HAPPY NEW YEAR!

West Cheshire AC would like to wish all members, coaches, officials, volunteers, families and friends a happy, healthy, and successful 2023.

The next club training session at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track takes place on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

A BIG THANK YOU!

Many thanks to all those club members, officials and friends who helped to make the 50th Anniversary Chester Round The Walls Race on Boxing Day such a resounding success. The festive fixture couldn’t have happened without you! Joseph Morrison is the first Club member to win the race which 468 runners completed. The results link is here: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Results

WELL DONE SAMMY!

Congratulations to Sammy Hollins who celebrated a new Under 20 Men’s Club record 10k time of 33 minutes 23 seconds for 69th position at the Ribble Valley 10k Road Race which incorporated the North of England Championships on 27th December.

NORTHERN AND NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

There is still time to enter these two events, the only requirements for which are that you are a FIRST-CLAIM member of West Cheshire AC, are in an age group from under 13s to veterans, and that you can commit to turning up on the day! Details are:

Northern Cross-country Championships at Witton Park, Blackburn, Saturday January 28th 2023..

English National Cross-country Championships at Bolesworth Castle, near Tattenhall, Chester, Saturday February 25th 2023.

IF YOU WANT TO RUN, and you satisfy the above requirements: Please email [email protected] with your name, date of birth and the name of the championships you want to run in, by January 6th 2023 (Northern) and January 13th 2023 (National).

CHESHIRE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Anyone who has not yet entered the Cheshire Cross-country Championships on Sunday January 8^th 2023 at Knights Grange, Winsford, can still self-enter before the January 1^st closing date. The online entry link is: https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2023/

NORTHERN INDOOR TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Entries close on 16th January for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Championships being held on February 5 at EIS Sheffield. The online entry link is: www.race-results.co.uk/results/2023/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

The England Athletics Open U20, U17 and U15 Indoor Championships will be held at the EIS Sheffield on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February 2023. Athletes should enter online by midnight on the 16th January 2023. Entry standards must be achieved to compete in these Championships. Please note the following when submitting your entry: Entry standards must have been achieved in competition between 1st January 2022 to 16th January 2023. Entry standards can be viewed here: https://england-athletics-prod-assets-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/2022/10/indoor-championships-entry-standards-2023.pdf

MANCHESTER INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD OPEN MEETING

Entries are now being accepted for the first Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting being held at SportCity on 8th January, 29th January, 12th February, and 12th March. The online entry link and more information can be found here: www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT TRAINING SESSIONS

The Club needs helpers to register members on the Tablet at the EPSV Track Office before training sessions at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track, and volunteers are needed to assist our coaches to help deliver training sessions. If you can help, please email Dennis at: [email protected]

CLUB 25^th ANNIVERSARY

West Cheshire AC celebrates its 25th anniversary in April next year, and Dennis is hoping a sub-committee can be formed to plan ideas to celebrate and mark the occasion. Club members with stories or photos to share and junior members doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award and wanting to be involved in the project should contact Dennis at: [email protected]

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

All parents/ guardians of youngsters attending track training sessions are reminded to collect them from the track, not from the car park. The club wants to ensure everyone stays safe and that every youngster safely leaves every track training session.
We also ask that all youngsters attending track training sessions should bring along warm clothing, preferably waterproofs, hat, gloves, and a bottle of water.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Many happy returns to the following club members who celebrate their birthdays this week:

Richard Batterham, Isabel Robertson, Lewis Parsons, Claire Bates, Mateusz Bakun, Thomas Rimmer, Satine Wearden, Rania Driouiche, Dayton Melbourne, Jacob Gardner, Faith Barlow-Gambles. 

And next week: Andrew Cooper, Morgan Munro, Ian Gloyne-Phillips, Steven King, Mac Hubbard, Kaden Sliwka, Sophia Rose Devoy, Eliot Oscar Quaglierini.

PLEASE HELP TO STAY IN TOUCH
We welcome contributions to your club newsletter from club members, be they about events that you have taken part in, impending marriages, additions to the family, or anything club-related that other members may be interested in. Feel free to contact Dennis Wall with any news.

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

Members can find club news and discussion at:

West Cheshire AC, West Cheshire AC Senior Distance Running, West Cheshire AC U13 to U20 Middle Distance Facebook groups

www.westcheshireac.co.uk

JOSEPH MORRISON and Sarah Hunter celebrated success at the 50th anniversary Chester Round The Walls Race on Boxing Day.

Joseph (West Cheshire AC) became the host club’s first ever male or female winner, in 21 minutes 40 seconds. Sarah, representing Ackworth Road Runners, won the women’s race in a time of 24:03.

Joseph enjoyed a four seconds winning margin over runner-up Peter Taylor Bray (Chorlton), while Chris Smithard (Forth Valley Orienteers) secured third spot in 22:06.

Sarah finished just one second clear of nearest rival, Chester-based Carol Parsons in the women’s race, while Tracy Rogers (Buckley Runners) clocked 24:53 for third spot.

Michael Young (West Cheshire AC) was fourth overall in 22:10, while Mike Fryer (Helsby) finished fifth in 22:27, Jon Park (West Cheshire AC) was sixth in 22:46, Craig Connor (Tattenhall) was seventh in 22:47, Leon Foster (Leeds City) was eighth in 22:57, Paul Thompson (Bournville Harriers) was ninth in 23:21, and Joseph Houssais (PUC) was 10th in 23:26.

Claire Fuhlhage (Illinois State University) finished fourth in the women’s race in 25:06, ahead of fifth placed Gemma Moore (Eryri Harriers) in 26:00, while Jodi Bemand (West Cheshire AC) was first under 20 lady and sixth overall in 26:23, ahead of Sam Burrows (seventh in 26:44), Alison Cole (Cheshire Dragons) eighth in 26:56, Kerry Riley (West Cheshire AC) ninth in 27:09, and Izabella Thompson (10th in 27:41).

West Cheshire AC’s other finishers included Steve Fernyhough (first over-40 man and 11th overall in 23:28), Henry Robinson (first under 20 man and 14th overall in 23:59), Paul Morrison (26th in 24:59), Dan Thwaites (31st in 25:28), Danny Paddock (33rd in 25:44), Kerry Riley (ninth lady in 27:09), Andrew Barratt (fifth under 20 man and 57th overall in 27:14), Jack Sheppard (eighth over-40 man and 58th overall in 27:19), Neil Field (ninth over-50 man and 67th overall in 27:49), Dave Barratt (17th over-50 man and 101st overall in 29:52), Steve Roberts (14th over-45 man and 119th overall in 30:35), Tony Kennedy (fifth over-65 man and 213th overall in 35:05), Rosemary Rogers (first over-70 lady and 310th overall in 38:35), Mark Povey (339th in 39:42), and Katrina Hughes (137th lady in 40:46). 

ENTRIES for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Championships on February 5, taking place at EIS Sheffield are now open online via: www.race-result.co.uk

THE next Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting will be held at SportCity on Sunday, January 8. The online entry link and more information can be found here: www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series

JAMIE RICHARDSON and Jodi Bemand spearheaded West Cheshire Athletic Club’s charge in Sunday’s Borders Road Running League fixture.

The purple-vested duo won their under 20 age groups, with Jamie posting 26 minutes 43 seconds for second place overall and Jodi clocking 34:03 for eighth spot in the ladies race at the five miles Trac Mon, Anglesey course.

Jamie was supported in the men’s race by Graham Wells (17th in 28:54), Henry Robinson (47th in 31:40), Paul Morrison (54th in 32:18), Andrew Clague (62nd in 32:59), Andy Carter (79th in 34:07), Ian Ackroyd (132nd in 39:13), Dave Tiernan (136th in 39:53), and Elwyn Sharps (176th in 48:51).

And Jodi was backed up in the women’s race by Emma Nutt (23rd in 35:54), Traci Shipley (38th in 37:28), Debra Bemand (56th in 40:14), Joy Hickman (61st in 41:02), and Amy Mills (63rd in 41:09).

TEAM STANDINGS AFTER THREE ROUNDS:

MEN Division One: 1 Wallasey 1032 points; 2 Wrexham 1162; 3 Helsby 1489; 4 Deeside 1950; 5 Buckley 2274; 6 West Cheshire AC 2380; 7 Wirral AC 2440.

MEN Division Two: 1 Chester Tri 1556 points, 2 Ellesmere Port 1602; 3 Cybi 1753, 4 Pensby 1773; 5 Prestatyn 1856; 6 UTS 2579; 7 Wrecsam Tri 2732; 8 Deestriders 3043; 9 Birkenhead 3963; 10 Eryri 5508; 11 Tattenhall 7265.

WOMENS Division One: 1 Deeside 230; 2 Helsby 235; 3 Wirral 264; 4 West Cheshire 394; 5 Buckley 428; 6 Wallasey 472; 7 Deestriders 757.

WOMENS Division Two: 1 UTS 121; 2 Ellesmere Port 187; 3 Prestatyn 269; 4 Chester Tri 302; 5 Pensby 422; 6 Cybi 544; 7 Wrexham 716; 8 Wrecsam Tri 923; 9 Tattenhall 1045; 10 Eryri 1095; 11 Birkenhead 1489.

The next round of the Borders Road Running League will be hosted by West Cheshire AC on Sunday, January 21, at Delamere Forest. 

SEVERAL West Cheshire AC members celebrated new personal bests at the latest Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting held at SportCity.

Alfie Lane clocked 7.63 seconds and 37.96 seconds respectively in his under 17 men’s 60m and 300m races respectively alongside Fergus Garland who clocked 7.63 and a new under 20 men’s pb of 37.39.

Emma Holmes blasted her way to a new under 20 women’s 60m best of 8.09 and posted 61.14 in her 400m, while Yasmin Smith clocked a new under 20 women’s 60m best of 8.21.

Milo Harding posted a new under 17 men’s 60m best of 8.31, while Ruby Phillips posted a new under 15 girls 60m best of 8.57, and Ruban Harris achieved a new under 20 men’s long jump best of 5.47m.

Carys Manson clocked a new under 17 women’s 60m hurdles best of 9.92 and added 8.74 in her 60m and 48.21 in the 300m, while her sister, Beth achieved new pb’s in the under 15 girls 300m (45.55) and shot put (6.62m) and added 8.83 in her 60m.

Theo Shepherd posted a new under 15 boys 300m (40.20) and added 7.97 in his 60m, while Satine Wearden achieved a new under 15 girls 60m best of 9.63 and hit 6.04m in the shot.

Ruby Billington rounded the under 15 girls 600m in a new best of 1:58.6 and hit 4.20m in the shot, while Ruby Wisbey cleared 1-35m in the under 20 women’s high jump. 

The next Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting will be held at SportCity on Sunday, January 8.

ENTRIES close on January 1 for the Cheshire AA Cross Country Championships being held at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Sunday, January 8. The online link is: https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2023/

FIXTURES this weekend include the 50th Anniversary Chester Round The Walls Race being organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club on Boxing Day from Chester Racecourse (10.30am start).

THE Chester Round the Walls Race celebrates its 50th birthday this year.

The multi-terrain race, organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club on Boxing Day from Chester Racecourse, is one of the oldest races in the UK and has been an almost permanent festive fixture since its inception in 1972.

Although changing almost every year due to weather and ongoing maintenance of the roman and medieval walls, the typical route is around 6.8km/ 4.25 miles, starting and finishing on the Roodee racecourse and including sections of the walls including the famed Eastgate clock.

Race director, Alan Morris, confirmed this week that entries have now closed for this year’s fixture which has reached its limit of 500 runners and will be run in an anti-clockwise direction around the walls.

This year’s finishers will all receive a commemorative medal to mark the event’s anniversary.

The first race in 1972, staged just over three miles and organised by Chester and District Athletic Club, attracted just 40 runners and was just for men and won by Doug Watson of Wirral AC in a time of 16 minutes 30 seconds.

Dave Cowell, of Manx AC, won the 1973 men’s race and became the first holder of the Browns the Jewellers Trophy, while Margaret Ashcroft, of Wallasey AC, won the ladies race, and Tony Blackwell, of Deeside AAC, won the under 15 boys race.

Trevor Prescott, an experienced athlete from St Helens, organised the event in the mid-70s and increased the attractiveness of the event by introducing a Veteran Men’s race.

The race was switched from December 26th to the 27th in 1976 and 1977 and entries increased, and in 1978 the race organisers, Chester and District AC had become CEPAC (Chester and Ellesmere Port AC).

John Driscoll, who wrote a brief history of the race in 1996, organised the fixture in 1981 which was confined to the inner part of the Roodee for the first time in its history due to a hard frost making the city walls section of the course completely unusable.

The ladies course was increased to the same distance as the men for the 1983, although under the rules existing at that time they had to start separately.

In 1986 and 1987 the runners had to leave the city walls near the Northgate and use roads within the city walls before regaining entry to the walls near the cathedral because the city council became particularly concerned about the condition of certain sections of the walls and the city council insisted that the city walls couldn’t be used for the event in 1988 which lead to national press and television coverage.

A radically new course was established and used which featured roads, pavements, canal towpath, and steps which measured 4.3 miles, but the 1988 race unfortunately saw one runner who failed to notice a left turn and went onto the towpath and into the canal!

After the 1990 race, CEPAC  received notice from the city council that they would not be able to use the racecourse again, so another route was required and created thanks to CEPAC chairman, Alan Morris, and Chester Half Marathon course director, Chris Morgan, who increased the distance to five miles.

Anne Hall became race organiser in 1995 when the city council suggested using the city walls again, but for the second time in its history, the weather intervened with a fall of snow on Christmas Day followed by a hard frost producing unsafe conditions so the event was contained on the Roodee.

Last year’s event saw six West Cheshire Athletic Club members Neil Finegan, Steve Fernyhough, Henry Robinson, Jodi Bemand, Rosemary Rogers and Mary Radford all finished first in their age group categories which attracted 407 finishers.

Neil and Steve claimed the first over-45 and over-40 men’s prizes with times of 22 minutes 28 seconds and 23:32 respectively, while Henry and Jodi were first under 20 man and under 20 lady in times of 24:01 and 30:41, and Rosemary and Mary secured the first over 70 and over 75 ladies awards with times of 37:21 and 49:33.

Daniel Cliffe, representing Hercules Wimbledon AC, posted 20 minutes 34 seconds to win the men’s race, ahead of Buckley Runners duo Ben Biggs and Sam Bellis who clocked 20:50 and 21:47 for second and third positions respectively.

Chester-based Carol Parsons, competing for Cheshire Dragons, posted 24:12 to claim the women’s title, ahead of runner-up Sarah Hunter (Ackworth Road Runners) in 24:46, and Kate Titlow (West Cheshire AC) in third spot with 25:53.

FIXTURES this weekend include the West Cheshire AC Track Handicap for Juniors (800m) and Seniors (3,000m) at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday (10am start), while the Borders Road Running League is being hosted by Cybi Striders at Trac Môn, Anglesey, LL63 5TF, on Sunday (11am start), and the latest round of the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meetings take place at SportCity, on Sunday (10.30am start).

FORTHCOMING fixtures include the Cheshire Cross Country Championships at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Sunday, January 8.

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk