WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club members are celebrating regional podium places, a league title and promotion, qualification for county and national competitions, new personal bests, and a visit from two-time Olympian Rebecca Romero.

Stephanie Jones and Uzezi Onomerike grabbed bronze medals in Sheffield at the Northern Indoor Under 15 and Under 13 Track and Field Championships.

Jones achieved an English Schools qualifying distance of 5.12m for third spot in the under 15 girls long jump and clocked a new 200m personal best of 26.89 seconds in her semi-final.

Onomerike pocketed third place in the under 15 boys 60m final with a new personal best of 7.89 seconds and added a new 200m best of 25.73 seconds.

Club mates Jodi Bemand, Imogen Pughe, Maddi Mercer and Fergus Garland also competed at the event, with Bemand reaching the under 15 girls 60m hurdles semi final after clocking 9.96 seconds.

Pughe reached the under 15 girls 800m final after posting 2:25.74, while Mercer reached the semi-finals of both the under 13 girls 60m (8.89) and 200m (30.32), and cleared 1-30m in the high jump, and Garland posted 8.51 and 27.15 in his under 15 boys 60m and 200m heats respectively.

ETHAN ACKROYD (10th), Dave Alexander (16th), Steve Fernyhough (43rd), Richard Hayes (46th), Andrew Clague (50th), Tony Woodall (69th) and Andy Carter (83rd) combined at the final round of the North Wales Cross Country League at Oswestry to ensure West Cheshire AC’s men won the Division Two title and secure promotion.

Kerry Riley (13th), Anest Muller (19th), Ellie Robinson (20th), Claire Harris (26th), Angela Tegg (56th), Debra Bemand (74th), Alex Duffey (91st) and Sharon Stoll (125th) represented West Cheshire AC’s ladies at Oswestry and helped the team finish the Division One campaign in third spot.

Alexander (third over-45 man), Andrew Clague (second over-50 man), Kerry Riley (third senior lady), and Ellie Robinson (second over-45 lady), pocketed overall individual awards, while Paul Morrison (seventh) and Bob Benson (ninth) completed the under 17 and over-65 men’s races respectively at Oswestry.

KATIE CLARKE and Olivia Montez-Brown have enjoyed success in the United States.

Clarke clocked 10:27.68 for third spot in her 3,000m at the Carmel City Invitational Indoor Track Meeting, at Winston-Salem, North Carolina, achieving the qualifying time required for entry to the National American Indoor Athletics Championships to be held on February 28 at Brookings, South Dakota.

And West Cheshire AC team mate, Montez-Brown, posted a winning score of 3,690 points in an Indoor Pentathlon at Mankato, which featured 8.87 seconds in the 60m hurdles, 1-58m in the high jump, 11.46m in the shot, 5.48m in the long jump, and 2:27.67 in the 800m.

WEST CHESHIRE AC’s quartet of Luke Parker, Jessica Lark, Jamie Richardson and Carys Roberts claimed podium places at the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships at Winsford.

Parker finished second in the under 13 boys race ahead of fifth-placed club mate Reece Munro, while Lark was third in the under 13 girls race ahead of 11th placed Ruby Carlile.

Richardson secured third spot in the under 15 boys race ahead of Sammy Hollins (ninth), while Roberts finished third in the under 15 girls race ahead of Sophie Grainger (sixth).

Sion Roberts was fifth in the under 17 men’s race ahead of club mates Matthew Douglass (ninth), and Isaac Tait (10th), while Issy Clarke was fifth in the under 20 ladies race ahead of Beth McMahon (sixth), and Ella Dimbylow was sixth in the under 17 ladies race.

WEST CHESHIRE AC duo Greg Jones and Ethan Greenland represented Sheffield and Warwick respectively at the British Universities Cross Country Championships at Exeter.

Jones posted 39:25 for 215th place in the A race, while Greenland clocked 29:12 for 113th spot in the B race.

OLYMPIAN Rebecca Romero was the guest of honour at West Cheshire AC’s Annual Awards Evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, where she provided an inspirational speech and presented the awards.

FIXTURES this weekend include the third round of the Essar West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday (10am start), and the Manchester Cross Country League at Kenworthy Woods, on Saturday (12 noon start), while the Liverpool and District Cross Country Championships will be held at Clarke Gardens, Allerton, Liverpool, on Sunday (11am start), and the Sale Harriers Indoor Open Meeting takes place at Manchester, on Sunday (10am start), and the Nick Beer 10k Road Race takes place at Llandudno on Sunday (12 noon start).

West Cheshire Athletic Club Newsletter

1st February 2019, Number 208

CLUB AWARDS EVENING

The Annual Club Awards Evening will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, on Saturday, 2nd February, with 2-time Olympian Rebecca Romero our guest speaker. Everyone who has secured their place online should arrive at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

THIS WEEKEND

The Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held this Saturday at Knights Grange Sports Complex, Winsford (10am start).

And the final round of the North Wales Cross Country League will be held at The Marches School, Oswestry, this Saturday: https://www.northwalesxc.com/fixtures

The Northern Indoor Athletics Under 13 and Under 15 Championships, will be held on Sunday at Sheffield: https://www.northernathletics.org.uk/

Best wishes to all our athletes and officials.

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 Running Running, west cheshire ac jnr to u20 middle distance group

WEBSITE: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/westcheshireac

SUPPORT NEEDED FOR SCHOOLS FIXTURES

The Club has been asked to help out at the Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competition, at EPSV on Thursday, February 14, (11am set up for Competition start at 12-3pm).

And help is needed at the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships on Friday, March 15, (1pm set up for 4pm start. If you can help at any of the events please contact Dennis at: [email protected]

NORTHERN ROAD RELAYS INVITE

Ellie Robinson is co-ordinating Club entries for this year’s North of England 12 and 6 Stage Road Relays being held at Birkenhead Park on March 24.

The Club needs 12 for a men’s team (12 noon start), and 6 for a ladies team (12.15pm start). The legs are a mixture of short and long legs, from 4k up to 8k.

There will also be 5k races for Under 15s and Under U17s for individual and team championship races commencing at 11am with registration from 9.30am. Anyone interested in competing should let Ellie know ASAP.

ROAD RUNNING ROAD SHOW

England Athletics is hosting a series of events for club runners, coaches, leaders and club officers to find out more about England Athletics’ work with road running-based clubs and share your own thoughts and ideas with senior members of England Athletics staff. One of the road shows will be held at Crown Plaza Liverpool John Lennon Airport, L24 8QD, on Monday, February 11, at Crown Plaza Liverpool John Lennon Airport, L24 8QD. More details: https://www.englandathletics.org/about-us/news/join-us-to-discuss-road-running-and-meet-international-athletes/

REGIONAL COACHING INVITE

On Sunday March 3, England Athletics will be holding Regional Technical Days with athletes able to attend for sessions focussed on speed, endurance, jumps or throws. The day is for athletes of all abilities, aged between 11 and 18, and their coaches. Further details can be found here: https://www.englandathletics.org/coaching/news/event-specific-regional-days-for-athletes-and-coaches/

OPPORTUNITY TO TASTE JOB OF AN ATHLETICS OFFICIAL

England Athletics are launching a new project aimed at giving people first-hand experience officiating at one of their National Championship events. The project is open to anyone who is interested in officiating, and would like to give it a try, shadowing an experienced official at an EA championship event in a variety of disciplines and events. Further details can be found at: https://www.englandathletics.org/officiating/development-opportunities/officials-taster-sessions/

ESSAR CHESTER SPRING FIVE RACE ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Entries are now being accepted for this year’s Essar Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being held from Cheshire Sports Club, Upton, Chester, being held on Wednesday, 10th April: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Spring-5

OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAIN AS AN ATHLETICS ANNOUNCER

Are you an Athletics fan thinking of embarking on a career in Media or journalism? Do you sometimes listen to the PA announcers at track and road events and think “I could do that”? Are you a club member looking to enhance and widen your relationship with the sport? Then look at this link: https://www.englandathletics.org/officiating/news/fantastic-opportunity-to-train-as-an-athletics-announcer/

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.

CLUB KIT

Anyone wanting to purchase club vests (£17) and/or hoodies (£12) 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: [email protected]

INVITE TO OBTAIN TRACK AND FIELD CERTIFICATE

All Club members are being invited to support our club by completing the Track & Field Online Management Course to help West Cheshire AC look after the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track. Further details can be found at:

https://www.ulearnathletics.com/module/154

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.

WEEKLY PRESS REPORT

This week’s Press Report is at the following link: https://www.westcheshireac.co.uk/2019/01/28/press-report-laura-and-carys-star-indoors-and-out/

FIXTURES

Saturday, February 2: West Cheshire AC Annual Presentation Evening, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, (7pm start): https://wcac.niftyentries.com/WCAC-England-Athletics-NW-club-of-the-year-2018-Celebration-and-Awards-Evening

Saturday, February 2: Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships, at Knights Grange Sports Complex, Winsford (10am start).

Saturday, February 2: North Wales Cross Country League Final Round, at The Marches School, Oswestry: https://www.northwalesxc.com/fixtures

Sunday, February 3: Northern Indoor Athletics Under 13 and Under 15 Championships, at Sheffield: https://www.northernathletics.org.uk/

LAURA TURLEY and Carys Roberts enjoyed a memorable weekend.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club pair started the year in style by securing prestigious podium places.

Turley retained her Welsh Indoor 400m title in Cardiff, while Roberts became the first-ever West Cheshire AC member to medal at the North of England Cross Country Championships.

Turley clocked 55.94 seconds to retain her national indoor title, nearly two seconds clear of her nearest rival, after comfortably winning her qualifying heat in a time of 58.83 seconds.

Roberts headlined at Pontefract with a storming finish in the under 13 girls race at the Northern Cross Country Championships to claim a silver medal.

Roberts covered the distance of just over three kilometres in a time of 10:46 to finish just seven seconds behind the eventual winner.

Roberts was joined in the under 13 girls race by team mates Jessica Lark (134th in 12:32) and Aimee Phillips (167th in 13:08), while Sophie Grainger (33rd in 14:58) completed the under 15 girls race alongside Abigail Cartwright (173rd in 17:48).

Claire Harris (113th in 35:16), Ellie Robinson (151st in 36:38), Ellen McMahon (251st in 40:41), and Angela Tegg (280th in 42:24) combined for 29th team position in the senior women’s race, and Beth McMahon clocked 26:03 for 59th spot in the under 20 women’s event.

Jamie Richardson (26th in 13:27), William Wright (78th in 14:09), Sammy Hollins (110th in 14:37), and Henry Robinson (179th in 16:01) achieved 16th position in the under 15 boys team event.

Sion Roberts (43rd in 21:16) and Harvey Tegg (96th in 23:12) completed the under 17 men’s race, while Ethan Greenland (48th in 30:31) and Rory Willson (54th in 31:42) rounded the under 20 men’s race, and Dave Alexander (214th in 46:13) and Andrew Clague (357th in 49:41) completed the men’s race.

SION ROBERTS headed West Cheshire AC’s charge at the latest round of the Borders Road Running League.

First under 20 junior finisher, Roberts, secured 19th spot overall with a time of 35 minutes 17 seconds for the undulating 9.8km course at Tattenhall.

Roberts was backed-up in the men’s scoring team by Graham Wells (39th in 36:05), Bradley Spurdens (52nd in 37:09), Mark Davies (56th in 37:19), Tom Cable (67th in 37:56), Steve Fernyhough (72nd in 38:32), Andrew Clague (79th in 38:54), John Parlevliet (92nd in 39:26), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (100th in 40:24), and Paul Morrison (105th in 40:53).

Keely Smith (15th in 43:08), second under 20 junior Issy Clarke (20th lady in 44:03), Kerry Riley (28th in 45:02), and Debra Bemand (37th in 46:40) combined for the scoring ladies team.

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Clare Mallon (47th lady in 48:38), Alex Duffey (83rd lady in 53:28), David Irving (115th in 41:24), Joe Foy (136th in 42:33), Andrew Carter (153rd in 44:01), Adam Poole (155th in 44:12), Ian Ackroyd (176th in 46:25), Dave Tiernan (182nd in 46:5), Mark Gallagher (185th in 47:11), Darren Shillington (192nd in 47:41), Steve Ball (197th in 48:04), Phil Howe (215th in 50:45), Rory Willson (225th in 52:09), Brian Beattie (252nd in 60:58).

OVERALL TEAM SCORES (after four rounds)

MENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Buckley 1191 points, 2 Wallasey 1277, 3 West Cheshire AC 2128, 4 Prestatyn 2307, 5 Helsby 2408, 6 Wirral 3776, 7 Deestriders 6705.

MENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Ellesmere Port 1199, 2 Wrexham 1759, 3 Chester Tri 2027, 4 Birkenhead 4280, 5 Abergele 4964, 6 Wrecsam Tri 5441, 7 Cybi 5889, 8 Tattenhall 6639, 9 Eryri 8188, 10 Deeside 8412.

WOMENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Wallasey 253, 2 Buckley 255, 3 Helsby 275, 4 West Cheshire 335, 5 Chester Tri 427, 6 Prestatyn 589, 7 Ellesmere Port 957.

WOMENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Wirral 201, 2 Abergele 427, 3 Deestriders 457, 4 Wrecsam Tri 656, 5 Tattenhall 813, 6 Eryri 828, 7 Wrexham 903, 8 Cybi 1062, 9 Birkenhead 1162, 10 Deeside 1817.

The next round will be held at Birkenhead Park on Sunday, March 3 (11am start).

IMOGEN PUGHE clocked a new under 15 girls 400m personal best of 60.00 seconds at the Northern Indoor Open Meeting at Sheffield, where she was accompanied by West Cheshire AC team mates Stephanie Jones (62.70) and Jodi Bemand (68.20).

TOM BOOTH represented West Cheshire AC at the Big Easy Mountain Marathon in New Zealand, completing the race in second spot with a time of 3:12.19, less than two minutes behind the eventual winner.

FIXTURES this weekend include the West Cheshire AC Presentation Evening at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, on Saturday night after the final round of the North Wales Cross Country League at Marches School, Oswestry, on Saturday (1pm start), and the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Saturday (10am start). The Northern Under 13 and Under 15 Indoor Track and Field Championships take place in Sheffield on Sunday.

CLUB AWARDS EVENING TICKETS – DON’T MISS OUT!

Tickets are still being sold for the Annual Club Awards Evening being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, on Saturday, 2nd February, with 2-time Olympian Rebecca Romero our guest speaker. The link to buy tickets is here.

The Club is appealing to all members to donate raffle prizes for the Awards Evening. If anyone can provide a raffle prize they should contact Mark Duffey or Dennis Wall at Club Training Sessions.

THIS WEEKEND

The Northern Cross Country Championships take place at Pontefract this Saturday (10.30am start).

And the Borders Road Running League at Tattenhall takes place on Sunday (11am start).

Best wishes to all our athletes and officials.

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

TWITTER

SUPPORT NEEDED FOR SCHOOLS FIXTURES

West Cheshire AC has been asked to help out at several schools indoor athletics fixtures in the coming weeks. If you can help at any of the following events please contact Dennis at: [email protected]

Wednesday and Thursday, January 30 and 31: Chester Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competitions, at EPSV, (10am-12 noon, and 1-3pm both days).

Thursday February 14: Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competition, at EPSV (11am set up for Competition start at 12-3pm).

NORTHERN ROAD RELAYS INVITE

Ellie Robinson is co-ordinating Club entries for this year’s North of England 12 and 6 Stage Road Relays being held at Birkenhead Park on March 24.

The Club needs 12 for a men’s team (12 noon start), and 6 for a ladies team (12.15pm start). The legs are a mixture of short and long legs, from 4k up to 8k.

There will also be 5k races for Under 15s and Under U17s for individual and team championship races commencing at 11am with registration from 9.30am. Anyone interested in competing should let Ellie know ASAP.

ROAD RUNNING ROAD SHOW

England Athletics is hosting a series of events for club runners, coaches, leaders and club officers to find out more about England Athletics’ work with road running-based clubs and share your own thoughts and ideas with senior members of England Athletics staff. One of the road shows will be held at Crown Plaza Liverpool John Lennon Airport, L24 8QD, on Monday, February 11, at Crown Plaza Liverpool John Lennon Airport, L24 8QD. More details are here.

REGIONAL COACHING INVITE

On Sunday March 3, England Athletics will be holding Regional Technical Days with athletes able to attend for sessions focussed on speed, endurance, jumps or throws. The day is for athletes of all abilities, aged between 11 and 18, and their coaches. Further details can be found here.

OPPORTUNITY TO TASTE JOB OF AN ATHLETICS OFFICIAL

England Athletics are launching a new project aimed at giving people first-hand experience officiating at one of their National Championship events. The project is open to anyone who is interested in officiating, and would like to give it a try, shadowing an experienced official at an EA championship event in a variety of disciplines and events. Further details can be found here.

ESSAR CHESTER SPRING FIVE RACE ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Entries are now being accepted for this year’s Essar Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being held from Cheshire Sports Club, Upton, Chester, being held on Wednesday, 10th April. Details here.

OPPORTUNITIES TO TRAIN AS AN ATHLETICS ANNOUNCER

Are you an Athletics fan thinking of embarking on a career in Media or journalism? Do you sometimes listen to the PA announcers at track and road events and think “I could do that”? Are you a club member looking to enhance and widen your relationship with the sport? Then look at this link.

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.

CLUB KIT

Anyone wanting to purchase club vests (£17) and/or hoodies (£12) 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: [email protected]

INVITE TO OBTAIN TRACK AND FIELD CERTIFICATE

All Club members are being invited to support our club by completing the Track & Field Online Management Course to help West Cheshire AC look after the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track. Further details can be found here.

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.

WEEKLY PRESS REPORT

This week’s press report is available via this link.

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 26: Northern Cross Country Championships, Pontefract, (10.30am).

Sunday, January 27: Borders Road Running League, Tattenhall (11am).

Wednesday and Thursday, January 30 and 31: Chester Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competitions, at EPSV, (10am-12 noon, and 1-3pm both days).

Saturday, February 2: West Cheshire AC Annual Presentation Evening, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester.

Saturday, February 2: Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships, at Knights Grange Sports Complex, Winsford (10am start).

Saturday, February 2: North Wales Cross Country League Final Round, at The Marches School, Oswestry.

Sunday, February 3: Northern Indoor Athletics Under 13 and Under 15 Championships, at Sheffield.

WEST CHESHIRE ATHLETIC CLUB celebrated a hat-trick of title victories at Widnes.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit grabbed glory in three age group team competitions at the North West Sportshall Athletics League Finals.

Uzezi Onomerike, Matthew Bailey, Michael Maxwell and Tyr Bujac combined to secure success in the under 15 boys event.

Fatoumatta Bojang, Milly James, Ella Wylie, Imogen Pughe, Sophie Cribb, Abigail Cartwright, Sarah Kefford and Darcy Smyth teamed up for victory in the under 15 girls competition.

While Abigail Meyer, Cerys Rowlands, Daisy Johnson, Eleanor Neve, Freya Renshaw, Harriet Wheeler, Holly Bosworth, Isla Entwistle, Jessica Brown, Kara Stoll, Lara Fields, Lottie Blake, Macy Brett, Madhuvanti Guruprasad, Ruby Phillips, Sophie Haslam and Ursula Archer triumphed in the under 11 girls team event.

Ellen Maxwell, Eva Renshaw, Flora Plass, Grace Graham, Maddi Mercer, Mia Wylie, Ruby Wisbey, Sara Pearson, and Emma Powell teamed up for second spot in the under 13 girls event.

Arthur Crewe, Connor Davies Jones, Ellis Hancock, Elliot Bujac, Fergus Garland, Joseph Watkin, Leo Hewitt, Matthew Jones, Milo Halliday and Ethan Gilgeours combined for second spot in the under 13 boys team competition.

And Javier Arechaga, Lewis Jones, Matthew Coombes, Matthew Smithdale and Oliver Mallon combined for fifth team position in the under 11 boys competition.

STEVE FERNYHOUGH was the first of 21 West Cheshire AC finishers at Sunday’s Essar Four Villages Half Marathon held at Helsby.

Fernyhough posted one hour 19 minutes 52 seconds to finish 53rd overall, ahead of Graham Wells (1:21:33), Andrew Clague (1:23:56), Tom Cable (third under 23 man in a new personal best of 1:24:52), Richard Hayes (1:25:04), Danny Paddock (new pb of 1:26:00), Steve Hillier (1:30:06), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (1:30:57), Luke Ellis (1:31:17), and Andy Carter (1:31:31).

Keely Smith was the club’s first lady home in 1:32:24, ahead of Joe Foy (third over-60 man in 1:32:51), Nick Duffy (1:33:50), Anthony Spruce (1:35:15), David Irving (new pb of 1:35:22), Ian Ackroyd (1:41:18), Clare Mallon (1:44:17), Debra Bemand (new pb of 1:45:48), Mark Gallagher (1:48:15), Richard Hunt (1:54:03), and Sophie Smithdale (1:59:58).

LUCIA PYNE and Imogen Pughe celebrated overall individual title success after the final round of the Merseyside Schools Cross Country League.

Pyne finished second at the final race held at Arrowe Park and finished first overall ahead of West Cheshire AC team mate Abigail Cartwright, while Pughe won her final race to earn top spot overall in her league ahead of West Cheshire AC team mates Henrietta and Georgina Duffey.

TOM BOOTH represented West Cheshire AC in New Zealand at the Salomon Skyline Traverse 28km Race with 1,400m climb and descent to finish fourth in a time of 2 hours 43 minutes.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Athletics Cross Country Championships on Saturday at Pontefract (10.30am start), and the latest round of the Borders Road Running League at Tattenhall on Sunday (11am start).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being held on Wednesday, April 10, from Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester. The Link for online entries is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Essar-Chester-Spring-512

CLUB AWARDS EVENING TICKETS NOW ON SALE

Tickets are now being sold for the Annual Club Awards Evening being held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, on Saturday, 2nd February, with 2-time Olympian Rebecca Romero our guest speaker. The link to buy tickets is here.

The Club is appealing to all members to donate raffle prizes for the Awards Evening. If anyone can provide a raffle prize they should contact Mark Duffey or Dennis Wall at Club Training Sessions.

DELAYED START TO WORK AT THE TRACK

The formal start on-site date within the contract for the trackside toilets and changing rooms will now be pushed back 1 week from 21^st January to 28^th January to allow Read Construction to have the sufficient preparation time they need in order to hit the ground running, which means that the contract completion date will now be 17^th May.

Read’s are still to set up their site compound on the car park and fence off the working area between the pitch and the track this Thursday and Friday and will have a presence on site next week in order to familiarise themselves with the site, carry out any further survey work they deem necessary (including a full set of dilapidation photographs) and potentially setting/marking out of the site itself.

Read will set up their site office on the car park and will work Monday-Friday from 9am until 4.30pm each day, so there shouldn’t be any disruption to our track training sessions.

THIS WEEKEND

The Twin Piers 10k Road Race takes place this Saturday (1pm start), while the Essar Four Villages Half Marathon will be held on Sunday (10.30am start).

The Club will also be represented at this Sunday’s North West Sportshall Athletics League Finals at Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, WA8 7QH.

The Under 11 Boys and Girls Finals will start at 10am (athletes should arrive no later that 9.15am).

And the Under 13 and Under 15 Boys and Girls Finals will start at 2pm (athletes should arrive no later than 1.15pm).

All members will need £2.50 each to compete, a Club Vest, plus food and a still drink.

Best wishes to all our athletes and officials.

INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTRIES REMINDER

Entries are now being accepted for the Northern Indoor Athletics Championships being held at Sheffield. Entries close on Friday, January 18 for the under 13 and under 15 championships being held on February 3. Further details can be found at: https://www.northernathletics.org.uk/

Entries are also now being accepted for the England Athletics Indoor Championships being held at Sheffield, via this link.

SUPPORT NEEDED FOR SCHOOLS FIXTURES

West Cheshire AC has been asked to help out at several schools indoor athletics fixtures in the coming weeks. If you can help at any of the following events please contact Dennis at: [email protected]

Thursday, January 24: Frodsham Primary Schools Sportshall Competition, at Frodsham Leisure Centre (Set-Up from 11am for Competition start at 12.30-3.30pm).

Wednesday and Thursday, January 30 and 31: Chester Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competitions, at EPSV, (10am-12 noon, and 1-3pm both days).

Thursday February 14: Ellesmere Port and Neston Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competition, at EPSV (11am set up for Competition start at 12-3pm).

CHEQUE PRESENTATION

A representative from Claire House Children’s Charity will receive a £70 cheque from our Club before our track training session on Thursday, January 24. The money was raised from the Club’s Christmas Fun Morning.

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.

CLUB KIT

Anyone wanting to purchase club vests (£17) and/or hoodies (£12) 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: [email protected]

WINTER WORKSHOPS

Take a look at this link for a number of forthcoming athlete and coaching workshops.

INVITE TO OBTAIN TRACK AND FIELD CERTIFICATE

All Club members are being invited to support our club by completing the Track & Field Online Management Course to help West Cheshire AC look after the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track. Further details can be found here.

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.

WEEKLY PRESS REPORT

This week’s press report can be found here.

FIXTURES

Saturday, January 19: Twin Piers 10k Road Race, Colwyn Bay (1pm)

Sunday, January 20: North West Sportshall League Finals, at Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes

Sunday, January 20: Essar Four Villages Half Marathon, Helsby (10.30am)

Saturday, January 26: Northern Cross-country Championships, Pontefract, (10.30am)

Thursday, January 24: Frodsham Primary Schools Sportshall Competition, at Frodsham Leisure Centre (set-up from 11am for competition start at 12.30-3.30pm)

Sunday, January 27: Borders Road Running League, Tattenhall (11am)

Wednesday and Thursday, January 30 and 31: Chester Primary Schools Sportshall Athletics Competitions, at EPSV, (10am-12 noon, and 1-3pm both days)

Saturday, February 2: West Cheshire AC Annual Presentation Evening, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Chester, (7.30pm start)

Saturday, February 2: Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships, at Knights Grange Sports Complex, Winsford (10am start)

Saturday, February 2: North Wales Cross Country League Final Round, at The Marches School, Oswestry

Sunday, February 3: Northern Indoor Athletics Under 13 and Under 15 Championships, at Sheffield

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club’s men are focusing their sights on promotion.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit top the Division Two standings in the North Wales Cross Country League with just one round remaining.

Ethan Ackroyd, Ian Wetherall, Dave Alexander, and Bradley Spurdens combined to earn second team position at Coleg Cambria, Northop, in the penultimate men’s race of the campaign.

Ackroyd posted 28 minutes 28 seconds to finish first under 20 junior man and 11th overall, ahead of club cross country debutant, Wetherall (first over-50 man and 16th overall in 28:48), Alexander (26th in 29:32), and Chester University student Spurdens (32nd in 30:30).

The quartet were backed up by club mates Neil Hershaw (46th), Andrew Clague (47th), Richard Hayes (53rd), Steve Fernyhough (54th), Antony Woodall (71st), Anthony Spruce (79th), cross country debutant Ian Gloyne-Phillips (80th), Adam Poole (118th), and Mark Gallagher (132nd).

West Cheshire AC’s women finished second at the penultimate round and they are now third overall in the Division One standings.

Kerry Riley (19th in 22:33) headed the West Cheshire AC charge at Northop, supported by other team counters Ellie Robinson (third over-45 lady and 22nd overall in 22:55), Anest Muller (fourth over-35 lady and 23rd overall in 23:00), and Claire Harris (24th in 23:19).

The quartet were supported by club mates Claire Williams (33rd in 24:11), Clare Mallon (48th in 25:19), Pam Ackroyd (fourth over-55 lady and 59th overall in 25:59), Angela Tegg (60th in 26:05), Kay Hayes (68th in 26:24), Debra Bemand (80th in 27:28), Alex Duffey (104th in 29:24), and cross country debutante Sharon Stoll (120th in 31:54).

TEAM RESULTS

MEN’S DIVISION TWO (after 4 rounds): 1 West Cheshire AC 471 points; 2 Wrexham 738; 3 Cadence Tri Club 900; 4 Deeside 1450; 5 Colwyn Bay 1532; 6 Whitchurch 1635; 7 North Wales Road Runners 1645; 8 Wrekin 1799; 9 Tattenhall 1869; 10 Abergele 1960; 11 Telford 2077.

WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE (after 4 rounds): 1 Eryri 268 points; 2 Oswestry 309; 3 West Cheshire AC 385; 4 Buckley 448  5 Denbigh 526; 6 Prestatyn 653; 7 GOG Tri Club 855.

The final round takes place at Marches School, Oswestry, on February 2.

SOPHIE GRAINGER is on target to finish in a podium place in the Manchester Area Cross Country League.

The West Cheshire AC youngster has just recovered from a viral infection and finished third in her under 15 girls race at Heaton Park on Saturday and is third overall in the race series with one race remaining on February 9.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Twin Piers 10k Road Race at Colwyn Bay on Saturday (1pm start), the Essar Four Villages Half Marathon at Helsby on Sunday (10.30am start), and the North West Sportshall Athletics League Finals at Kingsway Leisure Centre, Widnes, on Sunday (10am start for under 11s, and 2pm start for under 13s and under 15s).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being held on Wednesday, April 10, from Cheshire County Sports Club, Upton, Chester. The Link for online entries is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Essar-Chester-Spring-512

ENTRIES are being accepted for the Northern Indoor Athletics Championships being held at Sheffield. Entries close on January 18 for the under 13 and under 15 championships being held on February 3. Further details can be found here.

ENTRIES are also now being accepted for the England Athletics Indoor Championships being held at Sheffield, on this link.