FIONA COOK celebrated a record-breaking performance in the M2L GB Ultras 50 miles Race.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club distance runner won the women’s title in a new Manchester to Liverpool course record time of 6 hours 38 minutes 19 seconds.

Fiona finished nearly 24 minutes ahead of her nearest rival at the Good Friday fixture which incorporated paths along the Trans-Pennine Trail, the Manchester Ship Canal, and the River Mersey.

The victory in Liverpool followed a fabulous win at the Chester 50 Miles Race held in March with a female course record time of 7:41:30.

BRIAN WRIGHT sliced two and a half minutes off the West Cheshire AC over 70 men’s 10k record with a time of 44 minutes 58 seconds at the Salford 10k Road Race on Good Friday.

FAVOUR AKPAN celebrated a new West Cheshire AC women’s outdoor triple jump record of 11.85m at the recent Loughborough Open Meeting.

VIOLET THORNE had a day to remember at the Trafford AC Open Medal Meeting on Monday.

The West Cheshire AC youngster grabbed a hat-trick of personal bests in the under 13 girls 75m hurdles (13.82 seconds), discus (24.66m), and javelin (19.58m).

Violet was joined by her two sisters, Arwen and Merryn, with Arwen clocking a new under 17 women’s 80m hurdles personal best of 12.97 seconds, and a 200m season’s best of 28.66 seconds, while Merryn posted 16.37 seconds in the under 13 girls 70m hurdles, spun the discus to 11.46m, and cleared 1-16m in the high jump.

Isla Lambert clocked a new under 13 girls 70m hurdles personal best of 19.26 seconds, hit 8.61m in the javelin, and landed the discus to a mark of 10.44m.

Jacob Gardner posted a new under 17 men’s 100m season’s best of 12.01 seconds and clocked 23.80 seconds in the 200m, while his brother, Luke, registered a new under 13 boys 75m personal best of 11.66 seconds, and hit 17.90m in the javelin.

Alan Littler rounded the senior men’s 400m in a season’s best of 56.02 seconds, and Joshua Jones posted 56.88 seconds in the under 17 men’s 400m.

FIXTURES this weekend include the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, (April 26), at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track; the Under 17s and Under 20s Youth Development Track and Field League Round One, at Blackburn, on Sunday, (April 27), and this Sunday’s London Marathon.

ONLINE entries are now being accepted for the Cheshire Track and Field Championships being held at Ellesmere Port, on Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 May via this link:

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photo-finish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

ONLINE entries are now being accepted for the Northern Athletics Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Track and Field Championships being held at Liverpool, on June 7 and 8. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/…/details/about…

ENTRIES are now open for the Northern Athletics Senior and Under 20 Track and Field Championships, at Derby, on June 28 and 29. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/…/details/about…

THE CHRISTLETON 5k Road Race will be held on Friday, May 16, and entries are being accepted at: https://chestertri.niftyentries.com/Christleton-5k-2025

THE TATTENHALL Tough Team Nine Miles Race will be held on Friday, June 20, (7.15pm start), with entries for the race (ie: teams of three) now open at: https://tattenhallrunners.niftyentries.com/  

DEESTRIDERS RUNNING CLUB are organising a series of off road four miles multi terrain races from Rowleys Drive, Shotton, CH5 1PY, on Thursdays, June 5 (7.30pm start), July 3 (7.30pm start), Thursday, August 7 (7.30pm start), and Friday, September 6 (7pm start). Entries at: deestridersrunningclub.net

OSWESTRY OLYMPIANS are organising the Chirk Castle Relays on Thursday, May 8, (7pm start). Entry and details at https://nor01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.avtiming.com%2Fchirk-castle&data=05%7C02%7C%7C10497b9485734dad314408dd75e4e0f5%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638796348064223636%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8MYdZFebCckUSHDpRm9bMGAwFXWTOTC3vHPRdwtmpxk%3D&reserved=0
And the Mynydd Myfyr Hill Run takes place on Sunday, May 25, (11am start), a run of approximately 6.5 Kilometres (4 miles) of mixed terrain on trail paths, through farmland and wooded areas and country lanes including climbs totalling around 150 metres. Entry on the day only, £7. 

THE KINDER Downfall race on Sunday, May 4: https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/4550337b-044c-4eb1-a091-7c44ff47383f 

will be used as a qualification race for the Cheshire team at the Inter County Fell and Mountain Running Championships to be held on Saturday, June 14, in Horton, Yorkshire: http://www.settleharriers.org/sett…/pen-y-ghent-fell-race/

The highest-placed eligible male and female athletes will gain automatic selection to the Cheshire team. Subject to performance, additional eligible athletes may also receive invitations. If you believe you are eligible and would like to be considered for selection, please indicate this to the race organiser, and to Nick Bishop: [email protected]

By doing this you are consenting to your contact details being passed to the Cheshire team manager.

The Junior Inter Counties Championships take place in Lancaster, on Saturday, June 21. Those interested in running should email Nick Bishop at: [email protected] 

THE Borders Road Running League relays and presentation evening will take place on Wednesday, May 7, at Prestatyn.

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

WEEKEND FIXTURES…

Saturday, April 12 – West Cheshire AC Run-Jump-Throw Juniors Training Session, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village (10am start).

Sunday, April 13 – Warrington AC Spring Open Track and Field Meeting, at Victoria Park, Warrington.

Sunday, April 13 – Mersey Tunnel 10k Road Race.

Sunday, April 13 – Rivington 10 miles Trail Race.

Good luck to all West Cheshire AC athletes and officials!

CAN YOU SPARE JUST ONE MORNING THIS YEAR TO HELP YOUR CLUB?
Can you spare a morning to help the club by volunteering as a marshal at the Chester Half Marathon on Sunday 18th May this year? We need as many volunteers as possible for this event, as it results in important support from the race organisers which is used towards equipment and facilities costs etc, helping us to keep subscriptions down.

Volunteers will be allocated to one of three zones which West Cheshire has responsibility for. Detailed arrangements will be confirmed closer to the time but individuals will be asked to help between approximately 08:15 and 12:30. If you are able to bring friends or family to help too, the extra hands would be hugely appreciated. Children are welcome but please let Ian Gloyne-Phillips know if you will have any under 16s with you so that we can allocate to suitable positions.

All volunteer marshals receive a full race goody bag, including technical t-shirt and light refreshments. Please email Ian: [email protected] and include ‘Chester Half 2025’ in the subject line if you could help.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

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

Polly Johnson, Ruby Billington, Eva Brooks, Alex Swanton, Bonnie Jones, Atharva Ganesh, Amber Kinsey, Alfie Thompson, Noah Burnham, Kyran Croft Ilich.

PLEASE RENEW YOUR CLUB MEMBERSHIP

Our Club Membership Secretary, Jane Pughe, has emailed a reminder to club members about renewing their membership.

If you haven’t yet renewed to your amazing award-winning organisation, please do so ASAP.

And please remember that you can play your part as a member of our fabulous squad of voluntary helpers, coaches and officials who all help to make our club tick.

The following link also details the benefits of being a member of an England Athletics affiliated club: https://www.englandathletics.org/take-part/athlete-registration/benefits/

THANK YOU!

Many thanks to all those who helped make Wednesday night’s Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race a success.

A total of 325 runners completed the event. The results link can be found here: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Results/Chester-Spring-512

TRACK & FIELD FIXTURES

Monday, April 21 – Trafford AC Open Medal Meeting, at Trafford. Entry link:https://www.traffordac.co.uk/php/index.php?script=newsFull.php&news_id=1253

Tuesday, April 22 – Trafford AC Grand Prix, at Trafford. Entry link: https://www.traffordac.co.uk/php/index.php?script=newsFull.php&news_id=1253

Saturday, April 26 – Cheshire Track & Field Grand Prix, at EPSV. Entry link:https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=26414

EASTER MONDAY

Please note that there will be no club training session at the EPSV Track on Easter Monday, 21st April, because the facility will be closed at 5pm.

NEW CHESHIRE TRACK & FIELD GRAND PRIX

Entries close on 24th April for the first match of the Cheshire Track & Field Grand Prix on Saturday 26th April, at Ellesmere Port. The entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=26414

The Cheshire Track & Field Grand Prix replaces the Cheshire Track & Field League.

ATHLETICS OFFICIALS COURSES AT ELLESMERE PORT

County Officials Secretary, Tim Palmer, has arranged a Level 1 Track Judge and a Level 1 Field Judge course to coincide with the first match of the new Cheshire Track & Field Grand Prix being held on 26th April at EPSV. The details of these are:

Level 1 Track Judge – OV2604TR – 26/04/2025:

https://www.athleticshub.co.uk/login?s_id=729855577040cdd21290c9892cd4e5f1Level 1 Field Part 1 and 2 – OV2304FD – 23/04/2025 & 26/04/2025:https://www.athleticshub.co.uk/login?s_id=a7ed112872705c5174c968e881518473

Please support this brilliant initiative which will hopefully strengthen the number of officials in the county and provide an opportunity for anyone wanting to take the first step towards becoming a qualified official.

CHESHIRE TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025

Online entries are being accepted now for the Cheshire Track & Field Championships being held at Ellesmere Port on Saturday and Sunday 10 and 11 May via this link.

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photofinish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

FELL RUNNING NEWS

The Kinder Downfall race on Sunday 4th May: https://www.fellrunner.org.uk/races/4550337b-044c-4eb1-a091-7c44ff47383. This will be used as a qualification race for the Cheshire team at the Inter County Fell & Mountain Running Champs to be held on Saturday 14th June in Horton, Yorkshire: http://www.settleharriers.org/sett…/pen-y-ghent-fell-race/

The highest-placed eligible male and female athletes will gain automatic selection to the Cheshire team. Subject to performance, additional eligible athletes may also receive invitations. If you believe you are eligible and would like to be considered for selection, please indicate this to the race organiser, and to Nick Bishop: [email protected]

By doing this you are consenting to your contact details being passed to the Cheshire team manager.

The Junior Inter Counties Championships take place in Lancaster, on Saturday 21st June. Those interested in running should email Nick Bishop at:[email protected] 

RAMP IT UP 5KM FIXTURE

A Walk or Run 5km event is taking place at Cheshire Oaks on Sunday 11th May (8am start) in aid of Hospice of the Good Shepherd. There is £10 entry fee and finishers will receive a medal and special discounts. More details on 01244 851811. 

WELL DONE!

Congratulations to our club members who took part in various fixtures during the last week.

This week’s Club Press Report can be found here: www.westcheshireac.co.uk/news/

SUMMER FIXTURES CARDS

This Summer’s Club Fixtures Cards are now available to collect from the Track Container Office at Club Training Sessions.

CLUB KIT

Woollen Club Bobble Hats and Purple Club hoodies are available to buy at the Track Office Container after training.

Meanwhile, Club members can also access an Online Club Shop selling a range of items. Please look at this link using WCAC2023 as the password.

CHILD SAFETY AT CLUB TRAINING SESSIONS

Can parents of club members aged 15 years old and younger please make sure you and your child go to the EPSV Track Office to sign in before club track training sessions and that your youngster goes to their coach when they arrive to ensure the safety of all youngsters on the site.

All youngsters should arrive with warm clothing, waterproofs and a bottle of water.

Can parents please write the name of their youngster on any clothing they wear at the EPSV track so that any training tops or coats are identified if left at the site.

And 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.

Club members can buy bobble hats and hoodies after club track training sessions from the Track Office Container, and access to an online club shop selling a range of items can be found at this link using: WCAC2023 as the password: https://www.malookasports.com/product-category/teamwear/west-cheshire-athletics-club/

REMOVING 1M RUNNING SHOES FROM LANDFILL

There are in the region of 18 billion pairs of running shoes sold in the world every year. That’s the equivalent to 2 pairs of running shoes per person on earth. Yet, there are millions who have no shoes and suffer terribly from sole diseases. ‘Jog on Again’ believe some 30+ million pairs of shoes end up in landfill every year and many of these shoes have a lot of life left in them! 

The Club would like to do our bit and help ‘Jog on Again’ get those shoes out to those who need them in over 15 destinations around the world.

So, look in that cupboard, garage, under the bed. They may be old to you, but you can give them another chance with someone else.

There will be a collection box at the track for you to donate old trainers or spikes – no need to clean them up, we’ll take them just as they are!  Of course if anyone in the club feels they could make use of shoes someone else has donated, then feel free to help yourself from the collection box – you are still doing your bit to help save them from landfill. Thank you for your support.

TRACK SPIKES FOR SALE

Members wanting track spikes for their shoes can purchase packets of 12 for £2 from the Club Container Office at Club Training Sessions.

UP & RUNNING SHOP OFFERS

Up & Running Shop, Bridge Street Row, Chester, is offering discount to Club Members, so please visit their store or go online: www.upandrunning.co.uk

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.

At the halfway point in the league, Claire and Michael lead. Emma is close behind in the women’s league, followed by Anest, while Paul and Jeff are on level-pegging in the men’s league.
See the Races page for full tables. Please address any queries to [email protected].

by Dennis Wall

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club youngsters began their track and field season with a combined events competition on Saturday.

The fixture at Ellesmere Port Sports Village attracted 67 juniors in the under 11, under 13, and under 15 boys and girls age groups who tackled a quadrathlon.

Niall Betteridge (11.6 seconds and 1:56.7), Alex Molloy (3.10m), Stan Boothman (12.30m), impressed in the under 11 boys 75m, 600m, long jump, and turbo javelin respectively.

Heidi Anstey (11.2 seconds) was the fastest under 11 girl in the 75m, while Abby Gamble impressed in the 600m (2:01.0), long jump (3.38m), and turbo javelin (11.96m).

Poppy McKenna posted 12.4 seconds in the under 13 girls 70m hurdles and cleared 1-32m in the high jump, while Charlotte Mackie clocked 14.2 seconds in the 100m, rounded the 800m in 2:28.8, and hit 5.99m in the shot put.

Jack Arnold and Atharva Ganesh clocked the fastest under 13 boys 75m hurdles time of 16.6 seconds, while Tristan Lee posted 13.7 seconds in the 100m and cleared 1-28m in the high jump; Finley Edwards long jumped 3.49m; and Luke Gardner hit 17.66m in the javelin; while Leon Betteridge rounded the 800m in 2:35.6.

Rose Sheppard clocked 15.6 seconds in the under 15 girls 75m hurdles, while Amelia Snowden posted 13.3 seconds in the 100m, and Nia Manson rounded the 800m in 2:29.7. Mollie Garratt long jumped 4.17m, while Violet Thorne cleared 1-28m in the high jump and hit 17.73m in the javelin.

Dylan Gledhill impressed in the under 15 boys event with 13.2 seconds in the 100m, 3.95m in the long jump, 33.81m in the javelin, and 2:23.0 in the 800m.

NIA MANSON celebrated success at the Sale Harriers Over The Bales Races.

Nia posted a winning time of nine minutes 33 seconds in the under 13 girls event held at Crossford Bridge, Sale.

Arianwen Setters clocked 5:46 for eighth spot in the under 9 girls race, while Abby Gamble (8th), Evelyn Edwards (30th), Heidi Anstey (43rd), Hermione Allison (46th), and Isla Lambert (55th) combined for the under 11 girls.

Jack Arnold (ninth), Finley Edwards (86th), and George Hillier (52nd) teamed up for the under 11 boys, and Sam Arnold finished 22nd in the under 9 boys race.

RUNNERS taking part in this Sunday’s Borders Road Running League fixture at Mold are reminded that the race starts at 10am.

The course is a modified version of previously used at Mold. It is approximately 5.2 miles: https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/6397498819

The start is on the road at the back of Mold Sports Centre and the finish is on a small private industrial estate off the Nercwys Road.

There is ample parking at Mold Leisure centre, but runners should follow the marshals instruction to use the car park behind the sports centre: https://w3w.co/socialite.achieving.common

Runners are asked not to park in front of the Sports Centre, and there is no parking near the finish on the industrial estate.

Changing and showers are available in Mold Sports Centre. Access to the start is via Broncoed Lane, and runners need to leave the sports centre by the main entrance, turn right, then right again.

The postcode is: CH7 1HT, entrance at: https://w3w.co/bolsters.tiptoes.collect

Runners have permission to use the Industrial estate by tool hire for the finish. Only Tool hire is open on a Sunday but runners must not impede traffic to Tool Hire or warm down around the finish area.

FIXTURES this weekend include the North Wales Endurance Open including Field Events, at Deeside Stadium, Connah’s Quay, on Friday, (April 4); the Chester Ultras 100 Miles Race, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday, (April 5); the Trafford AC Open Medal Meeting, at Longford Park Stadium, Trafford, on Sunday, (April 6); and the Liverpool Harriers Open Meeting, at Wavertree, on Sunday, (April 6).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

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 entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=26414

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.

COUNTY Officials Secretary, Tim Palmer, has arranged a Level 1 Track Judge and a Level 1 Field Judge course to coincide with the first match of the new Cheshire Track & Field Grand Prix being held on 26th April at EPSV.

The details of these are: Level 1 Track Judge – OV2604TR – 26/04/2025:

Level 1 Field Part 1 and 2 – OV2304FD – 23/04/2025 & 26/04/2025:

This initiative will hopefully strengthen the number of officials in the county and provide an opportunity for anyone wanting to take the first step towards becoming a qualified official.

ONLINE entries are now being accepted for the Cheshire Track and Field Championships being held at Ellesmere Port, on Saturday and Sunday, 10 and 11 May via this link:

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photo-finish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: Sunday, April 6 at Buckley Runners; Wednesday, May 7, at Prestatyn (Presentation Evening).

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