In its fourth year, the Isabella Rose running club; with supporters and entrants, put on what was a superbly well organised 5 miler event, writes jon-jo Doherty.
The volunteer marshals lined the route making for a positively delightful morning. St Helens Striders Running Club could not have asked for more; with Kelly Hamilton leading the ladies home for the second year running! She was swiftly followed by Emma Callery and Lisa Cheers; making it a 1,2,3 for the Strider lasses! Jon-Jo Doherty defiantly defended the trophy winning in 28 minutes flat.
There were also stand out performances from 5th place Daniel Cheetham; PB 29:26. Shaun Phoenix 31.29; Peter Teeling 38:47. Sarah Bowles in her first ever outing for the club 42:28. Zoe Fillingham 48:46. And sister act Laura Edmundson 59:56 and Nicola Edmundson 1:01:20, fought each other home respectively. Gillian Kelly felt the heat but battled home bravely in 1:06:00 with many other Strider athletes involved.
The Isabella Rose Foundation was supported by Violet-Grace’s Gift; and together the two charities hope to raise even more awareness. Adam Westhead from Qualitas Kitchens backed the event and prizes included £100 gift vouchers for both winners! Adam also presided over a tantalisingly tasteful barbecue before the kids race ensued. The event was truly epic!
Nicola Donovan asserted herself yet again at the Forest Park Ladies 5k, with a new found PB effort of 26:48: Kelly Hamilton secured 3rd place in Forest park and the Strider ladies secured 1st and second team prizes. Brenda Cahill avidly protected her new found form; and in the Tatton Park 10k, she finished in 53:36. Mark Riley supported by his wife Kerry narrowly missed out on a podium finish in the Barrowdale Trail 13k. And in the ‘We love Manchester 10k’, representing the Striders in fine rhythmic fashion, Lynda Butchard achieved 1hr 7mins flat.
The Tour of Merseyside takes place over the course of one week, and encapsulates 6 races and covers 52 miles. Rachel Tickle, Katie Taggart, Colin Wilson, and Pete Medlicott courageously completed the course.
Main photo –Lisa Cheers, Kelly Hamilton, Adam Westhead and Emma Callery
