by Dennis Wall

ALAN LITTLER and Christian Holcombe celebrated silver medals at Lee Valley over the weekend.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club pair competed at the British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships.

Alan, preparing for next month’s European Championships in Poland, registered a new club record of 1.68m to secure second position in the over-35 men’s high jump competition, and also competed in the 400m, winning his heat in 57.59 seconds for sixth place overall.

Christian achieved a silver medal in the over-40 men’s triple jump competition with 11.62m, just three centimetres away from the winning mark.

FIVE West Cheshire members competed in Saturday’s English National Cross Country Championships held at Hardwick East Park, Sedgefield, County Durham.

Lewis Morris clocked 19 minutes 57 seconds for 21st position in the under 17 men’s 6km race.

Lucas Sawyer (24th in 10:55) and Leon Betteridge (92nd in 11:39) completed the under 13 boys 3km course.

Cosette Wearden rounded the under 20 junior women’s 6km race in 80th spot with a time of 27:40.

And Sam Oliver registered 172nd place in the senior men’s 12km race with a time of 44:08.

HARRY DEAL made his first competition appearance for West Cheshire in Sunday’s Sale Harriers Indoor Meeting and clocked 8.09 seconds in his 60m.

He was joined at the fixture by Imogen Pughe who posted 8.25 seconds for the 60m, while Jacob Gardner continued his comeback with times of 7.56 and 23.71 for the 60m and 200m.

Erin Barnard ran two season best performances over 60m (8.50) and 200m (27.81), and Alba March sliced 0.04 off her 60m personal best to clock 7.86 and in the process beat former Northern champion, Katy Wyper.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Chester Ultra 50 miles Race at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday; the Vault Manchester fixture at SportCity, on Saturday; and the Borders Road Running League race, at Birkenhead Park, on Sunday.

ENTRIES have opened for the Chester Spring Five Milers Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 15. The entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5123

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 1, Birkenhead Park; April 19, Delamere Forest; May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s final Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meeting will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on Sunday, March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

FIXTURES for this year’s Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix are: Round One, Saturday, April 25, at Macclesfield; Round Two, Sunday, May 17, at Crewe or Macclesfield; Round Three, Sunday, July 5, at Ashton Under Lyne; Round Four, Sunday, September 13, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

by Dennis Wall

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club’s under 13 girls were crowned team champions at Oswestry on Saturday.

The purple and gold vested youngsters delivered top spot overall at The Marches School in the final round of the North Wales Cross Country League.

Poppy McKenna celebrated victory at the final race and finished third overall, backed up on Saturday by Heidi Wetherall (fifth), Saskia Keresturova (eighth), Emilia Hughes (ninth), Beth Jones (14th), and Isla Lambert (15th).

Lucas Sawyer won the under 13 boys race at Oswestry and was supported by Leon Betteridge (fifth), Jack Arnold (sixth), Morgan Edwards (14th), Finley Edwards (16th), Atharva Ganesh (17th), and Henry Cobb (20th), to earn West Cheshire second team position overall.

Niall Betteridge won the under 11 boys race at Oswestry and was backed up by Sam Arnold (19th) and James Thomas (30th).  

Abby Gamble secured second position in the under 11 girls race at Oswestry and was supported by Heidi Anstey (fifth), and Evelyn Edwards (sixth), and the trio contributed towards team silver medals.

Nia Manson finished third overall in the under 15 girls age group after securing seventh spot on Saturday and ensured her club finished third in the team competition. 

Jeff Gifford, Emma Nutt, Ellie Robinson and Joy Hickman celebrated podium places in the North Wales Senior Cross Country League overall standings.

Jeff won the 60-64 age group title after finishing second in the final race, while Emma pocketed a silver medal in the senior women’s age group after registering third place in her age group on Sunday.

Ellie secured a bronze medal in her 50-54 age group and Joy pocketed a bronze medal in her 60-64 age category.

Paul Morrison (17th) headed West Cheshire men’s charge at Oswestry, backed up by Jeff Gifford, Andrew Clague (fourth over 55 man and 65th man), Ian Pritchard (11th over-55 man and 87th man).

West Cheshire finished fifth team on Saturday and seventh overall in Division Two.

Claire Harris was West Cheshire’s first lady finisher on Saturday, achieving fifth place in her over-35 age group and eighth spot in the ladies race, supported by Emma Nutt (third senior lady and 11th overall), Anest Muller (seventh over-40 lady and 29th overall), Joy Hickman (third over-60 lady and 44th overall), and Alex Duffey (10th over-50 lady and 92nd overall).

West Cheshire finished fourth team on Saturday and fifth overall in Division One, while also finishing the female masters team event as fourth on the day and sixth overall.    

IMOGEN PUGHE competed at the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Championships at the weekend in Sheffield, qualifying for the 200m semi finals and achieving 26.49 seconds – her fastest 200m time for six years.

FIXTURES this weekend include the English National Cross Country Championships at Hardwick East Park, Sedgefield, County Durham, on Saturday, the British Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships at Lee Valley, on Saturday and Sunday, and the Sale Harriers Indoor Track and Field Open Meeting in Manchester on Sunday.

ENTRIES have opened for the Chester Spring Five Milers Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 15. The entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5123

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 1, Birkenhead Park; April 19, Delamere Forest; May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

FIXTURES for this year’s Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix are: Round One, Saturday 25th April, at Macclesfield; Round Two, Sunday, 17th May, at Crewe or Macclesfield; Round Three, Sunday, 5th July, at Ashton Under Lyne; Round Four, Sunday, 13th September, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the date and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

March 7-8: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries are open on Roster, closing on February 22.

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

by Dennis Wall

MIA JOHNSON medalled at the England Athletics Indoor Age Group Track and Field Championships in Sheffield.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club 14 year old sprinter was the youngest athlete in the under 17 women’s 200m and pocketed a bronze medal with a time of 24.78 seconds.

Mia had celebrated victory with a time of 24.91 seconds in her heat and then posted a new indoor personal best time of 24.63 seconds in her semi-final.

And Mia added a new under 17 women’s 60m indoor club record of 7.81 seconds in her heat to qualify for the semi-final where she equalled her personal best.

Holly Bosworth and Amelia Snowden provided support in Sheffield, with Holly clocking a new under 20 women’s indoor 200m personal best of 24.97 seconds in the semi-final after posting 25.17 in her heat, while Amelia achieved a new personal best of 42.31 seconds in her under 15 girls 300m heat and then achieved fifth spot in the final with 42.68 seconds.

SIDNEY SHORROCK represented West Cheshire at the England Athletics Winter Long Throws Competition at Leigh and celebrated a gold medal with a new personal best of 43.59m in the discus to move to the top of the UK age group ranking list.

KEELY SMITH improved her over-40 women’s double time of 2:50:22 with a 2:48:41 (2:48:49 gun) at the Murcia Marathon.

EMMA HOLMES and Niamh Le’Gall have broken West Cheshire indoor club records in the United States.

Emma clocked 55.18 seconds for 400m and 24.30 seconds for 200m at the Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas, faster than her previous under 20 club best of 54.24 seconds set in Brussels at the 2024 International Flanders Athletic meet.

Niamh achieved new indoor records in the under 20 women’s 60m (7.66 seconds) and 200m (24.27 seconds) at Norman, representing East Texas.

JACK ARNOLD was crowned Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championship year seven boys title winner at Knights Grange, Winsford, on Saturday.

Jack won the 2km race ahead of Chester team mates George Haskey (10th), Lucas Grimshaw (13th), Ruben Hornby (17th), and Kian Hasledone (19th) who will represent Cheshire against Merseyside next month at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Lewis Morris (Ellesmere Port and Halton) finished second in the Senior Boys 6km race ahead of Chester’s Scott Wells (sixth), Ellesmere Port and Halton’s William Vose (seventh), and Chester’s Thomas Wyrko (10th).

Chester duo Lucas Sawyer and Lewis Dutton (second and third respectively) completed the Junior Boys 3.5km race, backed up by Leon Betteridge (fifth), George Bright (ninth), Finley Stewart (10th), Caleb Tinson (12th), and Sam Scott (16th).

Ellesmere Port and Halton duo Nancy Farmer and Bailey Hughes finished second and third respectively in the Senior Girls 4km race.

Chester’s Nia Manson achieved third position in the Junior Girls 3.5km race, ahead od Ellesmere Port and Halton’s Isla Salisbury (seventh), Chester’s Pioppy McKenna (eighth), Margaux Schmidlin (17th), Ellesmere Port and Halton’s Heidi Wetherall (19th), and Chester duo Freya Winward (20th), and Flori Hain (23rd).

Sophie Mulcaster from Chester secured third spot in the Intermediate Girls 4km race, supported by Emilia Pyper (eighth).

Jasmine Rogan (Halton and Ellesmere Port) finished fourth in the year seven girls 2km race ahead of Chester’s Verity Holland (eighth), Ellesmere Port and Halton’s Belle Royle (11th), Chester’s Saskia Keresturova (14th), Emilia Hughes (16th), and Alice Roberts-Page (18th) who will compete for Cheshire against Merseyside next month.

Tom Rimmer from Chester secured ninth spot in the Intermediate Boys 5km race, ahead of team mate Max Henderson (11th), Ellesmere Port and Halton’s Joe Davies (13th), and Chester duo Dylan Gledhill (20th) and Harry Simcock (24th).

JACOB GARDNER made his first competitive performance for 10 months after an injury at the Sale Harriers Indoor Meeting in Manchester and ran a new 60m personal best of 7.50 seconds to slice 0.03 off his previous best, and ran 23.42 for the 200m which is only 0.01 outside his personal best.

He was joined at the fixture by Erin Barnard who clocked new season’s bests of 8.62 in the 60m and 28.02 in the 200m.

Wycombe King posted 7.87 in the 60m and 25.51 in the 200m, and Alba March broke eight seconds for the first time in the 60m with a new personal best of 7.90 seconds.

FIXTURES this weekend include the North Wales Cross Country League at The Marches School, Oswestry, on Saturday, the UK Athletics Indoor Championships at Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday), and the British Universities and Colleges Indoor Championships at Sheffield, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. 

ENTRIES have opened for the Chester Spring Five Milers Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 15. The entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5123

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 1, Birkenhead Park; April 19, Delamere Forest; May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the date and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

March 7-8: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries are open on Roster, closing on February 22.

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

At the end of January, Anest and Emma are tied in 1st place, pursued by Joy in 3rd. Paul leads Andrew in the men’s tables, with Ian pulling clear of the pack into 3rd.

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

TRISTAN LEE and Saskia Keresturova produced a memorable double act in Sheffield on Sunday.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club youngsters impressed at the North of England Indoor Track and Field Championships held in the English Institute of Sport Arena.

Tristan was crowned under 13 boys 60m and 200m champion with new personal best times of 8.10 seconds and 26.77 seconds respectively.

And Saskia secured silver medals in the under 13 girls 60m and 200m with times of 8.79 seconds and 28.99 seconds respectively.

Amelia Snowden (2:23:73), Nia Manson (2:28:11), and Rose Sheppard (2:38:68) represented West Cheshire in the under 15 girls 800m.

Freya Whittaker cleared 1-40m in the under 15 girls high jump alongside Poppy McKenna who achieved 1-35m and added new personal bests of 4.11m in the long jump and 10.23 seconds in the 60m hurdles.

Lucas Sawyer rounded the under 15 boys 800m in a new personal best time of 2:22:32, and Kade Harris clocked 25.96 seconds in his under 15 boys 200m having qualified with a new personal best of 25.44 seconds in his heat.

ABBY GAMBLE was victorious in the under 11 girls race at Leaton Forest, Shrewsbury, in the latest round of the North Wales Junior Cross Country League on Saturday.

Abby was backed up by team mates Evelyn Edwards (fifth), and Heidi Anstey (seventh), to win the team competition on the day and are now second team overall.

Nia Manson achieved second position in the under 15 girls race and Finlay Stewart claimed fourth spot in the under 15 boys event.

Poppy McKenna (fourth), Heidi Wetherall (seventh), Florence Hain (ninth), and Emilia Hughes (10th) combined for top spot in the team event and are first overall with one round remaining.

Atharva Ganesh (12th) and Henry Cobb (13th) completed the under 13 boys race for sixth team position on the day and second team position overall.

Josh Coates (fifth), Toby Honeyborne-Kelly (12th), and James Thomas (21st) combined for fourth team position on the day and fourth place overall. 

Claire Harris (third over-35 lady and seventh overall), Emma Nutt (third senior lady and eighth overall), Anest Muller (seventh over-40 lady and 29th overall), Ellie Robinson (fifth over-50 lady and 37th overall), Deb Bemand (eighth over-50 lady and 66th overall), and Alex Duffey (13th over-50 lady and 86th overall) combined to earn fourth team spot on the day and fifth place overall in the Division One standings, while the club’s female masters finished third team on the day and lie fifth overall.  

Paul Morrison (20th), Jeff Gifford (48th), Andrew Clague (62nd), and Ian Pritchard (77th), combined for third team spot on the day and eighth place overall in the Division Two standings.

The final round of the North Wales Cross Country League is scheduled to be held at Marches School, Oswestry, on Saturday, February 14.

LEWIS MORRIS headed West Cheshire’s charge at Sunday’s Borders Road Running League fixture at Thurstaston.

Lewis finished third and clocked 25:18 for the 7.9km course, supported by Michael Young (fifth in 25:45), Dave Shearer (26th in 27:36), Scott Wells (48th in 28:54), Graham Wells (52nd in 29:05), David Assheton (58th in 29:11), Luke Squirrell (69th in 29:41), Paul Morrison (73rd in 29:46), Luke Pearson (93rd in 30:36), Ian-Paul Flanders (109th in 31:24), Kevin Eaton (150th in 33:16), Jake Hidden Deveson (165th in 34:10), Jeff Gifford (166th in 34:16), Ian Pritchard (169th in 34:20), Andrew Clague (177th in 34:41), Phil Gent (234th in 39:32), Andy Carter (243rd in 40:58), Tony Kennedy (269th in 47:03), and Dave Tiernan (277th in 54:58).

Lottie Rowedder was West Cheshire’s first lady to finish, posting 32:31 for 12th place, backed up by Emma Nutt (14th in 32:47), Julie Taillard (18th in 33:09), Joy Hickman (44th in 36:35), Anest Muller (48th in 36:49), Amy Mills (65th in 38:52), and Deb Bemand (74th in 40:54).

TEAM STANDINGS (after three rounds)

WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 338 points; 2 West Cheshire 401; 3 Deeside 483; 4 Chester Tri 492; 5 Wallasey 749; 6 Buckley 898; 7 Eryri 1566. 

MEN’S DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 1013; 2 Buckley 1061; 3 Chester Tri 1358; 4 Wallasey 1533; 5 Wrexham 2020; 6 Wirral 2817; 7 Ellesmere Port 4585.

WOMEN’S DIVISION TWO: 1 Prestatyn 464; 2 Ellesmere Port 561; 3 Wirral 588; 4 UTS 686; 5 Wrexham 710; 6 Pensby 939; 7 Birkenhead 1093; 8 Wrecsam Tri 1096; 9 Deestriders 1142; 10 Tattenhall 1714; 11 Cybi 1832.

MEN’S DIVISION TWO: 1 Deeside 633; 2 West Cheshire 1126; 3 Prestatyn 1492; 4 Eryri 2601; 5 Birkenhead 3105; 6 UTS 3548; 7 Deestriders 3639; 8 Wrecsam Tri 3918; 9 Pensby 3976; 10 Cybi 5652; 11 Tattenhall 7596.

The next round of the Borders Road Running League is scheduled to be held on Sunday, March 22, at New Brighton.

ALICE ROBERTS-PAGE and Jack Arnold secured Bishop’s Bluecoat a double success story on Saturday at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Alice won the year seven girls race ahead of runner-up Zara Evans (Bishop Heber) and third placed Maisy Roberts-Page (Bishop’s Bluecoat) at the penultimate round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series.

Jack celebrated a victory in the year seven boys race, ahead of runner-up Morgan Edwards (Bishop;s Bluecoat), and third placed Daniel Kuzia (Queen’s Park), while Zach Dowdeswell (Ellesmere Port Church of England Academy) won the year eight boys race.

Niall Betteridge (Hoole) won the year six boys race ahead of Max Molloy (Ysgol y Waen), and Logan Blackburn (Hoole) in third spot.

Polly Morait (Farndon) won the year six race ahead of Hermione Allison (Whitby Heath), and Anna Dooley (Meadow) who were second and third respectively.

Arthur Jones (King’s) grabbed glory in the year five boys race ahead of Blake Robinson (Farndon) and Sam Arnold (Upton Heath) who were second and third.

Ivy Bowden (Tushingham) won the year five girls race ahead of runner up Arianwen Setters (Hoole) and Chloe Golightly (Oldfield) who were second and third.

Dash Clarke (Farndon) celebrated success in the year four boys race ahead of Harry Nicholson (Christleton) and Seb Close (Woodfall) who were second and third.

Lyra Allison (Whitby Heath) grabbed glory in the year four girls race ahead of runner up Hattie Miller (Farndon) and third placed Viola Gilligan (Upton Heath).

Woodfall pair Lucas Cairns and Freddie Latham finished first and second in the year three boys race ahead of third placed Albie Potter (Christeton).

And Amelie Grant (St Martin’s Academy) won the year three girls race ahead of Newton’s Paisley Herriman and Upton Heath’s Willow Parry who were second and third respectively.

The final round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series will be held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday, March 7 (10am start).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships on Saturday, at Knights Grange, Winsford; the Manchester Area Cross Country League at Heaton Park, on Saturday; the England Athletics Under 15, Under 17, and Under 20 Indoor Track and Field Championships, at Sheffield, on Saturday and Sunday; the Welsh Indoor Under 17 and Senior Track and Field Championships at Cardiff, on Saturday and Sunday; the Sale Harriers Indoor Track and Field Open Meeting at SportCity, Manchester, on Sunday; the UK Cross Country Challenge at London, on Saturday; and the England Athletics Midlands and North Winter Long Throws Championships at Leigh, on Saturday and Sunday.

ENTRIES have opened for the Chester Spring Five Milers Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 15. The entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5123

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 22, New Brighton Promenade; April 19, Delamere Forest; May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 8; February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the date and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

March 7-8: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries are open on Roster, closing on February 22.

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

Well done to all who took part in yesterday’s penultimate round of the West Cheshire AC Schools’ Cross-country Series at Ellesmere Port Sports Village last Saturday. Provisional results are available near the bottom of the Off-road page of the club website.

ATHLETICS

by Dennis Wall

LEWIS MORRIS pocketed a bronze medal at Pontefract on Saturday.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club runner registered a time of 18 minutes 33 seconds to finish third in the under 17 men’s 5.68km race at the North of England Cross Country Championships.

Lucas Sawyer achieved sixth position in the under 13 boys 3.23km race, ahead of team mate Atharva Ganesh who was 122nd.

Poppy McKenna clocked 13:29 for 49th spot in the under 13 girls 3.23km event.

Emilia Pyper finished 59th in the under 17 women’s 5km race with a time of 22:40.

Nia Manson rounded the under 15 girls 4.31km race in 68th position with a time of 18 minutes, supported by club mate Harriet Beattie who was 95th in 19:17.

Ellie Robinson (107th in 42:46) and Joy Hickman (115th in 43:49) completed the senior women’s 8.37km race, and Henry Robinson rounded the senior men’s 12.36km race in 48:06 for 139th position. 

ISAAC THOMPSON played his part in a county success story on Sunday at Wigan.

The West Cheshire AC youngster helped earn the Cheshire under 13 boys a team victory at the North West Regional Sportshall Athletics Championships, held at Robin Park Leisure Centre.

Isaac will now represent the Cheshire’s Under 13 boys team at the UK Sportshall Athletics Finals to be held at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Fenton, Stoke on Trent, on Saturday, April 11.

Issac was joined at Wigan by West Cheshire’s Louisa Cogan, Abby Gamble, and Heidi Anstey who helped Cheshire under 11 girls finish second, and by Charles Uchenna who helped Cheshire under 11 boys finish second, and by Amber Cogan (under 13) and Sophie Baker (under 15).

EMMA HOLMES has produced record-breaking performances in America.

The West Cheshire AC sprinter, representing Tarleton State, in Texas, shattered her own 400m record to become the first Texan student to run a sub-54 second or sub-55 second 400m in indoor program history.

Emma not only broke the school record in 53.86 seconds at the Stan Scott Invitational fixture on Friday, but also took home the individual crown in the event.

Emma beat her own school record by over a second, a record she set the previous weekend at the Corky Classic in 55.18 seconds and now owns a top-25 time in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) as well.

FIXTURES this weekend include the third round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday (10am start); the North Wales Cross Country League, at Leaton Farm Estate Bomere Heath, Shrewsbury, on Saturday (10.30am start for juniors, and 1pm start from seniors); the Borders Road Running League at Thurstaston Country Park, on Sunday (11am start); and the Northern Indoor Under 13s and Under 15s Track and Field Championships, on Sunday, at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport Arena (10.15am start).

ENTRIES have opened for the Chester Spring Five Milers Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 15. The entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5123

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 7, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: February 1, Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston; March 22, New Brighton Promenade; April 19, Delamere Forest; May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 8; February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the date and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

March 7-8: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries open on Roster on February 2, closing on February 22. 

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

ATHLETICS

by Dennis Wall

FIONA COOK has been selected to represent England.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club distance running ace will line up for her country at the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km.

The event will take place in Ireland on Saturday, March 21, and the competition sees teams from Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland participating.

Fiona, who has received a GB Ultras sponsored invitation for the event said: “I’m so pleased to announce that @gbultras have invited me to be one of their sponsored athletes!!

“It feels pretty overwhelming that such an amazing organisation want me on their team, but I couldn’t be happier.

“GB Ultras have been one of the most welcoming race organisers I have ever had the pleasure to run and volunteer with. The team and community they have created are the reason I have fallen in love with ultra running so much and now I am one of their athletes!

“Thank you so much for having so much faith in me and I promise to put my all into everything, whether it be racing, volunteering or helping to support others in anyway I can! Bring on the 2026 season!”

Fiona will be joined in the England team by Katie Young (Fulham Running Club), Nicole Funnell (Springfield Striders), Sophie Power (Guildford and Godalming), Joseph Turner (Cambridge and Coleridge AC), Hugh Tibbs (Cambridge Harriers), David Barrat (Salford Harriers), and Gary Marshall (Ryde Harriers).

England Team manager, Robbie Britton, said: “Once again I’m delighted we’re taking a strong team to the Anglo Celtic Plate, one that is bristling with experienced 100k runners and others new to the distance with huge potential.

“With the announcement of a World 100km Championships in Spain for September we know the competition will be strong, but this year we hope to bring back team gold for both the men’s and women’s race.”

Andrew Heyes, England National Endurance Manager for Off-Track added: “The Anglo-Celtic Plate provides a vital platform for athletes to test themselves, experience international competition, and continue their development towards potential World Championship selections and GB representation. What is great about this event is that it’s not just about individual performance – there is a strong team aspect that plays a key role in preparing athletes for global championships.”

WULLIE McGARRELL won his over-60 age group category at Sunday’s Helsby Four Villages Half Marathon.

Wullie clocked one hour 24 minutes and was joined on the podium by Neil Hershaw who finished second in the over 60 age group with a time of 1:26:06.

Keely Smith finished second over-40 lady and fourth lady overall with a time of 1:24:01, and Michael Young was third in his over35 age category and seventh overall with 1:11:53.

Other West Cheshire finishers included Dave Shearer (1:16:35), Isaac McKenna (1:20:05), Duncan Harris (1:26:50), Jeff Gifford (1:30:34), Emma Nutt (1:31:52), Andrew Clague (1:34:42), Mark Robinson (1:35:10), Ian Pritchard (1:35:50), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (1:36:02), Luke Ellis (1:38:24), Brian Cremin (1:37:41), Steve Hillier (1:40:29), Julie Douzant (1:40:21), Laura Farmer (1:44:55), Phil Gent (1:48:22), Julian Tegg (1:52:11), and Angela Tegg (1:52:11).

WEST CHESHIRE AC’s Under 11 girls pocketed team bronze medals at the final round of the North West Sportshall Athletics League held on Sunday, at Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool.

Heidi Anstey, Abby Gamble, Hermione Allison, Lyra Allison, Chloe Golightly, and Louisa Cogan combined for a place on the podium.

Sophie Baker secured a bronze medal in the under 15 girls age group, and other West Cheshire team members included Toby Honeyborne-Kelly, Sammy Thwaites, Aiden Wall, Charles Uchenna, Will Rigby, Isaac Thompson, James Wallis, Harriet Oliver and Amber Cogan.

EMMA HOLMES and Niamh Le’Gall have clocked new West Cheshire AC indoor club records at the Owen Hewitt Invitational Meeting held in Norman, Oklahoma.

Emma, representing Tarleton State, posted a new under 23 women’s 200m record of 24.30 seconds, and clocked 55.18 seconds in her 400m, while Niamh, representing East Texas, registered a new under 20 women’s 60m record of 7.66 seconds.

LEWIS MORRIS rounded the British Milers Club 3,000m at the English Institute of Sport Indoor Arena in Sheffield with a time of 8:41:01, while club mate Dan Walker clocked 2:00.66 for the 800m.

ERIN BARNARD posted 8.76 seconds in the under 17 women’s 60m and 28.30 for the 200m at the Sale Harriers Indoor Meeting in Manchester alongside club mate Kade Harris who clocked 8.24 and 26.84 for his 60m and 200m respectively.

Alan Littler rounded the men’s 600m in 1:29, while Rose Sheppard clocked 1:50 in her under 15 girls 800m, and Eleanor Wheeler posted 28.39 seconds for her under 17 women’s 200m.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Cross Country Championships at Pontefract, on Saturday; the and the North West Regional Sportshall Athletics Championships at Robin Park, Wigan, on Sunday.

ENTRIES have opened for the Chester Spring Five Miles Road Race being organised by West Cheshire AC on Wednesday, April 15. The entry link is: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Chester-Spring-5123

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 7, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: February 1, Wirral Country Park, Thurstaston; March 22, New Brighton Promenade; April 19, Delamere Forest; May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, February 8; February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the date and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

March 7-8: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries open on Roster on February 2, closing on February 22. 

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

At the end of 2025, Anest is a point ahead of Joy in the women’s Endurance League, with Emma a further point behind in 3rd. Paul is two points head of Andrew in the men’s tables, followed a further five points back by Michael, Jeff and Ian.

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

by Dennis Wall

MIA JOHNSON and Holly Bosworth both medalled at the Northern Indoor Track and Field Championships.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club duo impressed in the regional fixture held at Sheffield’s English Institute of Sport Arena on Saturday and Sunday.

Mia clocked a new under 17 women’s 200m club record of 25.10 seconds in her semi-final, before posting 25.16 seconds for second position in her final, and added a bronze medal in the 300m final with a season’s best time of 41.24 seconds.

And Holly achieved a silver medal performance in the under 20 women’s 200m with a season’s best time of 25.29 seconds having won her qualifying heat with a time of 25.49 seconds, and ran a season’s best 400m time of 59.04 seconds for fifth spot in the final.

Josh Stirling was another record-breaker in Sheffield after clocking an under 20 men’s 200m time of 24.25 seconds in his qualifying heat, and he posted a new 60m personal best of 7.50 seconds.

Jess Mann registered 26.06 seconds for fourth spot in the under 17 women’s 200m final having clocked a season’s best time of 25.99 seconds in her semi-final.

Ruby Billington cleared a season’s best of 1-60m for sixth position in the under 17 women’s high jump.

Beth Manson produced a season’s best time of 27.45 seconds in her under 17 women’s 200m heat to qualify for the semi-finals and posted 43.85 seconds in her 300m heat.

Maya Jennings posted 27.54 seconds in her under17 women’s 200m qualifying heat.

Nathan Owen clocked 7.73 seconds in his under 17 men’s 60m semi-final having qualified with a heat time of 7.62 seconds.

Alba March equalled her under 20 women’s 60m personal best of 8.01 seconds in her semi-final after clocking 8.10 seconds in her qualifying heat.

Amelie Bodie registered a season’s best under 20 women’s 60m time of 8.43 seconds and produced a 200m time of 27.28 seconds.

And Alan Littler warmed up for the British Masters and European Masters by posting a new senior men’s indoor 400m personal best time of 56.14 seconds, the same time as he ran in Maderia at the European Masters in October.

SAM HOLLINS registered a time of 32:36 at the Valencia 10k Road Race, just seven seconds off equalling the senior club record.

LEWIS MORRIS won the under 17 men’s race at Tatton Park in the Manchester Area Cross Country League on Saturday and then rounded the under 20 men’s 800m for a time of 2:05.77 in his qualifying heat at the Northern Indoor Championships in Sheffield on Sunday.

Lucas Sawyer finished fourth in the under 13 boys race at Tatton Park, ahead of Jack Arnold (26th) and Finley Edwards (59th).

Abby Gamble rounded the under 11 girls race to finish seventh ahead of Arianwen Setters who was 38th.

Poppy McKenna (14th), Rosie Grimsditch (27th), Florence Hain (37th), Heidi Wetherall (42nd), and Beth Jones (76th) completed the under 13 girls race.

Max Henderson (16th) and George Grimsditch (35th) rounded the under 15 boys course, and Nia Manson (18th) completed the under 15 girls event.

Sam Arnold (59th) completed the under 11 boys race, while Emma Nutt (65th) and Anest Muller (112nd) rounded the senior women’s course, and Paul Morrison (124th), Andrew Clague (269th) and Ian Pritchard (289th) finished the senior men’s race.

SEVEN West Cheshire AC youngsters have been selected to represent Cheshire at the North West Regional Sportshall Athletics Championship Finals.

Toby Honeybourne-Kelly, Abby Gamble, Heidi Anstey, Louisa Cogan, Amber Cogan, Sophie Baker, and Isaac Thompson will be in action at the Robin Park Arena, Wigan, on Sunday, January 25.

The Under 11s competition starts at 10:30am, while the Under 13s and Under 15s competitions start at 1:30pm.

FIXTURES this weekend include the England Athletics Under 20 and Senior Combined Events Championships at Sheffield, on Saturday and Sunday; the Four Villages Half Marathon on Sunday, at Helsby; the fourth round of the North West Sportshall Athletics League at Greenbank Sports Academy, Liverpool, on Sunday; and the Sale Harriers Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting at SportCity, Manchester, on Sunday.

ENTRIES close on January 17 for the Northern Under 15 and Under 13 Indoor Track and Field Championships taking place at Sheffield on Sunday, February 1. The online entry link is: northernathletics.co.uk/events/

ENTRIES close on January 18 for the Northern Cross Country Championships being held at Pontefract, on Saturday, January 24; and the English National Cross Country Championships, will be held at Sedgefield, on Saturday, February 21.

THE Cheshire Schools Cross Country Championships will be held on Saturday, February 7, at Knights Grange, Winsford.

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: February 1, TBC (Pensby); March 1, Wallasey; March 22, Promenade (Wirral AC); May 6, Prestatyn, Relays.

THIS winter’s Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meetings will be held at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester. M11 4FF, on the following Sundays, January 18; February 8; February 22; and March 15. The online entry link is: https://www.saleharriersmanchester.com/winter-indoor-series/

ENGLAND ATHLETICS have announced the dates and details for the 2026 Indoor Championships:

February 7-8: England Age Group Championships. Entries open on Roster on December 15, closing on January 18.
March 7-8: England Age Group Combined Events and Junior Para Championships. Entries open on Roster on February 2, closing on February 22. 

FURTHER details about West Cheshire Athletic Club can be found at: www.westcheshireac.co.uk