A sunny day in the park

The Northern Road Relays were held in Blackpool`s Stanley Park in perfect running conditions. For Liverpool Pembroke Sefton athletes this was a big step up in competition with the flower of the North on show. The best performance probably came from the club`s Under 17 trio of Matt Richardson, Jack Crook and Daniel Jones. Matt led with a swift time of 12.38 on his leg in 18th place. Jack followed with a powerful run of 12.28 cutting a swathe through the field to finish 9th. Daniel Jones also impressed on the final stage with 12.37 but slipping slightly to 11th. These three look certain to figure prominently during the coming winter season.

The Under 13 Boys combination of a sharp Mark Roberts(13th in 11.38) followed by Liam Harrison(21st in 13.10) and last minute recruit Sam Latimer(21st with 13.09) ran well in this tough company. Similarly the Under 15 squad of Adam Jones(23rd in 11.04), Alex Lang(34th in 13.31) an inspired Ross Harrison who jumped nine places to 25th in 11.22, also came away with valuable experience of the big time.

The Senior Women fielded a completely different team to the previous week`s North West Relays and had every reason to rejoice. Kirsty Mackenzie was 47th in 22.24 followed by a rejuvenated Vicki Jones who jumped a remarkable 12 positions with a 21.34 posting. Corinne Molyneux, making a welcome return to competition, saw the club go one place higher with 23.19. Sam Wade rounded off proceedings with a robust 21.36 and LPS finished 31st, a good result at this level.

The Senior Men were led by a slightly off-colour James Loftus but, nevertheless, recording a respectable  22.28 albeit in 48th spot. The club`s fastest Harry Doran(21.46) was next jumping LPS to 41st. Sean Kirkbride(22.45) stepped up  and caught three to book 38th berth. Aaron Jarvis(23.08) passed a further two and a game captain, Mark Wayne(23.43) slipped only slightly to 38th. Running the anchor leg Jonathan Bride(23.36) brought the club home in 36th, a decent position in such a quality field. An incomplete team of John Halson(85th in 24.36), Peter Gaskell(75th in 24.02), Joe Chadderton(78th in 26.15), Danny Gilbody(77th in 25.06) and Robbie Wood(78th in 27.02) brought the day`s proceedings to a close.

Charles Gains