Helsby Sports & Social
Chester Road
Helsby
Cheshire WA6 0DL
(01928-722267)
Last Updated :
25th April 2000
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Highlights & Results
of the
19th Four Villages Half
Marathon
23rd January 2000
Who would have ever forecast the weather conditions that we had for the race? Warm, sunny and calm. Absolutely brilliant for running. This was a sure sign that course records would be set and that we were in for a great race. The number of entrants was a record 1805 with several hundred late entries being returned. (Please enter early next year)Roy Tunstall of Helsby Running Club was the official starter and got the runners away bang on time. Our main sponsors Plus Print were taken by surprised at how big the event was, but were more than impressed on how well it was organised.
The first course record was in the mens race Salford Harrier Duncan Mason stormed in at 1:05:47 to claim the £200 for winning and a bonus prize of £100. Graham Ratcliffe from Warrington A.C. set a new V45 record in 1:11:52. Ken Burgess a V55 of Altrincham & District A.C set another record of 1:19:40. Then came Rochdale Harrier Dave Edge in a record time for a V60 in 1:24:48. Alec Dunn of Stockport Harriers followed close behind to set a V65 record of 1:24:54.
First team home I am proud to write was my own club Helsby with first four to count, Mark Hinson, Paul Boileau, Gary Munslow, and Graham MacNeil. Well done lads.
Angela Allen from Plymouth Harriers set a ladies course record with an excellence time of 1:17:03. Angela was four seconds outside of beating 77 minutes for a £100 bonus prize, nevertheless we awarded it to her for such a great run. Jackie Newton from Stockport Harriers set a new FV35 record of 1:18:02. Joan Jackson who has won the FV40 title for the last three years did it again in 1:23:49. Mary Doyle from Liverpool R.C. again took the FV45's in a record time of 1:30:00. Sandra Owen from Tattenhall retained the FV50 title in a record time of 1:30:57. What can I say about this lady (just amazing) - Louise Gilchrist from Middleton Harriers did it again and set a new course record for a FV60 of 1:39:40.
In early December we received an entry from Malcolm Poulson, a Wheelchair athlete, which was completely new to us. The decision to let him take part was easy and why not? Malcolm from Penny Lane Striders completed the race in 2:21:10, considering how the course undulates this was a respectable time - well done Malcolm.
We wish to thank all those who gave up their time on the day to help make the race the success it was. Many thanks to Horns Mill C.P . School for enabling us to use the school grounds for the finish area. A special mention for Ken Moss the caretaker of Horns Mill C.P. School who once again gave great assistance.
If you have any comments about the race, we would love to hear from you, good or bad.
Regards
Alec (4 Villages Half Marathon Race Director)
Here are the results of both the Ladies and Mens races, laid out as a series of tables of 100 finishers each. As usual we have separated the results from the two races so that the ladies can more easily see how they fared with respect to each other. The ladies results also include their overall positions, which explains the 'gaps' in the mens results.
A full souvenir booklet of results, including many graphs including finishing time, average and fastest finshing times by age, the age distribution of the participants, distribution by postal code and others is still available from Alec on receipt of a shiny new pound coin (or equivalent monies).
The results were once again compiled for us by our friends at Compass Computers using their Pro-Runner® software.
The list below of positions and corresponding finishing times is repeated at the bottom of each page to help you navigate your way to the results you want.
Finally, here is a picture of the overall winner, Duncan Mason from Salford Harriers.
