championships in Macclesfield. There was a big PB of 9.38 in the 3000m for James 'the machine' Ainsworth.  Great track debut for Tony Dutton who doubled up for the 1500 and 3000m. Lucy Knight had a great second place in the senior women's 3000m. There was a win too for Helen Smith in the senior womens 5000m.  Well done also to Dave Haines with a sub 19 on his 5000m debut.  Full Results.

8 May: Round three of the Cheshire Grand Prix series saw 10 VRAC tackle this unique 5m trail race that passes underneath the runway of Manchester Airport. We had a full mens team but sadly only three women when four counters would have scored. James Ainsworth continued his good form of late with a top ten finish in a strong field. Despite only three women in the team some strong scoring from Mel Johnson, Jeanette Pope and Jayne Lomax leaves VRAC ladies still in 3rd position the Grand Prix. Full results.

6 May: Chloe Dooley was the only VRAC runner to take part in this high quality race which takes place in a leafy suburb of Whitchurch.  The race also incorprates the Welsh 5k championships and Chloe finished in 11th place in a time of 19.23 a full 30 seconds outside of her PB (set at Kingsley April 2017).  Full Results.

6 May: This race incorporated an international masters match with England taking on a combined Celtic nations team consisting of Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish masters runners.  Liz Renondeau and Sarah Murphy were both picked to represent England.  Sarah finished 17th in 38.14 and Liz ran a conservative 39.19.  Both are to be congratulated for being picked to represent England. 

5 & 6 May: Merseyraces host this 5k and 10k on consecutive days around Sefton Park.  Lucy Knight was the sole VRAC runner to do the 5k on what is described as a twisting course. Lucy was 5th lady in a time of 21.37.  Full Results

Lucy also did the 10k the following day in a solid 44.36 finishing 22nd female out of almost 2000 female runners.  Also flying the VRAC flag at the 10k was Liverpool student Emma Pyatt.  Emma was well outside of her PB in a time of 49.13. Full Results

29 April: Rounding off a busy weekend of racing was the Chester Half Marathon with a sell out 6000 entries. First home for VRAC with a PB was Andy McQue just one week after a great run at the London Marathon.  Next home was Craig Sephton who is clearly coming back into some form.  Liz Renondeau was back home next in 6th place with age category win.  Steve Caldwell continued his return to fitness with a controlled 1.29.22 which was his target.  Chris Swift had his usual consistent run over this  distance coming in just ahead of Chris Weedall who knocked a big chunk off his PB.  Ray Tran rounded up things for Vale Royal in his regular outing at this race. Full results.

28 April: VRAC Vets runners made the annual pilgrimage to Sutton Park to the national picnic championships that doubles up as the masters road relay races.  The men had two teams in the V45 category with the A team finishing 18th and the B team were close behind in 25th place.  The men also had a team in the V55 category that finished 29th.  In the women's event there was a notable performance from Helen Harrington who finished in 10th place on the first leg in the FV35 category helping the team to a 17th place.   The club also had two FV45 teams and it was great to see Caroline Buckley and Liz Gayle making their debuts at the relays helping their teams to a 9th and 16th position.  Special mention must also go to Pauline Davies who finished 7th in her leg in the V55 race despite stepping into the team from the V65 category to race against younger athletes.  A great day for the club with so many runners having been involved in the previous nights race at Kingsley either taking part or helping out.  Full results and pictures courtesy of Bryan Dale.

27 April:  Just the 34 VRAC made the short trip to Kingsley for the spring edition of the Mid Cheshire 5k.  The race again incorporated the England Athletics 5k Championships which resulted in 25 men dipping under 15 minutes and 12 women breaking 17 minutes.  As expected in such a stacked race there were plenty of PBs and full results can be found by clicking this link. Free to download pictures are available courtesy of Mick Hall and Vale Royal AC's own Chloe Broad. 

A full film of the race including drone footage is available here.

15 April: Round two of the Cheshire Grand Prix series and VRAC women had a full complement of runners but the men's team was a runner short. First home for VRAC was Mike Harrington just four days after the Chester Spring 5 followed by Robert Roe who knocked 3 minutes off his last visit here which was his 10k debut. Chris Swift was next home with a PB followed closely by our first lady back Melanie Johnson.  Lucy Knight was second home and continued her good form and now sits in fourth place in the Cheshire Grand Prix series.  Less than a minute later came fan of this race Claire Thompson and then Ray Tran less than a week after the Whitchurch 10k.  Prolific racer Debbie Moreton was in next with Barry Chambers just 10 seconds behind despite having done the 'Ally Pally' Parkrun the day before.  Jayne Lomax brought the VRAC contingent home and was happier to get her camper van off the muddy field than actually finish the race. Full Results

11 April: The Chester Spring 5 is the traditional curtain raiser for the start of summer road racing season and as usual was well supported by VRAC.  Matt Sheen defended his title setting a new PB and it is rumoured that if he wins it for a third time he gets to keep the social club. There was a big PB for James Ainsworth who reached a long held target of a sub 28. 1st lady back for VRAC was Liz Renondeau who was 3rd overall. Dave Haines looked to have recovered well from his marathon and earned a great PB. Graham Miles had another decent run and looks well and truly over his injuries. Steve Caldwell made his comeback in a VRAC vest in his first outing for 20 months and surely won't be long before he is back at his best. Chris Beard made his debut at this distance but should be pleased with this result. Both Mary and Colin had solid runs and were unlucky not to be in the category prizes. Pauline Davies continued her fine run of form with another age group victory.  Full Results

Cold wet and windy 6am start. I made conscious decision to start slow as the early several miles through the Liverpool streets were the hilliest of the race. Finally got onto Trans Pennine Way which we mostly followed all the way to Didsbury. After 20 miles at CP3 (Runcorn) was told I was 75th. Though underfoot conditions not as muddy as Chester my feet were just as wet. My hands finally thawed at (CP6) 35 miles in and felt good. Started to tire with 6 miles to go but ran almost all the second half of the race. At the finish we passed the finish line and had to do a lap of the sodden field which was twice the size of Pie and Peas field. Another gold medal for top 100 finish. Two down two more GB Ultras to go in June and September, the Pennine Barrier 50 and Snowdon 50. This completes the GB Ultras grand slam.

Provisional result: 22nd overall. 8 hours 39 minutes 12 seconds.   250 started.

The course has changed in the last couple of years, a short wooded section at the end of each lap makes the new course around 30 seconds slower than the old all footpath course. However the fast and flat course didn’t disappoint delivering four pbs. James Ainsworth led the team home. James was in second but struggled with a stich at 6km which cost him a few seconds over the next mile or so. Never one to give up he recovered the pace over the last mile to finish 5th overall, second in his age category. The first of the PB runners was Rob Roe. Rob was leaving nothing to chance, aerodynamic haircut and shoes resulted in an even paced race delivering a first sub 38 min 10k and PB of over 20 seconds. Next home was the rapidly improving Tommy Armstrong. Having struggled to train consistently over the last six months the ever the optimist Tom was hoping for sub 40 and planned to just pace Hainesy round. Another sub 38 finish from Tom shows he’s moving in the right direction. Even though his pacer was nowhere to be seen after the first bend Dave Haines was next back with a PB, breaking the last one set in 2008. Chris Beard has been steadily increasing his mileage and focusing on his speed work at the club sessions. He continued his great year, setting another PB following on from his success at Wrexham. Next back in quick succession was Lucy Knight and Tony (race machine) Dutton. Lucy won the battle between the two of them, just missing out on a PB. Tony had secured a PB at Salford on Friday and was happy with two 10k’s in a weekend. Lisa Meadows has also been focusing on speed work over the last few months, targeted sessions really paid off with a great PB of over 30 seconds and has already set a target for a new PB! Next home was Debbie Moreton who described it as fabulous till 8km but still had enough in the tank to out sprint a Wilmslow runner over the line. Debbie was closely followed by Jane Lomax, who had been reluctant to take her coat off but soon warmed up and delivered another great performance with consistent splits.Full results here.

01 Apr: Mary Tavener was the only VRAC member to venture to Hale Village for the 3rd running of the 5 mile race and was rewarded with a category win in a time of 37.30. Full Results.