King George crowned at Sheffield

GEORGE HYDE has been crowned a national champion.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club member hit a winning mark of 14.34m to claim the under 17 mens shot put title at the England Athletics Indoor Championships held at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.

Hyde, who is experiencing his first year in the under 17 age group, finished well clear of runner-up David Todd, from Chester le Street, who achieved 13.79m, and third-placed Joseph Connelly, from Carlisle Aspatria, who hit 12.26.

Hyde, who won the Northern Indoor shot put title in Sheffield last month, is now looking forward to the start of the outdoor track and field campaign.

WEST CHESHIRE AC celebrated a hat-trick of title victories at the Village Bakery Half Marathon staged at Wrexham.

Alex Staniforth, Joe Foy and Richard Batterham all grabbed age group victories at the 13.1 miles event which attracted 1,000 entrants.Staniforth, who survived the earthquake on Mount Everest last year, won the under 21 year old age category prize with a time of one hour 27 minutes 46 seconds. Foy secured success in the over 60 age group with 1:28:20, just 17 seconds ahead of club mate Bob Freeman who finished runner up in the same age category.And Batterham won the over-65 age group category with a time of 1:39:55, while Brian Beattie finished second in his over-70 age group in a time of 1:54:49.

The West Cheshire charge was spearheaded by David Tait who took another step in his preparation for the Rotterdam Marathon in April by clocking 1:21:27 for 10th spot in his over-45 age group and 57th position overall. Robert Little posted 1:22:51 to finish 75th overall and 43rd in the senior mens age group, while Andy Carter clocked 1:24:57 for 17th place in his over-45 age group and 109th overall, ahead of Jack Gannon (64th senior man and 157th overall in 1:26:20). Mark Davies posted 1:30:33 for 200th position, ahead of Neil Carter (24th in his over-50 age group and 258th overall in 1:35:18), Ben McKean (261st in 1:35:43), Vince Hodges (48th in his over-45 age group and 312th overall in 1:39:55), and Clare Mallon (27th in her over-40 age category and 121st lady in 1:53:20)

ROB FREEMAN finished third in the Ellesmere Port 5k parkrun at Whitby Park in a time of 21:56. Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Anest Muller (first lady in 22:57), Rory Willson (eight in 23:14), Abigail Cartwright (third lady in 26:28), and Tony Kennedy (16th in 26:40).

ETHAN GREENLAND, of West Cheshire AC, posted 18:42 for third position at the Delamere 5k parkrun, ahead of club mates Sion Roberts (10th in 19:55), Patrick Tait (25th in 21:51), Charlie Weaver (27th in 21:56), Henry Robinson (39th in 22:46), Megan McEveley (13th lady in 25:03), Adam Carlile (97th in 25:36), Kay Hayes (23rd lady in 26:40), Anne-Marie Tait (24th lady in 26:44), Lisa Davies (56th lady in 29:38), and Ellie Robinson (57th lady in 29:38).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Trajan Scientific Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being held at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester, on Wednesday, April 13, (7pm start). The online entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/

ENTRIES are also now being accepted for the Liverpool Throws and Jumps Competition which is being held at Wavertree Athletics Centre, on Saturday, April 9.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will start their track and field league season on Sunday, April 10, at Bebington Oval in the first round of the Cheshire League, and other rounds will be held at Crewe on Saturday, June 4; at Warrington on Sunday, July 10; and at Colwyn Bay on Sunday, September 4.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Dash In The Daylight 10k Race at Llandegla on Saturday (11am start); the Central Lancashire 5km Road Race at Leverhulme Park, Bolton, on Sunday (10.30am start); the Rhyl 10 miles road race on Sunday (12 noon start); the Great North West Half Marathon at Blackpool North Promenade, on Sunday (11am start).

FORTHCOMING fixtures include the final round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series at Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track, on Saturday, February 27, (register from 9.15am for a 10am start).