Chester Tri Club hosted the 27th annual Christleton 5k on Friday with a  full field of 400 entries.

Despite cool and damp conditions, there were quick times with the women’s course record broken.

For the first time, the race had electronic chip timing, which was well received by competitors.

Race director Aaron Riley said: “Feedback from competitors has been really positive. Many competitors have also expressed their thanks to the marshals who gave up their Friday evening to stand in the rain.”

Andrew Davies of Maldwyn Harriers was the overall race winner in 14:36, with six men overall finishing in under 15 minutes.

Elle Vernon of Stockport Harriers was the fastest woman in 16:06, reducing the women’s course record by four seconds and finishing in 32nd place overall.

Age category prizes went to Nathan Jones (U20, 14:58), Catherine O’Dwyer (FV35, 17:22), Lee Jones (V40, 15:09), Emma Crowe (FV40, 18:18), Robert Tudor (V45, 15:46),  Helen Smith (FV45, 20:14), Rob Downs (V50, 16:25), Gill Mead (FV50, 18:30), Tom McGaff (V55, 15:36), Valerie Dunn (FV55, 20:59), Dave Nalder (V60, 19:25), Barbara Ward (FV60,  23:34), Dave Hough (V65, 21:32), Chris Birch (FV65, 22:59), and Simon Fenton (V70, 25:04). Mark Gittins got a new PB by 25 seconds and was the fastest Chester Tri finisher in 16:25.

West Cheshire AC veteran distance-running ace Dave Hough smashed his club’s over-65 men’s 5km record by clocking 21 minutes 32.

Dave Alexander headed the West ontingent by posting 16:42 for 61st, ahead of Robert Little (96th in 17:31), Neil Hershaw (100th in 17:33), Luke Ellis (143rd in 18:37), Mark Davies (179th in 19:33), Chris Smith (230th in 20:42), Michael Gandy (248th in 21:10), Andrew Leishman (311th in 24:34), and Brian Beattie (330th in 27:37).

West Cheshire AC’s Ellie Robinson secured 226th and was ninth in her over 40 age group in a time of 20:37, ahead of club mate, Lisa Davies, who finished 10th in her over-40 age category and 249th overall in 21:10.

Helsby Running Club’s Colin Thompson came home in 16.43 for 58th overall. Vanessa Griffiths was first Helsby lady home in 233rd overall.

For Tattenhall Runners Adele Curran (22.23) and Rob Arden (17.42), finishied 60th female and 101st male respectively.

Mike Davies represented Tattenhall Runners in Sunday’s Edinburgh Half Marathon. He braved the wet conditions to finish in 1hr 49mins.

Bank Holiday Monday saw Nick Holmes of Tattenhall complete the eight mile, steeply undulating Austwick Amble fell race in 1hr 4mins, finishing 44th.

The next Chester Tri event is the Deva Triathlon on Sunday, June 8. The race, which already has 800 entries, will again be based at Grosvenor Park, with the swim section in the River Dee from 7:30am. Spectators are welcome.