WCAC Schools Cross-country Series

Well done to all who took part in the final round of the WCAC Schools Cross-country Series 2024-25. Provisional results are available near the bottom of the Off-road page of the club website. Overall series results will follow, in time.

Press Report: Jess Sets New Best in Northern Test

by Dennis Wall

JESSICA LARK was crowned Northern Champion in Sheffield at the weekend.

The talented runner clocked a new Northern Indoor under 20 women’s 800m Championship best performance, personal best, and West Cheshire AC record of two minutes 6.21 seconds.

Jessica finished 11 seconds clear of her nearest rival in the final at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport Arena to produce a very impressive start to her season.

Jessica was joined on the podium by West Cheshire AC’s Ruby Billington and Niamh Le’Gall.

Ruby cleared 1-50m to achieve a bronze medal in the under 17 women’s high jump, and Niamh powered her way to a bronze medal in the under 20 women’s 200m final with a new personal best time of 25.96 seconds, ahead of sixth-placed club mate Holly Bosworth who clocked a new indoor personal best of 26.60 seconds in her first-ever Northern final.

Lewis Morris rounded the under 20 men’s 3,000m final in a new personal best time of 9:41.24, and Cosette Wearden rounded the under 20 women’s 3,000m final in a time of 10:57.02 for fifth spot.

Mia Johnson, competing in her first year in the under 17 women’s age group, reached the 300m final and finished fifth with a time of 44.74 seconds.

Beth Manson produced new under 17 women’s 200m (26.99 seconds) and 300m (43,04 seconds) personal bests and reached both semi-finals.

Eleanor Wheeler achieved a new under 17 women’s 800m personal best time of 2:30.43 and Emilia Pyper clocked a new season’s best time of 2:36.91.

LYDIA WALKER celebrated a silver medal with a time of 8.47 seconds in the under 17 women’s 60m final at the North Wales Regional Indoor Track and Field Championships held at Deeside.

FIXTURES this weekend include the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series final round at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday (10am start); the England Athletics Senior and Under 20 Indoor Combined Events Championships in Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday; and the Helsby Four Villages Half Marathon on Sunday (10.30am start).

THE Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. West Cheshire AC wanting to compete should email Dave Alexander with their name, date of birth and the name of the championship(s) they want to run in at: [email protected]

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 this month. 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

WCAC Endurance League

Cross-country regulars fill the first five positions in the West Cheshire AC Women’s Endurance League at the start of the new year, with Claire Harris continuing to lead Emma Nutt and Anest Muller. Michael Young passes Paul Morrison in the men’s competition, with Jeff Gifford still close behind.

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

Press Report: Cross-country County Bounty for WCAC

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club enjoyed a memorable day at Betley on Saturday.

The purple and gold-vested outfit produced a number of impressive medal performances at the Cheshire County Cross Country Championships at Betley Court Farm, near Crewe.

Abby Gamble (third), Saskia Keresturova (fifth), and Felicity Snowden (sixth) combined to secure team gold medals in the under 11 girls race alongside Heidi Anstey (12th), Lexie Ison (14th), Hermione Allison (16th), and Anna Dooley (17th).

Niall Betteridge (sixth), Jack Arnold (seventh), and Logan Blackburn (ninth) were awarded team silver medals in the under 11 boys race alongside Jimmy Wallis (12th), Stanley Boothman (13th), Xander Phelan (17th), Ted Austin (20th), Eric Beddows (22nd), Blake Robinson (23rd), and Finley Edwards (37th).

Nia Manson (second), Amelia Snowden (eighth), and Rose Shepherd (12th) were presented with team silver medals in the under 13 girls race, alongside Sophie Baker (13th), Florence Hain (16th), and Heidi Wetherall (17th) who achieved team bronze medals, supported by Rosie Grimsditch (24th) and Amelia Clarke (54th).

Scott Wells (seventh), Lewis Morris (eighth), and Ben Newall (ninth), backed up by Noah Woolgar (12th), earned team silver medals in the under 17 men’s race.

Cosette Wearden (third), Nancy Farmer (fourth), and Hayley Holland (eighth), combined for team silver medals in the under 17 women’s race.

Sam Oliver (third), Sammy Hollins (fourth), and Matthew McCreadie (11th), bagged team silver medals in the under 20 men’s race.

Leon Betteridge (eighth), Lucas Sawyer (10th) and Sidney Carr (12th), achieved team bronze medals in the under 13 boys race, backed up by Finlay Stewart (21st) and Atharva Ganesh (25th).

Claire Harris (sixth and third over-35 lady), Emma Nutt (11th), and Anest Muller (24th and fourth over-40 lady) combined for team bronze medals in the women’s race, supported by Clare Mallon (44th and seventh over-50 lady), Joy Hickman (53rd and fourth over-55 lady), and Debra Bemand (65th and 10th over-50 lady).

Dylan Gledhill (seventh), Max Henderson (13th), and George Grimsditch (14th), finished fourth team in the under 15 boys race, backed up by Finlay Wilson (18th).

Graham Wells (21st and second over-50 man), Paul Morrison (48th), Neil Hershaw (51st and first over-60 man), Dave Alexander (57th and second over-55 man), Jeff Gifford (67th and fourth over-60 man), and Andy Manson (73rd and 12th over-45 man) delivered seventh team position in the senior men’s race and were supported by Ian Pritchard (ninth over-55 man), Andrew Clague (10th over-55 man), Mark Davies (16th over-45 man), and Julian Tegg (19th over-50 man).

Eleanor Wheeler (fourth) and Harriet Beattie (fifth) completed the under 15 girls event, and Jodi Bemand finished fifth in the under 20 women’s race.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Indoor Under 17s, Under 20s and Seniors Track and Field Championships at Sheffield on Saturday and Sunday; the North Wales Indoor Track and Field Regional Championships at Deeside on Saturday; the Manchester Cross Country League at Tatton Park, on Saturday; the North Wales Cross Country League at PGL Boreatton Park, Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, on Saturday; and the Manchester Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting at Sport City on Sunday.

THE Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. West Cheshire AC wanting to compete should email [email protected] with their name, date of birth and the name of the championship(s) they want to run in.

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 this month. 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, January 12; 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

Press Report: Joe and Claire are First Round the Walls

PARTNERS Joseph Morrison and Claire Fuhihage celebrated success at the Chester Round The Walls Race.

The duo negotiated the four miles event organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club which attracted 508 finishers at Chester Racecourse in foggy weather conditions on Boxing Day.

Joseph, representing West Cheshire Athletic Club, clocked 21 minutes 5 seconds for the multi-terrain course, ahead of runner-up George Morris (Aldershot Farnham and District AC) who posted 21:15, and third-placed Eliot Palmer (Vegan Runners UK) with 21:26.

Claire (Illinois State University) was first lady in a time of 24:06, ahead of Izzy Gelder (Mornington Chasers) who clocked 24:25, and third-placed Sarah Hunter (Ackworth Road Runners) in 24:53.

Host club, West Cheshire AC, was represented by Lewis Morris (first under 20 man and fifth overall in 22:00), Henry Robinson (second under 20-man and 11th overall in 23:10), Ben Newall (third under 20 man and 13th overall in 23:31), Steve Fernyhough (second over-40 man in 23:43), Jon Park (third over-40 man and 18th overall in 24:03), Paul Morrison (27th in 25:00), Noah Woolgar (fifth under 20 man and 30th overall in 25:18), Jodi Bemand (first under 20 lady and fourth lady overall in 26:33), Andy Manson (third over-45 man and 41st overall in 26:34), Andrew Barratt (seventh under 20 man and 64th overall in 28:15), Emilia Pyper (second under 20 lady and eighth lady overall in 28:16), Carys Manson (third under 20 lady and 144th lady overall in 32:02), Jeff Lambert (23rd over-40 man and 269th overall in 37:04), Lis Oats (11th over-45 lady and 278th lady overall in 37:24), Phil Howe (24th over-55 man and 288th overall in 37:46), and Rosemary Rogers (first over-75 lady and 353rd lady overall in 40:12).

THE Cheshire County Cross Country Championships will be held at Betley Court Farm, near Crewe, on Saturday, January 4, while the Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and 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.

THE North Wales Cross Country Championships will be held at the Treborth Track, Bangor, on Saturday, January 4, with Menai and Eryri jointly hosting. Entries can be made via the following link: www.entrycentral.com/NorthWalesCCChamps

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 Senior, Under 20 and Under 17 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on January 11 and 12, as well as 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, January 12; 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

WCAC Endurance League

Two months in to the Endurance League year, and Claire Harris leads Emma Nutt in the women’s competition, with Anest Muller, Deb Bemand and Joy Hickman on level pegging behind them. Paul Morrison and Michael Young are level in the men’s competition, with Jeff Gifford one point behind.

See the Races page for full tables – please can any queries be addressed to [email protected].

Press Report: Nia and Amelia in Top 3

by Dennis Wall

NIA MANSON and Amelia Snowden produced podium places at Rugeley on Saturday. The
West Cheshire Athletic Club pair completed the under 13 girls race at
the final round of the North Staffs Cross Country League.
Nia clocked nine minutes 35 seconds for second spot on the day and second
place overall, while Amelia posted 9:45 for third place on the day and
third spot overall. Abby Gamble represented West Cheshire AC in the under 11 girls race and finished fourth in a time of 7:31 to secure sixth position overall. Niall
Betteridge clocked 10:11 for fourth place in the under 11 boys race to
finish fourth overall in his age group, ahead of Jack Arnold who was
seventh in 10:20 on the day and fifth overall, and Logan Blackburn who
was 12th with 10:53 on the day and 18th overall.

The Cheshire County Cross Country Championships will be held at Betley Court Farm, near Crewe, on Saturday, January 4, while the Northern Cross
Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday,
January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will
be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. West
Cheshire AC wanting to compete and who satisfies the criteria laid out in earlier emails should email [email protected] with the name of the championship(s) they want to run in.

WEST CHESHIRE AC coaches will be delivering Sportshall Athletics in the


Entries are being accepted for the Northern Senior, Under 20 and Under 17 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on
January 11 and 12, as well as 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, December 22; January 12; February 2; February 16; and
March 9. The online entry link is:Β https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/index.php/events-fixtures/winter-indoor-series

Press Report: It’s Time to go Round the Walls Again

by Dennis Wall

FINAL preparations are being made for the popular Chester Round The Walls Race being held on Boxing Day.

Entries have now closed for the 6.4km race, organised annually by West Cheshire Athletic Club with more than 500 runners expected to line-up for the 10.30am start on the grass close to the White Horse Pub.

The runners will complete approximately 2km within the confines of the Roodee before crossing the racecourse near the main entrance. After turning left onto the footpath adjacent to the hotel car park, the race turns left again on the footpath adjacent to the railway arches and then joins the riverside path.

The route follows the riverside path under Grosvenor Bridge, past the Little Roodee Car Park and towards Castle Drive.
The runners cross Castle Drive at the University building to join the City Walls at Bridgegate for an anti-clockwise circuit before returning to the Racecourse via the steps from Nuns Road. From the bottom of the steps the runners will head through the car park in front of the main stands before turning left to cross the racecourse.

After following the main access road the runners turn left onto the grass to finish close to the White Horse pub.

The Cheshire County Cross Country Championships will be held at Betley Court Farm, near Crewe, on Saturday, January 4, while the Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. First claim members who can commit to taking part, and who satisfy the entry criteria outlined in the club email sent earlier this autumn, should email Β [email protected]Β ASAP with your name and the name of the championships you want to run in.

THE closing date for the Merseyside County Cross Country Championships is this Friday. The fixture will be held at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, on Saturday, December 14, including non-championships races for Boys and Girls aged 9, 10 or 11 on the day. Entries are online only at: https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2024/merseyxc24e.php

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

THE North Wales Cross Country Championships will be held at the Treborth Track, Bangor, on Saturday, January 4, with Menai and Eryri jointly hosting. Entries can be made via the following link: www.entrycentral.com/NorthWalesCCChamps

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 on Fridays, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures early next year. Please come along and support the sessions.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Senior, Under 20 and Under 17 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on January 11 and 12, as well as 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, December 22; January 12; 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

CANCELLED – WCAC Schools Cross Country Races

Please note that this Saturday’s (December 7th) scheduled West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Races fixture at Ellesmere Port Sports Village has been cancelled due to Storm Darragh.

Press Report: Claire Takes Her Chance at Aber

CLAIRE HARRIS headed West Cheshire Athletic Club’s charge at Aberystwyth on Saturday.

Claire clocked 25 minutes 16 seconds for second spot in her over-35 age group and seventh position overall in the women’s race at the latest round of the North Wales Cross Country League.

Claire was backed up by Anest Muller who posted 28:48 for fifth place in her over-40 age group and 26th spot overall, and by Emma Nutt who clocked 29:16 for ninth place in her senior women’s age group and 29th position overall.

The trio ensured West Cheshire AC finished second in the team event on the day and are second overall in Division Two ahead of the next round to be held at the PGL Centre, Baschurch, near Shrewsbury, on Saturday, January 11.

Nia Manson secured third position with a time of 8:23 in the under 13 girls race at Aberystwyth, and Jack Arnold posted 8:52 for seventh position in the under 11 boys race.

WEST CHESHIRE AC re-elected it’s management committee at Friday night’s annual general meeting held in the Ellesmere Port Sports Village Trackside Room. Brian Wright (Chairman), Alan Morris (Vice-Chairman), Sarah Hibbert (Treasurer), and Dennis Wall (Secretary) remain officers of the club, and Mike Lamb is the Club President. 

FIXTURES this weekend include the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Races at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday (10am start); the Manchester Area Cross Country League at Woodbank Park, Stockport, on Saturday; the English Schools Cross Country Cup Final at Leeds on Saturday; the Northern Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting, at Sheffield, on Saturday; and the Borders Road Running League at Track Mon, Anglesey, on Sunday (11am start).

WEST CHESHIRE AC need volunteers to make this year’s Chester Round The Walls Race an event to remember.

Club members, families and friends are needed to help as race marshals and volunteers for the event which takes place from Chester Racecourse on Boxing Day (10.30am start).

And Club members who have entered the race are reminded to provide a helper/volunteer to ensure the fixture can run smoothly.

If you can help, please email Dennis ASAP at: [email protected]

THE Cheshire County Cross Country Championships will be held at Betley Court Farm, near Crewe, on Saturday, January 4, while the Northern Cross Country Championships, will be held at Tatton Park, on Saturday, January 25; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Parliament Hill, London, on Saturday, February 22. West Cheshire AC wanting to compete should email Dave Alexander with their name, date of birth and the name of the championship(s) they want to run in at: [email protected]

THE closing date for the Merseyside County Cross Country Championships is this Friday. The fixture will be held at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead, on Saturday, December 14, including non-championships races for Boys and Girls aged 9, 10 or 11 on the day. Entries are online only at: https://www.race-results.co.uk/results/2024/merseyxc24e.php

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

THE North Wales Cross Country Championships will be held at the Treborth Track, Bangor, on Saturday, January 4, with Menai and Eryri jointly hosting. Entries can be made via the following link: www.entrycentral.com/NorthWalesCCChamps

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 on Fridays, with the aim of helping youngsters prepare for the Schools Sportshall Athletics fixtures early next year. Please come along and support the sessions.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Northern Senior, Under 20 and Under 17 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on January 11 and 12, as well as 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: December 8 at Cybi Striders; 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, December 22; January 12; 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

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