MAY 5^TH NORMAN POOLE 5k

Our nationally acclaimed coach, Norman Poole's lifetime contribution to the region's elite endurance runners, was recognised in the Norman Poole 5k Cown Resevoir road race. Understandably, several of Norman's protégé's turned out. Our European junior 800m silver medallist Nial Brooks expressed his personal gratitude by smashing the course record to clock 15.13 with Stuart Bailey on his heels with 15.17. Several used it as a tempo session with Tom Atkinson 8^th in 16.38; Gaz Raven, still recovering from 'London' in 17.10 and Matt Bond, as a final run-out before heading to Denmark for his debut international, sauntered round in 18.44.

May 19th MOBBERLEY 5.3

On a lovely summer's evening five Sale Harriers tackled the Mobberley 5.3 mile trail race. First home for Sale was Carl Barber, who's improving rapidly by the day, in 26th place with 34.29. Jerry Smith, still recovering from his efforts in the London Marathon, was pleased with his time of 36.31 and picked up the prize for 1st M55. Mike Wharton, also recovering from London, ran 37.14. Jan Nicholls was close behind with 37.20 to take the prize for 1st F40 and was followed home by her father Derek in 44.28. After the race the runners all repaired to the beer garden of the local pub for well-earned refreshment. A most enjoyable evening!

May22nd INTERCOUNTIES FELL RACE

Gaz Raven was 5th in the Intercounties Fell Race in Lletty, Wales, against some tough mountain opponents. In scorching weather, he was on course for the top three, but, still recovering from the London Marathon, he finished a credible 5th

May 30th MERSEY TUNNEL 10K

In a tactical race Stu Stokes won the Mersey Tunnel 10K with Simon Mills 3rd. The previous week Simon was 2^nd in another Liverpool event, the Walton Park '5'. In both Dave Rodgers advised Simon to use both races as tempo runs with more desirable targets ahead

MAY 31st CHESTER MARATHON

Ultra distance runner and marathon specialist Tim Rainey completed his 110^th Marathon - the inaugural Chester Marathon. He was hoping for about 3:20 but finished in 3:18:45. This was also his 4^th marathon in seven weeks. Starting with the Crawley track marathon which he won in a PB time of 3:3.5 seconds, two weeks later on the day of the London marathon, he ran the Stratford marathon.  Hoping for sub 3:15, over a hilly course, he finished in 3:23.30 that was one of his ten fastest marathons.  His third marathon was the "hugely enjoyable trip organised by Stefan Schumacher to the Kassel marathon in Germany" where he set off with the 3 hour pace group and stayed with them to 15 miles then slowly drifted to finish in 3'09'50 to equal his 4th best marathon time.  He said of the Chester Marathon "It was a well organized event, run mostly along the Chester greenway cycle path which is mostly flat and well surfaced.  In a few weeks time he hopes to do a 50km race in Boddington to improve his endurance to tackle 100km in September.