ATHLETICS: ELLESMERE Port Running Club members took part in the inaugural adidas Flora Liverpool Half Marathon on Sunday among a field of 3,734 runners.

Having yet another storming run for Ellesmere Port was Nicky Bird who knocked another 32 seconds off her personal best to finish an excellent seventh lady and 39th overall.

Nicky beat all her male teammates at the club in a stunning 1:18:55 and was supported by Alison Macdonald who finished in 1:39:33 for 12th in the Lady Vet 35 category.

Dave Winder was the first EPRC male runner to cross the line after clocking up 1.23.48 to secure 80th position.

Other finishers were Matt Whitfield (1:28:33); Keith Jones (1:29:33); Steve Blaylock (1:33-22); Brian Griffiths (1:34:25); Stephen Tague (1:38:13); Paul Pinkham (1:39:51) and Brian Treadwell (1:51:36).

On Sunday afternoon four EPRC runners took part in the third and final round of the Cheshire Cross Country league in Macclesfield.

First runner home for the club was Steve Crowe who tackled the course in 28.30 to secure 23rd position. He was followed by Danny Legg (33rd in 30:15); Paul Welsh (46th in 33:38) and Tony Smith (47th in 33:44) ensuring EPRC finished seventh in the team standings.

The final race of the day saw Les Fleetwood compete in the St-Helens-Sutton 5K, finishing the hilly course 20.42 securing 17th position and second in the Vet 45 Category.

In the one-mile for run that preceded the race, the future talent of EPRC was on show as eight-year-old Lily Hyland clocked 13.38 while two-year-old Jimmy Hyland, possibly the youngest person ever to appear in the Pioneer's sports pages, crossed the line in 14.23.

Anyone wishing to join EPRC can come down to the foyer of the Whitby Sports & Social Club on Tuesdays and Fridays at 6.45pm with running at 7pm.