ANEST MULLER headed West Cheshire Athletic Club’s women home to fifth team spot at the latest round of the North Wales Cross Country League at Bangor. The over-35 veteran finished 17th with a time of 22 minutes.

Muller was backed up by Ellie Robinson (29th in 23:30), and Clare Harris (48th in 25:11) to secure the club fifth team position on the day and fourth team spot after three rounds. Dave Alexander was the third over-45 veteran to finish the men’s race at Bangor after clocking 33:58 for 18th spot overall, ahead of club mate Bob Benson who secured 39:31 for 73rd spot. The next round of the North Wales League takes place at Walford College, Baschurch, Shrewsbury, on Saturday, January 14.

JESSICA LARK was West Cheshire’s only runner in the under 11 girls race at Sefton Park, Liverpool, in the British Cross Country Challenge fixture, posting 8:32 for 33rd position.

Isaac Tait posted 11:25 for 47th spot in the under 13 boys race, ahead of Henry Robinson (12:02), Sam Hollins (12:06), Fergus Garland (12:20), Leo Green (12:53), and Dan Willetts (13:01). Lucia Pyne was West Cheshire’s first finisher in the under 13 girls event, posting 12:13 for 34th spot, ahead of Imogen Pughe (12:27), Jodi Bemand (13:35), Martha Willetts (14:28), and Grace Scott (15:52).

Sion Roberts posted 11:16 in the under 15 boys race, ahead of Aaron Scott (13:34), while Eve Duret (12:49) and Lily Moorhouse (15:30) completed the under 15 girls event. Ethan Greenland clocked 19:09 in the under 17 mens race, ahead of Tristan McFarlane (19:55), Jac Goodall (20:14), Matthew McDonnell (21:45), and Rory Willson (23:14), while Beth McMahon rounded the under 17 ladies race in 19:44, and Greg Jones posted 27:11 in the under 20 mens race.

Anne-Marie Tait completed the senior womens event in 41:19, while Bradley Spurdens (35:59), Mark Davies (38:20), John Parlevliet (38:37), Andrew Clague (38:49), Neil Fox (39:12), and Andy Carter (39:40) finished the men’s race.

ABIGAIL PAWLETT of West Cheshire AC won the under 15 girls 60m hurdles race at the Indoor Open Meeting held at Sportcity, Manchester. Pawlett clocked 9.30 seconds and also posted 8.16 seconds in the 60m sprint, and cleared 1-55m for second position in the high jump competition.

She was joined at the fixture by West Cheshire’s Anna Crayston, Alice Jennings, Alan Littler, Dave Dentith, and Joseph Morrison. Crayston finished second in the under 15 girls long jump with 4.78m, while Jennings clocked 45.71 seconds and 10.25 seconds in the under 23 womens 300m and 60m respectively. Littler rounded the mens 300m in 41.0 seconds, while Dentith finished third overall in the two heats of the under 17 mens 600m with 1:30:04, and Morrison finished his under 20 mens 600m heat in 1:29:92.

ENTRIES close on December 11 for the Essar Chester Round The Walls Race being organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club on Boxing Day. Further details can be found at www.westcheshireac.co.uk

ANDY CARTER was elected as chairman of West Cheshire AC at the club’s AGM, while Kay Hayes was appointed secretary, and Bob Benson retained his position as treasurer.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will start their Northern Track and Field League Division One 2017 campaign at York.

The purple-vested club travel to Yorkshire for the opening match on Saturday, May 6, before hosting round two at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village track on Sunday, June 4. Wigan will be setting for round three on Sunday, July 9, and the final match will be held at Preston on Saturday, August 5.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Manchester Area Cross Country League, on Saturday, at Heaton Park (12 noon start); the Borders Road Running League on Sunday at Birkenhead Park (11am start), and the third round of the North West Sportshall League on Sunday, at Deeside College, Connah’s Quay (12.30pm start).

RUNNERS are counting down the days to this year’s Essar Chester Round the Walls Race.

The popular Boxing Day fixture organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club, is still receiving entries ahead of the December 11 closing date. Race director, Dave Bish, revealed that more than 300 entries have so far been received for the multi-terrain event which starts and finishes at Chester Racecourse and covers a distance of approximately 6km.

“The Chester Round The Walls Race is one of the oldest running fixtures in the country”, Bish said. “The historic and popular race is now in it’s 45th year and we are hoping this year’s event is a big hit with everyone after the cancellation of last year’s fixture.

“More than 300 entries have so far been received, but there is still time for anyone wanting to enter because we have a 500 limit and the closing date is December 11, but it would be advisable to enter sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment.

Bish, who has kept a close eye on the course during the build up to the race, is looking forward to the fixture. He added: “There has obviously been a lot of building work going on in and around Chester during the last few months and the club has remained in close contact with the council to ensure the race route is safe and navigable.

“I’d like to thank the council and to everyone at Chester Racecourse for all their help and support in the run up to the event and I’m now really looking forward to race day. I’m sure finishers at this year’s event will be delighted to learn that they can look forward to a well deserved drink of hot chocolate out of a commemorative mug specially designed for this year’s fixture.”

2014 men’s race winner Chris Smithard will be attempting to defend his title at the Roodee against 2014 runner-up Paul Thompson, from Bournville Harriers, while Ellesmere Port’s Nicola Whitfield-Bird and Pensby’s Lisa Grantham will aim to be in contention for the ladies crown.

There are age group prizes from the first under 20 junior finisher right up to the first over-70 finisher in the men’s race, and up to over-60 in the women’s event.

The Chester Round The Walls Race entry link can be found at:
http://wcac.niftyentries.com/Events/Preview/ebf6bf46-8ec2-420f-9a19-8d36564a0b7c

ETHAN GREENLAND, of West Cheshire AC, clocked a new personal best time of 17 minutes 58 seconds for victory at the latest Delamere parkrun.

He was joined by Isaac Tait (20:12), his elder brother Patrick (22:04), and father David (22:23), sister Ingrid (33:57) and mother Anne-Marie (33:57), while Rob Freeman posted 21:41 at the Ellesmere Port 5k parkrun.

Chester University student and West Cheshire AC member Bradley Spurdens won the Chester 5k parkrun in a new personal best time of 17:32, ahead of Jac Goodall (third in a new best of 18:31), Andrew Clague (fourth in 18:38) and Ian Gloyne-Philips (fifth in new best of 19:16).

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Jack Hollins (21:11), Brian Beattie (27:38), Sammy Hollins (28:10), and John Parlevliet (52:52).

WEST CHESHIRE AC will start their Northern Track and Field League Division One campaign at York.The purple-vested club travel to Yorkshire for the opening match on Saturday, May 6, before hosting round two at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village track on Sunday, June 4. Wigan will be the setting for round three on Sunday, July 9, and the final match will be held at Preston on Saturday, August 5.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will stage it’s Annual General Meeting this Friday at the Cheshire County Sports Club Pavilion, Mannings Lane, Upton By Chester, from 7.30pm.

FIXTURES this weekend include the North Wales Cross Country League at the Treborth Track, Menai, on Saturday (2pm start), and the Liverpool and District Cross Country League and British Cross Country Challenge at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday (12 noon start).

Things tightening up between Andy and Graham at the top of the men’s competition, with Mark and Andrew close for third. Anest pulling clear of Clare in the women’s competition, with Ellie and Lisa still close for third. Only two races remaining in which to gain points – today’s (20/11/16) Conwy Half-marathon, and the Borders League at Birkenhead on December 4th. See bottom of the Road Running page.

ISAAC TAIT proved a class act at the English Schools Cross Country Cup regional final.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club member and Christleton High pupil won the junior boys race held at Higher Walton, Warrington.

He was backed up by team members Ted Bolton (11th), Henry Robinson (18th), and Matthew Ridge (25th) to earn Christleton second team position.

Tait’s West Cheshire team colleague, Lucia Pyne, finished third while representing West Kirby Grammar who finished third in the junior girls team event at another regional final held at Birkenhead’s Arrowe Park. Pyne was joined at the event by West Cheshire team mates Imogen Pughe (Wirral Grammar) who finished fifth, Lara Battersby, Abigail Cartwright, Neve Kameen, and Henrietta Duffey, while Evie Duret was the final counter for third-placed team Wirral Grammar in the intermediate girls race, and Will Wright finished eighth for junior boys team winners Calday Grange.

The English Schools Cup Cross Country Grand Final is scheduled to be held at Range High School, Formby, on Saturday, December 3.

DAVE DENTITH was fourth counter for Cheshire’s intermediate boys team at an Inter Counties Schools Cross Country Match at Sandwell, where he was backed up by West Cheshire AC club mates Sion Roberts and Jac Goodall.

GEORGE HYDE of West Cheshire AC powered his way to victory with 15.57m in the under 17 mens shot put at the Northern Indoor Open Meeting held at Sheffield.

KING’S SCHOOL pupils Eleanor Williams and Charlie Beyeler were top of the class at the latest round of the Essar West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series.

The pair won the year four girls and boys races at the second of the four-round competition hosted by West Cheshire Athletic Club at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village complex. Williams posted a winning time of two minutes 56 seconds, ahead of second-placed Ella Hims (Childer Thornton) who clocked 3:03, and third-placed Lottie Blake (Boughton Heath) who achieved 3:17. Beyeler secured a six seconds winning margin in the year four boys race, posting 2:52, while Mill View’s Joseph Ireland finished second in 2:58, and Luke Atkinson from Saughall All Saints posted the same time in third spot.

Maxwell Carter and Jessica Lark produced a double success story for Upton Heath. Carter won the year three boys race in three minutes, just two seconds in front of second-placed Harry Shepherd of The Firs, while Thomas Rimmer of Overleigh St Mary’s posted the same time for third position. Lark won the year three girls race in 5:04, two seconds ahead of Frodsham Manor House’s Sara Pearson, who was in turn two seconds ahead of.Guilden Sutton’s Ruby Carlile.

Charlotte Noon (Saughall All Saints) won the year three girls race in 3:24, just two seconds ahead of second-placed Rebecca Line (Tarporley), and third-placed Grace Henderson (Mill View).

Matthew Jones of Mill View celebrated success in the year five boys event with 4:35, one second ahead of runner-up Reece Munro (Eccleston), while Ben Grantham (Bishop Wilson) was third in 4:42.

Carys Roberts (Tarporley) produced a 19-second winning margin with a time of 4:28 in the year six girls race, ahead of Newton’s Jessica Hennessey, with Kelsall’s Ruby Wisbey in third spot with 4:52.

Ewan Millington, from Bryn Coch, won the year six boys race in 4:49, ahead of Max Telford (Mill View) who was second in 4:56, and Richard Birtwhistle (Saighton) was third in 4:59.

Christleton’s Stephanie Jones won the year seven girls race in 8:41, ahead of second placed Evie Taylor (Bishops Bluecoat) and Neston’s Grace Scott who posted 9:18 and 9:20 respectively.

Upton duo Sam Hollins and Sam Tilston finished first and second respectively in the year seven boys race in 8:02 and 9:04.
And Joseph Hancock (Bishop Heber) won the year eight boys race in 10:35, ahead of Upton duo Matthew Holtom and Simon Davies who were second and third with 10:47 and 12:43.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Road The Walls Race being held from Chester Racecourse on Boxing Day. The entries link is: https://www.westcheshireac.co.uk/2016/10/10/essar-chester-round-walls-entries-open/

ENTRIES close on Friday this week for the British Cross Country Challenge event at Sefton Park, Liverpool, being held on Saturday, November 26. The entry link can be found at: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/competitions/the-british-athletics-cross-challenge/

CHESHIRE County Sports Club’s Pavilion, Mannings Lane, Upton, Chester, will be the venue for West Cheshire AC’s AGM on Friday, November 25, (7.30pm start).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Penmaenmawr Fell Race on Saturday (10.30am start), and the Conwy Half Marathon on Sunday (10am start).

The scheduled North Staffs Cross Country League match on Saturday at Keele University has been cancelled.

Gaps opening up among the top three men, but things still close in the women’s competition with two months to go. See the Road Races page for tables as at the end of October 2016.

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club members smashed three records at the latest round of the Borders Road Running League.

The purple-vested outfit fielded a club record 42 runners and the accurately measured five miles fixture at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, attracted a record-breaking 431 participants for a league race. Katie Clarke continued her rich vein of form and ensured West Cheshire remained at the top of the women’s Division One league table.

The talented junior improved her under 20 club record time by nearly three minutes after posting 30 minutes 56 seconds. She was backed up by Anest Muller who clocked an over-35 age group club best time of 32:59 for 10th position, just 24 hours after finishing 16th in 23:08 at Llandudno in the North Wales Cross Country League, while Issy Clarke posted an under 17 club age group record of 33:35 for 14th spot at Upton.

Heather McLintock achieved a new lady veteran 40-44 club age group best time of 34:44 and the all important fourth counting position in 22nd place, and she was supported by team mates Beth McMahon (38:33), Clare Mallon (38:34), Pam Ackroyd (lady veteran 50-54 club record time of 38:38), Kay Hayes (41:12), Claire Gloyne-Phillips (41:54), and Hannah Hughes (43:15).

Christy Mageean (17th in 28:31), Ethan Greenland (18th in 28:32), and Jose Poyatos (19th in 28:35), headed West Cheshire’s men’s charge. The trio were followed home by other team counters Rob Little (28th in 28:49), Mark Davies (41st in 29:31), Daniel Mitchell (42nd in 29:34), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (50th in 29:48), Graham Wells (54th in 29:55), Andrew Clague (55th in 29:56), and Richard Hayes (56th in 30:09).

West Cheshire’s other finishers included Dave Dentith (30:19), Jac Goodall (30:54), Andy Carter (31:09), Chris Palmer (31:47), Andy Dawe (32:05), Phil Woodley (32:09), Neil Webster (32:19), Chris Swift (32:21), Joe Foy (33:02), Greg Jones (33:26), Bob Benson (33:36), Neil Carter (33:49), Rob Freeman (34:12), Rory Willson (35:28), Julian Tegg (36:07), Dave Tiernan (37:27), Darren Shillington (38:16), Harri Britton (28:29), Tony Kennedy (38:31), Peter Smith (38:40), Brian Beattie (43:56), and Dave Brierley (57:33).

OVERALL TEAM RESULTS
Men’s Division One: 1 Buckley 717 points; 2 Wallasey 726; 3 West Cheshire 763; 4 Wirral 1015; 5 Helsby 1306; 6 Prestatyn 1597; 7 Deestriders 2548.
Men’s Division Two: 1 Chester Tri 700; 2 Abergele 1077; 3 Cybi 1349; 4 Wrexham 1706; 5 Eryri 1742; 6 Tattenhall 1754; 7 Ellesmere Port 2111; 8 Deeside 2519; 9 Birkenhead 2874; 10 Wrecsam Tri 3022.
Women’s Division One: 1 West Cheshire 89; 2 Wallasey 156; 3 Chester Tri 178; 4 Prestatyn 201; 5 Buckley 206; 6 Wirral 208; 7 Helsby 297.
Women’s Division Two: 1 Deestriders 189; 2 Tattenhall 210; 3 Ellesmere Port 248; 4 Cybi 343; 5 Abergele 441; 6 Wrexham 495; 7 Eryri 525; 8 Wrecsam Tri 637; 9 Birkenhead 765; 10 Deeside 900.

The next round of the league will take place at Birkenhead Park on Sunday, December 4 (11am start).

ABI PAWLETT won the under 15 girls Indoor Quadrathlon Competition at Sportcity, Manchester. The West Cheshire AC all-rounder achieved new personal bests in the shot put (10.14m), 60m (8.1 seconds), long jump (5.05m), and 800m (two
minutes 37 seconds).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Road The Walls Race being held from Chester Racecourse on Boxing Day. The entries link is: https://www.westcheshireac.co.uk/2016/10/10/essar-chester-round-walls-entries-open/

ENTRIES are now open for the British Cross Country Challenge event at Sefton Park, Liverpool, being held on Saturday, November 26. The entry link can be found at: http://www.britishathletics.org.uk/competitions/the-british-athletics-cross-challenge/

CHESHIRE County Sports Club’s Pavilion, Mannings Lane, Upton, Chester, will be the venue for West Cheshire AC’s AGM on Friday, November 25, (7.30pm start).
FIXTURES this weekend include the Essar West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country second round, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday (10am start), the Manchester Area Cross Country League, at Boggart Hole Clough on Saturday (12 noon start), the Northern Athletics Indoor Open Meeting, at EIS Sheffield, on Saturday, and the North West Sportshall Athletics League second round, at South Cheshire College, Crewe, on Sunday (12.30pm start).

CARYS ROBERTS and Issy Clarke have secured a double success story for West Cheshire Athletic Club.

Roberts won the under 11 girls race in a time of seven minutes 45 seconds at the second round of the North Staffordshire Cross Country League held at Park Hall Country Park, Weston Coyney, Stoke on Trent, backed up by Martha Willetts (12th in 8:42), and Georgina Duffey (15th in 8:52).

And Clarke celebrated a victory in the under 17 ladies race with a time of 10:02, ahead of team mate Beth McMahon (sixth in 11:45).

Issy’s sister, Katie, clocked 22:04 for second spot in the senior women’s race and received support from Anest Muller (40th in 25:44), Ellie Robinson (57th in 27:16), Lisa Davies (87th in 28:43), Anne-Marie Tait (110th in 30:03), Pam Ackroyd (112th in 30:07), and Kay Hayes (155th in 33:00).

Isaac Tait secured third position with 9:10 in the under 13 boys race, ahead of William Wright (eighth in 9:31), and Henry Robinson (23rd in 10:13).

Sion Roberts delivered fourth place with 9:12 in the under 15 boys event, and was backed up by Harvey Tegg (14th in 10:03), Matthew Douglass (21st in 10:27), and Charlie Clarke (40th in 13:07).

Lucia Pyne rounded the under 13 girls course in fifth position with 9:11, ahead of Abigail Cartwright (22nd in 10:21), and Henrietta Duffey (30th in 10:44).
Fergus Garland finished fifth in the under 11 boys race with 8:41, ahead of team mates Dan Willetts (21st in 9:18), Leo Green (26th in 9:29), Louis Tegg (30th in 9:45), and William Line (31st in 9:46).

Ethan Greenland finished 10th with 21:48 in the under 17 men’s race, supported by Jac Goodall (14th in 22:31), and Rory Willson (24th in 26:06), and training partner Ethan Ackroyd from Deeside AAC who was second in 20:03.

Eve Duret posted 10:45 for 13th spot in the under 15 Girls race ahead of Lily Moorhouse (24th in 12:29).

And Dave Alexander (32nd in 26:51) headed West Cheshire’s contingent in the senior men’s race ahead of Andrew Clague (74th in 28:45), Richard Hayes (82nd in 29:09), John Parlevliet (102nd in 29:51), Phil Woodley (137th in 31:20), Greg Jones (141st in 31:37), Bob Benson (152nd in 31:55), and Peter Smith (255th in 38:10).

MARK DAVIES of West Cheshire AC, represented Cheshire at the Abergele Five Miles Road Race and clocked 29:52 for second place in his over-40 age group.

TOM BOOTH of West Cheshire AC, finished fifth with a time of five hours 19 minutes in the Mount Somers 38.5km Marathon in New Zealand after negotiating a multi-terrain course which consisted of snow, mud and rocks.

FIXTURES this weekend include the second round of the Borders Road Running League being hosted by West Cheshire AC at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester, on Sunday (10am start). More details can be found at: http://www.bordersleague.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Chester-BL-Runners-Info.pdf

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Road The Walls Race being held from Chester Racecourse on Boxing Day. The entries link is: https://www.westcheshireac.co.uk/2016/10/10/essar-chester-round-walls-entries-open/

CHESHIRE County Sports Club’s Pavilion, Mannings Lane, Upton, Chester, will be the venue for West Cheshire AC’s AGM on Friday, November 25, (7.30pm start).