WEST CHESHIRE AC has completed a hat-trick of North West England Regional Athletics Club of the Year titles.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit has been recognised for its work throughout the year as a voluntary community organisation for a third successive year.

Club official, Dennis Wall, will receive the award on behalf of the purple-vested outfit at a ceremony scheduled to be held at Leigh Sports Village, on Monday, September 17.

“I felt very proud, honoured, and thrilled when I was informed that the club had won the regional award for a third successive year,” Wall said.

“Many dedicated athletes, parents, coaches and officials are responsible for the ongoing success at the club because they spend many voluntary hours to ensure everything clicks into place.

“We have 500 enthusiastic members aged from eight to 80 who enjoy running, jumping and throwing, and I always get a buzz from the atmosphere that creates.

“There is something for everyone to enjoy in athletics, from track and field, road running, cross country, and indoor competitions, and it’s been brilliant to see the club going from strength to strength since it was formed in 1998.

“I have been delighted to see West Cheshire AC rewarded for its continued hard work and justify itself as a well respected organisation within local schools, sports partnerships, and within the athletics community.

“But we now need to build on our success by developing a trackside facility at the Ellesmere Port Sports Village site and by encouraging more volunteers to train, compete, coach and officiate.”

MACY BRETT, Ruby Phillips and Sophie Haslam combined for success in the under 11 girls 3x500m relay final at the Manchester International Meeting.

And the under 13 boys trio of Harley Shakespeare-Wetton, Callum Stow-Povall and Fergus Garland teamed up for bronze medals in the 3x500m relay.

Other West Cheshire AC youngsters in action included Connor Jones, Aimee Phillips, Jessica Lark, Megan White, Elizabeth Jones, Ruby Wisbey, Carys Roberts, Carys Whitfield, Oliver Mallon, Jack Nash, and Joshua Oates.

EWAN BRADLEY of West Cheshire AC has been selected to represent the North of England team in the sprint hurdles at this month’s UK School Games being held at Loughborough where he will be joined by club coach Dave McKay.

WEST CHESHIRE AC duo Rosemary Rogers and Anest Muller achieved podium places at the Birchwood 10k Road Race.

Rogers won her over-65 age category with a time of 53 minutes 48 seconds, and Muller was third in her over-35 age group with 43 minutes, while Mark Povey posted 52:08.

DAVE ALEXANDER was first in his over-45 age group with a time of 41:15 in the Quarry Challenge Race The Train event held at Tywyn.

He was joined at the 10k multi-terrain fixture by West Cheshire AC team mate Kerry Riley (third lady in 47:34), while Ellie Robinson (second over-45 lady in 1:59:10), and Tony Woodall (third over-45 man in 1:39:07) completed the 14 miles Rotary Challenge race as well as Chris Palmer (1:39:50), Mark Davies (1:40:14), Richard Hayes (1:44:28), Steve Fernyhough (1:51:34), and Andy Carter (1:52:41).

MARK DAVIES was West Cheshire AC’s first finisher in a time of 16:59 and third in his over-40 age category at the Capenhurst 5k Road Race.

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Dave Alexander (second over-45 man in 17:43), Neil Hershaw (second over-50 man in 18:03), Danny Paddock (18:02), Tony Woodall (18:39), Henry Robinson (second under 20 junior in 20:46), Keely Smith (20:54), Ellie Robinson (third over-45 lady in 21:48), Debra Bemand (23:19), Kay Hayes (24:53), and Brian Beattie (third over-70 man in 27:27).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race being held on Sunday, September 16. Further details can be found at: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/guildensutton10k

ANY athletes on holiday in this area who are looking for an athletics track to train on are being invited to attend West Cheshire AC’s training days at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Tuesdays and Thursdays (6.30-8pm), and on Saturdays (10am-12 noon).

FIXTURES this week include the Mid Cheshire 5k Road Race at Kingsley, on Thursday, August 23, (7.15pm start); the England Athletics Under 15 and Under 17 Track and Field Championships at Bedford on Saturday and Sunday, the British Masters Track and Field Championships at Birmingham on Saturday and Sunday, the Welsh Inter Region Track and Field Championships at Brecon on Saturday, August 25, the Ellesmere 10k Road Race on Sunday, August 26, (11.15am start); the Moel Famau Hill Race, at Cilcain, on Monday, August 27, (1pm start); the Trafford AC Under 11s-Under 15s Track and Field Medal Meeting on Monday, August 27, (12 noon start); and the Wirral Seaside 5k, on Wednesday, August 29 (7pm start).

PLEASE HELP!
Volunteers are needed to ensure this year’s Guilden Sutton Six Road Race, being organised by West Cheshire AC, proves a big success on Sunday, 16th September, (11am start).

If you are available to help out please contact Dennis by email at: [email protected]

And if you are a club member who has entered the race or is planning to run the race then please ask someone to help out on your behalf. The 10k is followed by a one mile fun run which can be entered on the day.

Please try to help out because money made from the event will be invested back into the club to subsidise transport costs and competition fees.

CLUB KIT
Parents Vikki Brett and Joanne Lark who look after club kit at the EPSV Track Office, have agreed to sell vests, crop tops and hoodies AFTER Tuesday night training sessions.

Payment can be made by cash or by cheque (made payable to West Cheshire AC).

CONGRATULATIONS EWAN
Best wishes to Ewan Bradley who has been selected to represent the North of England team in the sprint hurdles at this month’s UK School Games being held at Loughborough where he will be joined by club coach Dave McKay.

SIGN UP TO BECOME A CLUB OFFICIAL
Parents and helpers at the club wanting to provide back-up to our graded officials are being asked to support an officials course being hosted at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday November 18.

Anyone wanting to be a field judge, track judge, timekeeper, or starter should contact Dennis Wall either at track training sessions or by email at: [email protected]

The club needs to strengthen its experienced unpaid volunteers and plan for the future if we want to remain in leagues and competitions.

ROAD RELAYS REMINDER
Two dates for your diaries are the Cheshire and North West Road Relay Championships at Delamere on Saturday, September 8, and the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships at SportCity, Manchester, on Sunday, September 23.

Ellie Robinson has kindly agreed to do all club entries and help sort out the teams, and the club will pay the entry fees.

Please look out for the email that has been sent to all club members and let Ellie know if they want to take part in both or either of the events.

Please help Ellie by representing the club and supporting the two events.

INVITATION TO JOIN DAME KELLY HOLMES
Orbis Expeditions have contacted the club to say they are putting together a team of 20 people to join Dame Kelly Holmes as she runs, cycles and kayaks in Malawi in October 2018. The Orbis Challenge is a Sport With a Purpose event, a 7 day challenge that combines sport with raising awareness for nutrition in communities in Malawi.

They have 5 spots left and are hoping club members are keen to apply for team place. More details can be found here.

Please email [email protected] for information pack and application form.

GYM TO A GOOD HOME
Club member Jon Clarke has an almost unused Maximuscle home gym which is surplus to his requirements. If anyone at the club needs one they can have it for free but will need to go to Jon’s house, take it apart and take it away. Further details from Jon by emailing: [email protected]

PHYSIO SUPPORT
Club member Heather McLintock is a qualified physiotherapist and offers substantial discounted prices for West Cheshire AC members on production of their membership card. Heather can be contacted on 01244 381350 or 07885 462487.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP
This week’s club press report can be found here.

FIXTURES

Saturday, August 18: Race The Train, Tywyn, Mid Wales, (2.15pm).

Sunday, August 19: Birchwood 10k Road Race, (10am).

Sunday, August 19: Warrington Open Track and Field Meeting (11.30am).

Thursday, August 23: Mid Cheshire 5k Road Race, at Kingsley (7.15pm).

Sunday, August 26: Ellesmere 10k Road Race, (11.15am).

Monday, August 27: Trafford Open Track and Field Meeting, (12 noon).

Monday, August 27: Cilcain Show, (1pm).

Wednesday, August 29: Wirral Seaside 5k Race, Leasowe (7pm).

RUBY WISBEY sparkled with a hat-trick of medal performances at Wavertree, Liverpool.

The West Cheshire Athletic Club youngster claimed a silver medal in the under 13 girls long jump, and bronze medals in the 100m and 200m at the Northern Track and Field Championships.

Wisbey achieved 4.79m to finish second in the long jump, just five centimetres behind the eventual winner, Larissa Pickering, from Barnsley, and posted 14.11 seconds and 28.94 seconds in the 100m and 200m finals respectively for bronze medals.

Other West Cheshire AC medallists at the two-day fixture included Evie Tipping and Jack England.

Tipping powered her way to third spot in the under 17 women’s hammer with a throw of 47.22m, and England was third in the under 15 boys hammer with a throw of 39.10m.

Imogen Pughe, Isla Shillington, Grace Scott, Christina Broome, Reece Munro, Matthew Webb, Carys Roberts, Uzezi Onomerike, Jamie Richardson, Emma Ashcroft, and Stephanie Jones also represented West Cheshire AC at the annual event.

Pughe finished fourth with a time of 26.59 seconds in the under 15 girls 200m final and was fifth in her 100m heat with a time of 13.43 seconds.

Shillington was fourth with a new personal best throw of 32.43m in the under 15 girls hammer, fifth in the discus with a new personal best of 28.45m, and ninth with 8.15m in the shot put, while Scott was 14th with 15.32m in the discus and sixth with a new personal best of 27.62m in the hammer.

Broome hit 10.45m for sixth spot in the under 17 womens shot put competition and Munro rounded the under 13 boys 800m final for sixth position in a time of 2:32.30.

Webb clocked a new personal best of 53.71 seconds for eighth spot in the under 17 mens 400m final, while Roberts clocked 2:31.78 in the under 13 girls 800m.

Onomerike clocked 13.47 seconds in his 100m heat, while Richardson completed his under 15 boys 1500m in a time of 4:40.04.

Ashcroft posted 14.40 seconds in her heat of the under 15 girls 100m and achieved 4.08m in the long jump, while Jones clocked 14.19 seconds in her 100m, 28.43 seconds in her 200m, 4.79m in the long jump, and 45.30 seconds in her 300m.

Former West Cheshire AC members Abigail Pawlett (100m and long jump) and Emily Misantoni (300m hurdles) were both crowned under 17 women’s title winners at Wavertree.

CLAIRE WILLIAMS of West Cheshire AC completed 5,000m at Bebington Oval for the latest round of the Wirral AC Endurance Track Series in a time of 22:21.7, ahead of club mates Clare Mallon (22:48.5), and Bob Benson (22:24.5).

CERYS ROWLANDS achieved a new long jump personal best and finished fourth in the under 11 girls 600m while representing West Cheshire AC at the Les Baldwin Memorial Wrexham Games,

DAVE ALEXANDER and Ellie Robinson represented West Cheshire AC and finished together in a time of 1:27:05 at the Two Hill Forts Nine Miles Fell Race at Llandyrnog.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race being held on Sunday, September 16. Further details can be found at: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/guildensutton10k

FIXTURES this weekend include the Race The Train 14 miles fixture at Tywyn, Mid-Wales on Saturday (10am start), the Birchwood 10k Road Race near Warrington on Sunday (10am start), and the Warrington AC Open Track and Field Meeting on Sunday at Victoria Park (11.30am start).

Forthcoming fixtures include the Mid Cheshire 5k Road Race at Kingsley, on Thursday, August 23, (7.15pm start); the Welsh Inter Region Track and Field Championships at Brecon on Saturday, August 25, the Ellesmere 10k Road Race on Sunday, August 26, (11.15am start); the Moel Famau Hill Race, at Cilcain, on Monday, August 27, (1pm start); the Trafford AC Under 11s-Under 15s Track and Field Medal Meeting on Monday, August 27, (12 noon start); and the Wirral Seaside 5k, on Wednesday, August 29 (7pm start).

ROYDEN PARK, Thurstaston is the venue for the opening round of the Wirral Multi-Terrain Races on Tuesday, September 4 (7pm start), with Harrison Drive, Wallasey (September 11), Thurstaston Country Park (September 18), and Arrowe Park, Birkenhead (September 25), completing the series.

CLUBHOUSE LATEST
Plans for the EPSV Trackside Facility (toilets, changing rooms and clubhouse/community room) were finalised on Wednesday this week, but there remains a £40,000 shortfall for the construction of a Clubhouse/Community Room and the money needs to be raised before a deadline of Monday, 22nd October, when the tender for the work will be awarded.

If anyone at the club is aware of a company, organisation, or individual who would be willing to contribute towards the cost can they please contact Dennis ASAP at: [email protected]

PLEASE HELP!
Volunteers are needed to ensure this year’s Guilden Sutton Six Road Race, being organised by West Cheshire AC, proves a big success on Sunday, 16th September, (11am start).

If you are available to help out please contact Dennis by email at: [email protected]

And if you are a club member who has entered the race or is planning to run the race then please ask someone to help out on your behalf. The 10k is followed by a one mile fun run which can be entered on the day.

Please try to help out because money made from the event will be invested back into the club to subsidise transport costs and competition fees.

CLUB KIT
Parents Vikki Brett and Joanne Lark who look after club kit at the EPSV Track Office, have agreed to sell vests, crop tops and hoodies AFTER Tuesday night training sessions.

Payment can be made by cash or by cheque (made payable to West Cheshire AC).

SIGN UP TO BECOME A CLUB OFFICIAL
Parents and helpers at the club wanting to provide back-up to our graded officials are being asked to support an officials course being hosted at Ellesmere Port Sports Village on Sunday November 18.

Anyone wanting to be a field judge, track judge, timekeeper, or starter should contact Dennis Wall either at track training sessions or by email at: [email protected]

The club needs to strengthen it’s experienced unpaid volunteers and plan for the future if we want to remain in leagues and competitions.

ROAD RELAYS REMINDER
Two dates for your diaries are the Cheshire and North West Road Relay Championships at Delamere on Saturday, September 8, and the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships at SportCity, Manchester, on Sunday, September 23.

Ellie Robinson has kindly agreed to do all club entries and help sort out the teams, and the club will pay the entry fees.

Please look out for the email that has been sent to all club members and let Ellie know if they want to take part in both or either of the events.

Please help Ellie by representing the club and supporting the two events.

PHYSIO SUPPORT
Club member Heather McLintock is a qualified physiotherapist and offers substantial discounted prices for West Cheshire AC members on production of their membership card. Heather can be contacted on 01244 381350 or 07885 462487.

WEEKLY ROUND-UP
This week’s club press report can be found here.

FIXTURES

Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11: Northern Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Track and Field Championships, at Wavertree, Liverpool.

Wednesday, August 15: Manchester International Track and Field Match, Sportcity, Manchester.

Wednesday, August 15: Capenhurst 5k Road Race, (7.15pm).

Saturday, August 18: Race The Train, Tywyn, Mid Wales, (2.15pm).

Sunday, August 19: Birchwood 10k Road Race, (10am).

Sunday, August 19: Warrington Open Track and Field Meeting (11.30am).

Thursday, August 23: Mid Cheshire 5k Road Race, at Kingsley (7.15pm).

Sunday, August 26: Ellesmere 10k Road Race, (11.15am).

Monday, August 27: Trafford Open Track and Field Meeting, (12 noon).

Monday, August 27: Cilcain Show, (1pm).

Wednesday, August 29: Wirral Seaside 5k Race, Leasowe (7pm).

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club are celebrating after retaining their place in Division One of the Northern Track and Field League.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village outfit, managed by Jenny Manning and Dave McKay, will compete in the region’s top flight for a fourth consecutive campaign after a battling display from a 28-strong squad during the final round at Preston.

Teamwork and sheer determination were hallmarks from a tense final round for the purple-vested squad who delivered when it mattered most.

Track judge Jo Clarke and her daughters, Katie and Issy, drove from a holiday in Pembrokeshire to pocket much-needed points for their club, while ultra-runner Tom Booth arrived by train from Kendal to represent his team.

No fewer than five age group club records were achieved during the memorable day by Great Britain junior international George Hyde, Welsh champion Laura Turley, and dependable veterans Ellie Robinson and Dave McKay.

Under 20 junior, Hyde, won the shot put competition with a throw of 14.56m and finished second in the discus with a new under 20 club record of 34.70m.

Turley powered her way to success with a new over-20 ladies 200m club record time of 24.8 seconds and equalled her 100m personal best of 12.4 seconds for third position.

Robinson achieved a new over-45 women’s 200m club record time of 33.1 seconds and also added valuable points from the 800m and 1500m.

And McKay equalled his over-35 men’s high jump club record clearance of 1-55m for third place in the B competition, as well as celebrating victories in the javelin (52.88m) and hammer (42.80m).

Victor Oyesola secured a memorable double success story from the 100m (11.3) and 200m (22.8), backed up by Katie Clarke who won the 3000m in 11:06.7, and by Emma Howe who nailed a winning throw of 42.85m in the javelin.

Tom Booth won the B 5000m in 17:11.7, and Tony Woodall claimed maximum points from the B 3000m steeplechase with a time of 12:17.2.

Other important members of the West Cheshire squad included Danielle Erskine, Beth and Ellen McMahon, Joy Hickman, Evie Tipping, Debra Erskine, Nicola Gore, Matthew Webb, Andy Parker, Liam Davoren, Joseph Morrison, David Dentith, Mark Davies, Andrew Clague, Ethan Greenland, Craig Smith, Adam Howe, and Alan Littler.

MATCH RESULT: 1 Wakefield 396 points; 2 Preston 393.5; 3 Wigan 385.5; 4 West Cheshire 354; 5 York 336; 6 Sheffield 23.

OVERALL STANDINGS (after four rounds): 1 Wakefield 22 league points (1599 match points); 2 Wigan 15 (1477); 3 West Cheshire 14 (1435.5); 4 York 14 (1358); 5 Preston 13 (1380.5); 6 Sheffield 6 (724.5).

KERRY RILEY, Ellie Robinson, Keely Smith and Clare Mallon secured West Cheshire AC the ladies team prize at the Pie and Peas Five Miles Road Race at Winsford.

Riley clocked 34:51 for second spot in the ladies race, ahead of Robinson (first over-45 lady in 35:23), Smith (38:13), and Mallon (38:51), backed up by Angela Tegg (39:02), Kay Hayes (42:26), Andy Carter (second over-45 veteran and fifth overall in 30:02), Neil Hershaw (third over-50 veteran in 31:55), Steve Hillier (34:49), Ian Gloyne-Phillips (35:10), and David Irving (35:49).

MARK DAVIES of West Cheshire AC posted 27:25 for sixth spot at the latest Deestriders Off Road Grand Prix Race, ahead of Tony Woodall (29:03), Richard Hayes (29:45), Neil Field (33:27), Stuart Thomas (35:00), Dan Watling (36:06), Tony Kennedy (38:41), Brygida Gorecka (56th in 39:00), Mark Povey (40:11), Brian Beattie (44:48), and Dave Brierley (54:16).

FIXTURES this weekend include the Northern Under 13, Under 15 and Under 17 Track and Field Championships at Wavertree, Liverpool, on Saturday and Sunday.

FORTHCOMING fixtures include the Capenhurst 5k Road Race on Wednesday, (August 15); the final round of the Cheshire Track and Field League at Eccles on Sunday, September 2; the North West Road Relay Championships at Delamere on September 8; and the Northern Athletics Road Relay Championships at Sportcity, Manchester, on Sunday, September 23.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Guilden Sutton 10k Road Race being held on Sunday, September 16. Further details can be found at: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/guildensutton10k

As last month, Angela and Andy extend their leads, Ellie and Clare remain clear in second and third, and a single point still separates Andrew, Steve and Peter. See middle of the road running page for more details.