Countdown to Round the Walls
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).
