Press Report: Cross-country Proves Popular
ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall
A TOTAL of 183 youngsters took part in Saturday’s opening round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.
Thea Sheppard (Woodlands) celebrated success in the year three girls race ahead of Lucy Howard (Willaston) and Madison Wright (Whitby Heath) who were second and third respectively.
Henry Cooper (Acresfield) won the year three boys race ahead of runner-up Albie Potter (Christleton), and third placed Louis Bettley (Sandiway).
Emily Cocking (Newton) delivered a victory in the year four girls race ahead of Martha Oats (Tushingham) and Sophia Webber (Meadow) who were second and third respectively.
Lucas Cairns (Woodfall) finished 16 seconds ahead of runner up Theo Huddart (St Martins Academy) and third placed Finley Lambourne (Woodfall) in the year four boys race.
Lyra Allison (Whitby Heath) won the year five girls race ahead of Tarporley’s Sofia Watson and Newton’s Anna Taylor who were second and third respectively.
Oliver Davis (Ysgol y Ffynnon) grabbed glory in the year five boys race ahead of Seb Close (Woodfall) and third placed Oliver Purdy (Chester Bluecoat).
Arianwen Setters (Hoole) won the year six girls race ahead of runner up Ivy Bowden (Tushingham) and third placed Chloe Golightly (Oldfield).
Toby Honeyborne-Kelly (Abbeygate) celebrated victory in the year six boys race ahead of King’s duo Arthur Jones and Maximillian Williams who were second and third respectively.
Anna Dooley (Wirral Grammar) won the year seven girls race ahead of Hermione Allison (West Kirby) and Rebecca Cain (Whitby High) who were second and third respectively.
Logan Blackburn (Upton High) won the year seven boys race ahead of Christleton pair Hamish Robinson and Stanley Whitehart who were second and third respectively.
Zara Evans (Bishop Heber) won the year eight girls race in front of Maisy Roberts-Page (Bishop’s Bluecoat) and Isla Lambert (Queens Park High) who were second and third respectively.
Morgan Edwards (Bishop’s Bluecoat) won the year eight boys race ahead of Christleton duo Joseph Whitehart and Blair Easton who were second and third respectively.
WEST CHESHIRE were represented for the first time at the Northern Athletics Cross Country Relay Championships held at Graves Park, Sheffield.
Joseph Morrison (10:18), Sam Oliver (10:54), Henry Robinson (11:54) and Paul Morrison (12:17) combined for the senior men who finished 15th out of 53 teams.
Nia Manson (8:36), Amelia Snowden (8:42), and Florence Hain (9:47) were 27th out of 37 teams in the under 16 girls race.
And Emma Nutt (13:50), Anest Muller (16:07) and Lis Oats (17:44) combined to achieve 35th spot out of 46 teams in the senior women’s race.
JACK ARNOLD finished third in the under 14 boys race at the second round of the North Staffs Cross Country League, held at Stafford Common, where Jeff Gifford finished 80th in the senior men’s race.
FIXTURES this weekend include the British Masters Open Cross Country Relay Championships, at Oxford, on Saturday; and a Run-Jump-Throw Open Indoor Athletics Competition on Saturday, at Deeside College, Connah’s Quay.
THIS seasonβs Cheshire Clubsβ Cross Country Championships will be held at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre, on Saturday, January 9.
ENTRIES are now open for the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meetings being held on Sundays, January 24, February 7, February 28, and March 28. Further details: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SaleHarriers-Indoors-Entry-Form-2026-27-3.pdf
THE Northern Cross Country Championships will be held at Witton Park, Blackburn, on Saturday, January 23, while the English Cross Country Association National Championships, will be held at Thoresby Park, Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, on Saturday, February 20, and the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships and Cross Challenge Final, will be held at Nottingham, on Saturday, March 13.
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk
