Press Report: Borders Season Brought to End

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club will compete in Division One of next season’s Borders Road Running League men’s and women’s competitions.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit and the other participating clubs have been informed that the two remaining fixtures scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 5, at Ellesmere Port, and on Wednesday, April 22, at Helsby, have been cancelled.

“Following extensive discussion and considering a number of possible alternatives, none of which would appear to be satisfactory, we have decided that the 2019-20 Borders League season is over and that the final results will be the standings after Race 5,” league official, Robert Mackey, posted on Facebook.

“There will be a presentation of awards. When, where and the format of it is yet to be decided. The AGM is scheduled for early July. We have no plans for it at present, that will depend entirely on the situation nearer the time.”

Wrexham AAC had gone to considerable effort and expense to stage the fifth round race on Sunday, March 15, which sadly, was affected by the shadow of the looming Covid-19 crisis. A noticeably reduced field assembled by Redwither Business Centre on the start line, with 267 making it to the finish on the 2-lap, 9.4km course.

In the Mens’ race, Joseph Morrison’s four-second margin of victory over second placed Ryan Davis of Wrexham AAC gave him his first Borders League victory and West Cheshire AC’s first-ever male winner in a league race – in 22 seasons of racing in the Borders League.

Hannah Cowley‘s return for Helsby after missing two races saw her take victory by over a minute from Emma Crowe of Deeside – the latter making a late switch of races following the overnight cancellation of the Wilmslow 10km.

The team competitions saw Buckley RC take another big bite out of Wallasey AC‘s lead in Mens’ Division One – the Wirral club fielding a significantly weakened turnout – while Wrexham AAC’s five counters home in the first 12 helped them take second place on the day.

In Womens’ Division One a weakened Wirral AC finished fifth on the day but hung on to their lead in the team standings, while Buckley Runners and Chester Tri  took first and second places on the day.

Mens’ Division Two saw a comfortable win for Wirral AC, with Chester Tri second again, but still a very long way adrift of Eryri Harriers in the League standings.

West Cheshire AC were winners on the day from Eryri Harriers in Womens’ Division Two, but Ellesmere Port in third place did enough to retain their league lead from West Cheshire.

Buckley Runners maintained their lead in the Veteran Men category with another victory, while Wallasey AC‘s Veteran Women did enough to retain their lead in their respective category.

TWO popular road running fixtures have had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Chester Spring Five Miles Race hosted by West Cheshire AC and scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 8, and the Christleton 5k Race hosted by Chester Tri Club and scheduled to be held on Friday, May 15, have both been cancelled following announcements from England Athletics and Cheshire West and Chester Council advising that all competitions should be suspended until at least the end of April.

WEST CHESHIRE AC has been informed that the County Round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup Competition scheduled to be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, May 6, and the Regional B Final scheduled to be held at the same venue on Wednesday, June 3, have been cancelled.