Press Report: Lewis Leads the Way

by Dennis Wall

LEWIS MORRIS produced a dominant display at Newtown on Saturday at the Welsh Inter-Regional Cross Country Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club teenager clocked a winning time of 17 minutes 14 seconds in the challenging 5.81km under 17 men’s race.

Lewis finished 28 seconds ahead of second-placed William Chalk (Newport Harriers) and pointed North Wales to the team title, supported by Osian Parry (Menai Track and Field) in third spot, Chris Benson (Maldwyn) in fourth place, Zac Campbell (Deeside) in sixth position, Xander Brandon-Higgs (Maldwyn) who was seventh, Deeside duo Ryan Delaney and Lewis Davies (eighth and 11th respectively), and James Myatt (Colwyn Bay) who was 13th.

West Cheshire’s Joy Hickman (seventh in 29:10) helped North Wales grabbed second spot in the over-55 Women’s Masters team event staged over a 6.34km course.

Joy was supported in the North Wales team by Ceri Cook (Buckley) who was fourth in 28:20, Yvonne Hill (Oswestry) who was eighth in 29:17, Cheryl Frost (North Wales Road Runners) 10th in 29:51, and Kay Hatton (North Wales Road Runners) 14th in 30:46.

WEST CHESHIRE AC was represented by 19 members at the latest round of the North West Sportshall Athletics League Competition held at Crewe Lifestyle Centre on Sunday.

Amelie Bodie, Chloe Golightly, Lyra and Hermione Allison, Louisa and Amber Cogan, Anna Dooley, Abby Gamble, Mia and Mollie Cooke, Heidi Anstey, Jack Webb, Leo Haseler, Sammy Thwaites, Toby Honeyborne-Kelly, Isaac Thompson, Finley Edwards, Florence Trow, and Harriet Oliver all combined in running, jumping and throwing events against teams from Liverpool Harriers, Halton and Frodsham, Macclesfield, Wirral, Warrington, and Crewe and Nantwich.

NIALL BETTERIDGE and Logan Blackburn secured a one-two finish for Hoole in the year six boys race at Saturday’s latest round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, ahead of third placed Max Molloy (Ysgol y Waen).

And Arianwen Setters added more success for Hoole in the year five girls, ahead of Ivy Bowden (Tushingham), and Mia Rees (Acresfield) who finished second and third respectively.

Alice Page-Roberts and Jack Arnold registered victories for Bishop’s Bluecoat in the year seven girls and boys races.

Alice finished ahead of runner-up Mollie Cooke (Neston), and her third-placed sister, Maisy (also Bishop’s Bluecoat), while Jack finished ahead of team mate, Morgan Edwards in second spot and Daniel Kuzia (Queen’s Park) who was third.

Heidi Wetherall (Helsby) won the year eight girls race ahead of Esme Hopkinson (Hawarden), while Zach Dowdeswell (Ellesmere Port Catholic High) won the year eight boys race.

Abby Gamble (Guilden Sutton) grabbed glory in the year six girls race, ahead of Polly Morait (Farndon) and Heidi Anstey (Overleigh St Mary’s) who were second and third respectively.

Myron Rafalskyi (Saughall All Saints) won the year five boys race, ahead of Arthur Jones (King’s) and Toby Honeyborne-Kelly (Abbeygate) who were second and third.

Dash Clarke (Farndon) celebrated success in the year four boys race, in front of Seb Close (Woodfall) and Emre Vatan (Chester Bluecoat) who were second and third.

Lyra Allison (Whitby Heath) triumphed in the year four girls race, ahead of Viola Gilligan (Upton Heath) and Maisie Dale (Dee Point) in second and third respectively.

Lucas Cairns (Woodfall) won the year three boys race ahead of Theo Huddart (St Martin’s Academy) in second spot and Albie Potter (Christleton) in third position.

And Amelie Grant (St Martin’s Academy) grabbed success in the year three girls race ahead of runner-up Emily Cockling (Newton), and third placed Sophie Sirett (Woodlands) in third.

FIXTURES this weekend include the third round of the Manchester Cross Country League on Saturday, at Woodbank Park, Stockport (12 noon start), and the second round of the Borders Road Running League at Trac Mon, Anglesey, on Sunday (11am start).

THE Cheshire County Cross Country Championships will be held at Kelsall Equestrian Centre, on Saturday, January 3, while the Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Pontefract, on Saturday, January 24; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Sedgefield, on Saturday, February 21.

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 7, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

THE North Wales Cross Country Championships will be held at the Treborth Track, Bangor, on Saturday, January 10. Entries can be made via the following link: https://www.entrycentral.com/NorthWalesCCChamps

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm on Fridays, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the North West Sportshall Athletics League and Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures early next year. Please come along and support the sessions.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Senior, Under 20 and Under 17 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on January 10 and 11, as well as the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on Sunday, February 1. The online entry link is: northernathletics.co.uk/events/

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: 7th December, Trac Mon, Anglesey (Cybi); 1st February, TBC (Pensby); 1st March, Wallasey; 22nd March, Promenade (Wirral AC); 6th May, Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, November 30; December 21; January 18; February 8; February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the dates and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

17-18 January: The Under 20 and Senior Combined Events and Senior Para Championships (including Race Walking Championships and British Milers Club on 18 January. Entries open on Roster on 10 November, closing on 17 December.

7-8 February: England Age Group Championships. Entries open on Roster on 15 December, closing on 18 January.
7-8 March: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries open on Roster on 2 February, closing on 22 February.

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