by Dennis Wall

FOURTEEN West Cheshire Athletic Club members represented their county in Nottingham on Saturday.

Poppy McKenna, Nia Manson, Amelia Snowden, Claire Harris, Emma Nutt, Leon Betteridge, Cosette Wearden, Hayley Holland, Harriet Beattie, Eleanor Wheeler, Emilia Pyper, Dylan Gledhill, Scott Wells and Ben Newall all teamed up for Cheshire at Wollaton Park for the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships.

Poppy (53rd), Nia (61st) and Amelia (128th) combined for the Cheshire under 13 girls team, while Claire (116th) and Emma (203rd) represented the senior ladies.

Leon rounded the under 13 boys race in 183rd spot, while Cosette achieved 76th place in the under 17 women’s event alongside Hayley (250th).

Harriet (227th) and Eleanor (257th) combined in the under 15 women’s race, while Dylan finished 272nd in the under 15 boys event, and Scott (196th) and Ben (226th) completed the under 17 men’s race.

LEWIS MORRIS and Sam Oliver celebrated success at Sunday’s Chester 10k Road Race which attracted a record 7,000 entries.

Lewis clocked 33 minutes 54 seconds for first position in his under 17 age group and 10th place in the overall race, while Sam won his under 20 age group category in a time of 34:45 and was 16th in the race.

Grant Davies was West Cheshire AC’s first finisher, posting 33:48 for eighth spot in the race and second place in his M20-34 age group.

Ben Newall was second in his under 17 age group with 35:49, while Steve Fernyhough finished third in his over-40 age group and 17th in the race with a time of 34:45.

Matthew Douglass clocked 34:04 for fifth place in his M20-34 age group and 11th spot in the race, while Carys Manson was fifth in her under 20 age group in 49:43.

Jon Park secured sixth spot in his over-40 age group, and Carolyn Pollard was sixth in her over-40 age category.

Other West Cheshire AC finishers behind overall winner Matthew Clowes (Wrexham AAC) who clocked 31:03, and first lady Anna Bracegirdle (Salford Harriers) who posted a new women’s course record of 33:50, included Luke Ellis (42:23), Jake Hidden Deveson (43:39), Steve Hillier (43:53), Peter Kerestur (46:25), Andrew Barratt (46:28), Dave Barratt (47:02), Stephen Ball (46:56), David Morris (47:29), Phil Gent (49:30), Gerald Brown (52:49), Dan Hooker (50:37), Andy Gore (50:30), Kimberly Morris (56:41), and Alex Simmonds (58:35).

FIVE West Cheshire AC members impressed at Sunday’s Sale Harriers Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting.

Jacob Gardner ran 7.53 seconds to slice 0.12 off his previous 60m best, while Alba March broke her 60m best by 0.07 after running 8.01 seconds.

Louis Grimes bettered his 300m best by 0.87 to clock 41.09 seconds, while Alan Littler ran 40.67 seconds for his 300m which is the fastest he has run indoors for 11 years!

And Erin Barnard smashed her 300m best to clock 45.08, bettering her outdoor time of 46.1 and her previous indoor best of 47.12.

FIXTURES this weekend include the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Ardingly, West Sussex, on Saturday; the Chester Ultras 50 miles Road Race at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday; the England Athletics Indoor International, at Sheffield, on Sunday; and the Borders Road Running League, at Capenhurst, on Sunday.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

ENTRIES close on March 16 for the Sale Harriers Over The Bales Races for Under 9s, Under 11s, and Under 13s, at Crossford Bridge, Sale, Manchester, being held on Sunday, March 23.

The online entry form link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScigk3DfHKIXl3JVBGwNxWcHqehb3xQZXGyhx1_PlILkn-V-w/viewform

WEST CHESHIRE AC will help organise the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday, March 24, and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, April 2.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Cheshire County Schools Sportshall Athletics Finals, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Monday, March 17.

ONLINE entries are now being accepted for the Cheshire Track and Field Championships will be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photo-finish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Capenhurst; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at Prestatyn (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

February’s cold snap meant fewer races in which to gain points. No change in the women’s top 2 of high-scoring Claire Harris and Emma Nutt, with Anest Muller edging ahead of Debra Bemand into 3rd place. The men’s competition couldn’t be closer, with Michael Young, Paul Morrison and Jeff Gifford all level on 20 points.

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

by Dennis Wall

FLYING Scotsman Wullie McGarrell has secured number one spot in the UK ranking lists.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club runner clocked a time of three hours three minutes three seconds at the Seville Marathon to achieved top position for his over-60 age group in the UK rankings for the Marathon.

He was join in Spain by Brian Wright, Sarah Hibbert and Victoria Hibbert who ran in the Seville Marathon 5k Race.

CLAIRE HARRIS, Tracy Rogers, Lucie Truett, Emma Nutt and Anest Muller combined to earn West Cheshire AC podium places in team events at the final round of the Manchester Area Cross Country League.

Claire (fourth over 35 lady in 38:37), Tracy (fifth over-35 lady in 39:00), Lucie (fourth lady in 40:19), and Emma (eighth lady in 42:05), claimed second team position in the Senior Ladies Competition at Stockport’s Woodbank Park.

And Claire, Tracy and Anest (10th over-40 lady in 45:20) secured second team place in the Veteran Ladies Competition, alongside Angela Tegg (17th over 50 lady in 51:40) and Debra Bemand (21st over-50 lady in 54:08).

Nia Manson achieved second position in the under 13 girls race with a time of 13:18, and Abby Gamble completed the under 11 girls event in 13th spot with a time of 11:46.

POPPY McKENNA, Amelia Snowden, and Flori Hain combined to help Chester King’s School finish 16th out of 27 teams in the junior girls race at the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final held at Leeds Grammar School.

Poppy posted 14th place, supported by West Cheshire AC team mates Amelia (33rd), and Flori (132nd).

FIXTURES this weekend include the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships at Nottingham, on Saturday; the England Athletics Under 15 and Under 17 Indoor Combined Events Championships at Sheffield, on Saturday and Sunday; the Chester 10k Road Race on Sunday; and the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting at SportCity, on Sunday.

THE English Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in West Sussex, on Saturday, March 15.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

ENTRIES close on March 16 for the Sale Harriers Over The Bales Races for Under 9s, Under 11s, and Under 13s, at Crossford Bridge, Sale, Manchester, being held on Sunday, March 23.

The online entry form link is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScigk3DfHKIXl3JVBGwNxWcHqehb3xQZXGyhx1_PlILkn-V-w/viewform

WEST CHESHIRE AC will help organise the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday, March 24, and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, April 2.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

ONLINE entries are now being accepted for the Cheshire Track and Field Championships will be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photo-finish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at Prestatyn (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THE final winter Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meeting will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on Sunday, March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

JESSICA LARK achieved a European Under 20 Indoor Championships standard in Birmingham at the weekend.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club member experienced her first-ever British Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Jessica clocked 4:17.09 for fourth spot in her 1500m qualifying heat behind Olympic bronze medallist, Georgia Bell, before posting 4:25.66 for ninth position in the final.

Jessica will now be hoping to claim a place in the Great Britain squad for the European Under 20 Championships being held in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, between March 6 and 9.

CHRISTIAN HOLCOMBE and Charles Ryder are both celebrating national titles.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club duo impressed at the British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships held at Lee Valley over the weekend.

Christian won the over-40 men’s triple jump gold medal after achieving 11.99m.

And Charles was crowned a triple champion in his over-75 men’s age group after slicing 0.58 of a second off his 200m personal best to clock a winning time of 31.94 seconds, then won the Long Jump, and completed his hat-trick on Sunday with a victory in the 60m.

NIA MANSON was one of 12 West Cheshire AC members who competed in Saturday’s English National Cross Country Championships.

Nia completed a challenging under 13 girls 3km course at Parliament Fields, London, in a time of 13:56 for 21st position, while her dad, Andy, rounded the 12km senior men’s race in 74:56 for 1,383rd place, alongside Richard Hayes (1,158th in 68:40).

Nancy Farmer clocked 22:31 for 33rd spot in the 5km under 17 women’s race ahead of Cosette Wearden (48th in 23:09).

Jodi Bemand achieved 81st position in a time of 32:33 for the 6km junior women’s race, while Claire Harris rounded the 8km senior women’s race in 37:12 for 159th position.

Sam Oliver was 88th in 40:07 for the 10km junior men’s race, ahead of Sammy Hollins (97th in 40:48) and Henry Robinson (98th in 40:48).

Emilia Pyper (104th in 20:26) and Eleanor Wheeler (232nd in 23:03) completed the under 15 girls 4km course.

SUNDAY’S scheduled Borders Road Running League fixture at Trac Mon, Anglesey, was cancelled due to a weather warning for high winds.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Manchester Cross Country League at Woodbank Park, Stockport, on Saturday.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

THE UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships will be held at Nottingham, on Saturday, March 8; and the English Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in West Sussex, on Saturday, March 15.

West Cheshire AC will help organise the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday, March 24, and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, April 2.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

THE Cheshire Track and Field Championships will be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photo-finish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

Online entries will be accepted in early March.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at Prestatyn (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THE final winter Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meeting will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on Sunday, March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

GRANT DAVIES headed a squad of 12 West Cheshire Athletic Club members to the finish line at Wrexham on Sunday.

Grant rounded the Village Bakery Half Marathon in a time of one hour 13 minutes 24 seconds to finish 48th, behind eventual winner, Omar Ahmed (Birchfield Harriers) who clocked 1:04:35.

Dave Shearer was 43rd in his over-40 over age group with a time of 1:21:04, and Keely Smith posted 1:23:47 for fourth spot in her over-40 age category, behind overall first lady, Anna Bracegirdle (Salford Harriers) who registered 1:13:53.

Steve King (14th over-50 man in 1:24:38), Connor Lee (209th in 1:26:10), Mark Davies (49th over-45 man in 1:28:53), Emma Nutt (18th lady in 1:30:00), Jeff Gifford (fifth over-60 man in 1:31:14), Neil Field (62nd over-50 man in 1:41:25), Amy Mills (31st over-35 lady in 1:45:29), Brian Cremin (386th in 1:46:32), and Kimberly Morris (42nd over-45 lady in 1:57:05) completed the purple-vested contingent.

LOUIS GRIMES and Imogen Fives both celebrated personal bests in Sunday’s Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting held at SportCity.

Louis sliced 1.4 seconds off his previous 200m best to register 26.12 seconds, while Imogen posted new bests of 8.32 seconds in the 60m and 27.61 seconds in the 200m, alongside West Cheshire AC team mate Erin Barnard.

Lauren Higgins equalled her indoor 600m personal best time of 1:46, while Evie Whittaker and Freya Whittaker cleared 1-35m and 1-30m respectively in the under 15 and under 13 girls high jump competitions.

FAVOUR AKPAN achieved a new indoor senior women’s triple jump personal best of 12.07m while representing Nottingham in the British Universities and Colleges Indoor Track and Field Championships at Sheffield, alongside Jamie Richardson, representing Sheffield, who clocked a new 3,000m personal best time of 8:12.70.

FIXTURES this weekend include the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday; the UK Athletics Indoor Track and Field Championships in Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday; and the Borders Road Running League at Trac Mon, Anglesey, on Sunday.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

THE UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships will be held at Nottingham, on Saturday, March 8; and the English Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in West Sussex, on Saturday, March 15.

West Cheshire AC will help organise the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday, March 24, and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, April 2.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

THE Cheshire Track and Field Championships will be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11.

The Championships will have full electronic timing and photo-finish for track events and EDM for field events. The Roster competition management system will be used, providing live start lists and results via the Roster App.

As usual, medals will be awarded for the full programme of track and field events for all age groups from under 13s to seniors, together with a small number of events for the Under-11 age group.

Online entries will be accepted in early March.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: February 23 at Trac Mon, Anglesey; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at Prestatyn (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS final winter Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meeting will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on Sunday, March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

Only one change in the top 3s of the West Cheshire AC Women’s Endurance League at the end of January, as Debra Bemand moves into 3rd place behind leading women Claire Harris and Emma Nutt. Michael Young continues to lead Paul Morrison and Jeff Gifford in the men’s competition.

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

JESSICA LARK and Mia Johnson both pocketed silver medals at the weekend.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club pair impressed at the England Athletics Indoor Track and Field Championships held in Sheffield.

Jessica clocked 2:08.52 for second spot in the under 20 women’s 800m having won her qualifying heat in a time of 2:12.95.

And Mia posted a new personal best and new under 15 girls 200m indoor club record of 25.37 seconds to secured second position in the final after winning her first round heat with 25.61, and producing 25.41 for victory in her semi-final.

Alba March posted 8.09 seconds in her under 17 women’s 60m heat, and Jacob Gardner clocked a new under 17 men’s 200m personal best of 23.41 seconds.

Beth Manson clocked 43.75 seconds in her under 17 women’s 300m, while Maya Jennings posted 43.04 seconds in her under 15 girls 300m.

Lauren Higgins rounded the under 15 girls 800m in a time of 2:32.62, while Nathan Brassington negotiated the under 20 men’s 60m hurdles in a new personal best of 8.67 seconds, and Ruby Billington cleared 1-46m in the under 17 women’s high jump.

POPPY McKENNA, Nia Manson, Rose Sheppard, Florence Hain, and Heidi Wetherall combined to earn West Cheshire AC team gold medals in the under 13 girls age group at the final round of the North Wales Cross Country League.

Poppy finished in third spot at the Marches School, Oswestry, ahead of Nia (fourth), Rose (eighth), Florence (10th), and Heidi (11th).

Niall Betteridge (fifth) and Jack Arnold (eighth) rounded the under 11 boys race, while Saskia Keresturova delivered third spot and Isla Lambert sixth position in the under 11 girls event.

CLAIRE HARRIS won the over-35 women’s overall individual title after securing fifth spot in the senior women’s race at Oswestry, supported by Anest Muller (30th), Ellie Robinson (45th), Joy Hickman (76th), and Alex Duffey (108th), to earn West Cheshire AC second team spot on the day and overall in Division Two to win promotion to Division One next season. 

Jeff Gifford secured second place overall in his over-60 age category after completing Saturday’s race in 67th position alongside Paul Morrison (41st).

ANNA WOOLGAR finished fourth in her over-50 women’s age group at Kenworthy Woods in Saturday’s Manchester Area Cross Country League.

Emma Nutt finished 10th senior lady, while Harriet Beattie rounded the under 15 girls race in 14th spot, Abby Gamble finished 16th in the under 11 girls race, and Noah Woolgar posted 27th position in the under 17 men’s race.

FAVOUR AKPAN improved her indoor triple jump record by 49cms to 11.85m at the Sheffield Steel Cup Indoor Meeting, where Sam Oliver won his 3k race in 9:15.08.

FIXTURES this weekend include the British Universities and Colleges Indoor Championships in Sheffield on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and the Manchester Indoor Open Meeting at SportCity on Sunday.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

THE English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22; the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships will be held at Loughborough, on Saturday, March 8; and the English Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in West Sussex on Saturday, March 15.

West Cheshire AC will help organise the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday, March 24, and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, April 2.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

by Dennis Wall

MIA JOHNSON has been crowned a double sprints champion at the Welsh Indoor Track and Field Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club member won the under 15 girls 300m title on Saturday and secured success in the 200m on Sunday at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff.

Mia clocked 25.94 seconds for the 200m and posted 43.52 seconds in her 300m to improve on her pair of bronze medals at last year’s championships.

Maya Jennings finished fourth with a time of 28.33 seconds in her under 15 girls 200m semi-final at the Northern Indoor Track and Field Championships staged at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport Arena.

Poppy McKenna performed well in the under 13 girls high jump with 1.25m for fourth spot to narrowly missed out on a medal before competing in the 800 metres where she clocked 2:35.97 to finish seventh overall.

Amelia Snowden (2:29:79), Nia Manson (2:32.15), and Lauren Higgins (2:34:52) impressed in the under 15 girls 800m.

And Leon Betteridge made his indoor debut with a solid under 13 boys 800m performance of 2:37:07 to finish seventh with a personal best.

SEVERAL West Cheshire AC members produced impressive results on Saturday at the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships held at Knights Grange, Winsford.

Nancy Farmer finished second in the Senior Girls race ahead of fourth-placed Hayley Holland.

Lucas Sawyer secured second spot in the Minor Boys race ahead of Leon Betteridge (third).

Poppy McKenna finished second in the Minor Girls race ahead of Heidi Wetherall (13th), Florie Hain (20th), and Belle Thompson (38th).

Scott Wells (fifth), Daniel Walker (seventh), Noah Woolgar (11th), Thomas Rimmer (13th), Ben Newall (14th), and George Jeffries (25th), completed the Intermediate Boys race.

Eleanor Wheeler was fifth in the Intermediate Girls race, while Dylan Gledhill was ninth in the Junior Boys race ahead of Sidney Carr (15th), Eliot Quaglierini (18th), and Max Henderson (21st).

Nia Manson secured third spot in the Junior Girls race ahead of Amelia Snowden (fifth), Harriet Beattie (sixth), Rose Sheppard (10th), Sophie Baker (13th), Harriet Buckley (18th), and Felicity Cooper (20th), and Ellis Hancock rounded the Senior Boys race in 12th position.

LOUIS GRIMES improved his 600m club record to 1:37.75 at Sunday’s Manchester Indoor Open Meeting.

Imogen Fives ran a new 60m personal best of 8.38 seconds and a new 200m personal best of 27.68 seconds to shave 0.42 off her previous best.

And Alba March experienced her first outing this winter and came away with a new 60m personal best of 8.08 seconds to warm up for the English Championships.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Manchester Area Cross Country League third round fixture on Saturday, at Kenworthy Woods/University Playing Fields, the North Wales Cross Country League final round at The Marches School, Oswestry, on Saturday; and the England Athletics Indoor Championships for Under 15s, Under 17s, and Under 20s at Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 9. The online entry link is: wcac.niftyentries.com

THE English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22; the UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships will be held at Loughborough, on Saturday, March 8; and the English Schools Cross Country Championships will be held in West Sussex on Saturday, March 15.

West Cheshire AC will help organise the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Championships at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday, March 24, and the Cheshire v Merseyside Year Seven Schools Cross Country Match at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Wednesday, April 2.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

by Dennis Wall

COSETTE WEARDEN produced a top-20 finish in Saturday’s Northern Cross Country Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club distance runner rounded the under 17 women’s course at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, in 20th spot with a time of 19 minutes 55 seconds.

Cosette was backed up by Nancy Farmer (22nd in 20:03), and Hayley Holland (55th in 22:15), while Jodi Bemand achieved a time of 23:54 for 27th position in the under 20 women’s event.

Poppy McKenna (29th in 11:25) headed West Cheshire AC’s charge in the under 13 girls race, ahead of Nia Manson (32nd in 11:30), Amelia Snowden (43rd in 11:42), Rose Sheppard (98th in 12:54), Heidi Wetherall (10th in 13:12), and Rosie Grimsditch (120th in 14:30).

Lucas Sawyer achieved 44th spot with a time of 10:54 in the under 13 boys race, ahead of Leon Betteridge (52nd in 11:05) and Atharva Ganesh (132nd in 13:44).

Henry Robinson rounded the under 20 men’s course in 28:52 for 47th spot, while Scott Wells (56th in 20:15), Lewis Morris (71st in 20:37), and Noah Woolgar (86th in 22:21) combined in the under 17 men’s event.

Claire Harris (55th in 31:48), Emma Nutt (85th in 34:00), Kerry Riley (91st in 34:39), Anest Muller (142nd in 37:45), Ellie Robinson (154th in 40:01), Debra Bemand (171st in 41:32), Angela Tegg (173rd in 41:41), and Joy Hickman (174th in 41:53) completed the senior women’s race.

Eleanor Wheeler (61st in 16:29), Emilia Pyper (62nd in 16:32), and Harriet Beattie (68th in 16:40) rounded the under 15 girls course.

Elliot Quaglierini (95th in 15:44), Dylan Gledhill (96th in 15:48), Max Henderson (107th in 16:11), and George Grimsditch (116th in 16:39) combined in the under 15 boys race.

Graham Wells (131st in 42:27) headed the men’s team home, supported by Dave Alexander (275th in 49:01), Andy Manson (304th in 50:40), Richard Hayes (312th in 51:38), Mark Davies (331st in 53:24), and Julian Tegg (376th in 61:04). 

JACOB GARDNER has blasted his way to a new 200m personal best and English Indoor Championships qualifying time.

The West Cheshire AC sprinter clocked 23.57 seconds to shave 0.12 off her previous best at the latest indoor open meeting held at Sheffield.

He was joined at the fixture by Nathan Owen who improved his 60m personal best to 7.56 seconds, Imogen Fives who ran a new 60m best of 8.40 seconds and a first-ever 200m time of 28.10 seconds.

Erin Barnard ran a new 200m best of 28.35 seconds, and Charles Ryder prepared for the British and World Masters Championships with a 60m personal best of 9.32 seconds.

NATHAN BRASSINGTON finished ninth in the Under 20 men’s English Indoor Heptathlon Championships at Sheffield with new age group club records in the long jump and pole vault.

MICHAEL YOUNG was first home for West Cheshire AC at Sunday’s latest round of the Borders Road Running League.

Michael covered the 7.1km course at Connah’s Quay in a time of 23:20 for first place in his over 35 age group and fifth spot overall, behind winner Luke Burgess (Deeside AAC) who clocked 21:55.

Michael was supported by Matthew Douglass (20th in 24:33), Graham Wells (first over-50 man in 24:49), Lewis Morris (third under 20 man in 25:03), Steve Fernyhough (third over-40 man in 25:15), Luke Pearson (46th in 25:55), Jamie Fisher (60th in 26:39), Wullie McGarrell (first over-60 man in 27:05), Paul Morrison (72nd in 27:24), Chris Shaw (sixth over-45 man in 27:30), Jeff Gifford (second over-60 man in 28:38), Ian Pritchard (ninth over-55 in 31:26), Paul Cain (11th over-55 man in 32:40), Neil Field (33:09), Andy Carter (35:21), Phil Gent (36:35), Tony Kennedy (42:57), and Dave Tiernan (47:12)

Spearheading the female charge for West Cheshire AC was Keely Smith (second over-40 lady in 28:24), backed up by Claire Harris (second over-35 lady in 28:59), Emma Nutt (15th lady in 29:26), Amanda Newall (seventh over-50 lady in 33:40), Clare Mallon (ninth over-50 lady in 33:58), Amy Mills (eighth over-35 lady in 35:01), and Debra Bemand (35:33).

TEAM STANDINGS (after Race Three):

MENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 1170 points; 2 Buckley 1334; 3 Wrexham 1372; 4 Chester Tri 1599; 5 West Cheshire 1698; 6 Wallasey 1706; 7 Deeside 1864.

WOMENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Deeside 421; 2 Helsby 467; 3 Wallasey 574; 4 West Cheshire 625; 5 Buckley 657; 6 UTS 975; 7 Pensby 1277.

MENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Ellesmere Port 1255; 2 Wirral 1472; 3 Eryri 1667; 4 Prestatyn 1699; 5 UTS 2153; 6 Pensby 2822; 7 Deestriders 3291; 8 Wrecsam Tri 3786; 9 Birkenhead 3964; 10 Cybi 4044; 11 Tattenhall 9132.

WOMENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Chester Tri 336; 2 Eryri 467; 3 Ellesmere Port 472; 4 Prestatyn 542; 5 Wrexham 639; 6 Deestriders 782; 7 Cybi 940; 8 Wirral 1046; 9 Birkenhead 1287; 10 Wrecsam Tri 1375; 11 Tattenhall 1796.

The next Borders League fixture will be held on Sunday, February 23, at Trac Mon, Anglesey (11am start).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships, at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Saturday (10am start); and the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting at Sport City on Sunday (10.30am start).

REMAINING fixtures of the Manchester Area Cross-country League are: Match Three – Saturday, February 8, at Kenworthy Woods/University Playing Fields (hosted by Bramhall Runners and Altrincham & District AC); Match Four – Saturday, March 1, at Woodbank Park, Stockport (hosted by Stockport Harriers & AC). The final/end of season results will be based on the best three out of the four matches. 

THE English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

MORE than 100 youngsters took part in the final round of the West Cheshire Athletic Club Schools Cross Country Race Series.

Pupils from Chester, Ellesmere Port, Wirral and North Wales gathered at Ellesmere Port Sports Village for the conclusion of the popular event held on Saturday morning organised by club volunteers.

Lyra Allison, Lucas Cairns, Evie Hulse, Blake Robinson, Abby Gamble, Evelyn Edwards, Niall Betteridge, Saskia Keresturova, Jack Arnold, Isla Salisbury, Atharva Ganesh, Nia Manson, and Sidney Carr were crowned overall age group winners after securing the best two results from the three rounds.

Lyra (Whitby Heath) won the year three girls title ahead of Farndon pair, Jessica Quinton and Hattie Miller who finished second and third respectively.

Lucas (Woodfall) won the year three boys title ahead of joint runners-up Harry Nicholson (Christleton) and Ralph Kellard (Sutton Green).

Evie (Our Lady of Pity) won the year four girls title ahead of Arianwen Setters (Hoole) and Mia Rees (Acresfield) who were second and third respectively.

Blake (Farndon) won the year four boys title ahead of joint runners-up Otto Holmes (Newton) and Sam Arnold (Upton Heath).

Abby (Guilden Sutton) and Evelyn (Saighton) were joint title winners in the year five girls event ahead of third placed Heidi Anstey (Overleigh St Mary’s).

Niall (Hoole) won the year five boys title ahead of Max Molloy (Ysgol y Waen) and Logan Blackburn (Hoole) who finished second and third respectively.

Saskia (Oldfield) won the year six girls title ahead of runner-up Zara Evans (Farndon) and third placed Alice Roberts-Page (Hoole).

Jack (Upton Heath) won the year six boys title ahead of runner up Xander Whelan (Guilden Sutton) and third placed Theo Hill (Childer Thornton).

Isla (Neston) won the year seven girls title ahead of runner-up Amelia Clarke (Ellesmere Port Catholic High).

Atharva (Upton) won the year seven boys title ahead of runner up Henry Cobb (Upton) and third placed Zach Dowdeswell (Ellesmere Port Catholic High).

Nia (Bishop Heber) won the year eight girls title, and Sidney (Upton) won the year eight boys crown ahead of runner-up Finlay Stewart (Upton).

COSETTE WEARDEN, of West Cheshire AC, representing West Kirby Grammar School, won the Senior Girls race at the Merseyside Schools Cross Country Championships in Formby on Friday.

JESSICA LARK and Joseph Morrison both clocked new personal bests at the British Milers Club Grand Prix Indoor Meeting in Sheffield at the weekend.

Jessica posted 4:17:01 for second spot in the Senior Women’s 800m A race, and Joseph rounded the Senior Men’s 3,000m C race in a time of 8:18:71.

MICHAEL YOUNG was the first of 19 West Cheshire AC finishers at Helsby’s Four Villages Half Marathon on Sunday.

Michael posted 1:11:49 for first place in his over-35 age group and ninth spot overall, ahead of Graham Wells (second over-50 man in 1:18:17), Steve Fernyhough (13th over-40 man in 1:19:11), Dave Shearer (20th over-35 man in 1:23:13), Wullie McGarrell (second over 60 man in 1:25:24), Keely Smith (second over-40 lady in 1:25:24), Emma Nutt (14th senior lady in 1:32:42), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (31st over-50 man in 1:35:09), Richard Hayes (39th over-50 man in 1:36:02), Steve Hillier (54th over-45 man in 1:38:28), Paul Cain (23rd over-55 man in 1:41:22), Ian Pritchard (25th over-55 man in 1:41:49), Clare Mallon (ninth over-50 lady in 1:42:34), Brian Cremin (87th over-35 man in 1:43:07), Neil Field (87th over-50 man in 1:48:15), Stephen Ball (85th over-45 man in 1:49:39), Phil Gent (115th over-50 man in 1:52:41), Julian Tegg (122nd over-50 man in 1:54:29), and Angela Tegg (26th over-50 lady in 1:54:30).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Cross Country Championships, at Tatton Park, near Knutsford, on Saturday; the Welsh National Cross Country Championships, at Pembrey Country Park, Llanelli, on Saturday; and the Borders Road Running League Round Four at Deeside College, Connah’s Quay, on Sunday (10am start).

REMAINING fixtures of the Manchester Area Cross-country League are: Match Three – Saturday, February 8, at Kenworthy Woods/University Playing Fields (hosted by Bramhall Runners and Altrincham & District AC); Match Four – Saturday, March 1, at Woodbank Park, Stockport (hosted by Stockport Harriers & AC). The final/end of season results will be based on the best three out of the four matches. 

THE English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22.

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 1, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Sportshall between 6-8pm this Friday, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures. Please come along and support the sessions.

WEST CHESHIRE AC will host the first-ever Cheshire Grand Prix Track and Field Meeting on Saturday, April 26, at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Athletics Track.

The Cheshire Grand Prix will replace the Cheshire Track and Field League and will comprise of four fixtures in total being held at EPSV, Macclesfield, and Warrington.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on February 2. The online entry link is: northernathletics.co.uk/events/

DATES and venues for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: January 26 at Deestriders; March 16 at Ellesmere Port; April 6 at Buckley Runners; May 7 at either Prestatyn, Chester Tri, or West Cheshire (Presentation Evening).
All races are on Sundays and start at 11am except for the final race which is on a Wednesday evening with a 7pm start and is a relay event.
THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 2; February 16; and March 9. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series
FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk