Press Report: Hannah Springs Ahead, Matt Finishes Clear

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club capitalised on home advantage at the record-breaking Essar Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race.

Sion Roberts, Lily Moorhouse and Brian Beattie all produced age group podium positions at the popular event which attracted a sell out of 500 entries and a race record of 446 finishers since the event was first held 26 years ago.

Roberts won the under 20 men’s title after clocking 27 minutes 27 seconds, while Moorhouse was third in the under 20 ladies age group with 38:06, and Beattie was third in his over 75 age group with a time of 46:15.

Matt Hall, from Shrewsbury AC, won the race in 25:46, seven seconds clear of runner-up Chris Williams (Vale Royal AC), with Vinnie Martin (City of Stoke AC) in third spot with 26:10.

Hannah Cowley, of Helsby, won the ladies title with 28:12, two minutes and three seconds in front of second-placed Amie Bagnall (Prestatyn), with Joanne Marsden (Ellesmere Port) in third spot with 30:42.

Race director, Ellie Robinson, admitted she had been delighted about the success of the event: “We had a record-breaking number of finishers for the race and I’ve received many positive comments from runners via email.

“I’d like to say a big thank you to all the West Cheshire Athletic Club volunteers who worked so hard before, during and after the event to ensure everything ran smoothly.

“And on behalf of my club I’d like to convey a big thank you to our race sponsors Essar.”

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Tom Booth (17th in 27:44), Bradley Spurdens (30th in 28:43), Mark Davies (33rd in 28:59), Michael Young (46th in 29:54), Steve Fernyhough (52nd in 30:12), Andy Carter (55th in 30:18), Andrew Clague (59th in 30:26), Curtis Rodway (67th in 30:47), Tony Woodall (71st in 31:16), Luke Ellis (77th in 31:32), Isaac Tait (96th in 32:40), Anthony Spruce (99th in 32:44), Joe Foy (108th in 33:07), David Irving (116th in 33:29), Kerry Riley (18th lady in 35:34), Stephen Ball (175th in 36:50), Dominic Walster (188th in 37:30), Mark Gallagher (191st in 37:32), Jon Moorhouse (208th in 38:07), Ellen McMahon (51st lady in 39:25), Kay Hayes (63rd lady in 41:20), Alex Duffey (78th lady in 43:05), John Mercer (372nd in 47:39), and David Brierley (428th in 53:40).

DAVE ALEXANDER and Ellie Robinson of West Cheshire AC were prize winners at the Mersey Tunnel 10k Road Race.

Alexander was second over-50 man and 10th overall finisher with 36:19, while Robinson was third over-45 lady in 43:09, and other West Cheshire AC finishers included Steve Fernyhough (37:41), Julian Tegg (45:51), Brygida Gorecka (51:47), Mark Povey (53:28), and John Mercer (60:28).

ANDY CARTER represented West Cheshire AC at the Whitley 10k near Warrington and posted 39:32.

CONNOR DAVIES JONES, Leo Hewitt and Ethan Gilgeours of West Cheshire AC helped Cheshire finish seventh in the 11-strong under 13 boys team competition at the UK Sportshall Athletics Final held in Manchester.

STEPHANIE JONES and Ruby Wisbey of West Cheshire AC finished first and second respectively in the under 15 girls long jump at Bebington Oval in the Wirral AC Open Meeting.

Other West Cheshire AC winners at the event included Ruby Phillips (U11 girls 600m in 1:54.8), Imogen Pughe (U15 girls 100m in 13.6 and 200m in 27.6), Luke Parker (U13 boys 1500m in 5:03.8), Sophie Grainger (U15 girls 1500m in 5:04.9), Jamie Richardson (U15 boys 1500m in 4:35.0), Dylan Gledhill (U11 boys 600m in 2:27.7), Kara Stoll (U13 girls discus with 18.91m and shot put with 5.66m). Harvey Brown (U9 boys long jump with 3.03m), and Jodi Bemand (U15 girls javelin with 21.41m).

LARA BATTERSBY and Sara Pearson of West Cheshire AC celebrated success at the Macclesfield Open Meeting where Battersby won the under 15 girls 300m (43.5), and Pearson won the under 15 girls 150m (20.1).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Salford 10k on Good Friday; the Hale Five Miles Road Race and Air Products 10k on Sunday; and the Trafford Open Track and Field Medal Meeting on Monday.

The final round of the Borders Road Running League takes place on Wednesday, (April 24), at Ffrith, Prestatyn (7.30pm start).