PICTURES: 940 finishers in Birchwood 10k

NEW winners emerged from the 940 finishers in the Birchwood 10K at the weekend.

Nigel Martin and Kirsty Longley took the honours in the men’s and women’s races that started and finished close to Birchwood Shopping Centre on Sunday morning.

Nigel Martin

Sale Harriers’ Martin climbed 12 places from 13th last year to go round fastest in 33mins 4secs, while Liverpool Pembroke Sefton’s Longley was first woman to finish in 38:03.

Kirsty Longley

In the senior men’s race, Mike Metcalf, 29th, was first home for Warrington Running Club in 37:52, closely followed by Jonathan Smith, of Lymm Runners, 31st in 37:59.

Tom Greaves, 60th, led the way for Warrington Road Runners in 40:20, while Warrington Athletics Club’s Mervyn Ward was third over 60s men’s runner in finishing 70th overall.

In the women’s events, Birchwood’s Louise Blizzard, running for Belgrave Harriers, was fourth – third in the over 35s – in 40:38. She was 65th overall.

Kelly Crossley clocked 46:13 for Warrington Athletics Club, crossing the line eighth in the over 35s and 217th overall.

First woman home for Warrington Running Club was Amy Cook, 13th in her section and 226th overall; while the plaudits went to Georgina Walker for Lymm Runners with 48:32 in finishing eighth in the over 40s and 285th overall.

Warrington Road Runners’ best was Jenny Smith, 17th in the over 40s and 461st overall, in 53:14.

Warrington Running Club’s Metcalf, Paul Corless, Jon Strange and Dan Grundy were fourth in the men’s team competition; while Cook, Nicola Jha and April Wilkinson were 12th for Warrington Running Club in the women’s team event.

Winners’ results:

Men’s race: Nigel Martin, Sale Harriers, 33mins 4secs.

Women’s race (and Over 35s Women): Kirsty Longley, Liverpool Pembroke Sefton, 38:03.

Senior women: Laura Hesketh, Clayton Harriers, 41:04.

Juniors: Boys: Alex Ryder, Prestatyn Running Club, 40:30. Girls: Lara Higham, unattached, 1hr 27mins 15secs.

Over 40s: Men: Stephen Laker, Wirral AC, 36:42. Women: Mandy Vernon, Trentham Running Club, 38:42.

Over 45s: Men: Lee Jones, Deeside AAC, 33:58. Women: Helen Smith, Vale Royal, 43:41.

Over 50s: Men: John Convery, Bingley Harriers, 36:38. Women: Kath Charnock, Wigan Phoenix, 44:11.

Over 55s: Men: Gordon Jones, Prestatyn Running Club, 37:57. Women: Lesley Greenlees, unattached, 51:21.

Over 60s: Men: Stanley Owen, Salford Harriers, 38:48. Women: Carol Beattie, Steel City Striders, 50:27.

Over 65s: Men: Alan Miles, unattached, 45:28. Women: Rosemary Rogers, West Cheshire AC, 50:31.

Over 70s: Men: Mel Walker, Burnden Road Runners, 45:41.

Over 75s: Men: David Hughes, Prestatyn Running Club, 59:45.

Team: Women: Vale Royal - Sarah Murphy (2), Helen Smith (12), Sula Stanley (20). Men: Wesham - Robert Anthony Danson (2), Lee Barlow (22), David Taylor (34), Steven Gore (103).