Press Report: Jess Best in National Success

JESSICA LARK was crowned a National champion in Sheffield on Sunday.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club distance runner posted a winning time of four minutes 29.57 seconds in the under 20 ladies 1500m final at the England Athletics Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Jessica finished more than two seconds clear of her nearest rival at the English Institute of Sport Arena where she had claimed the Northern Indoor 800m Championship title last month in a time of 2:10.99.

Jessica also smashed the West Cheshire AC under 20 ladies indoor 1500m club record last month at a Cardiff British Milers Club meeting with a time of 4:26.34.

Emma Holmes delivered a silver medal performance with a new West Cheshire AC under 20 women’s indoor club record 400m time of 55.13 seconds.

Mae Grant celebrated a new under 15 girls West Cheshire AC indoor triple jump record of 10.01m for sixth position.

Mia Johnson clocked a new under 15 girls West Cheshire AC indoor 60m record of 7.88 seconds and a new 200m indoor record time of 25.78 seconds.

Nathan Brassington powered his way to fifth spot in the under 17 men’s shot put with 13m, while Beth Manson posted a new indoor personal best of 43 seconds.

Macy Brett clocked a new under 17 ladies indoor 60m hurdles personal best time of 9.04 seconds, and Holly Bosworth posted a new indoor under 17 ladies 200m personal best of 26.76 seconds.

POPPY McKENNA and Andrew Clague both celebrated victories at the final round of the North Wales Cross Country League held at Oswestry.

Poppy won the under 11 girls race and was backed up by Heidi Wetherall (fifth) and Felicity Snowden (seventh) to earn West Cheshire AC top spot in the team race.

Andrew Clague was first in his over-55 age group on the day and overall in the league and was supported in the men’s race by team mates Dave Alexander (fourth over-50 man), Jeff Gifford (second over-55 man on the day and overall), Mark Davies (15th over-45 man), and Paul Morrison (31st senior man).

Eleanor Wheeler was second overall in the under 15 girls league series of races and Nia Manson finished third overall in the under 13 girls race series and was second on the day ahead of Amelia Snowden (fifth) and Rose Shepherd (ninth), while the trio combined for first team position on the day and third team overall.

Anest Muller secured third spot overall in the league series in her over-40 age group and was fifth over-40 lady on the day, supported by Claire Harris (fourth over-35 lady), Joy Hickman (seventh over-55 lady), Debra Bemand (seventh over-50 lady), and Emily Murphy (eighth under 17 lady). 

Thomas Rimmer finished fifth in the under 15 boys race and Jack Arnold was fourth in the under 11 boys race.

TRACY ROGERS represented West Cheshire AC at Saturday’s Manchester Cross Country League fixture held at Kenworthy Woods and finished second in her over-35 women’s age group.

Tracy was supported by club mates Emma Nutt (15th senior lady) and Amanda Newall (14th over-45 lady).

Emilia Pyper was fourth in the under 15 girls race, while Nancy Farmer (sixth), and Hayley Holland (25th) completed the under 17 ladies race.

Dylan Gledhill (12th) and Max Henderson (30th) teamed up in the under 13 boys race, while Lauren Higgins finished 17th in the under 13 girls race.

Ben Newall rounded the under 15 boys race in 23rd position, and Isla Lambert finished 53rd in the under 11 girls event.

FIXTURES this weekend include the UK Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday; the Parbold Hill Race on Saturday; the Welsh Cross Country Championships at Brecon on Saturday; the Village Bakery Half Marathon at Wrexham on Sunday; a Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting on Sunday; the Great North West Half Marathon at Blackpool on Sunday; and the Ruthin 5k and 10k Road Races on Sunday.

WEST CHESHIRE AC has a busy schedule of fixtures lined up for the year ahead.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit will host two pre-season open track and field meetings, as well as host the Cheshire County Schools Track and Field Championships, the Cheshire County Track Relay Championships, and the English Schools Track and Field Cup Regional B Final.

The Cheshire Schools Championships take place on Saturday, June 8, while the Cheshire County Track Relay Championships will take place on Thursdays, July 4 and 11, and the English Schools Track and Field Cup Regional B Final will be held on Wednesday, June 5.

West Cheshire AC will compete in the Under 13/Under 15 Youth Development League West Premier Division at Trafford on Saturday, April 20; at Liverpool on Sunday, May 19; at Preston on Sunday, June 23; and at Bebington Oval on Saturday, July 20.

And the Club will participate in the Under 17/Under 20 Youth Development Track and Field League North West Division One at Blackpool on Sunday, April 28; at Leigh on Sunday, May 26; and at Wigan on Sunday, June 30.

The Club’s Northern Track and Field League squad will take part in West Premier Division fixtures at Blackburn on Saturday, May 18; at Litherland on Saturday, June 15; at Bury on Sunday, July 14; and at Ellesmere Port on Saturday, August 17.

West Cheshire AC will host the opening round of the Cheshire Track and Field League on Saturday, April 27, and other fixtures will be held on Sunday, June 2; Sunday, July 21; and Sunday, August 25.

West Cheshire AC will also host their annual Secondary Schools Track and Field Cup match on Wednesday, May 1; and the annual Cheshire v Merseyside Year 7 Schools Track and Field fixture in July.

ENTRIES are open for the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Winter Series being held on Sunday, March 10. More information at this link: https://saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series

THE Cheshire AA Road Race Grand Prix fixtures have been announced for 2024: High Legh 10k on March 17; Chester Spring 5 Miler on April 10; Christleton 5k in Mid May; Dunham Massey Park Run on May 25; Warrington Park Run on July 20; Sandbach 10k on August 18; and Crewe Park Run on September 14.

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