THERE was a rare sight for race five of the Border Road Running League season... sunshine!

The fifth race in the series took place around Mold and Nercwys, with spring-like conditions marking the start of British Summer Time.

A tally of 218 finishers represented a turnout well down on what might have been expected in normal times.

Inevitably Covid, but also a clash with the North of England road relays just across the Dee, not to mention Mother’s Day – these were all no doubt contributory factors.

None of this made any difference to Deeside’s Charlie Hulson, who on his league debut, recorded a comfortable win in the men’s race.

Hulson (pictured below) was 18 seconds ahead of West Cheshire’s Jamie Richardson.

Meanwhile, the women’s race saw Chester Tri’s Charlotte Towers record her second league win, ahead of Deeside’s Rheagan Edwards.

The clubs with the strongest turnouts were duly rewarded on the day, with West Cheshire recording a 100-plus point victory over a rather more depleted Wallasey AC in the men’s Division One.

Their women’s team in Division One finished a close second on the day to Chester Tri.

Deeside were similarly rewarded with a double win in the Division Two competitions.

Their men, along with those of Helsby, got their seven counters home in the top-70 to take the first two places on the day, while their women finished ahead of the consistent Deestriders, who tied with Eryri Harriers for second spot.

With only five races completed, and the worst two performances not to be counted, it’s still far from clear how the race for league honours – particularly at team level – will pan out.

Wrexham’s men finished the day fifth in Division One, with the women’s team sixth in Division Two.

The leading Wrexham figure on the day was Ryan Davis, who crossed the line in third spot courtesy of his time of 26.30.

This saw him as the second senior man on the day, while there was a category win for clubmate Joel Gomes in the MV40 class (27.33).

Deestriders formed a big part of the 218 runners that completed the race.

The results saw Angela Deeley in contention for the V50 title and the Girlstriders edge yet closer to promotion, distancing themselves from rivals Tattenhall.

Leading the men was Max Dowell in 33.10, followed by Steve Thomas (33.50), Craig Davies (34.04), Paul Lewtey (35.56), Nige Parr (36.04), Grant McGowan (36.49), Martin Witty (38.12), Mark Dunn (38.53) and Dafydd Morris (42.35).

Deestriders’ leading woman was Angela Deeley (34.05), backed up by Christine Cammillare (35.36), Jay Jennions (37.39), Jo Houghton-Davies (39.29), Jane Blackwell (48.56), Sarah Brown (48.57), Sue McIndoe (49.18) and Beverley Goodson (56.55).