Runners young and old got into their stride at the 10th Ellesmere 10K and 2K Fun Run (Sunday 28 August). They raced for the podium, personal glory or pure enjoyment on a day that celebrated physical activity along with competitiveness. 

Lakelands School was the host venue for the Lion Quays Ellesmere 10K and Lakeside Coaches 2K Fun Run organised by Paul and Cathy Davies. The attractive (and fast!) course showed off Ellesmere in all its glory and the experienced marshals - who are drawn from groups such as the Rotary Club - kept everyone moving  safely along.

The weather was hot for the 2019 race and conditions were similar this year with blue skies and temperatures of 26 degrees. Runners and their families congregated on the field in front of the school, making the most of the late summer sunshine ahead of the two races at 10.30am and 11am respectively. 

Youngsters aged 4 to 11 had their moment in the spotlight as they completed 2K (1.24 miles) whilst being loudly encouraged by the adults. There were lightning quick runs and most importantly, smiles all round from the junior athletes. Sebastian Holmes was the 1st boy in 8:10 and Grace Hughes the 1st girl in 9:45 and both received trainer themed trophies that more than a few adult runners would have like to have had. There were trophies for age category winners and medals for the finishers.    
   
Then it was the turn of the 10K. There was a round of applause for the late Nick Thomas – a member of Oswestry Olympians and an ultra endurance athlete and coach who tragically passed away 6 years ago. NSRRA Chairman Ken Rushton sent everyone on their way to follow a picturesque route on road, flat trail, canal towpath and grass that contained a few undulations. 

Oliver Blake of Oswestry Olympians Athletics and Triathlon Club won the 2022 Ellesmere 10K in 32:11. Jack Pickett of Wolverhampton & Bilston AC was second in 32:29 and Luke Northall of Wrexham AAC third in 33:58. 

There was another win for Oswestry Olympians with Bethan Jones taking the women’s title in 39:41. Olivia Ashton of Best Athletics came second in 39:59 and Forest of Dean AC’s Amy Penn third in 40:39. 

One finisher showed that you can still be competitive whatever your age: 85 year old Peter Norman is a Triathlon Duathlon World Champion in his age group (85-89) and the popular Wrexham AAC member was singled out for praise by Ken Rushton and applauded by everyone as he ran the final lap around the field and finished in 1:20:26. 

The full set of results is available via the runABC Midlands Race Listings page.    

Every finisher received a technical t-shirt and medal along with a bottle of water. 

Paul Davies was fulsome in his praise of the youngsters in the 2K fun run; stating that these were the future of the sport and a good advert for health and wellbeing especially in our technology driven lives.

Happy 10th birthday Ellesmere 10K!

Image courtesy of Neil Wilkinson.