THE highlight of the county track and field season has been postponed.

Hopes of West Cheshire Athletic Club hosting the Cheshire County Track and Field Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on the weekend of May 30 and 31 have been postponed due to the current Covid-19 crisis.

Cheshire Athletics Association made a decision to postpone the annual fixture during their recent online committee meeting.

A statement on the Cheshire AA Facebook page reads: “The Cheshire County Track & Field Championships, scheduled to be held on 30th & 31st May, has been postponed.

“A decision on a rearranged date will be taken by the County Committee after it becomes clear when athletics competition can resume.”

Other postponed fixtures which were scheduled to be held at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track this summer include the English Schools Track and Field Cup County Round, and the English Schools Track and Field Cup Regional B Final.

Cheshire Schools AA and English Schools AA have announced the cancellation of all schools athletics competitions this summer, apart from the Combined Events Championships scheduled for September.

This includes both the Cheshire County Schools Championships which were scheduled to be held on June 13 at Warrington’s Victoria Park, and the English Schools Track and Field Championships which were planned to be held at Manchester on July 10 and 11.

Meanwhile, the English Cross-country Association has produced dates for the next cross country season, which understandably could change if the Covid-19 crisis isn’t over by the autumn.

Cross-country league designated dates are: October 10, November 7, December 5, January 16, and February 13, with a sixth date of March 13 if required.

The English National Cross-country Relays are to be held in Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, on October 31.

The National and Inter Counties are swapping dates in 2021 due to the World Cross-country Championships being in Australia on March 20. So the Inter Counties will be at Loughborough on February 20, and the English National Championships will be at Parliament Hill, London, on March 6.
Other major cross country dates are:

Trials for European Championships on November 28, with the European Championships in Dublin on December 13.

County Cross-country Championships – January 9; Area Cross-country Championships – January 30; British Universities and Colleges Cross -country Championships – February 6; English Schools Cross-country Championships – March 20; and  Schools International – March 27.

ADAPTING TO BIG CHANGES

Our whole way of life has had to adapt and change because of restrictions and guidance earlier this week from the Government.

I’ve noticed from social media platforms that many Club members are trying to address the frustrating situation with a whole host of initiatives in a bid to stay fit, healthy, and active.

England Athletics have now told Clubs to suspend all face to face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face to face meetings, athlete camps, running groups, and social events until the end of May.

So In a bid to keep everyone at West Cheshire Athletic Club upbeat, I would like to ask for your contributions for future editions of the Club Newsletter. I’m looking for you all to pass on your ideas and initiatives to help everyone stay fit and healthy in these unprecedented times.

Please forward your contributions to me by email: dennis.wall1@ntlworld.com

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this issue of the Club Newsletter and hope you can all play your part in communicating and sharing your thoughts and ideas during this lull in Club training and competition.

And here are a couple of links from England Athletics, Sport England and Youth Sport Trust for you to look at which will hopefully motivate in your aim of staying fit and active:

Athletics at home

How to stay active while you’re home

Free home-learning resources

Also, don’t forget to look at the free of charge Joe Wicks Fitness Sessions. The link is here. 

CONGRATULATIONS ANDY!

Many congratulations to Andy Leishman who has recently got married.

UPDATED MESSAGE FROM ENGLAND ATHLETICS…

England Athletics CEO Chris Jones has published an updated message on the England Athletics website stating that the suspension for athletics activity has been extended to May 31.

The link to his message is here.

UPDATE FROM THE EPSV ATHLETICS TRACK

White Line have been continuing to make good progress with delamination work on the EPSV Track, but the whole site remains out of bounds due to Brio closing the Ellesmere Port Sports Village until the end of May.

Please look at the club website for all the latest updates.

GOOD MENTAL HEALTH IN YOUNG PEOPLE WEBINAR

England Athletics is hosting a free webinar delivered by Mind, the mental health charity on Tuesday, March 31, from 6pm. The webinar will look at the pressures young people face and the impact this has on their mental health, how you can support a young person who may be experiencing mental health problems, where to signpost them to, and how to promote good mental health in young people. Register here: http://bit.ly/RegisterRunAndReviseWebinar

CLUB TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS

Unfortunately, the annual Club Track and Field Trials scheduled to be held at the EPSV Track on Saturday March 28, and Thursday, April 2, have been cancelled.

CHESHIRE CHAMPIONSHIPS ARE POSTPONED

The Cheshire County Track & Field Championships, scheduled to be held on 30th & 31st May at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, have been postponed. A decision on a rearranged date will be taken by the Cheshire County Committee after it becomes clear when athletics competition can resume.

CHESTER SPRING FIVE MILES ROAD RACE

Unfortunately, the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race scheduled to be held at Cheshire Sports Club, Upton, Chester, on Wednesday, 15th April, has been cancelled.

GUILDEN SUTTON 10k ROAD RACE

The Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race scheduled to be held on Sunday, 20th September, has been cancelled because the Chester Half Marathon has been switched to this date and the Club will be aiming to help out at that fixture.

SCHOOLS FIXTURES CANCELLED

The Year 7 Cheshire v Merseyside Schools Cross Country fixture scheduled to be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday 1st April has been cancelled.

And the English Schools Track and Field Cup first round match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village scheduled for Wednesday, 6th May has also been cancelled.

VIRTUAL LONDON MARATHON FOR CHARITY

If you are still disappointed about the cancellation of this year’s London Marathon, the RFTW (Run For The World) Virtual Major Marathon series allows you to complete the London marathon without even being there!

Choose your distance to run in a single run/walk from the date of the London Marathon (April 26) until the end of 2020. As soon as you submit an activity of your chosen distance, you will receive the third medal of the Virtual Major Marathons series.

Only one of the Virtual Marathon Series events can be completed at one time so you cannot run only once after signing up to all events to receive all medals. You must run six separate times to collect all six events. Further details can be found here.

OPTIMISTICALLY LOOKING AHEAD…

The English Cross Country Association have produced some dates for your diaries for the next cross country season, which understandably could of course change if we are not on top of Covid-19 by the autumn.

Major cross-country league designated dates are: October 10, November 7, December 5, January 16, and February 13, with a sixth date of March 13 if required.

The English National XC Relays are to be held in Berry Hill Park, Mansfield, on October 31, 2020.

The National and Inter Counties are swapping dates in 2021 due to the World XC Championships being in Australia on March 20. So the Inter Counties will be at Loughborough on February 20, 2021, and the National will be at Parliament Hill on March 6, 2021.

Other major XC dates are:

Trials for European Championships on November 28, with the European XC Championships in Dublin on December 13.

County XC Championships – January 9, 2021; Area XC Championships – January 30, 2021; BUCS XC Championships – February 6, 2021; English Schools XC Championships – March 20, 2021; SIAB – Schools International – March 27, 2021.

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

Members and parents are reminded to look at the following links for updates about any Club training sessions being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions:

FACEBOOK: West Cheshire AC, West Cheshire AC Road Running, West Cheshire AC jnr to u20 middle distance group

WEBSITE: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/westcheshireac

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club will compete in Division One of next season’s Borders Road Running League men’s and women’s competitions.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit and the other participating clubs have been informed that the two remaining fixtures scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 5, at Ellesmere Port, and on Wednesday, April 22, at Helsby, have been cancelled.

“Following extensive discussion and considering a number of possible alternatives, none of which would appear to be satisfactory, we have decided that the 2019-20 Borders League season is over and that the final results will be the standings after Race 5,” league official, Robert Mackey, posted on Facebook.

“There will be a presentation of awards. When, where and the format of it is yet to be decided. The AGM is scheduled for early July. We have no plans for it at present, that will depend entirely on the situation nearer the time.”

Wrexham AAC had gone to considerable effort and expense to stage the fifth round race on Sunday, March 15, which sadly, was affected by the shadow of the looming Covid-19 crisis. A noticeably reduced field assembled by Redwither Business Centre on the start line, with 267 making it to the finish on the 2-lap, 9.4km course.

In the Mens’ race, Joseph Morrison’s four-second margin of victory over second placed Ryan Davis of Wrexham AAC gave him his first Borders League victory and West Cheshire AC’s first-ever male winner in a league race – in 22 seasons of racing in the Borders League.

Hannah Cowley‘s return for Helsby after missing two races saw her take victory by over a minute from Emma Crowe of Deeside – the latter making a late switch of races following the overnight cancellation of the Wilmslow 10km.

The team competitions saw Buckley RC take another big bite out of Wallasey AC‘s lead in Mens’ Division One – the Wirral club fielding a significantly weakened turnout – while Wrexham AAC’s five counters home in the first 12 helped them take second place on the day.

In Womens’ Division One a weakened Wirral AC finished fifth on the day but hung on to their lead in the team standings, while Buckley Runners and Chester Tri  took first and second places on the day.

Mens’ Division Two saw a comfortable win for Wirral AC, with Chester Tri second again, but still a very long way adrift of Eryri Harriers in the League standings.

West Cheshire AC were winners on the day from Eryri Harriers in Womens’ Division Two, but Ellesmere Port in third place did enough to retain their league lead from West Cheshire.

Buckley Runners maintained their lead in the Veteran Men category with another victory, while Wallasey AC‘s Veteran Women did enough to retain their lead in their respective category.

TWO popular road running fixtures have had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis.

The Chester Spring Five Miles Race hosted by West Cheshire AC and scheduled to be held on Wednesday, April 8, and the Christleton 5k Race hosted by Chester Tri Club and scheduled to be held on Friday, May 15, have both been cancelled following announcements from England Athletics and Cheshire West and Chester Council advising that all competitions should be suspended until at least the end of April.

WEST CHESHIRE AC has been informed that the County Round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup Competition scheduled to be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, May 6, and the Regional B Final scheduled to be held at the same venue on Wednesday, June 3, have been cancelled.

TRYING TO STAY FOCUSED

Life has changed so much for us all because of Coronavirus, but the most important thing is to stay safe, stay healthy, stay upbeat, and to help one another.

England Athletics have told all Clubs to suspend all face to face activity such as club training sessions, events, competitions, club committee and face to face meetings, athlete camps, running groups, and social events until at least the end of April.

In a bid to keep everyone at West Cheshire Athletic Club upbeat, I would like to ask for your contributions for future editions of the Club Newsletter.

I’m looking for you all to pass on your ideas and initiatives to help everyone stay fit and healthy in these unprecedented times.

Please forward your contributions to me by email: dennis.wall1@ntlworld.com

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this issue of the Club Newsletter and hope you can all play your part in communicating and sharing your thoughts and ideas during this lull in Club training and competition.

And, our Club Chairman, Jon Clarke, is keen for the Club to help promote the free of charge Joe Wix Fitness Sessions for Primary and Secondary School pupils which start at 9am on Monday for a week. The link is here.

CONGRATULATIONS ALICE AND LIAM!

Everyone at West Cheshire AC passes on their congratulations to Alice and Liam Davoren who have announced that they are expecting their first child.

WELCOME ABOARD

Adrian Gledhill and Liam Davoren both attended a Coaching Assistant Course at Deeside Stadium, Connah’s Quay, last weekend to help strengthen our coaching squad.

MESSAGE FROM ENGLAND ATHLETICS…

England Athletics CEO Chris Jones has published a message on the England Athletics website and has requested everyone to provide feedback via a form at the foot of his page.

The link to his message is here.

UPDATE FROM THE EPSV ATHLETICS TRACK

White Line started delamination work on the EPSV Track on Monday and will be on site until they complete the work while the Ellesmere Port Sports Village is closed to the public from 5pm on Friday 20th March until the end of May.

Please look at the Club Website for all the latest updates at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

CLUB TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS

Unfortunately, the annual Club Track and Field Trials scheduled to be held at the EPSV Track on Saturday March 28, and Thursday, April 2, have been cancelled.

CHESTER SPRING FIVE MILES ROAD RACE

Unfortunately, the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race scheduled to be held at Cheshire Sports Club, Upton, Chester, on Wednesday, 15th April, has been cancelled.

GUILDEN SUTTON 10k ROAD RACE

The Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race scheduled to be held on Sunday, 20th September, has been cancelled because the Chester Half Marathon has been switched to this date and the Club will be aiming to help out at that fixture.

TRACK AND FIELD UPDATE

West Cheshire AC’s scheduled first round fixtures in the Cheshire League at Wrexham on Sunday, 19th April, and in the Youth Development U17/U20 League at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday, 26th April, have both been cancelled.

SCHOOLS FIXTURES CANCELLED

The Year 7 Cheshire v Merseyside Schools Cross Country fixture scheduled to be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday 1st April has been cancelled.

And the English Schools Track and Field Cup first round match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village scheduled for Wednesday, 6th May has also been cancelled.

CONGRATULATIONS JOSEPH!

Joseph Morrison won the Borders Road Running League race at Wrexham on Sunday and became the first-ever Club member to win a Borders League fixture.

He grabbed glory at the 5.8 miles event held on the Wrexham Industrial Estate and was backed up by club mates Michael Young (17th), Graham Wells (39th), Robert Little (50th), Steve Fernyhough (51st), Freddy Newberry (59th), Steve King (74th), Andrew Clague (77th), Andy Carter (78th), and final scoring counter Danny Paddock (79th).

Keely Smith headed West Cheshire AC’s ladies team to the finishing line in 129th spot, supported by club mates Debra Bemand (154th), and third scoring counter Rachael Patterson (184th).

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Richard Hayes (82nd), Fraser Campbell (87th), Paul Morrison (93rd), John Parlevliet (94th), Dave Tiernan (162nd), Julian Tegg (172nd), Claire Harris (188th), Clare Mallon (195th), Amy Mills (222nd), Chloe Fitzpatrick (232nd), and Alex Duffey (244th).

Sadly, it was the last round of the season and the overall results can be found here.

CARYS HEADS HER COUNTY HOME

Carys Roberts headed Cheshire Junior Girls’ charge at the English Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Carys was first home for Cheshire and ninth overall in 11 minutes 22 seconds after negotiating the 3km course, while club mate Lucia Pyne was sixth team counter for Merseyside after posting 188th spot in 14:37 for the 3.8km Intermediate Girls race.

Other West Cheshire AC members representing Cheshire included Jamie Richardson (third team counter and 40th overall in 19:21 for the 5.5km Intermediate Boys race), supported by Isaac Tait (fourth team counter and 185th overall in 20:40), and Sammy Hollins (sixth team counter and 296th overall in 21:55).

Luke Parker (fourth team counter and 135th overall in 16:15 for the 4.4km Junior Boys event), and Lily Moorhouse (fourth counter and 275th in 21:15) completed the 4.4km Senior Girls race.

TRIO SECURE PODIUM PLACE

Dave Alexander, Andrew Clague and Neil Hershaw secured second team position at the British Masters Cross Country Championships.

Alexander was fourth in his over-50 age group in 32:24, while Clague was 11th in his over-55 age group in 35:20, and Hershaw was 10th in his age category with 35:25 to combine for a podium place in the 8km Men’s 45-54 age group event held at the Rhug Estate, Corwen, ahead of Andy Carter (12th over-50 in 36:02).

Anest Muller (seventh over-35 lady in 28:32) and Ellie Robinson (seventh over-45 lady in 28:41) completed the 6km Women’s race, won by Liz Renondeau of Vale Royal in 22:52, with Joanna Marsden of Ellesmere Port in second spot with 22:53.

PAIR PRODUCE MEDAL PERFORMANCES

Florence Harte and Daniel Walker represented the Club in the Sale Harriers Over The Bales Races. Harte won the under 9 girls race, while Walker achieved third spot in the under 11 boys event.

JOSH IS JUBILANT WITH TWO NEW BESTS

Josh Ford clocked new under 20 men’s 60m (7.27 seconds) and 300m (36.55) personal bests at the Sale Harriers Indoor Open Meeting in Manchester.

Imogen Pughe posted a new under 17 ladies 60m personal best time of 8.13 seconds, and added a 300m time of 42.04, while Fergus Garland posted a new under 15 boys 300m pb of 39.73.

Sara Pearson clocked a new under 15 girls 60m pb of 8.42 seconds, long jumped 4.37m, and hit 9.57m in the shot put.

Martha Willetts rounded the under 15 girls 600m in a new pb of 1:44.80 and added a 300m season’s best of 45.27 alongside Megan White who clocked a new 600m pb of 1:50:72 and a 300m season’s best of 50.76.

AGE GROUP BEST FOR ISABEL

Isabel Robertson represented the Club at the Liverpool Half Marathon where she posted a new over-55 age group club best time of two hours and 47 seconds for 12th spot in her age category, alongside Mark Povey.

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

Members and parents are reminded to look at the following links for updates about any Club training sessions being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions:

FACEBOOK: West Cheshire AC, West Cheshire AC Road Running, West Cheshire AC Jnr to U20 middle distance group

WEBSITE: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/westcheshireac

Following the latest advice from England Athletics, all club training is postponed until the end of April 2020 at the earliest. Please look out for regular updates via emails from West Cheshire AC, as well as on the club website, Facebook and Twitter, as to training session locations from May onwards. In the meantime, individual coaches may also be in touch via Facebook. Please take care and continue adhering to Government health advice.

JOSEPH MORRISON is celebrating his first Borders Road Running League victory.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club race ace grabbed glory on Sunday morning at the 5.8 miles event held on the Wrexham Industrial Estate.

Morrison, who pocketed a bronze medal last month while representing Chester University in the 800m at the British Universities and Colleges Indoor Championships in Sheffield, continued his impressive form.

He was backed up by club mates Michael Young (17th), Graham Wells (39th), Robert Little (50th), Steve Fernyhough (51st), Freddy Newberry (59th), Steve King (74th), Andrew Clague (77th), Andy Carter (78th), and final scoring counter Danny Paddock (79th).

Keely Smith headed West Cheshire AC’s ladies team to the finishing line in 129th spot, supported by club mates Debra Bemand (154th), and third scoring counter Rachael Patterson (184th).

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Richard Hayes (82nd), Fraser Campbell (87th), Paul Morrison (93rd), John Parlevliet (94th), Dave Tiernan (162nd), Julian Tegg (172nd), Claire Harris (188th), Clare Mallon (195th), Amy Mills (222nd), Chloe Fitzpatrick (232nd), and Alex Duffey (244th).

CARYS ROBERTS of West Cheshire AC headed Cheshire Junior Girls’ charge at the English Schools Cross Country Championships.

Roberts was first home for Cheshire and ninth overall in 11 minutes 22 seconds after negotiating the 3km course at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Club mate Lucia Pyne was sixth team counter for Merseyside after posting 188th spot in 14:37 for the 3.8km Intermediate Girls race.

Other West Cheshire AC members representing Cheshire included Jamie Richardson (third team counter and 40th overall in 19:21 for the 5.5km Intermediate Boys race), supported by Isaac Tait (fourth team counter and 185th overall in 20:40), and Sammy Hollins (sixth team counter and 296th overall in 21:55).

Luke Parker (fourth team counter and 135th overall in 16:15 for the 4.4km Junior Boys event), and Lily Moorhouse (fourth counter and 275th in 21:15) completed the 4.4km Senior Girls race.

DAVE ALEXANDER, Andrew Clague and Neil Hershaw secured second team position at the British Masters Cross Country Championships.

Alexander was fourth in his over-50 age group in 32:24, while Clague was 11th in his over-55 age group in 35:20, and Hershaw was 10th in his age category with 35:25 to combine for a podium place in the 8km Men’s 45-54 age group event held at the Rhug Estate, Corwen, ahead of Andy Carter (12th over-50 in 36:02).

Anest Muller (seventh over-35 lady in 28:32) and Ellie Robinson (seventh over-45 lady in 28:41) completed the 6km Women’s race, won by Liz Renondeau of Vale Royal in 22:52, with Joanna Marsden of Ellesmere Port in second spot with 22:53.

FLORENCE HARTE and Daniel Walker represented West Cheshire AC in the Sale Harriers Over The Bales Races. Harte won the under 9 girls race, while Walker achieved third spot in the under 11 boys event. 

JOSH FORD of West Cheshire AC clocked new under 20 men’s 60m (7.27 seconds) and 300m (36.55) personal bests at the Sale Harriers Indoor Open Meeting in Manchester.

Imogen Pughe posted a new under 17 ladies 60m personal best time of 8.13 seconds, and added a 300m time of 42.04, while Fergus Garland posted a new under 15 boys 300m pb of 39.73.

Sara Pearson clocked a new under 15 girls 60m pb of 8.42 seconds, long jumped 4.37m, and hit 9.57m in the shot put.

Martha Willetts rounded the under 15 girls 600m in a new pb of 1:44.80 and added a 300m season’s best of 45.27 alongside Megan White who clocked a new 600m pb of 1:50:72 and a 300m season’s best of 50.76.

ISABEL ROBERTSON represented West Cheshire AC at the Liverpool Half Marathon and posted two hours and 47 seconds for 12th spot in her over-55 age group, alongside Mark Povey.

Work on the EPSV track is currently scheduled to take place from Monday March 16th (weather permitting), before the new season gets under way. The track will be out of bounds during this work, which is scheduled to take 10 days to complete.

Given the current Coronavirus situation, WCAC coaches are of the opinion that it would be unwise to train in a confined space indoors. As a result of this, the club’s indoor training sessions, originally planned for the EPSV Sportshall on Tuesday March 17th and 24th, and Saturday March 21st and 28th, are also cancelled.

Some training groups will be meeting off-site while the track and sport hall are out of bounds:

Jon Moss and Alan Littler’s sprints groups will be training at Deeside Stadium, Connahs Quay.

Ian Ackroyd’s middle distance training group will be meeting for sessions at Lloyd Drive, near M&S, from Monday 16th March (6:30pm start).

Graham Patterson’s training group, the junior group supervised by Dennis Wall, Mark Duffey, Ben Sache, and Becky Miller, and the new middle distance training group supervised by Tim Durrant, will be meeting for sessions at the NEXT car park, on the Coliseum shopping park, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17th March (6:30pm start).

Dave McKay and Jenny Manning’s circuit training session on Wednesdays in the Old Stanney sports hall will continue as normal (7pm start).

For other groups, please speak to the relevant coach about any off-site training sessions over the next fortnight.

The health and safety of our athletes, their parents, coaches, officials and volunteers is of paramount importance. Therefore, we respectfully request that if any athlete begins to display any of the publicised symptoms – or comes into contact with someone who has these symptoms – they do not attend any club sessions for the recommended isolation period as per Government guidelines.

As the Coronavirus situation appears to be constantly changing, and as the work on the track is weather dependent, please look out for regular updates, via emails from West Cheshire AC, as well as on this website, Facebook and Twitter, as to training session locations from Monday 30/03/20 onwards. In the meantime, please take care and continue adhering to Government health guidelines.

EPSV TRACK CLOSURE/ CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Work on the EPSV track is currently scheduled to take place from Monday March 16th* (weather permitting), before the new season gets under way. The track will be out of bounds during this work, which is scheduled to take 10 days to complete.

Work on the EPSV track is currently scheduled to take place from Monday March 16th (weather permitting), before the new season gets under way. The track will be out of bounds during this work, which is scheduled to take 10 days to complete.

Given the current Coronavirus situation, WCAC coaches are of the opinion that it would be unwise to train in a confined space indoors. As a result of this, the club’s indoor training sessions, originally planned for the EPSV Sportshall on Tuesday March 17th and 24th, and Saturday March 21st and 28th, are also cancelled.

Some training groups will be meeting off-site while the track and sport hall are out of bounds:

Jon Moss and Alan Littler’s sprints groups will be training at Deeside Stadium, Connahs Quay.

Ian Ackroyd’s middle distance training group will be meeting for sessions at Lloyd Drive, near M&S, from Monday 16th March (6:30pm start).

Graham Patterson’s training group, the junior group supervised by Dennis Wall, Mark Duffey, Ben Sache, and Becky Miller, and the new middle distance training group supervised by Tim Durrant, will be meeting for sessions at the NEXT car park, on the Coliseum shopping park, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17th March (6:30pm start).

Dave McKay and Jenny Manning’s circuit training session on Wednesdays in the Old Stanney sports hall will continue as normal (7pm start).

For other groups, please speak to the relevant coach about any off-site training sessions over the next fortnight.

As the Coronavirus situation appears to be constantly changing, and as the work on the track is weather dependent, please look out for regular updates, via emails from West Cheshire AC, as well as on this website, Facebook and Twitter, as to training session locations from Monday 30/03/20 onwards.

Work on the EPSV track is currently scheduled to take place from Monday March 16th* (weather permitting), before the new season gets under way. The track will be out of bounds during this work, which is scheduled to take 10 days to complete.

The club will still operate during the track closure, as West Cheshire AC book the EPSV sports hall on Tuesdays (meet at 6:45pm for a training session between 7 and 8pm), the old sports hall (annexe) on Wednesdays (7-8pm), and on Saturdays in the EPSV sports hall (10am-12 noon).

Please speak to your coach about any off-site training sessions during the track closure.

*And please look out for regular updates, via emails from West Cheshire AC, as well as on this website, Facebook and Twitter as to the actual start and end dates of this work.

THIS WEEKEND

This Sunday (11am start) sees the latest round of the Borders Road Running League taking place at Wrexham on an approximate 10km course.

If you are over 15 years old and can run 10km the Club would love for you to be there representing West Cheshire AC. If you haven’t run the Borders League before or haven’t notified John Parlevliet that you wish to run, he needs to register you, so send him a message ASAP to: jparlevl@gmail.com

You need to have valid EA membership as part of your club membership and if you need a lift then a CAR SHARE is taking place from Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, leaving at 9.30am.

All of the relevant details can be found here.

Other fixtures this weekend can be found at the end of this newsletter.

Good luck to all our athletes and officials!

CONGRATULATIONS CARYS!

Carys Roberts helped Cheshire earn Team Gold at Loughborough in the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships on Saturday.

Carys was a fourth counter for her county and posted 17 minutes 55 seconds for the 4km under 15 girls event. 

Carys’s clubmate Jamie Richardson was first home for Cheshire’s under 15 boys team after negotiating the 4km course in a time of 15:01 for ninth spot, ahead of Sammy Hollins (fourth Cheshire team counter in 17:31).

Jessica Lark was second home for Cheshire in the 3km under 13 girls race with a time of 16:05, ahead of Sophie Haslam who was eighth home for Merseyside in 17:13.

Sion Roberts was fourth home for Cheshire in the 8km under 20 men’s race in 37:48, while Lucia Pyne was fifth home for Cheshire in the under 17 women’s 5km race in 25:24.

Lily Moorhouse was fifth home for Cheshire after clocking 34:26 in the under 20 ladies 6km race, while Isaac Tait (sixth Cheshire counter in 25:07), and Matthew Douglass (eighth Cheshire counter in 28:50), completed the 6km under 17 men’s race.

Christine Symms was sixth home for Shropshire with a time of 60:24 in the senior women’s 10km race.

WELL DONE MICHAEL!

Michael Young achieved a top 10 finish at the Chester 10k Road Race on Sunday after clocking 33:58 for 10th spot at the fixture which attracted nearly 5,000 runners.

He was backed up by club mates Aiden Heap (13th in 34:27), Jean Claude Randon (first under 20 man and 15th overall in 34:47), Andrew Cooper (second over-35 man and 23rd overall in 35:58), and Steve Fernyhough (third over-35 man and 25th overall in 36:04).

Robert Little (seventh over-40 man in 37:25), Danny Paddock (44th in 37:26), Freddy Newberry (51st in 37:52), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (fourth over-45 man in 38:52), and Steve King (seventh over-45 man in 39:30) were other West Cheshire members to clock sub-40 minute performances.

Mother and daughter Debra Bemand (second over-45 lady in 44:19), and Jodi Bemand (second under 17 lady in 44:58) achieved podium places.

They were joined at the event by Richard Batterham and Brian Beattie who their over-70 and over-75 age groups respectively in times of 52:50 and 64:55.

Mary Radford broke her own over-70 ladies’ 10km club record with a time of 73:04, and other West Cheshire finishers included Colm McNabb (40:18), Liam Davoren (43:27), Ian Ackroyd (seventh over-60 man in 45:50), Brian Wright (third over-65 man in 46:22), Steve Hillier (46:52), Stephen Ball (46:54), Clare Mallon (eighth over-45 lady in 48:08), Dan Watling (48:22), Ellen McMahon (49:14), Jane Barker (50:54), Amy Mills (51:50), Cathryn Whalley (eighth over-50 lady in 52:46), Sarah Hibbert (54:11), Lorraine McFaul (55:16), Claire Bennette (55:42), Claire Gloyne-Phillips (55:42), Sarah Hughes (56:33), Sharon Dodd (sixth over-60 lady in 56:39), Katherine Harvey (62:19), Karen Waugh (72:24), and Mark Povey.

CLUB ONE-TWO AT LOGGERHEADS

Congratulations to Henrietta Duffey and Angela Tegg who finished first and second respectively at the Loggerheads 5k Race on Saturday.

NEW CLUB TRAINING GROUP

Tim Durrant and Georgina Moulton have started an Under 11s Middle Distance Training Group at the EPSV Athletics Track every Thursday between 6.30-8pm. If you are interested in attending please contact Tim at: timd284@yahoo.com

CLUB TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS

Club Members are being urged to sign up for the annual Club Track and Field Trials being held at the EPSV Track on Saturday March 28, and Thursday, April 2. Members need to sign the signing up sheets ASAP on the A-Board in the Trackside Community Room.

RACE DIRECTORS COURSE

Any West Cheshire AC members wanting to become a qualified Race Director can book on a course scheduled for Saturday 11^th July, at The Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester. This is a one-day course for which a certificate of attendance is given and lunch and teas/coffees are provided. The capacity for the course is 30; and bookings are taken on a first come first served basis. The Club will pay the course fee of any member wanting to attend as we need qualified Race Directors for our hosted fixtures.  

Booking details can be found here.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

If any helpers or parents of West Cheshire AC members want to become qualified coaches, they will be fully supported by the Club who will pay for their coaching courses. Please email Dennis if you are interested at dennis.wall1@ntlworld.com 

Further details about coaching can be found here.

HELP NEEDED FOR CHESTER SPRING FIVE MILES ROAD RACE

West Cheshire AC are organising the popular Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race at Cheshire Sports Club, Upton, Chester, on Wednesday April 8th (7pm start). If you can help out please email Dennis ASAP at: dennis.wall1@ntlworld.com

CLUB HOODIES ARE NOW AVAILABLE

Any Club member who has recently ordered a Club Hoodie can now pick it up from the EPSV Track Office after a track training session. Club Hoodies will also be sold from the EPSV trackside room during the Club Track and Field Trials.

PICK UP YOUR CLUB FIXTURES CARD…

West Cheshire AC members wanting a list of 2020 track and field and road race fixtures can now collect their fixtures card from the EPSV Track Office at track training sessions.

SPIKES FOR SALE

Any Club members wanting to buy discount priced 6mm spikes for track shoes (£1.60 for a set of 12 spikes), should see Tim Durrant at Club track training sessions.

WHY NOT BECOME AN ATHLETICS OFFICIAL?

Level 1 officials courses for field judges, track judges, and timekeepers are being held at Macclesfield on Saturday, March 28, If you would like to attend any course on this day which is ideally timed just before the outdoor track and field season, please contact Dennis with your receipt after booking your place at the following link.

HELPERS NEEDED FOR CHESTER JUNIOR PARKRUN

Club member Mark Gallagher is working on setting up a 2km Junior parkrun at the Countess of Chester Country Park every Sunday morning (9am start) from April for 4-14 year olds. Further details can be found here.

BE SEEN AND BE SAFE

All Club members training at night on routes that involve crossing roads and where there is traffic are reminded to wear bright and reflective clothing. Please be safe.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY

All parents of youngsters attending track training sessions are reminded to collect their sons and daughters 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.

All youngsters attending track training sessions should bring along warm clothing, preferably waterproofs, hats, gloves, as well as a bottle of water.

CLUB KIT

Anyone wanting to purchase club vests and/or hoodies is reminded that parents Vikki Brett and Joanne Lark will sell club kit at the EPSV Track Office AFTER Tuesday night training sessions.

Payment can be made by cash or by cheque (made payable to West Cheshire AC).

URGENT HELP NEEDED

The Club needs urgent help, support, and assistance from parents during Tuesday evening training sessions at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track (6.30pm-8pm).

The club currently has a waiting list for under 11s, and this situation can only be resolved by asking parents to volunteer on a rota basis at Tuesday night training sessions.

PARENTS who can help should contact Dennis Wall on 07968643038 or email: dennis.wall1@ntlworld.com

PHYSIO SUPPORT

Club member Heather McLintock is a qualified physiotherapist and offers substantial discounted prices for West Cheshire AC members on production of their membership card. Heather can be contacted on 01244 381350 or 07885 462487.

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

Members and parents are reminded to look at the following links for updates about any Club training sessions being cancelled due to adverse weather conditions:

FACEBOOK: West Cheshire AC, West Cheshire AC Road Running, West Cheshire AC Jnr to U20 middle distance group

WEBSITE: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/westcheshireac

WEEKLY PRESS REPORT This week’s Club press report can be found here.

2020 TRACK & FIELD FIXTURES UPDATE

Club Trials Part One – Saturday 28th March at Ellesmere Port (10am-12 noon)

Club Trials Part Two – Thursday 2nd April at Ellesmere Port (6-8pm)

Youth Development League U13s/U15s North Premier West Division:

Round One – Saturday 16th May at Preston

Round Two – Saturday 6th June at Ellesmere Port

Round Three – Saturday 18th July at Bebington Oval

Regional Match – Saturday 8th August at Middlesbrough or Trafford

Youth Development League U17s/U20s North Premier West Division:

Round One – Sunday 26th April at Ellesmere Port

Round Two – Sunday 24th May at Leigh Sports Village

Round Three – Sunday 21st June at Blackpool

Northern League Division One:

Round One – Saturday 2nd May at Blackburn

Round Two – Sunday 7th June at Trafford

Round Three – Sunday 12th July at Preston

Round Four – Saturday 1st August at Ellesmere Port

Cheshire League:

Round One – Sunday 19th April at Wrexham

Round Two – Sunday 5th July at Stockport

Round Three – Sunday 2nd August at East Cheshire

Round Four – 12th or 13th September at Ellesmere Port

Ellesmere Port Schools Year 5/6 Quad Kids Competition – Thursday 30th April at Ellesmere Port
English Schools Track and Field Cup County Round – Wednesday 6th May (12 noon start) at Ellesmere Port

Cheshire AA Track & Field Championships – Saturday and Sunday, 30th and 31st May at Ellesmere Port

English Schools Track and Field Cup Regional B Final South – Wednesday, 3rd June (11am start) at Ellesmere Port

West Cheshire AC Schools Track & Field Cup – Wednesday 10th June (4pm start) at Ellesmere Port

Year 7 Cheshire v Merseyside Schools Match – Monday, 6th July (5pm start) at Ellesmere Port

Chester Primary Schools Track & Field Championships – Monday, 13th July (Field AM, Track PM) at Ellesmere Port

West Cheshire AC Club Championships – Saturday 5th September at Ellesmere Port

FIXTURES

Saturday/Sunday, March 14/15 – England Athletics Indoor Under 15s and Under 17s Combined Events Championships, at Sheffield

Saturday, March 14: English Schools Cross Country Championships, at Sefton Park, Liverpool (12.30pm start)

Saturday, March 14 – British Masters Cross Country Championships, at Rhug Estate, Corwen (12 noon start)

Sunday, March 15 – Borders Road Running League Round Five, at Wrexham, (11am start)

Sunday, March 15 – Sale Harriers Indoor Open Meeting, Manchester

Sunday, March 15 – Sale Harriers Young Athletes Cross Country Over The Bales Races at Crossford Bridge Athletics Track, off Dane Road, Sale, (Under 9s, Under 11s, and Under 13s) 1.30pm

CARYS ROBERTS helped push Cheshire to Team Gold at Loughborough.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club member was a fourth counter for her county at the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Prestwold Hall, Loughborough.

Roberts posted 17 minutes 55 minutes for the 4km under 15 girls event and was backed up by Cheshire team mates Holly Weedall, Grace Roberts and Hope Smith. 

Carys’s West Cheshire clubmate Jamie Richardson was first home for Cheshire’s under 15 boys team after negotiating the 4km course in a time of 15:01 for ninth spot, ahead of West Cheshire’s Sammy Hollins (fourth Cheshire team counter in 17:31).

Jessica Lark of West Cheshire AC, was second home for Cheshire in the 3km under 13 girls race with a time of 16:05, ahead of West Cheshire’s Sophie Haslam who was eighth home for Merseyside in 17:13.

West Cheshire’s Sion Roberts was fourth home for Cheshire in the 8km under 20 men’s race after posting 37:48, while Lucia Pyne was fifth home for Cheshire in the under 17 women’s 5km race in 25:24.

Lily Moorhouse of West Cheshire was fifth home for Cheshire after clocking 34:26 in the under 20 ladies 6km race.

Isaac Tait (sixth Cheshire counter in 25:07), and Matthew Douglass (eighth Cheshire counter in 28:50), completed the 6km under 17 men’s race.

Christine Symms was sixth home for Shropshire with a time of 60:24 in the senior women’s 10km race.

MICHAEL YOUNG achieved a top 10 finish at the Chester 10k Road Race on Sunday.

The West Cheshire AC member clocked 33:58 for 10th spot at the fixture which attracted nearly 5,000 runners.

He was backed up by club mates Aiden Heap (13th in 34:27), Jean Claude Randon (first under 20 man and 15th overall in 34:47), Andrew Cooper (second over-35 man and 23rd overall in 35:58), and Steve Fernyhough (third over-35 man and 25th overall in 36:04).

Robert Little (seventh over-40 man in 37:25), Danny Paddock (44th in 37:26), Freddy Newberry (51st in 37:52), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (fourth over-45 man in 38:52), and Steve King (seventh over-45 man in 39:30) were other West Cheshire members to clock sub-40 minute performances.

Mother and daughter Debra Bemand (second over-45 lady in 44:19), and Jodi Bemand (second under 17 lady in 44:58) achieved podium places.

They were joined at the event by Richard Batterham and Brian Beattie who their over-70 and over-75 age groups respectively in times of 52:50 and 64:55.

Mary Radford broke her own over-70 ladies’ 10km club record with a time of 73:04, and other West Cheshire finishers included Colm McNabb (40:18), Liam Davoren (43:27), Ian Ackroyd (seventh over-60 man in 45:50), Brian Wright (third over-65 man in 46:22), Steve Hillier (46:52), Stephen Ball (46:54), Clare Mallon (eighth over-45 lady in 48:08), Dan Watling (48:22), Ellen McMahon (49:14), Jane Barker (50:54), Amy Mills (51:50), Cathryn Whalley (eighth over-50 lady in 52:46), Sarah Hibbert (54:11), Lorraine McFaul (55:16), Claire Bennette (55:42), Claire Gloyne-Phillips (55:42), Sarah Hughes (56:33), Sharon Dodd (sixth over-60 lady in 56:39), Katherine Harvey (62:19), Karen Waugh (72:24), and Mark Povey. 

FIXTURES this weekend include the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday, the British Masters Cross Country Championships at Rhug Estate, Corwen, on Saturday; the English Athletics Indoor Under 15s and Under 17s Combined Events Championships at Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday;  the Borders Road Running League at Wrexham on Sunday (11am start); and the Sale Harriers Indoor Open Meeting at Manchester on Sunday (10am start).

TWO popular West Cheshire Athletic Club road races are now open for entries.

The Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race is taking place on Wednesday, April 8, and the online entry link is here.

The Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race is being held on Sunday, September 20, and the online entry link is here.