Last weekend (Sunday 27th March) a team of twenty athletes from the club travelled to Liverpool to compete in the Liverpool Half Marathon. Base for the weekend was The Albert Dock, literally 400m from the start and finish of the race. Having arrived early on the Saturday we prepared for the race by taking the Beatles Tour around the city (thanks to Viv for organising). This gave us an insight into the course for the race as much of the route of the tour followed the race route. Our initial thoughts were that it looked good route with plenty of opportunity for fast times.
Sunday morning was dry, cool and a little misty with no wind so conditions we perfect for the race. We walked the short distance to the start and the race got under way pretty much on time at 9.30am. The route took us from the docks through the city center and out through Toxteth where it ran loops in both Prince's Park and Sefton Park before heading back to Otterspool Park where it picked up the River Mersey and ran along its bank for the last three miles. Apart from a slight climb between mile 1 and 2 the course was flat and fast, with all roads closed to traffic so good times were certainly on the cards. And thats certainly the way it worked out with good performances all round.

First club athlete home was Gerry Woods in a time of 1.23 which was fast enough to give him 3rd place in the M50 category, next in was new club man Gerry Dore who had the race of the day, taking seven minutes off his PB to claim several scalps and finish in 1.30, six seconds ahead of Shay Murphy also in 1.30. Next in was Viv O'Hanlon who caught John Stokes on the run in to finish just under 1.32 with John coming home in 1.32. Viv's time was good enough to secure 2nd in the M60 division only missing out on victory by 23 seconds. Sharon Tighe also ran a great race to claim a PB in 1.32 giving her 4th in the F40 category. Dave Meehan, Sean Murray and Martin Haddock were next, all three recording impressive times of 1.35, 1.35 and 1.36 respectively. Pat Kelly fought off the effects of his recent injury to claim 1.40 just ahead of Anna King also in 1.40, Deirdre Pitts in 1.42 and Terry Fayne in 1.43. Paula Murray secured an impressive time of 1.46 as did Susan Adams in 1.48. Gary Clarke made a successful return from injury and came in next in 1.50 - great to see him back abd fit. Karl Geraghty and Liz Conroy were next in 1.54 and 1.58 followed in by Bernie Furley and Denis Cahill, both in 2.09

Overall this was a well organised race with an excellent racing course and a good athmosphere around the route and at the finish. Based on the comments from all who were there, it would seem that this may become an annual event. Well done to all who took part.

Some Photos in Gallery