ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

PERSONAL best performances were the order of the day at the opening round of the Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix.

Joy Hickman, Heidi Anstey, Abby Gamble, Easham Williams, and Evie Whittaker produced impressive displays and achieved success at the fixture staged at Macclesfield.

Joy rounded the senior women’s 3,000m in 12:40:27, while Heidi grabbed glory in the under 12 girls 75m with 10.65 seconds, Abby triumphed in the under 12 girls long jump with 3.69m, Easham blasted his way to victory in the under 14 boys 100m with 12.89 seconds, and Evie cleared a winning height of 1-55m in the under 16 girls high jump.

Polly Morait (10.98), Louisa Cogan (11.32), Jessie Brindle (11.70), and Arianwen Setters (13.21) combined in the under 12 girls 75m.

Niall Betteridge clocked 11.65 in the under 12 boys 75m, long jumped 3.11m, and rounded the 600m in 1:50.76 alongside Logan Blackburn (11.81, 3.08m, and 2:04.77).

Amber Cogan registered a under 14 girls 100m personal best of 14.21 alongside Freya Whittaker (15.10) who cleared 1-43m in the high jump, while Heidi Wetherall rounded the under 14 girls 1200m in 4:37.46, alongside Rosie Grimsditch who clocked 4:20.78.

Finley Edwards posted 15.25 in the under 14 boys 100m, while Evie-Jane Smith achieved 1-55m in the under 16 girls high jump, and Lauren Higgins clocked 46.86 in the under 16 girls 300m.

Jayden Walls posted 40.03 in the under 16 boys 300m, alongside Louis Grimes (40.20), Kade Harris (40.42) and John Velasquez (41.07).

Lewis Parsons rounded the senior men’s 400m in a new best of 50.81, and Alan Littler posted 56.09, while George Grimsditch rounded the under 16 boys 1500m in 5:02.87.

Leon Betteridge registered 3:48.69 in the under 14 boys 1500m, and Hermione Allison clocked 2:20.49 in the under 12 girls 600m and hit 3.96m in the shot put.

GRAHAM WELLS and Jeff Gifford represented West Cheshire AC at Sunday’s London Marathon and clocked 2:58:47 and 3:17:57 respectively.

LEWIS MORRIS represented the North West at Sunday’s London Mini Marathon and posted seven minutes 19 seconds for ninth spot in the under 18 boys race.

FIXTURES this weekend include the first round of the Under 14s and Under 16s Youth Development Track and Field League, at Witton Park, Blackburn, on Sunday; and a Trafford AC Track and Field Medal Meeting on Sunday.

ENTRIES close this Saturday, (May 2), for the Cheshire County Track and Field Championships being held at Warrington on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=28239

THIS season’s Borders Road Running League Relays and Presentation Evening will be held on May 6, at Prestatyn.

REMAINING fixtures for this year’s Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix are: Round Two, Sunday, May 17, at 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

ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

POPPY McKENNA was Lancashire Schools Open Combined Events title winner at the weekend.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club all-rounder won the under 14 girls pentathlon held at Stanley Park, Blackpool.

Poppy negotiated the 75m hurdles in 12.6 seconds, hit 7.25m in the shot put, cleared 1-37m in the high jump, long jumped 4.08m, and rounded the 600m in 1:53.2 for a winning points total of 2,348 points.

DUN XUE celebrated a hat-trick of victories at the Leigh Harriers Spring Throws Open Meeting.

Dun won the under 20 men’s hammer (44.18m), shot put (10.49m), and discus (38.69m) respectively at the Leigh Harriers Spring Throws Open Meeting.

Kara Stoll won the under 20 women’s hammer event with 42.74m, and Harriet Wheeler won the under 20 women’s javelin with 45.44m.

Isla Lambert finished second in the under 14 girls shot put (5.14m), and discus (15.27m), and was third in the hammer with 14.94m, while Satine Wearden finished third in the under 18 hammer with 39.79m.

HEIDI ANSTEY celebrated a double success story at Liverpool on Sunday.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club youngster won the 75m and 150m at the Liverpool Harriers AC Open Track and Field meeting.

ISAAC THOMPSON represented Cheshire under 13 boys at the UK Sportshall Athletics Finals at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Stoke on Trent, on Saturday.

Isaac clocked 52.8 seconds for the four lap, and achieved 5.91m in the standing triple jump to earn his county eighth team position behind eventual winners, Avon.

WEST CHESHIRE AC throwers had a field day at Ellesmere Port Sport Village on Saturday in an Open Throws Pentathlon Competition.

Arwen Thorne won the under 18 girls title with 32.66m in the hammer, 11.48m in the shot put, 23.90m in the discus, 38.44m in the javelin, and 8.36m in the weight throw for 2,381 points.

Violet Thorne won the under 16 girls title with 27.34m in the hammer, 8.11m in the shot put, 29.82m in the discus, 19.75m in the javelin, and 9.38m in the weight throw.

Kara Stoll won the under 20 women’s event with 45.31m in the hammer, 6.72m in the shot put, 21.16m in the discus, 10.70m in the javelin, and 12.85m in the weight throw.

Dun Xue claimed the under 20 men’s title with 39.87m in the hammer, 11.41m in the shot put, 28.52m in the javelin, and 18.20m in the weight throw.

Debra Erskine won the over-60 women’s age group with 23.81m in the hammer, 5.06m in the shot put, 11.77m in the discus, 8.46m in the javelin, and 7.52m in the weight throw.

Sharon Stoll won the over-55 women’s age group with 21.50m in the hammer, 5.16m in the shot put, 13.05m in the discus, 9.79m in the javelin, and 4.92m in the weight throw.

Dave McKay won the men’s title after nailing 41.55m in the hammer, 10.17m in the shot put, 27.83m in the discus, 37.70m in the javelin, and 12.35m in the weight throw.

Paul Morrison rounded the men’s 3,000m in a winning time of 9:36.2, while Adam Harris was second in the men’s one mile with 5:36.1, and Joy Hickman was second lady in the one mile with 6:49.7, and rounded the 10,000m in 45:19.8.  

JODI BEMAND has been selected to represent Cheshire at the British Counties Mountain Racing Championships, at Sedbergh, on Sunday, May 3.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Warrington AC Spring Open Track and Field Meeting on Saturday; the Chester Ultra 100 miles Race from Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday; the first round of the Under 18 and Under 20 Youth Development Track and Field League at Witton Park, Blackburn, on Sunday; and the Manchester Marathon on Sunday.

ENTRIES close on Wednesday, April 22, for the opening round of the Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix being held at Macclesfield on Saturday, April 25. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=28388

ENTRIES close on Saturday, May 2, for the Cheshire County Track and Field Championships being held at Warrington on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=28239

THIS season’s Borders Road Running League Relays and Presentation Evening will be held on May 6, at Prestatyn.

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
ATHLETICS

HEIDI ANSTEY celebrated a double success story at Trafford on Sunday.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club youngster registered an impressive under 12 girls 75m personal best time of 10.68 seconds for victory and then added a winning time of 21.65 seconds in the 150m.

Heidi was joined at the fixture staged at the Longford Park Stadium by Isla Lambert who powered her way to 19.42m in the under 14 girls hammer, 14.43m in the discus, and 5m in the shot put.

Lucas Sawyer rounded the under 14 men’s 1500m in 4:35.08, while Lauren Higgins clocked 46.61 seconds in the under 16 girls 300m.

Heidi Wetherall achieved 2:52.63 in the under 14 girls 1500m, and Dan Hughes-Shaw posted 12.25 seconds in the under 18 men’s 100m.

FIXTURES this weekend include a Throws Pentathlon and Seniors and Masters Open Track Meeting, on Saturday, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, and the UK Sportshall Athletics Finals, at Fenton Sports Complex, Stoke on Trent, on Saturday; while the Mersey Tunnel 10k Race, and Liverpool Harriers Open Track and Field Meeting take place on Sunday.

ENTRIES are still being accepted 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

ENTRIES close on Wednesday, April 15, for the Warrington AC Spring Open Track and Field Meeting taking place on Saturday, April 18. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27996

ENTRIES close on Wednesday, April 22, for the opening round of the Cheshire Track and Field Grand Prix being held at Macclesfield on Saturday, April 25. The online entry link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=28388

ENTRIES are now open for the Cheshire County Track and Field Championships being held at Warrington on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. Entries close on Saturday, May 2 and the online link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=28239

THE 2026 Cheshire Steeplechase Championships will be held at Warrington, on Saturday, April 18. Warrington AC have kindly offered to host the County Steeplechase Championships for Cheshire and other North West Counties at their Spring Open Meeting.

There will be races for Under 16, Under 18, Under 20 and Senior men and women. Medals will be awarded to the first three Cheshire athletes to finish in each race.

Holding a joint event with other counties will provide athletes with a great opportunity to take part in more competitive races. The closing date for entries is April 15.

Full details of the meeting can be found at: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27996&fbclid=IwY2xjawQb45dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBwbExyNkJJTm8zSUJVYWd3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvNqYRkjoZiDhrWVl_3Jn1XMpN3UxJ1D_WKnZVY7PizG4lSLvooBIVLRYkB8_aem_lskPt-oZhn3JkLRsPFUpHg

THIS season’s Borders Road Running League Relays and Presentation Evening will be held on May 6, at Prestatyn.

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

ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

ALAN LITTLER has represented England at the European Athletics Masters Indoor Track and Field Championships.

The West Cheshire sprinter clocked a new indoor 400m personal time time of 56.13 seconds in the over-35 men’s competition held in Torun, Poland.

And Alan rounded the 800m in a time of 2:09.65 to post fifth spot in his heat, just 0.1 away from his outdoor time last season, and only two seconds away from his personal best.

LEWIS MORRIS won the first Wirral Seaside 5k Race of the season at Leasowe on Wednesday with a time of 15 minutes 56 seconds.

He was joined at the event by West Cheshire team mates Scott Wells (10th in 17:28), Graham Wells (second over-50 man in 18:19), and Emilia Pyper (12th under 20 lady in 20:32).

The next Wirral Seaside 5k Race is on Wednesday, April 29, and other fixtures in the series are being held on Wednesdays, May 27, June 24, July 29, and August 26. 

FIXTURES this week include the Halewood 5km Race on Saturday, and the Trafford AC Open Medal Meeting at Longford Park Stadium, on Sunday.

WEST CHESHIRE is hosting a Seniors and Masters Open Track Meeting on Saturday, April 11, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, featuring One mile, 3,000m and 10,000m events, with the 10,000m incorporating the Northern Masters Championship.

The entry fee is £7.50 per event for track events and £10 for the 10,000m, and track events start at 10am.

The online entry link is: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/throwspent-middist/

Enquiries relating to track events to: [email protected]

All competitors must be registered with a UKA affiliated club.

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

ENTRIES are now open for the Cheshire County Track and Field Championships being held at Warrington on Saturday and Sunday, May 9 and 10. Entries close on Saturday, May 2 and the online link is: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=28239

THE 2026 Cheshire Steeplechase Championships will be held at Warrington, on Saturday, April 18. Warrington AC have kindly offered to host the County Steeplechase Championships for Cheshire and other North West Counties at their Spring Open Meeting.

There will be races for Under 16, Under 18, Under 20 and Senior men and women. Medals will be awarded to the first three Cheshire athletes to finish in each race.

Holding a joint event with other counties will provide athletes with a great opportunity to take part in more competitive races. The closing date for entries is April 15.

Full details of the meeting can be found at: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27996&fbclid=IwY2xjawQb45dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBwbExyNkJJTm8zSUJVYWd3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvNqYRkjoZiDhrWVl_3Jn1XMpN3UxJ1D_WKnZVY7PizG4lSLvooBIVLRYkB8_aem_lskPt-oZhn3JkLRsPFUpHg

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: April 19, (To Be Confirmed); May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

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

At the end of February, Anest and Emma are still tied in 1st place, pursued by Joy in 3rd. Paul is just ahead of Andrew in the men’s tables, with Ian in 3rd.

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

by Dennis Wall

ATHLETICS

FIONA COOK helped England pocket team gold medals in Ireland at the weekend.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club distance runner was second over-40 lady, fifth lady overall, and third home for England at Saturday’s Anglo Celtic 100km Race.

Fiona, who recently won the Chester Ultra 50 miles Race, clocked eight hours 27 minutes 11 seconds for the event held at Limerick, in Ireland.

JOSEPH MORRISON celebrated victory at Sunday’s Borders Road Running League fixture held along Hoylake Promenade.

Joseph clocked 24 minutes six seconds for the 7.5km course and was backed up by West Cheshire team mates Matthew Douglass (ninth in 25:03), Scott Wells (37th in 26:45), Paul Morrison (53rd in 27:18), Graham Wells (56th in 27:22), Emma Nutt (15th lady in 30:20), Julie Taillard (16th lady in 30:25), Kevin Eaton (121st in 31:00), Ian Pritchard (127th in 31:29), Brian Cremin (132nd in 31:43), Andrew Clague (147th in 32:22), Joy Hickman (27th lady in 33:03), Anest Muller (40th lady in 34:08), Sallyann Harper (49th lady in 34:48), Deb Bemand (78th lady in 38:24), Tony Kennedy (226th in 42:37), and Dave Tiernan (232nd in 46:53).

TEAM POSITIONS (after five rounds)

MENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 1473 points; 2 Buckley 1615; 3 Chester Tri 2261; 4 Wallasey 2441; 5 Wrexham 4310; 6 Wirral 4378; 7 Ellesmere Port 7931.

WOMENS DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 596; 2 West Cheshire 795; 3 Chester Tri 874; 4 Wallasey 1066; 5 Deeside 1189; 6 Buckley 1338; 7 Eryri 2984.

MENS DIVISION TWO: 1 West Cheshire 2072; 2 Prestatyn 2257; 3 Deeside 4045; 4 Eryri 4400; 5 UTS 4605; 6 Birkenhead 4694; 7 Pensby 5494; 8 Wrecsam Tri 6162; 9 Deestriders 6193; 10 Cybi 12131; 11 Tattenhall 13399.

WOMENS DIVISION TWO: 1 Wirral 686; 2 Prestatyn 705; 3 UTS 934; 4 Ellesmere Port 976; 5 Pensby 1589; 6 Deestriders 1621; 7 Wrexham 1667; 8 Wrecsam Tri 1681; 9 Birkenhead 2117; 10 Tattenhall 3125; 11 Cybi 3432.

LEWIS MORRIS, who has been picked by Northern Athletics for the 2.6km London Mini Marathon, on Saturday, April 25, clocked 30:48 for 19th spot at the Cheshire Elite 10k Road Race held at Pulford.

He was supported at the fixture by Michael Young (75th in 32:43), Sam Oliver (88th in 33:06), Jack Gannon (161st in 35:36), Steve King (235th in 37:31), Adam Harris (302nd in 39:29), Chris Shaw (309th in 39:34), Duncan Harris (324th in 40:08), Mark Davies (359th in 42:05), Stephen Ball (440th in 48:26), and Neil Hershaw (458th in 53:23).

ALBA MARCH stormed to success with a time of 12.5 seconds for the under 16 women’s 100m at Saturday’s Blackpool Open Track and Field Meeting.

HEIDI ANSTEY tasted victory at Sunday’s Trafford Open Medal Meeting with an under 12 girls 150m personal best of 21.39 seconds, and added a silver medal with a 75m personal best of 10.85 seconds.

Freya Whittaker clocked 13.38 seconds in the under 14 women’s 75m hurdles, long jumped 3.58m and cleared 1-40m in the high jump, while her sister, Evie, posted 12.66 seconds for the under 16 women’s 80m hurdles, and cleared 1-55m in the high jump.

Poppy McKenna clocked 12.11 seconds for the under 14 women’s 75m hurdles, long jumped 4.10m, and cleared 1-30m in the high jump.

Merryn Thorne posted 16.76 in the under 14 women’s 75m hurdles and cleared 1-20m in the high jump, while her sister, Violet, hit 25.58m in the under 16 women’s hammer, 27.60m in the discus, and 8.06m in the shot put.

John Velasquez clocked 27.08 seconds in his under 16 men’s 200m and 47.50 seconds in the 300m.

Lucas Sawyer rounded the under 14 men’s 800m in 2:13.70, and Isla Lambert hit 19.01m in the under 14 women’s hammer.

JACK ARNOLD helped Cheshire boys beat Merseyside in Monday night’s Year Seven Schools Cross Country team fixture hosted by his club, West Cheshire, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

And West Cheshire duo, Alice Roberts-Page and Emilia Hughes, represented Cheshire in the 2.5km girls race that Merseyside won.

TEAM RESULTS (based on finishing positions)

GIRLS – Merseyside 46 Cheshire 96.

BOYS – Cheshire 65 Merseyside 74.

OVERALL – Merseyside 120 Cheshire 161.

FIXTURES this week include the Northern Athletics 12 and 6 Stage Road Relay Championships on Saturday at Carlisle.

WEST CHESHIRE is hosting a Seniors and Masters Open Track Meeting on Saturday, April 11, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, featuring One mile, 3,000m and 10,000m events, with the 10,000m incorporating the Northern Masters Championship.

The entry fee is £7.50 per event for track events and £10 for the 10,000m, and track events start at 10am.

The online entry link is: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/throwspent-middist/

Enquiries relating to track events to: [email protected]

All competitors must be registered with a UKA affiliated club.

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 2026 Cheshire Steeplechase Championships will be held at Warrington, on Saturday, April 18. Warrington AC have kindly offered to host the County Steeplechase Championships for Cheshire and other North West Counties at their Spring Open Meeting.

There will be races for Under 16, Under 18, Under 20 and Senior men and women. Medals will be awarded to the first three Cheshire athletes to finish in each race.

Holding a joint event with other counties will provide athletes with a great opportunity to take part in more competitive races. The closing date for entries is April 15.

Full details of the meeting can be found at: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27996&fbclid=IwY2xjawQb45dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBwbExyNkJJTm8zSUJVYWd3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvNqYRkjoZiDhrWVl_3Jn1XMpN3UxJ1D_WKnZVY7PizG4lSLvooBIVLRYkB8_aem_lskPt-oZhn3JkLRsPFUpHg

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: April 19, (To Be Confirmed); May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

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

ATHLETICS

by Dennis Wall

LEWIS MORRIS starred for Cheshire on Saturday at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club teenager represented his county in the English Schools Cross Country Championships and clocked 20 minutes eight seconds in the Senior Boys 6km race to secure 35th position and second spot in the Cheshire team.

Lucas Sawyer (112th in 10:57) and Leon Betteridge (273rd in 11:35) finished second and third for Cheshire in the Junior Boys 3.2km race.

Cosette Wearden represented Merseyside in the Senior Girls 4.1km race and registered a time of 18:25 for 151st position and sixth spot in her team.

Emilia Pyper represented Cheshire in the Intermediate Girls 3.5km race and secured third spot in her team and 207th position overall.

And Nia Manson posted a time of 12:46 for 234th place in the Junior Girls 3.2km race.

LEWIS PARSONS broke the West Cheshire indoor 300m club record at Sunday’s Sale Harriers Indoor Open Track and Field Meeting.

Lewis clocked 37.34 seconds in his first indoors race for four years and his first-ever 300m race to smash the previous record of 39.99 seconds held by Liam Davoren for eight years.

Dylan Gledhill posted 8.21 seconds for 60m and rounded the 600m in a time of 1:33.06.

Alan Littler warmed up for his trip to Poland for the European Indoor Masters, by clocking 41.04 seconds for 300m against club mate Wycombe King who posted 41.57 and added 7.88 in the 60m.

Alba March clocked 7.88 in her 60m, and Erin Barnard posted a new indoor 300m personal best of 44.79.

JOY HICKMAN achieved a new over-60 women’s 1500m club record on Saturday at Lee Valley, representing Northern Masters.

Joy clocked a time of 6:00.78 – faster than her outdoor times in 2023 and 2025.

JULIE DOUZANT clocked 1:44:42 for 31st place in her over-35 age group at Sunday’s Liverpool Half Marathon.

Brian Cremin posted 1:38:08 for 1,396th place, while Sarah Hibbert rounded the Liverpool 10 Miles Road Race in a time of 1:21:21 for 33rd position in the women’s event.

ABBY GAMBLE (Guilden Sutton) and Niall Betteridge (Hoole) won the year five and six girls and boys races respectively at Monday night’s Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Races hosted by West Cheshire AC at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

The team competition results were:

Year 3/4 Girls: 1 Huntington 72 points; 2 Belgrave 78; 3 Farndon 81.

Year 3/4 Boys: 1 St Martins 57; 2 Saughall All Saints 66; 3 Huntington 114.

Year 5/6 Girls: 1 St Martins 65; 2 Farndon 116; 3 Belgrave 128.

Year 5/6 Boys: 1 St Martins 76; 2 Hoole 80; 3 Huntington 104.

Overall: 1 St Martins 314; 2 Huntington 433; 3 Saughall All Saints 449.

FIXTURES this week include Friday’s Helsby and Frodsham Primary Schools Cross Country Races at Delamere Forest (10am start); the Anglo Celtic Plate 100km Race at Limerick, Ireland, on Saturday; the Blackpool Winter Open Track and Field Meeting on Saturday; the Trafford Open Track and Field Medal Meeting on Sunday; and the Borders Road Running League fixture at Hoylake. The 4.6 miles course is the same as the race hosted by UTS on March 24, with an 11am start. The race HQ is at Hoylake Community Centre.

West Cheshire AC will host the annual year seven Cheshire v Merseyside Schools Cross Country Races at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Monday (5pm start).

WEST CHESHIRE is hosting a Seniors and Masters Open Track Meeting on Saturday, April 11, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, featuring One mile, 3,000m and 10,000m events, with the 10,000m incorporating the Northern Masters Championship.

The entry fee is £7.50 per event for track events and £10 for the 10,000m, and track events start at 10am.

The online entry link is: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/throwspent-middist/

Enquiries relating to track events to: [email protected]

All competitors must be registered with a UKA affiliated club.

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 2026 Cheshire Steeplechase Championships will be held at Warrington, on Saturday, April 18. Warrington AC have kindly offered to host the County Steeplechase Championships for Cheshire and other North West Counties at their Spring Open Meeting.

There will be races for Under 16, Under 18, Under 20 and Senior men and women. Medals will be awarded to the first three Cheshire athletes to finish in each race.

Holding a joint event with other counties will provide athletes with a great opportunity to take part in more competitive races. The closing date for entries is April 15.

Full details of the meeting can be found at: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27996&fbclid=IwY2xjawQb45dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBwbExyNkJJTm8zSUJVYWd3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvNqYRkjoZiDhrWVl_3Jn1XMpN3UxJ1D_WKnZVY7PizG4lSLvooBIVLRYkB8_aem_lskPt-oZhn3JkLRsPFUpHg

FIXTURES for this season’s Borders Road Running League are: March 22, (Hoylake); April 19, (To Be Confirmed); May 6 (to be confirmed), Prestatyn, Relays.

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

ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

ELEVEN West Cheshire Athletic Club members represented their county at Nottingham on Saturday.

Emilia Pyper, Sam Oliver, Lewis Morris, Lucas Sawyer, Leon Betteridge, Claire Harris, Nia Manson, Harriet Beattie, Finlay Stewart, Heidi Wetherall, and Scott Wells all negotiated a challenging UK Inter Counties Cross Country Championships course at Wollaton Park.

Emilia was first home for the Cheshire under 17 women’s team, clocking 22 minutes 19 seconds for the 5km course and registering 172nd spot.

Sam was first home for Cheshire in the senior men’s 10km race and posted 33:40 for 106th position.

Lewis was second home for the Cheshire team in the under 17 men’s 6km race, achieving a time of 19:47 for 21st place.

Lucas and Leon were second and fourth finishers for the Cheshire team in the under 13 boys 3km race, clocking 11:28 and 12:02 for 27th and 104th positions respectively.

Claire was second home for the North Wales team in the senior women’s 8km race, clocking 34:51 for 193rd position.

Nia and Harriet finished third and fifth respectively for Cheshire in the under 15 girls 4km race with times of 18:20 and 19:16 for 231st and 277th positions.

Finlay was fifth home for Cheshire with a time of 16 minutes in the under 15 boys 4km race to register 257th spot.

Heidi was seventh home for Cheshire with a time of 14:45 and finished 280th in the under 13 girls 3km race.

And Scott was seventh Cheshire finisher with a time of 22:29 and finished 236th in the under 17 men’s 6km race.

POPPY McKENNA celebrated two personal bests at the England Athletics Under 15 Girls Indoor Pentathlon Championships in Sheffield.

Poppy negotiated the 60m hurdles in a new best of 9.86 seconds and hit 6.09m in the shot put, and added season’s bests of 1-38m in the high jump and 4.10m in the long jump, before clocking 2:41.30 for the 1000m.

LINDSAY FISHER, Jeff Gifford and Michael Young achieved podium places at the Chester 10k Road Race on Sunday.

Lindsay won the over-35 lady’s age group with a time of 38:11, while Jeff won the over-60 men’s age group in 39:25, and Michael finished second in his over-35 age category and fourth overall with 32:44.

They were supported at the event by Steve Fernyhough (eighth over-40 man in 37:23), Phil Woodley (14th over-35 man in 37:58), Mimi Jayaram (fourth senior lady in 40:08), Jake Hidden-Deveson (41:11), Kevin Eaton (41:51), Richard Hayes (11th over 55 man in 44:11), Melissa Pugh (45:44), Phil Gent (47:46), Andrew Gore (47:26), Amy Mills (49:02), Peter Kerestur (47:37), Mark Robinson (43:50), Stephen Ball (50:05), Maya Jennings (52:27), Sophia Evison (55:35), Claire Williams (53:56), Darren Shillington (58:49), Beth Duke (63:33), Alexis Ferguson (62:48), Tony Kennedy (62:28), and Mae Grant (69:21).

JACK ARNOLD and Morgan Edwards made it a one-two finish for Bishop’s Bluecoat in the year six boys race at the final round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series.

The pair finished ahead of Finley Edwards in Saturday’s fourth fixture of the annual event held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Neston’s Jasmine Rogan won the year seven girls race, ahead of Alice Roberts-Page (Bishop’s Bluecoat) and Zara Evans (Bishop Heber) who finished second and third.

Hoole duo Niall Betteridge and Logan Blackburn finished first and second in the year five boys race ahead of third placed Max Molloy (Ysgol y Waen).

Abby Gamble (Guilden Sutton) won the year six girls race ahead of Polly Morait (Farndon) and Heidi Anstey (Overleigh St Marys) who were second and third.

Matthew Halsey (Our Lady of Pity) won the year five boys race ahead of Toby Honeyborne-Kelly (Abbeygate) and Arthur Jones (Kings) who were second and third.

Ivy Bowden (Tushingham) won the year five girls event ahead of second placed Arianwen Setters (Hoole) and Chloe Golightly (Oldfield) who was third.

Michael Bentley-Ryan (Acresfield) was victorious in the year four boys race ahead of runner up Oliver Purdy (Chester Bluecoat) and third placed Seb Close (Woodfall).

Lyra Allison (Whitby Heath) won the year four girls race ahead of Viola Gilligan (Upton Heath) and Eliza McKeown (Frodsham) who were second and third.

Lucas Cairns (Woodfall) won the year three boys race ahead of runner up Sidney Brennan (Frodsham) and third placed Albie Callaghan (Dee Point).

Amelie Grant (St Martins) won the year three girls event ahead of Newton duo Paisley Herriman and Emily Cocking who were second and third.

FIXTURES this weekend include the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Sefton Park, Liverpool, on Saturday; the final Sale Harriers Manchester Indoor Track and Field Open Meeting at the Regional Athletics Centre, Sportcity, Manchester, on Sunday; and the Liverpool Half Marathon and 10 Miles Races on Sunday, while the Chester Primary Schools Cross Country Races take place at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Monday (4.15pm start).

WEST CHESHIRE is hosting a Seniors and Masters Open Track Meeting on Saturday, April 11, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, featuring One mile, 3,000m and 10,000m events, with the 10,000m incorporating the Northern Masters Championship.

The entry fee is £7.50 per event for track events and £10 for the 10,000m, and track events start at 10am.

The online entry link is: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/throwspent-middist/

Enquiries relating to track events to: [email protected]

All competitors must be registered with a UKA affiliated club.

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 2026 Cheshire Steeplechase Championships will be held at Warrington, on Saturday, April 18. Warrington AC have kindly offered to host the County Steeplechase Championships for Cheshire and other North West Counties at their Spring Open Meeting.

There will be races for Under 16, Under 18, Under 20 and Senior men and women. Medals will be awarded to the first three Cheshire athletes to finish in each race.

Holding a joint event with other counties will provide athletes with a great opportunity to take part in more competitive races. The closing date for entries is April 15.

Full details of the meeting can be found at: https://meets.rosterathletics.com/public/competitions/details/about?id=27996&fbclid=IwY2xjawQb45dleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBwbExyNkJJTm8zSUJVYWd3c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvNqYRkjoZiDhrWVl_3Jn1XMpN3UxJ1D_WKnZVY7PizG4lSLvooBIVLRYkB8_aem_lskPt-oZhn3JkLRsPFUpHg

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

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

Well done to all who took part in the final round of the West Cheshire AC Schools’ Cross-country Series at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Saturday March 7th 2026. Provisional results, both for the final round and for the overall series, are available near the bottom of the Off-road page of the club website.

ATHLETICS
by Dennis Wall

MICHAEL YOUNG and Fiona Cook made it a West Cheshire Athletic Club double success story on Saturday.

The duo were crowned first man and first lady respectively at the Chester 50 Miles Ultra Race that finished on their home track at Ellesmere Port Sports Village.

Michael clocked six hours 55 minutes 20 seconds to finish eight minutes 41 seconds ahead of runner-up Stuart Gater (Shrewsbury AC), and Jon Park was third in 7:10:51.

Fiona, who is preparing to represent England later this month at the Anglo Celtic 100km Race in Limerick, Ireland, posted a winning time of 7:49:43 to finish 15 minutes 39 seconds clear of runner-up Kelly Marie Staunton (Wigan Harriers), and third-placed Jenna Seddon who clocked 8:38:55.

This well-marked ultra-marathon links trails along the North Cheshire Way and the Sandstone Trail taking in Helsby Hill, Delamere Forest and Frodsham.

SIDNEY SHORROCK achieved a European Championships qualifying standard at the Winter National Long Throws fixture at Loughborough in discus on Sunday, securing a gold medal with a new personal best throw of 45m 81cms.

EMMA HOLMES and Niamh Le’Gall are celebrating new indoor club records after impressive results in the United States.

Emma was crowned Western Athletic Conference 400m champion after clocking 55.40 seconds at The Podium in Spokane, Washington, and added a new club record of 23.89 seconds for second spot in the 200m.

Niamh posted a new club record of 54.77 seconds in the 400m and added 24.16 seconds in the 200m.

LEWIS MORRIS broke his own under 17 age group and overall club record at the Trafford 10k Road Race with a time of 30 minutes 25 seconds to finish 25th.

EMMA NUTT headed West Cheshire women’s charge on Sunday at the latest Borders Road Running League race.

Emma negotiated the 7.75km course in Birkenhead Park with a time of 31:47 for 10th place in the women’s race, backed up by Claire Harris (12th in 32:06), Sonia McNichol (16th in 32:33), Joy Hickman (27th in 34:21), Sallyann Harper (44th in 36:25), Deb Bemand (60th in 38:29), and Amy Mills (65th in 39:09).

Matthew Douglass pointed West Cheshire’s men to the finish line, clocking 26:07 for 10th position, supported by Graham Wells (61st in 28:39), Scott Wells (64th in 28:45), Paul Morrison (65th in 28:47), Phil Woodley (89th in 29:47), Jeff Gifford (119th in 30:59), Kevin Eaton (134th in 31:45), Andrew Clague (152nd in 32:41), Brian Cremin (161st in 33:08), Andy Carter (211th in 36:55), and Dave Tiernan (265th in 50:38). 

OVERALL LEAGUE STANDINGS (after Race Four)

WOMEN’S DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 457 points; 2 West Cheshire 570; 3 Deeside 693; 4 Chester Tri 735; 5 Wallasey 918; 6 Buckley 1181; 7 Eryri 2210.

MEN’S DIVISION ONE: 1 Helsby 1276; 2 Buckley 1325; 3 Chester Tri 1847; 4 Wallasey 1997; 5 Wrexham 3174; 6 Wirral 3506; 7 Ellesmere Port 5860.

WOMEN’S DIVISION TWO: 1 Prestatyn 587; 2 Wirral 602; 3 Ellesmere Port 756; 4 UTS 809; 5 Wrexham 1016; 6 Pensby 1205; 7 Deestriders 1388; 8 Wrecsam Tri 1400; 9 Birkenhead 1799; 10 Tattenhall 2514; 11 Cybi 2632.

MEN’S DIVISION TWO: 1 West Cheshire 1668; 2 Deeside 1835; 3 Prestatyn 1882; 4 Eryri 3688; 5 Birkenhead 4058; 6 UTS 4111; 7 Pensby 4722; 8 Deestriders 4940; 9 Wrecsam Tri 5002; 10 Cybi 8631; 11 Tattenhall 10529.

THE next round is scheduled to be staged by Wirral AC on Sunday, March 22, dependent on confirmation of a new venue as the New Brighton course is not available.

FIXTURES this weekend include the final round of the West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday (10am start); the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships, at Wollaton Park, Nottingham, on Saturday; the England Athletics Under 15s and Under 17s Indoor Combined Events Championships, at Sheffield, on Saturday and Sunday; and the Chester 10k Road Race, on Sunday.

WEST CHESHIRE is hosting a Seniors and Masters Open Track Meeting on Saturday, April 11, at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, featuring One mile, 3,000m and 10,000m events, with the 10,000m incorporating the Northern Masters Championship.

The entry fee is £7.50 per event for track events and £10 for the 10,000m, and track events start at 10am.

The online entry link is: https://data.opentrack.run/en-gb/x/2026/GBR/throwspent-middist/

Enquiries relating to track events to: [email protected]

All competitors must be registered with a UKA affiliated club.

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, (to be confirmed); 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