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Photo by Paul Francis Cooper
SCORCHING CONDITIONS AS
1,700 RUNNERS TAKE ON PORT SUNLIGHT RACES
More than 1,700 runners braved scorching weather
conditions to take part in an annual running event at
Port Sunlight Village.
The event grows in popularity each year, and this year’s race day
saw a large number of families turn out to take part. The 5K
race and two-lap 10K took runners on a picturesque route of the
tree-lined boulevards of Port Sunlight Village – with places for
both races selling out with two weeks to go.
Following the 5K and 10K races, almost 300 youngsters took
part in their very own 1K Fun Run. They received a finishers’
medal and goody bag. This was the fifth annual Port Sunlight
Village Road Race staged by BTR Liverpool, held in conjunction
with Port Sunlight Village Trust (PSVT). Unilever – which was
originally founded in Port Sunlight as Lever Brothers in 1888 –
supported the race day for a fourth consecutive year.
Despite soaring temperatures, competition remained fierce
and excellent times were recorded – including a new female
5K course record which was set by Helen Sahgal representing
Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton Harriers. Helen clocked a time of
18 minutes 25 seconds – knocking 32 seconds off the previous
record of 18:57 set by Megan Ball in 2015. She also came second
in the BTR Port Sunlight 10K last year.
A group of 115 runners took on an extra challenge, running in
both 5K and 10K races. A small group first did the combined
15K three years ago, this has grown year on year with the number
almost doubling in size annually. In addition to their 5K and
10K finishers’ medals, the double runners also received two race
T-shirts and goody bags, as well as special 15K T-shirt for their
extra efforts. Plans are already underway to further increase the
size of the group running both races to 200 for 2018.
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The winner of the 5K was Joseph Boden from Wallasey AC with
a time of 16:12, narrowly missing out on setting a new record by
just two seconds. He was followed by Paul Wathan from Eryri
Harriers in second place with a time of 16:30; and in third place
was Chris Yorke from North Wales Road Runners clocking a
finishing time of 17:28.
Alongside Helen Sahgal taking the 5K female honours and
setting a new race record; Gemma Morgans from Eryri Harriers
took second place in 19:24; followed by third position Lisa
Gawthorne representing Liverpool Pembroke & Sefton Harriers
with a time of 19:37. Lee Jones from Deeside AAC took the top
honours in the 10K race with a winning time of 34:27; Paul
Wathan from Eryri Harriers running in both races again took
second place with a time of 35:18; and third place finisher was
John Cain from Liverpool Harriers in a time of 36:25. Taking
the female honours in the 10K was Carmel Triggs who clocked
a time of 39:21; Rachel Jacks from Southport Waterloo AC took
second place with a time of 40:32; followed again by double
racer Gemma Morgans from Eryri Harriers who took another
top three finishing place in 41:35 making her third.
The event proved such a success that after officially starting
the races and presenting winners’ prizes and trophies, He