WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club won the men’s team prize at the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race.

Jamie Richardson (first under 20 man in 26 minutes eight seconds); Sammy Hollins (second under 20 man in 27:54); Jack Gannon (12th senior man in 28:51), and Henry Robinson (fourth under 20 man in 29:52) combined for success.

Neil Hershaw celebrated top spot in his over-55 men’s age group with 30:26, and Jodi Bemand claimed first place in her under 20 women’s age category with 32:11.

Other purple-vested club finishers at the event hosted by West Cheshire AC included Steve Fernyhough (eighth over-40 man in 29:52), Paul Morrison (25th senior man in 30:48), James Robinson (27th senior man in 30:55), Andrew Clague (eighth over-50 man in 31:48), Debra Bemand (sixth over-50 lady in 38:54), Phil Gent (28th over-50 man in 40:54), and Agnieszka Shaw (10th over-40 lady in 43:05).

The race, which attracted 374 finishers, was won by Ed Shepherd (Woodford Green and Essex Ladies) who clocked 25:08, and Tracy Rogers (Buckley Runners) was the first lady finisher in 30:02.

HARRIET WHEELER powered her way to a gold medal performance at the Liverpool Jumps and Throws Meeting.

The West Cheshire AC teenager won the under 17 women’s javelin competition at Wavertree with a throw of 43.60m.

THE McKENNA family had a day to remember at the Warrington AC Open Track and Field Meeting on Sunday.

Poppy, Harry and Leo, who are all West Cheshire AC members, registered personal bests at the event held at Victoria Park.

Poppy rounded the under 11 girls 600m in 2:04, clocked 12.15 in her 75m, and long jumped 3.37m, while Harry equalled his high jump pb of 1-20m, and posted 16.32 seconds in the under 13 boys 75m hurdles, and Leo clocked a new under 11 boys 75m personal best of 13.82 seconds, and posted 2:36.12 in his 600m.

Other West Cheshire AC members in action included Macy Brett (12.81) and Carys Manson (13.64) in the under 17 women’s 80m hurdles and Carys in the 200m (28.32); Isla Lambert in the under 11 girls 75m (14.60) and 600m (2:39.28); Jack McWilliams in the under 11 boys 75m (12.62) and 600m (2:29:34), Jack Arnold in the under 11 boys 75m (13.17) and 600m (2:08:08), Rose Sheppard in the under 13 girls 100m (16.97) and 800m (3:07.31), Erin Barnard in the under 15 girls 100m (14.25) and 200m (29.63), Satine Wearden in the under 15 girls 100m (15.18) and 200m (32.76), Jacob Gardner in the under 15 boys 100m (12.91) and 300m (40.68), Dylan Gledhill in the under 13 boys 200m (33.86), 800m (2:50.74) and javelin (21.16m), Bethany Sheppard in the under 15 girls 200m (32.47) and 300m (50.74), Eve Sheppard in the under 9s 600m (2:40.07), Ellis Hancock in the under 17 men’s 800m (2:27.76) and 3,000m (10:32.32), Nia Manson in the under 13 girls 1500m (5:34.25) and javelin (7.86m), Dan Hooker in the under 15 boys 1500m (5:44.65), Nancy Farmer in the under 17 women’s 1500m (5:19.35), Jodi Bemand in the under 17 women’s steeplechase (5:37.81), Emilia Pyper in the under 15 girls 3,000m (11:51.44), and Cosette Wearden in the under 17 women’s 3,000m (11:38.10).

GRAHAM WELLS ran a male vet45 club record of 2:48:34 at Sunday’s Manchester Marathon.

JON PARK represented West Cheshire AC in Monday’s Boston Marathon in America and clocked 2:57:15.

FIXTURES this weekend include the first round of the Cheshire Track and Field League being hosted by West Cheshire AC at Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track on Sunday (11.45am start); the Borders Road Running League at Delamere Forest on Sunday (10am start); and the London Marathon on Sunday (9am start).

WEST CHESHIRE AC is hosting a Timekeepers Course in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Trackside Room on Thursday, April 27, between 6.30pm-9pm. The booking link is: https://www.athleticshub.co.uk/login?s_id=e828a58b9fff532906660905c056f804

ENTRIES are now open for the Cheshire Track and Field Championship being held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14. The closing date for entries is May 7. You will need to create or sign in to an account with Roster Athletics to enter online. There will be no late entries or entries on the day. Junior athletes (u13-u17s) can enter a maximum of 3 events in one day, U20s can enter a maximum of five. Medals will be awarded to the first three in each age group. The online entry link can be found at: www.cheshireaa.com
WEST CHESHIRE AC will host both the Cheshire County Clubs’ Track and Field Championships (Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14), and the Cheshire Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships (Saturday, June 10), at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track, as well as Cheshire Track and Field League matches on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, September 3; a Under 17s and Under 20s Youth Development Track and Field League fixture on Sunday, April 30; a Under 13s and Under 15s Youth Development Track and Field League fixtures on Sunday, May 7 and Saturday, July 8; and a Northern Track and Field League fixture on Saturday, May 20. 
West Cheshire AC will also host the West Cheshire AC Secondary Schools Track and Cup Field Cup fixture on Wednesday, May 10; the County Round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, May 17; the North West Regional B Final of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, June 14; the Chester Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Monday, June 19; the Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Friday, June 23; and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Track and Field Schools Championships on Wednesday, July 5.

DEBRA BEMAND and Paul Morrison are on target to retain their Endurance Running Competition titles.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club duo won the ladies’ and men’s titles respectively last year in a league competition that has been organised since 2008 based on gaining points for participation in road, cross-country, multi-terrain and fell races over the calendar year, with an emphasis on club events.

Three months into this year’s Endurance League, and Debra is tied for top spot with Traci Shipley, while Angela Tegg and Anest Muller are in joint third position.

And Paul heads the men’s competition from second-placed Andrew Clague, with Andrew Carter and Michael Young tied for third place.

League organiser for many years, John Driscoll, stepped aside last year and Brian Wright kindly stepped into the role at the start of 2023.

FIXTURES this weekend include a Warrington AC Open Track and Field Meeting and the Liverpool Throws and Jumps Meeting, both on Saturday, while the latest round of the Borders Road Running League takes place this Sunday from Mold Sports Centre, (11am start), on a five miles course.

WEST CHESHIRE AC is hosting the opening round of the Cheshire Track and Field League at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday, April 23. There are events for all age groups, from under 11s through to veterans and the day starts at 11.45am with a 3,000m race.

WEST CHESHIRE AC is hosting a Timekeepers Course in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Trackside Room on Thursday, April 27, between 6.30pm-9pm. The booking link is: https://www.athleticshub.co.uk/login?s_id=e828a58b9fff532906660905c056f804

ENTRIES are now open for the Cheshire Track and Field Championship being held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14. The closing date for entries is May 7. You will need to create or sign in to an account with Roster Athletics to enter online. There will be no late entries or entries on the day. Junior athletes (u13-u17s) can enter a maximum of 3 events in one day, U20s can enter a maximum of five. Medals will be awarded to the first three in each age group. The online entry link can be found at: www.cheshireaa.com

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host both the Cheshire County Clubs’ Track and Field Championships (Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14), and the Cheshire Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships (Saturday, June 10), at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track, as well as Cheshire Track and Field League matches on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, September 3; a Under 17s and Under 20s Youth Development Track and Field League fixture on Sunday, April 30; a Under 13s and Under 15s Youth Development Track and Field League fixtures on Sunday, May 7 and Saturday, July 8; and a Northern Track and Field League fixture on Saturday, May 20. 

West Cheshire AC will also host the West Cheshire AC Secondary Schools Track and Cup Field Cup fixture on Wednesday, May 10; the County Round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, May 17; the North West Regional B Final of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, June 14; the Chester Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Monday, June 19; the Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Friday, June 23; and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Track and Field Schools Championships on Wednesday, July 5. 

AMELIA and Felicity Snowden produced a memorable sister act at the Trafford AC Open Medal Track and Field Meeting.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club members produced five personal best performances between them at the Longford Park Stadium on Sunday.

Amelia achieved new personal bests in the 150m with a time of 23.31 seconds and long jump with 3.43m, and added a new season’s best of 11.64 seconds in the 75m.

Felicity celebrated a hat-trick of personal bests in the under 11 girls 75m (12.65 seconds), 150m (25.67 seconds), and long jump (2.76m).

Clubmate Eleanor Wheeler posted two new personal bests in the under 15 girls 200m (30.78 seconds), and 1500m (5:35.32), and added 10.71m in the javelin.

Satine Wearden produced 15.17 seconds in the under 15 girls 100m, and also achieved 17.03m in the discus, and 16.30m in the hammer.

And Poppy McKenna rounded the under 11 girls 600m in a time of 2:08.54, clocked 24.19 seconds in the 150m, and added 2.91m in the long jump.

JOSH STIRLING impressed while representing West Cheshire AC at Wavertree on Sunday in the Liverpool Harriers Open Track and Field Meeting.

Josh posted 42.21 seconds in the under 15 boys 300m and 26.52 seconds in the 200m.

He was joined at the fixture by club mates Rose and Bethany Sheppard and Heidi Wetherall.

Rose clocked 3:07.73 in the under 13 girls 800m and 25.97 seconds in the 150m, while Heidi Wetherall rounded the under 11 girls 600m in 2:25.04 and the 150m in 26.97 seconds, and Bethany posted 31.87 seconds in the under 15 girls 200m and 15.45 seconds in the 100m.

SIX West Cheshire AC members represented their county at the annual Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Race fixture hosted by West Cheshire AC at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Harriet Beattie, Lauren Higgins, Megan Hughes, Dylan Gledhill and Dylan Chandler represented Cheshire, and Poppy Coates represented Merseyside who won the girls, boys and overall team competitions.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Rivington Pike Fell Race on Saturday, and the Hale Village Five Miles Road Race on Sunday.

ENTRIES are still open for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, on Wednesday 12th April (7pm start). The online link for entries is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5-2023

Any West Cheshire AC member entering and running is reminded to provide a helper/marshal to assist at the event. 

ENTRIES are now open for the Cheshire Track and Field Championship being held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14. The closing date for entries is May 7. You will need to create or sign in to an account with Roster Athletics to enter online. There will be no late entries or entries on the day. Junior athletes (u13-u17s) can enter a maximum of 3 events in one day, U20s can enter a maximum of five. Medals will be awarded to the first three in each age group. The online entry link can be found at: www.cheshireaa.com

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host both the Cheshire County Clubs’ Track and Field Championships (Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14), and the Cheshire Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships (Saturday, June 10), at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track, as well as Cheshire Track and Field League matches on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, September 3; a Under 17s and Under 20s Youth Development Track and Field League fixture on Sunday, April 30; a Under 13s and Under 15s Youth Development Track and Field League fixtures on Sunday, May 7 and Saturday, July 8; and a Northern Track and Field League fixture on Saturday, May 20. 

West Cheshire AC will also host the West Cheshire AC Secondary Schools Track and Cup Field Cup fixture on Wednesday, May 10; the County Round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, May 17; the North West Regional B Final of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, June 14; the Chester Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Monday, June 19; the Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Friday, June 23; and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Track and Field Schools Championships on Wednesday, July 5.

FIVE West Cheshire Athletic Club members set new records at their club’s 25th Anniversary Open Track and Field Meeting.

George Grimsditch, Jodi Bemand, Jamie Richardson, Sharon Stoll and Debra Erskine all celebrated impressive age group performances on Sunday at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

George rounded the under 13 boys 1200m in a new age group record time of four minutes 36.1 seconds, an improvement of 0.2 seconds on the previous best time.

Jodi clocked a new under 20 ladies’ one mile record time of 5:36.4, slicing nearly three seconds off the previous best time.

Jamie rounded the under 20 men’s one mile race in a new age group record time of 4:27.9, improving the mark set by Paul Morrison by 25 seconds.

Sharon hit a mark of 24.16m in the hammer to improve her own over-50 ladies 3kg age group record by more than two metres, and Debra achieved a new over-55 ladies 3kg hammer throwing record of 24.40m.

Dylan Gledhill was one of many West Cheshire AC members to pocketed medal performances at the event after bagging a gold medal in the under 13 boys 800m, a silver medal in the shot put and a bronze medal in the javelin. 

He was joined on the rostrum by shot put medallists Jacob Downe, Alexandria Schroder, Beth Manson and Nathan Brassington, while Kara Stoll and Megan Kettle won medals in the hammer, and Felicity Snowden, Poppy McKenna, Sam Kimpton, Edward Graham and Leo Ravenscroft delivered medals in the under 11s turbo javelin competitions.

Poppy McKenna and Saskia Keresturova made it a 1-2 for the host club in the under 11 girls 600m, and Leo Ravenscroft, Jack Arnold and Alfie Thompson combined for a clean sweep in the 600m boys race.

Holly Coates, Grace Andrews, Daniel Walker, Ellis Hancock, Andrew Barratt, Amelia Snowden, David Wheldon, Paul Morrison, and Bradley Spurdens pocketed 800m medals.

Lauren Higgins and Nia Manson were first and second in the under 13 girls 1200m, while Eleanor Wheeler, Noah Woolgar, Daniel Hooker, Cosette Wearden, Nancy Farmer, and Andrew Barrett medalled in their 1500m races.

Harriet Wheeler, Eleanor Neve, Will Rawson, Eva Renshaw, Arwen Thorne, and David Wheldon pocketed medals in their javelin competitions, while Nathan Brassington, Satine Wearden, Amelia Owen, Poppy Coates and Sharon Stoll delivered medal displays in the discus.

The event also provided an opportunity for sisters, Eleanor and Harriet Wheeler, to join the track officials team for several races, and they undertook the roles of lap board and bell and track judging during the meeting.

Other track and field athletes and their parents are very welcome to join the track officials at forthcoming fixtures. 

SARAH HIBBERT represented West Cheshire AC at the Liverpool Skyline 10 Miles Road Race and clocked a new over-55 ladies’ club record time of one hour 18 minutes six seconds to finish second in her age group. The time also beat the best over-50 women’s age group record previously held by Rosemary Rogers set when she was in the 60-64 age group.

KEELY SMITH represented West Cheshire AC at the Wilmslow Half Marathon and finished second in her over-40 age group in a new club record time of 1:21:48, more than nine minutes faster than the previous club record time set by Louise Diggle in 1999. Keely’s time also beats her own time from last year in the over-35 age group.

Keely was joined at the event by Wullie McGarrell who posted 1:21:43 for second spot in his over-55 age group and took his age group best time back from Neil Hershaw who had beaten Wullie’s previous best time last month!

Danny Paddock also competed at Wilmslow and clocked 1:21:37, while Mark Davies represented West Cheshire AC at the Welshpool 10k Road Race and posted 42:11 for 33rd spot.

ENTRIES have now opened for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC at Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, on Wednesday 12th April (7pm start). The online link for entries is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5-2023

Any West Cheshire AC member entering and running is reminded to provide a helper/marshal to assist at the event. 

FIXTURES this weekend include the Bury Spring Throws Meeting, Knowsley 5km Race, and Pendle Fell Race on Saturday, and the Liverpool Harriers Open Track and Field Meeting for U11s, U13s, U15s, U17s, U20s and Seniors on Sunday, the same day as a Trafford AC Open Track and Field Medal Meeting.

ENTRIES are now open for the Cheshire Track and Field Championship being held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14. The closing date for entries is May 7. You will need to create or sign in to an account with Roster Athletics to enter online. There will be no late entries or entries on the day. Junior athletes (u13-u17s) can enter a maximum of 3 events in one day, U20s can enter a maximum of five. Medals will be awarded to the first three in each age group. The online entry link can be found at: www.cheshireaa.com

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host both the Cheshire County Clubs’ Track and Field Championships (Saturday and Sunday, May 13 and 14), and the Cheshire Secondary Schools Track and Field Championships (Saturday, June 10), at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track, as well as Cheshire Track and Field League matches on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, September 3; a Under 17s and Under 20s Youth Development Track and Field League fixture on Sunday, April 30; a Under 13s and Under 15s Youth Development Track and Field League fixtures on Sunday, May 7 and Saturday, July 8; and a Northern Track and Field League fixture on Saturday, May 20. 

West Cheshire AC will also host the West Cheshire AC Secondary Schools Track and Cup Field Cup fixture on Wednesday, May 10; the County Round of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, May 17; the North West Regional B Final of the English Schools Track and Field Cup on Wednesday, June 14; the Chester Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Monday, June 19; the Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Track and Field Championships on Friday, June 23; and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Track and Field Schools Championships on Wednesday, July 5. 

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club celebrated it’s 25th anniversary with the first of two open track and field meetings at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track on Saturday.

Many purple and gold-vested members pocketed medals and personal bests from the event which incorporated hurdles and sprint races, as well as long jump and high jump competitions.

This Sunday from 10am sees West Cheshire AC hosting part two of their celebration with throwing events and middle distance races and entries being accepted from 9am.

Lauren Higgins posted 13.7 seconds in her under 13 girls 70m hurdles on Saturday, while club mates Ruby Billington (14.9), Mae Grant (14.0), Abigail Meyer (15.1), and Emma Bradley (16.3) completed their under 15 girls 75m hurdles races, and Carys Manson posted 13.4 in her under 17 ladies 80m hurdles race.

Poppy McKenna won the under 11 girls long jump with 3.22m, alongside team mates Camilla Shenton (2.58m), Jessie Morse (2.53m), Mollie Cooke (2.37m), Isabelle Gerrard (2.34m), Rosie Grimsditch (2.23m), and Isla Lambert (2.11m).

Daniel Gallante won the under 11 boys long jump with 2.78m, alongside team mates William Lamb (2.78m), Leo Ravenscroft (2.66m), Joshua Caldecott (2.40m), Jack McWilliams (2.24m), and Tom Booth (2.24m).

Alan Littler (1-68m), Nathan Brassington (1-65m), Seb Hulse (1-50m), Ruby Billington (1-47m), Charlotte Austin (1-38m), and Evan Miller (1-35m) impressed in the high jump.

Mia Johnson won the under 13 girls long jump with 3.99m, alongside team mates Lauren Higgins (3.21m), Amber Billington (3.14m), Nia Manson (2.91m), Rose Sheppard (2.79m), Alexandria Schroeder (2.67m), Nell Hutchison (2.45m), and Amelia Owen (2.33m).

Adam Robinson was second in the under 13 boys long jump with 3.54m, alongside Dylan Gledhill (3.18m), Noah Booth (3.16m), and Jacob Downe (2.27m).

Holly Bosworth (4.50m), Nathan Brassington (5.53m), Danielle Erskine (4.69m), and Beth Manson (4.26m) all won their age group long jump events, alongside club mates Ursula Archer (4m), Mae Grant (3.93m), Emma Bradley (3.22m), and Bethany Sheppard (3.02m).

Beth Manson (13.5 seconds), Jacob Gardner (12.8), Rob Austin (11.9), and Fergus Garland (11.7) won their 100m age group titles, alongside team mates Mae Grant (14.4), Bethany Sheppard (15.2), Ursula Archer (14.2), Molly Fields (14.6), Juliet Robinson (16.3), Evan Miller (13.7), and Patrick O’Loughlin (12.5).

Edward Graham won the under 11 boys 75m with 11.9 seconds and 150m in 24.8, alongside team mates Luke Gardner (12.8 and 26.8), Jack McWilliams (12.9 and 27.5), William Lamb (13.5 and 28.9), Tom Booth (14.5 and 32.1), Daniel Galante (12.2 and 25.2), Joshua Caldecott (13.0 and 27.5), and Leo Ravenscroft (14.2 and 27.9).

Poppy McKenna (12.2 and 24.0), Isabelle Gerrard (13.2 and 27.5), Camilla Shenton (13.5), Rosie Grimsditch (13.5 and 28.1), Mollie Cooke (14.6 and 28.9), and Isla Lambert (14.6) completed their under 11 girls 75m and 150m races.

Mia Johnson won the under 13 girls 75m in 10.3 seconds and 150m in 20.5, alongside Nia Manson (11.7 and 23.6), Amber Billington (11.9), Isabelle Hein (12.4 and 25.6), Alexandria Schroeder (12.4 and 26.2), Amelia Owen (12.4), Rose Sheppard (13.0 and 26.2), Nell Hutchison (13.5 and 27.7), Lauren Higgins (22.8).
Aiden Hilton (10.3) won the under 13 boys 75m and 150m (21.1) alongside Dylan Gledhill (11.9 and 23.0), Noah Booth (12.3 and 25.0), Jacob Downe (13.4 and 27.4) and Adam Robinson (11.6 and 23.5).

Carys Manson (28.8), Fergus Garland (23.8), Lydia Walker (28.5), Ursula Archer (29.7), Ruby Billington (29.8), Bethany Sheppard (32.9), Molly Fields (31.2), Emma Bradley (32.6), Juliet Robinson (34.3), Evan Miller (29.4), and Roman Johnson (26.8) competed in the 200m.

Jacob Gardner (40.9), Holly Bosworth (44.0), and Beth Manson (44.4) combined in the 300m, and Fergus Garland (53.5) and Bradley Spurdens (55.7) completed their 400m races.

SEVEN West Cheshire AC members represented Cheshire at the English Schools Cross Country Championships held at Wollaton Park, Nottingham.

Jamie Richardson (23rd), Sammy Hollins (215th), and Henry Robinson (282nd) combined to help earn Cheshire 26th team position in the Senior Boys race.

Jodi Bemand achieved 165th spot in the Senior Girls race to help the Cheshire team finish 14th. Daniel Walker completed the Junior Boys race in 274th position to help earn Cheshire 14th team place. Emilia Pyper finished 291st in the Junior Girls event and earned Cheshire 30th team position. And Nancy Farmer completed the Intermediate Girls race in 336th position to help earn Cheshire 17th team spot.

Holly Coates represented Merseyside in the Junior Girls race and finished 137th, ahead of Emilia Pyper who represented Cheshire and finished 291st to earn Cheshire 30th team position.

THREE West Cheshire AC members combined for success at the Knighton Inter-Counties 20 Miles Race.
Keely Smith (second lady and first over-40 lady in 2:13:32), Fiona Cook (fourth lady and first over-35 lady in 2:17:23), and Eloise Eccles (21st lady in 2:29:13) combined to earn top spot for West Cheshire AC in the club team event and bronze medals for Cheshire in the Inter Counties team competition.
Anest Muller also completed the race in 50th position after clocking 2:47:30.