ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

CHARLES UCHENNA bagged a winning hat-trick at the Wirral AC Open Track and Field Meeting.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club all-rounder celebrated victories in the under 12 boys long jump (4.23m), 75m (10.4 seconds), and 600m with a new personal best time of 1:54.8.

Charles was joined in the winners’ circle by sisters, Evie and Freya Whittaker, Jayden Walls, Arianwen Setters, and Violet Thorne.

Evie cleared 1-55m in the under 16 girls high jump and won the long jump with 3.98m.

Freya won the under 14 girls high jump with 1-45m, while Jayden clocked 12.1 seconds for success in the under 16 boys 100m, and won the 300m in a new personal best of 39.4 seconds.

Arianwen secured a new personal best throw of 18.86m in the under 12 girls howler, while Violet powered her way to victory in the under 16 girls shot put with 9.53m, ahead of Amelia Owen who hit 9.16m for second place.

Ivy Bowden rounded the under 12 girls 1200m in a new personal best time of 4:44.8 for second spot.

Louis Grimes finished second in the under 16 boys 300m with 39.7 seconds.

Jessie Brindle and Georgina Bunnell clocked 11.6 and 11.7 seconds for third and fourth positions in the under 12 girls 75m.

Mia Rees posted a new under 12 girls 1200m personal best of 5:32.0, and Anna Dooley rounded the under 12 girls 600m in a new best of 2:07.3.

BRIAN WRIGHT clocked 1:42:36 in the Copenhagen Half Marathon on Sunday which incorporated the World Athletics Road Running Championships and finished ninth in his age category.

JOY HICKMAN posted 21:43 for seventh lady spot in the Llandudno RNLI 5k Race.

JEFF GIFFORD was first over 60 man with a time of 29:05 at the Wirral Multi Terrain Race held at Harrisons Drive, Wallasey.

He was joined at the fixture by club mates Andrew Clague (third over 55 man in 30:09), Ian Pritchard (sixth over 55 man in 31:34), Sallyann Harper (fourth over 50 lady in 33:16), Andy Carter (ninth over 55 man in 34:01), Phil Gent (14th over 50 man in 38:19), Andy Manson (20th over 50 man in 38:19), and Tony Kennedy (13th over 65 man in 40:04).

FIXTURES this weekend include the North Staffs Cross Country League Round One, Betley Court Farm, near Crewe, on Saturday; the Knutsford 10k on Sunday; the FRA Junior Uphill Championships, on Sunday; the Aintree 10k, on Sunday; and the Final Fling Open Throws Meeting at Wrexham, on Saturday and Sunday. Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and Under 18s on Saturday; and Under 20s, Seniors and Veterans on Sunday.

With only September to go, the league tables are certainly hotting up. There is a change at the top of the women’s league, as Joy edges ahead of Emma, with Anest clear in 3rd. Paul leads the men’s table by a single point from joint 2nd placers Andrew and Jeff.

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

ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

HANNAH HUGHES recorded a national title in her West Cheshire Athletic Club debut.

Hannah, who has joined the purple-vested club from Liverpool Harriers, won the over-35 women’s 1500m in a time of 4:59.29 at the British Masters Track and Field Championships at Derby’s Moorways Stadium.

Hannah was joined at the fixture by Alan Littler and Christian Holcombe who also pocketed medals.

Alan secured a silver medal in the over-35 men’s 800m in a time of 2:22.14 after a sprint finish following a very slow and tactical race, as well as clinching equal bronze in the high jump with 1.65m, and clocking a new 400m personal best of 54.57 seconds for sixth place to smash his previous best registered nine years ago.

Christian claimed a bronze medal in the over-45 men’s triple jump with 12.22m and fourth place in the long jump with 5.49m.

ARIANWEN SETTERS, Chloe Golightly and Ivy Bowden combined to secure team bronze medals in the Cheshire Road Relay Championships incorporated into the North West Championships at Heaton Park, Manchester.

Nia Manson, Amelia Snowden and Rose Sheppard teamed up for fourth spot in the Cheshire under 16 girls event, while Daniel Kuzia, Hamish Robinson and Finley Edwards combined for fifth place in the Cheshire under 14 boys event.

Lewis Morris, Matthew Douglass, Scott Wells and Paul Morrison teamed up for fifth spot in the Cheshire senior men’s event, while Graham Wells, Brian Cremin, Joseph Morrison and Noah Woolgar were ninth, and the trio of Emma Nutt, Ellie Robinson and Sallyann Harper teamed up for seventh spot in the Cheshire senior women’s team event.

WEST CHESHIRE members capitalised on home advantage at the final round of the Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix, held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Arwen Thorne prepared for this weekend’s appearance at the English Schools Combined Events Championships at Bedford with a 39.39m throw in the under 18 girls javelin, while her sisters Violet and Merryn were also in action, with Violet producing success in the under 16 girls 80m hurdles (13.83), and javelin (20.68m), and Merryn appearing in hurdles, long jump, and javelin.

Sharon Stoll won the over-55 women’s javelin and hammer, while Satine Wearden hit a winning mark of 42.97m in the hammer, and Dylan Gledhill won the under 16 boys javelin with 40.73m.

Savannah Baynes (12.14) and Lyra Allison (12.15) scored a 1-2 in the under 10 girls 75m, while Polly Morait (21.51), Heidi Anstey (21.66) and Louisa Cogan (22.17) secured a 1-2-3 in the under 12 girls 150m.

Jayden Walls won the under 16 boys 200m in 24.43, ahead of his clubmates who occupied second to eighth places: Louis Grimes (24.58), Dan Crosby (24.74), Kade Harris (24.82), Dylan Gledhill (25.10), Sid March (25.45), Harry Deal (26.01), and John Velasquez (26.15).

Alba March (25.48), Immy Fives (26.37), Erin Barnard (27.71), and Beth Duke (30.03) were the top four finishers in the under 18 women’s 200m, while Joy Hickman claimed over 60 women 200m (35.97) and 800m (3:04.29) personal bests.

Charles Uchenna won the under 12 boys 150m in 20.75m while Harvey Elliott clocked a winning under 14 boys 200m time of 26.62, and Abigail Morait (27.60) won the under 16 girls 200m ahead of Amelia Owen (28.77) and Phoebe Hessey (28.99) who both clocked new personal bests.

Jacob Gardner (23.48), Jacob Reese (27.34) and Oliver James (28.03) won their age group 200m races, while Sid March won the under 16 boys long jump with 5.44m and Lyra Allison won the under 10 girls 600m in a new pb of 2:05.10 ahead of Savannah Baynes (2:14.43) and Mina Saville (2:17.91) who also posted new pb’s.

Other West Cheshire members in action included Freya Whittaker, Arianwen Setters, Edwyn Young, Saskia Keresturova, Amber Cogan, Finley Edwards, Alfie Elliott, Murray Robinson, Jessie Brindle, Anna Dooley, Hamish Robinson, Charlotte Thomas, Luke Gardner, Ivy Bowden, Sam Arnold, Jamie Thomas, Rosie and George Grimsditch, Jack Arnold, Joseph Whitehart, Hermione Allison, and Megan Kettle.

DUNCAN HARRIS was first home for West Cheshire and first over-55 man to finish the Wirral Multii Terrain Race at Royden Park with a time of 33:13, ahead of his son, Adam who posted 33:31 for 13th place in the senior men’s age category.

Andrew Clague (fourth over 55 man in 34:40), Jeff Gifford (first over-60 man in 34:49), Andy Manson (seventh over-50 man in 35:59), Ian Pritchard (10th over-55 man in 40:33), Sallyann Harper (fourth over-50 lady in 41:04) and Tony Kennedy (13th over-65 man in 49:22) completed West Cheshire’s contingent at the fixture.

FIXTURES this weekend include the English Schools Combined Events Championships, at Bedford, on Saturday and Sunday; and the Northern Road Relay Championships, at Silksworth, Sunderland, on Sunday.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Final Fling Open Throws Meeting taking place at Wrexham on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27. Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and Under 18s on Saturday; and Under 20s, Seniors and Veterans on Sunday.

Online entries by email to: [email protected]

THE date and venue for the final race in this year’s Wirral Multi Terrain Race Series is: September 22, Arrowe Park, Birkenhead. The online entry page is: https://wirralmultiterrain.niftyentries.com/Wirral-Multi-Terrain-Series-2026

by Dennis Wall

ATHLETICS

WEST CHESHIRE ATHLETIC CLUB has retained its place in the Northern Track and Field League Premier West Division for next year.

The purple and gold-vested outfit finished fourth in the final round held at Longford Park Stadium, Trafford, to secure third spot in the overall final standings.

Team manager, Alan Littler, led by example for the Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based club in preparation for this weekend’s appearance at the British Masters Track and Field Championships.

Alan posted a new season’s best in the 200m of 25.50 seconds, scored vital points in the shot put and hammer, produced a clearance of 1-70m in his first high jump competition of the year to equal his best over-35 men’s height, and broke his nine year old 400m personal best by 0.12 seconds.

Arwen Thorne, Favour Akpan, Satine Wearden, and Danielle Erskine all delivered important victories to build on the impressive team spirit throughout the squad.

Arwen won the high jump (1-53m),while Favour triumphed in the triple jump (11.48m), Satine added 16cms to her 4kg hammer best for a winning mark of 35.59m, and Danielle claimed maximum points from the B long jump (4.16m) and B triple jump (9.15m).

Other important point scoring members of the team included Joy Hickman improved her 2,000m steeplechase best by 1.7 seconds, as well as Lewis Parsons, Paul Morrison, Lewis Morris, Henry Robinson, Andy Gore, Andy Parker, Dave McKay, Erin Barnard, Beth Manson, Bethan Duke, Anita Boreham, Emma Nutt, and Megan Kettle. 

Final Round Result: 1 Trafford AC 436 points; 2 Blackburn Harriers & AC 336; 3 Bury AC 335; 4 West Cheshire AC 329; 5 Sale Harriers Manchester 301; 6 Wirral AC 206.

The final overall standings are: 1 Trafford AC 23 league points (1645.5 match points); 2 Blackburn Harriers & AC 21 (1493.5); 3 West Cheshire AC 12 (1291.5); 4 Sale Harriers Manchester 11 (1335); 5 Bury AC 11 (1243); 6 Wirral AC 5 (1054.5). 

Bury and Wirral are relegated and will be replaced next year by Team Isle of Man and Blackpool.

DAVE SHEARER, Jodi Bemand, and Jeff Gifford celebrated success on Sunday, at the Sandstone Trail Half Marathon.

Dave won the over 40 men’s age group with a time of 1:33:38, while Jodi was first senior lady with 1:48:35, and Jeff claimed top spot in his over 60 age category with 1:53:06.

Sam Oliver finished third overall in a time of 1:31:13, while Graham Wells clocked 1:44:10 for second spot in his over 50 age group, and Andrew Clague was fourth in his over 50 age group with 1:51:03.

Steve Fernyhough posted 1:52:25 for seventh place in his over 40 age group, while Kevin Eaton clocked 1:55:04, Julie Douzant posted 2:02:47 for fourth over 35 lady, and Emma Nutt was second senior lady in 2:03:35.

JEFF GIFFORD and Andrew Clague won overall victories after the final round of the Deestriders Off Road Grand Prix Series, at Shotton, on Friday night.

Jeff clocked 28:55 at the final race to win his over 60 age group award, and Andrew won the over-55 men’s prize after clocking 29:36 at the final round.

Steve Fernyhough finished seventh on Friday with a time of 26:33, ahead of Mark Davies (28th in 31:25), Sallyann Harper (sixth lady in 34:05), and Tony Kennedy (58th in 39:07).

LEWIS MORRIS clocked 4:34.97 for the one mile on Saturday, at the British Milers Club Meeting, held at Bury.

MATTHEW DOUGLASS was first home for West Cheshire at the opening round of the Wirral Multi Terrain League Series, held at Thurstaston Wirral County Park.

Matthew secured sixth spot in 27:11, backed up by Paul Morrison (48th in 31:40), Duncan Harris (second over-55 man and 52nd overall in 32:22), Adam Harris (67th in 33:35), Andy Manson (fourth over 50 man and 79th overall in 34:26), Fraser Campbell (90th in 35:25), Phil Gent (156th in 40:18), Andy Carter (169th in 41:10), and Tony Kennedy (238th in 46:49).

FIXTURES this weekend include the British Masters Track and Field Championships, at Derby, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday; the North West and Cheshire Road Relay Championships on Saturday at Heaton Park, Manchester; and the final round of the Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Sunday.

WIRRAL AC are organising an Open Track and Field Meeting for Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s, and Under 18s on Wednesday, September 16 (6-9pm), at Bebington Oval. Further details: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=29479

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Final Fling Open Throws Meeting taking place at Wrexham on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27. Under 10s, Under 12s, Under 14s, Under 16s and Under 18s on Saturday; and Under 20s, Seniors and Veterans on Sunday.

Online entries by email to: [email protected]

THE dates and venues for this year’s Wirral Multi Terrain Race Series are: September 15, Harrison Drive, Wallasey; September 22, Arrowe Park, Birkenhead. The online entry page is: https://wirralmultiterrain.niftyentries.com/Wirral-Multi-Terrain-Series-2026

FIXTURES for the 2026-27 Borders Road Running League are: Race 1 – 04/10/2026 – Wrecsam Tri at Llandegla; Race 2 – 01/11/2026 – Birkenhead; Race 3 – 06/12/2025 – Eryri at Trac Mon; Race 4 – 31/01/2027 – West Cheshire (or UTS); Race 5 – 28/02/2027 – UTS (or West Cheshire); Race 6 – 21/03/2027 – Deeside AC or Wrexham AC; Relay & Presentation night – Wednesday 5th May or 12th – Deeside AC or Wrexham AC.