Looking out on Saturday morning, the sun was out , there was no wind and the thermometer was rising. It was looking good for the 10:00 Halewood 5K.
This race had seen the race numbers grow for 6 out of the last 7 months and Saturday was no exception setting a new record turn out up 30 from last month’s record turnout. This fast, flat and free monthly race is becoming established for anyone PB chasing.
The female course record had stood for over a year and, just when you thought that it could stay forever, not one but two ladies came along and smashed it. First home was Liverpool Pembroke’s Kirsty Longley in the new female course record of 17:40 Kirsty was followed home by Liverpool Harriers’ Rachael Burns just 4 seconds behind. Third place went to Sarah Griffiths of Leigh harriers in a time of 18:30 which itself was only 4 seconds outside the old course record. Aintree was not the only place in Liverpool which had a ladies day this week.
In the male race, it was a clean sweep for Liverpool Harriers. In first place was James Riley in a very impressive time of 15:11, which places him third on the Halewood 5k all time list. James was followed home by two of his club mates both running in the u17 cat. Matt Shirling in a time of 15:14 was second and Sharif Abdulqani in a time of 15:27 was third. With age grading, Matt’s performance was the highest percentage seen from everyone who has ever ran Halewood.
Overall this race saw a very welcome 42 people trying out the course for the first time. Of those who had ran Halewood before, the conditions saw some 62 % set new course PB’s and it was a day where, to get in the top half, a sub 20 minute time would have been required.
In the race within a race, the Merseyvend North West grand prix series saw Liverpool Harriers, Knowsley Harriers and Penny Lane Striders take the top 3 positions in the male race this week with Liverpool Harriers, St Helens Striders and Knowsley Harriers taking top 3 positions in the female race.
This free monthly race is open to club runners and non club runners alike. Its fast course is good for anyone PB chasing and also for anyone new to running who maybe just wants to test their fitness levels out over the distance. It is one where success is determined only by the target one sets oneself. The next race in the series is due up on the 4th May.
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