Slow start for LPS

The winter season got under way with the North West Relays at Marbury Country Park, Northwich. As usual Liverpool Pembroke Sefton made a modest start. In the Senior Mens race the club fielded four Lancashire runners and six Merseyside. The Lancashire quartet featured a strong first lap from Alistair Nelson(17.35) followed by Sean Kirkbride(18.29), Kyle Nicholls(19.14) and Rob Bland(19.51). The overall 24th team placing and 5th in the Lancashire championship was a reasonable return for their efforts.
 
The Merseyside team had been greatly weakened by late withdrawals  and was led off by a far from fit Warren Turner(19.49) then Greg Callaghan(20.10), Matt Thompson(19.33) and Robbie Wood(22.35). The pleasant surprise here was that of Thompson who won the British Vets 800m title earlier in the summer and was turning his attention to this form of racing for the first time. The team`s 47th placing and 11th on Merseyside is no reflection of the real potential should everyone be fit and available. Kevin Carroll(21.29) and Mark Bleasdale(21.43) looking pleasantly fit for O50s competed team-less. 
 
Charles Gains