Press Report: Busy Weekend for WCAC

by Dennis Wall

COSETTE WEARDEN produced a top-20 finish in Saturday’s Northern Cross Country Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club distance runner rounded the under 17 women’s course at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, in 20th spot with a time of 19 minutes 55 seconds.

Cosette was backed up by Nancy Farmer (22nd in 20:03), and Hayley Holland (55th in 22:15), while Jodi Bemand achieved a time of 23:54 for 27th position in the under 20 women’s event.

Poppy McKenna (29th in 11:25) headed West Cheshire AC’s charge in the under 13 girls race, ahead of Nia Manson (32nd in 11:30), Amelia Snowden (43rd in 11:42), Rose Sheppard (98th in 12:54), Heidi Wetherall (10th in 13:12), and Rosie Grimsditch (120th in 14:30).

Lucas Sawyer achieved 44th spot with a time of 10:54 in the under 13 boys race, ahead of Leon Betteridge (52nd in 11:05) and Atharva Ganesh (132nd in 13:44).

Henry Robinson rounded the under 20 men’s course in 28:52 for 47th spot, while Scott Wells (56th in 20:15), Lewis Morris (71st in 20:37), and Noah Woolgar (86th in 22:21) combined in the under 17 men’s event.

Claire Harris (55th in 31:48), Emma Nutt (85th in 34:00), Kerry Riley (91st in 34:39), Anest Muller (142nd in 37:45), Ellie Robinson (154th in 40:01), Debra Bemand (171st in 41:32), Angela Tegg (173rd in 41:41), and Joy Hickman (174th in 41:53) completed the senior women’s race.

Eleanor Wheeler (61st in 16:29), Emilia Pyper (62nd in 16:32), and Harriet Beattie (68th in 16:40) rounded the under 15 girls course.

Elliot Quaglierini (95th in 15:44), Dylan Gledhill (96th in 15:48), Max Henderson (107th in 16:11), and George Grimsditch (116th in 16:39) combined in the under 15 boys race.

Graham Wells (131st in 42:27) headed the men’s team home, supported by Dave Alexander (275th in 49:01), Andy Manson (304th in 50:40), Richard Hayes (312th in 51:38), Mark Davies (331st in 53:24), and Julian Tegg (376th in 61:04). 

JACOB GARDNER has blasted his way to a new 200m personal best and English Indoor Championships qualifying time.

The West Cheshire AC sprinter clocked 23.57 seconds to shave 0.12 off her previous best at the latest indoor open meeting held at Sheffield.

He was joined at the fixture by Nathan Owen who improved his 60m personal best to 7.56 seconds, Imogen Fives who ran a new 60m best of 8.40 seconds and a first-ever 200m time of 28.10 seconds.

Erin Barnard ran a new 200m best of 28.35 seconds, and Charles Ryder prepared for the British and World Masters Championships with a 60m personal best of 9.32 seconds.

NATHAN BRASSINGTON finished ninth in the Under 20 men’s English Indoor Heptathlon Championships at Sheffield with new age group club records in the long jump and pole vault.

MICHAEL YOUNG was first home for West Cheshire AC at Sunday’s latest round of the Borders Road Running League.

Michael covered the 7.1km course at Connah’s Quay in a time of 23:20 for first place in his over 35 age group and fifth spot overall, behind winner Luke Burgess (Deeside AAC) who clocked 21:55.

Michael was supported by Matthew Douglass (20th in 24:33), Graham Wells (first over-50 man in 24:49), Lewis Morris (third under 20 man in 25:03), Steve Fernyhough (third over-40 man in 25:15), Luke Pearson (46th in 25:55), Jamie Fisher (60th in 26:39), Wullie McGarrell (first over-60 man in 27:05), Paul Morrison (72nd in 27:24), Chris Shaw (sixth over-45 man in 27:30), Jeff Gifford (second over-60 man in 28:38), Ian Pritchard (ninth over-55 in 31:26), Paul Cain (11th over-55 man in 32:40), Neil Field (33:09), Andy Carter (35:21), Phil Gent (36:35), Tony Kennedy (42:57), and Dave Tiernan (47:12)

Spearheading the female charge for West Cheshire AC was Keely Smith (second over-40 lady in 28:24), backed up by Claire Harris (second over-35 lady in 28:59), Emma Nutt (15th lady in 29:26), Amanda Newall (seventh over-50 lady in 33:40), Clare Mallon (ninth over-50 lady in 33:58), Amy Mills (eighth over-35 lady in 35:01), and Debra Bemand (35:33).

TEAM STANDINGS (after Race Three):

MENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 1170 points; 2 Buckley 1334; 3 Wrexham 1372; 4 Chester Tri 1599; 5 West Cheshire 1698; 6 Wallasey 1706; 7 Deeside 1864.

WOMENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Deeside 421; 2 Helsby 467; 3 Wallasey 574; 4 West Cheshire 625; 5 Buckley 657; 6 UTS 975; 7 Pensby 1277.

MENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Ellesmere Port 1255; 2 Wirral 1472; 3 Eryri 1667; 4 Prestatyn 1699; 5 UTS 2153; 6 Pensby 2822; 7 Deestriders 3291; 8 Wrecsam Tri 3786; 9 Birkenhead 3964; 10 Cybi 4044; 11 Tattenhall 9132.

WOMENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Chester Tri 336; 2 Eryri 467; 3 Ellesmere Port 472; 4 Prestatyn 542; 5 Wrexham 639; 6 Deestriders 782; 7 Cybi 940; 8 Wirral 1046; 9 Birkenhead 1287; 10 Wrecsam Tri 1375; 11 Tattenhall 1796.

The next Borders League fixture will be held on Sunday, February 23, at Trac Mon, Anglesey (11am start).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships, at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Saturday (10am start); and the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting at Sport City on Sunday (10.30am start).

REMAINING fixtures of the Manchester Area Cross-country League are: Match Three – Saturday, February 8, at Kenworthy Woods/University Playing Fields (hosted by Bramhall Runners and Altrincham & District AC); Match Four – Saturday, March 1, at Woodbank Park, Stockport (hosted by Stockport Harriers & AC). The final/end of season results will be based on the best three out of the four matches. 

THE English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

Press Report: Schools Series Finale

MORE than 100 youngsters took part in the final round of the West Cheshire Athletic Club Schools Cross Country Race Series.

Pupils from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Wirral and North Wales gathered at Ellesmere Port Sports Village for the conclusion of the popular event held on Saturday morning organised by club volunteers.

Lyra Allison, Lucas Cairns, Evie Hulse, Blake Robinson, Abby Gamble, Evelyn Edwards, Niall Betteridge, Saskia Keresturova, Jack Arnold, Isla Salisbury, Atharva Ganesh, Nia Manson, and Sidney Carr were crowned overall age group winners after securing the best two results from the three rounds.

Lyra (Whitby Heath) won the year three girls title ahead of Farndon pair, Jessica Quinton and Hattie Miller who finished second and third respectively.

Lucas (Woodfall) won the year three boys title ahead of joint runners-up Harry Nicholson (Christleton) and Ralph Kellard (Sutton Green).

Evie (Our Lady of Pity) won the year four girls title ahead of Arianwen Setters (Hoole) and Mia Rees (Acresfield) who were second and third respectively.

Blake (Farndon) won the year four boys title ahead of joint runners-up Otto Holmes (Newton) and Sam Arnold (Upton Heath).

Abby (Guilden Sutton) and Evelyn (Saighton) were joint title winners in the year five girls event ahead of third placed Heidi Anstey (Overleigh St Mary’s).

Niall (Hoole) won the year five boys title ahead of Max Molloy (Ysgol y Waen) and Logan Blackburn (Hoole) who finished second and third respectively.

Saskia (Oldfield) won the year six girls title ahead of runner-up Zara Evans (Farndon) and third placed Alice Roberts-Page (Hoole).

Jack (Upton Heath) won the year six boys title ahead of runner up Xander Whelan (Guilden Sutton) and third placed Theo Hill (Childer Thornton).

Isla (Neston) won the year seven girls title ahead of runner-up Amelia Clarke (Ellesmere Port Catholic High).

Atharva (Upton) won the year seven boys title ahead of runner up Henry Cobb (Upton) and third placed Zach Dowdeswell (Ellesmere Port Catholic High).

Nia (Bishop Heber) won the year eight girls title, and Sidney (Upton) won the year eight boys crown ahead of runner-up Finlay Stewart (Upton).

COSETTE WEARDEN, of West Cheshire AC, representing West Kirby Grammar School, won the Senior Girls race at the Merseyside Schools Cross Country Championships in Formby on Friday.

JESSICA LARK and Joseph Morrison both clocked new personal bests at the British Milers Club Grand Prix Indoor Meeting in Sheffield at the weekend.

Jessica posted 4:17:01 for second spot in the Senior Women’s 800m A race, and Joseph rounded the Senior Men’s 3,000m C race in a time of 8:18:71.

MICHAEL YOUNG was the first of 19 West Cheshire AC finishers at Helsby’s Four Villages Half Marathon on Sunday.

Michael posted 1:11:49 for first place in his over-35 age group and ninth spot overall, ahead of Graham Wells (second over-50 man in 1:18:17), Steve Fernyhough (13th over-40 man in 1:19:11), Dave Shearer (20th over-35 man in 1:23:13), Wullie McGarrell (second over 60 man in 1:25:24), Keely Smith (second over-40 lady in 1:25:24), Emma Nutt (14th senior lady in 1:32:42), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (31st over-50 man in 1:35:09), Richard Hayes (39th over-50 man in 1:36:02), Steve Hillier (54th over-45 man in 1:38:28), Paul Cain (23rd over-55 man in 1:41:22), Ian Pritchard (25th over-55 man in 1:41:49), Clare Mallon (ninth over-50 lady in 1:42:34), Brian Cremin (87th over-35 man in 1:43:07), Neil Field (87th over-50 man in 1:48:15), Stephen Ball (85th over-45 man in 1:49:39), Phil Gent (115th over-50 man in 1:52:41), Julian Tegg (122nd over-50 man in 1:54:29), and Angela Tegg (26th over-50 lady in 1:54:30).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Cross Country Championships, at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, on Saturday; the Welsh National Cross Country Championships, at Pembrey Country Park, Llanelli, on Saturday; and the Borders Road Running League Round Four at Deeside College, Connah’s Quay, on Sunday (10am start).

REMAINING fixtures of the Manchester Area Cross-country League are: Match Three – Saturday, February 8, at Kenworthy Woods/University Playing Fields (hosted by Bramhall Runners and Altrincham & District AC); Match Four – Saturday, March 1, at Woodbank Park, Stockport (hosted by Stockport Harriers & AC). The final/end of season results will be based on the best three out of the four matches. 

THE English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22.

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 1, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on February 2. The online entry link is: northernathletics.co.uk/events/

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

WCAC Schools Cross-country Series

Well done to all who took part in the final round of the WCAC Schools Cross-country Series 2024-25. Provisional results are available near the bottom of the Off-road page of the club website. Overall series results will follow, in time.

Press Report: Jess Sets New Best in Northern Test

by Dennis Wall

JESSICA LARK was crowned Northern Champion in Sheffield at the weekend.

The talented runner clocked a new Northern Indoor under 20 women’s 800m Championship best performance, personal best, and West Cheshire AC record of two minutes 6.21 seconds.

Jessica finished 11 seconds clear of her nearest rival in the final at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport Arena to produce a very impressive start to her season.

Jessica was joined on the podium by West Cheshire AC’s Ruby Billington and Niamh Le’Gall.

Ruby cleared 1-50m to achieve a bronze medal in the under 17 women’s high jump, and Niamh powered her way to a bronze medal in the under 20 women’s 200m final with a new personal best time of 25.96 seconds, ahead of sixth-placed club mate Holly Bosworth who clocked a new indoor personal best of 26.60 seconds in her first-ever Northern final.

Lewis Morris rounded the under 20 men’s 3,000m final in a new personal best time of 9:41.24, and Cosette Wearden rounded the under 20 women’s 3,000m final in a time of 10:57.02 for fifth spot.

Mia Johnson, competing in her first year in the under 17 women’s age group, reached the 300m final and finished fifth with a time of 44.74 seconds.

Beth Manson produced new under 17 women’s 200m (26.99 seconds) and 300m (43,04 seconds) personal bests and reached both semi-finals.

Eleanor Wheeler achieved a new under 17 women’s 800m personal best time of 2:30.43 and Emilia Pyper clocked a new season’s best time of 2:36.91.

LYDIA WALKER celebrated a silver medal with a time of 8.47 seconds in the under 17 women’s 60m final at the North Wales Regional Indoor Track and Field Championships held at Deeside.

FIXTURES this weekend include the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series final round at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday (10am start); the England Athletics Senior and Under 20 Indoor Combined Events Championships in Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday; and the Helsby Four Villages Half Marathon on Sunday (10.30am start).

THE Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. West Cheshire AC wanting to compete should email Dave Alexander with their name, date of birth and the name of the championship(s) they want to run in at: [email protected]

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 1, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures this month. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on February 2. The online entry link is: northernathletics.co.uk/events/

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

WCAC Endurance League

Cross-country regulars fill the first five positions in the West Cheshire AC Women’s Endurance League at the start of the new year, with Claire Harris continuing to lead Emma Nutt and Anest Muller. Michael Young passes Paul Morrison in the men’s competition, with Jeff Gifford still close behind.

See the Races page for full tables – please address any queries to [email protected].

Press Report: Cross-country County Bounty for WCAC

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club enjoyed a memorable day at Betley on Saturday.

The purple and gold-vested outfit produced a number of impressive medal performances at the Cheshire County Cross Country Championships at Betley Court Farm, near Crewe.

Abby Gamble (third), Saskia Keresturova (fifth), and Felicity Snowden (sixth) combined to secure team gold medals in the under 11 girls race alongside Heidi Anstey (12th), Lexie Ison (14th), Hermione Allison (16th), and Anna Dooley (17th).

Niall Betteridge (sixth), Jack Arnold (seventh), and Logan Blackburn (ninth) were awarded team silver medals in the under 11 boys race alongside Jimmy Wallis (12th), Stanley Boothman (13th), Xander Phelan (17th), Ted Austin (20th), Eric Beddows (22nd), Blake Robinson (23rd), and Finley Edwards (37th).

Nia Manson (second), Amelia Snowden (eighth), and Rose Shepherd (12th) were presented with team silver medals in the under 13 girls race, alongside Sophie Baker (13th), Florence Hain (16th), and Heidi Wetherall (17th) who achieved team bronze medals, supported by Rosie Grimsditch (24th) and Amelia Clarke (54th).

Scott Wells (seventh), Lewis Morris (eighth), and Ben Newall (ninth), backed up by Noah Woolgar (12th), earned team silver medals in the under 17 men’s race.

Cosette Wearden (third), Nancy Farmer (fourth), and Hayley Holland (eighth), combined for team silver medals in the under 17 women’s race.

Sam Oliver (third), Sammy Hollins (fourth), and Matthew McCreadie (11th), bagged team silver medals in the under 20 men’s race.

Leon Betteridge (eighth), Lucas Sawyer (10th) and Sidney Carr (12th), achieved team bronze medals in the under 13 boys race, backed up by Finlay Stewart (21st) and Atharva Ganesh (25th).

Claire Harris (sixth and third over-35 lady), Emma Nutt (11th), and Anest Muller (24th and fourth over-40 lady) combined for team bronze medals in the women’s race, supported by Clare Mallon (44th and seventh over-50 lady), Joy Hickman (53rd and fourth over-55 lady), and Debra Bemand (65th and 10th over-50 lady).

Dylan Gledhill (seventh), Max Henderson (13th), and George Grimsditch (14th), finished fourth team in the under 15 boys race, backed up by Finlay Wilson (18th).

Graham Wells (21st and second over-50 man), Paul Morrison (48th), Neil Hershaw (51st and first over-60 man), Dave Alexander (57th and second over-55 man), Jeff Gifford (67th and fourth over-60 man), and Andy Manson (73rd and 12th over-45 man) delivered seventh team position in the senior men’s race and were supported by Ian Pritchard (ninth over-55 man), Andrew Clague (10th over-55 man), Mark Davies (16th over-45 man), and Julian Tegg (19th over-50 man).

Eleanor Wheeler (fourth) and Harriet Beattie (fifth) completed the under 15 girls event, and Jodi Bemand finished fifth in the under 20 women’s race.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Indoor Under 17s, Under 20s and Seniors Track and Field Championships at Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday; the North Wales Indoor Track and Field Regional Championships at Deeside on Saturday; the Manchester Cross Country League at Tatton Park, on Saturday; the North Wales Cross Country League at PGL Boreatton Park, Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, on Saturday; and the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting at Sport City on Sunday.

THE Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. West Cheshire AC wanting to compete should email [email protected] with their name, date of birth and the name of the championship(s) they want to run in.

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 1, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures this month. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on February 2. The online entry link is: northernathletics.co.uk/events/

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, January 12; February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

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