Press report: Pyne leads push for podium

LUCIA PYNE maintained West Cheshire Athletic Club’s title push at Dolgellau.

The talented teenager was first home for the women’s team at the third round of the North Wales Cross Country League.

Pyne, who was second home in her under 17 age group, finished 11th overall in the women’s race with a time of 31 minutes six seconds and was supported by Claire Harris (15th in 31:17), Ellie Robinson (27th in 32:27), Anest Muller (35th in 33:29), Ellen McMahon (54th in 35:37), and Alex Duffey (95th In 40:39).

West Cheshire AC’s women finished second on the day and are now third in Division One after three rounds.

Joseph Morrison headed West Cheshire AC’s men home after clocking 35:49 for sixth position and second position in his under 20 age group.

Dave Alexander was first home in his over 50 age group and 38th overall with a time of 39:00.

Paul Morrison posted 40:40 for 56th spot, while Andrew Clague (59th in 41:02), Tony Woodall (76th in 42:22), Richard Hayes (43:08), and Dave Tiernan (54:23) all provided back up to earn sixth team place on the day and sixth position overall after three rounds.

The next round of the North Wales Cross Country League will be held on January 11, at Roman Road Sports Centre, Shrewsbury.

CARYS ROBERTS produced a top 10 finish at the UK Cross Country Challenge fixture at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Roberts, representing West Cheshire AC, covered the under 15 girls 3km course in a time of 11:34 to secure 10th position and was supported by club mates Sophie Grainger (52nd in 12:30), Jodi Bemand (110th in 13:41), and Sarah Kefford (13:56).

Jamie Richardson finished 13th in the 3km under 15 boys event with a time of 10:19, ahead of Club mate Sammy Hollins (63rd in 11:13).

Just three seconds separated Jessica Lark (31st in 12:43) and Ruby Phillips (32nd in 12:46) in the 3km under 13 girls race, ahead of club mates Aimee Phillips (42nd in 13:06) and Sophie Haslam (61st in 13:40).

STEVE FERNYHOUGH represented West Cheshire AC in the senior men’s race, posting 39 minutes three seconds to finish in 183rd position.

KATIE CLARKE celebrated a podium place at the NAIA National Cross country championships.

The West Cheshire AC distance runner clocked 17:41.3 for third place in the field of 341 finishers at the event held in Vancouver, Washington, USA.

Clarke finished just eight seconds behind second-placed SCAD Atlanta team mate Emily Kearney, while Hannah Stoffel of Huntington University won the race in 17:18.4.

FIXTURES this week include the West Cheshire AC EGM and AGM at Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Trackside Community Room on Friday (7.30pm start); and the third round of the ESSAR West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series on Saturday (9.15am registration for 10am start).

The third round of the Borders Road Running League takes place at Birkenhead Park, on Sunday (11am start), and the third round of the North West Sportshall Athletics League takes place on Sunday (12.30pm start), while the first Sale Harriers Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting takes place on Sunday (10am start).

WEST CHESHIRE AC members are being urged to compete in the Cheshire, Northern and English National Cross Country Championships this winter.

The Cheshire event takes place at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Saturday, January 4; while the Northern event is at The Camp Hill Estate, Kirklington, Bedale, Yorkshire, on Saturday, January 25; and the English event is at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, on Saturday February 22.