Press Report: Club Poised for Cross-country Success
WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club’s men are focusing their sights on promotion.
The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit top the Division Two standings in the North Wales Cross Country League with just one round remaining.
Ethan Ackroyd, Ian Wetherall, Dave Alexander, and Bradley Spurdens combined to earn second team position at Coleg Cambria, Northop, in the penultimate men’s race of the campaign.
Ackroyd posted 28 minutes 28 seconds to finish first under 20 junior man and 11th overall, ahead of club cross country debutant, Wetherall (first over-50 man and 16th overall in 28:48),Β Alexander (26th in 29:32), and Chester University student Spurdens (32nd in 30:30).
The quartet were backed up by club matesΒ Neil Hershaw (46th),Β Andrew Clague (47th),Β Richard Hayes (53rd),Β Steve Fernyhough (54th),Β Antony Woodall (71st),Β Anthony Spruce (79th), cross country debutantΒ Ian Gloyne-Phillips (80th),Β Adam Poole (118th), andΒ Mark Gallagher (132nd).
West Cheshire AC’s women finished second at the penultimate round and they are now third overall in the Division One standings.
Kerry Riley (19th in 22:33) headed the West Cheshire AC charge at Northop, supported by other team counters Ellie Robinson (third over-45 lady and 22nd overall in 22:55), Anest Muller (fourth over-35 lady and 23rd overall in 23:00), and Claire Harris (24th in 23:19).
The quartet were supported by club matesΒ Claire Williams (33rd in 24:11),Β Clare Mallon (48th in 25:19),Β Pam Ackroyd (fourth over-55 lady and 59th overall in 25:59),Β Angela Tegg (60th in 26:05),Β Kay Hayes (68th in 26:24),Β Debra Bemand (80th in 27:28),Β Alex Duffey (104th in 29:24), and cross countryΒ debutante Sharon Stoll (120th in 31:54).
TEAM RESULTS
MEN’S DIVISION TWO (after 4 rounds): 1 West Cheshire AC 471 points; 2 Wrexham 738; 3 Cadence Tri Club 900; 4 Deeside 1450; 5 Colwyn Bay 1532; 6 Whitchurch 1635; 7 North Wales Road Runners 1645; 8 Wrekin 1799; 9 Tattenhall 1869; 10 Abergele 1960; 11 Telford 2077.
WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE (after 4 rounds): 1 Eryri 268 points; 2 Oswestry 309; 3 West Cheshire AC 385; 4 Buckley 448 Β 5 Denbigh 526; 6 Prestatyn 653; 7 GOG Tri Club 855.
The final round takes place at Marches School, Oswestry, on February 2.
SOPHIE GRAINGER is on target to finish in a podium place in the Manchester Area Cross Country League.
The West Cheshire AC youngster has just recovered from a viral infection and finished third in her under 15 girls race at Heaton Park on Saturday and is third overall in the race series with one race remaining on February 9.
FIXTURES this weekend include the Twin Piers 10k Road Race at Colwyn Bay on Saturday (1pm start), the Essar Four Villages Half Marathon at Helsby on Sunday (10.30am start), and the North West Sportshall Athletics League Finals at Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, on Sunday (10am start for under 11s, and 2pm start for under 13s and under 15s).
ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being held on Wednesday, April 10, from Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester. The Link for online entries is:Β https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Essar-Chester-Spring-512
ENTRIES are being accepted for the Northern Indoor Athletics Championships being held at Sheffield. Entries close on January 18 for the under 13 and under 15 championships being held on February 3. Further details can be found here.
ENTRIES are also now being accepted for the England Athletics Indoor Championships being held at Sheffield, on this link.
