ANDREW CLAGUE headed West Cheshire Athletic Club’s charge in Storm Brian at the seaside.

Clague finished fifth in his over-45 age group with a time of 40 minutes 25 seconds at the testing second round of the North Wales Cross Country League staged at Llandudno’s St David’s College.

He was backed up by club mates Tony Woodall (41:47), John Parlevliet (43:24), Phil Woodley (44:01), Stuart Thomas (44:25), Andy Carter (47:36), Bob Benson (49:50), and Peter Smith (56:33).

West Cheshire AC are currently fifth in Division Two of the Men’s team competition, and eighth overall in the Mens Masters team event.

Claire Harris (27:04) and Ellie Robinson (second over-45 lady in 27:29) combined for West Cheshire AC in the womens race and the club are now fifth overall in the Division Two womens team competition.

The next race is at Treborth Track, Bangor, on Saturday, November 25.

EDWARD WOODHEAD of West Cheshire AC finished second in the under 16s Cilcain Mountain Race and was joined at the venue by club mate Alex Staniforth who completed the 20km seniors race in one hour 35 minutes 41 seconds.

WEST CHESHIRE AC members wanting to compete in the Cheshire AA Cross Country Championships at Delamere Forest on Saturday, January 6, need to email club cross country secretary, Peter Smith, at: [email protected] with their name, date of birth, email address and phone number.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the popular Essar Chester Round The Walls Race.

Runners are being urged to enter for the Boxing Day fixture organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club, well before the online closing date of Monday, December 18, at the following link: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Essar-Chester-Round-The-Walls-2017

A LEVEL ONE course for field judges, track judges and timekeepers is being held at Macclesfield on Saturday, November 25. The day starts at 10am with a Health and Safety course followed by discipline specific modules. Details of the courses and booking can be found on the England Athletics website at: https://www.englandathletics.org/courses

ENTRIES close on Friday, November 17, for the British Cross Challenge Cross Country event at Sefton Park, Liverpool, being held on Saturday, November 25. The fixture includes the British trials for the European Cross Country Championships.

BIRKENHEAD PARK is the setting for the next round of the Borders Road Running League to be held on Sunday, December 3 (11am).

Abergele will be the venue for race three on Sunday, January 14, and Chester Tri Club will host round four at Chester Football Club on Sunday, February 18, (9am start).

Tattenhall will stage race five on Sunday, March 4, (11am), before Wrecsam Tri Club host round six on Sunday, April 8 (11am), and Deestriders will stage the final round on Wednesday, April 25, (7.30pm).

ENTRIES close on December 15 for the Northern Under 17s and Under 20 Indoor Track and Field Championships at Sheffield to be held on January 13 and 14. Further details can be found at: https://www.northernathletics.org.uk

FIXTURES this weekend include the second round of the North Staffs Cross Country League being held at Park Hall Country Park, Weston Coyney, Stoke on Trent, on Saturday (12 noon start).

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the popular Essar Chester Round The Walls Race.

Runners are being urged to enter for the Boxing Day fixture organised by West Cheshire Athletic Club, well before the online closing date of Monday, December 18, at the following link: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Essar-Chester-Round-The-Walls-2017

This year’s event, approximately 6km in length, is expected to be a sell-out once again with entries normally received from runners based in this country and abroad.

The Walls Race is one of the oldest in the country after being first held in 1972, and it is now in its 46th year.

The event starts and finishes at the Roodee, the oldest racecourse still used in England and the race follows the best path to appreciate the city walls.

After leaving the Roodee, runners will take in a stretch of canal towpath with the walls towering above before ascending steps to follow the walls past Chester Cathedral in a clockwise direction.

Passing the iconic Eastgate Clock, runners continue from Roman to Medieval sections of the wall and descend to street level at the River Dee in order to finish back at the racecourse.

ETHAN ACKROYD represented West Cheshire AC at the British Cross Challenge Race in Cardiff and posted 16:57 for 24th spot in the under 17 mens event.

Ethan’s father, Ian, also a West Cheshire AC member, clocked 1:45:13 at the Manchester Half Marathon, alongside club mates Rob Little (1:21:59), and Andrew Leishman (1:48:40).

JAMIE RICHARDSON of West Cheshire AC was seventh after clocking 12 minutes 43 seconds in the under 13 boys race at Heaton Park in the opening round of the Manchester Area Cross Country League.

Tony Woodall (165th in 43:12), Stuart Thomas (104th in 47:42), and Peter Smith (396th in 58:10) completed the senior men’s race.

A LEVEL ONE course for field judges, track judges and timekeepers is being held at Macclesfield on Saturday, November 25. The day starts at 10am with a Health and Safety course followed by discipline specific modules. Details of the courses and booking can be found on the England Athletics website at: https://www.englandathletics.org/courseshttps://www.englandathletics.org/courses.aspx?siteSectionId=33&postCode=Postcode&distance=5&region=000100010002001300020003&keyword=officials&courseType=0001300000030013

THE 2018 Cheshire AA County Cross Country Championships will be held at Delamere Forest, on Saturday, January 6.

ENTRIES close on Friday, November 17, for the British Cross Challenge Cross Country event at Sefton Park, Liverpool, being held on Saturday, November 25. The fixture includes the British trials for the European Cross Country Championships.

BIRKENHEAD PARK is the setting for the next round of the Borders Road Running League to be held on Sunday, December 3 (11am).

Abergele will be the venue for race three on Sunday, January 14, and Chester Tri Club will host round four at Chester Football Club on Sunday, February 18, (9am start).

Tattenhall will stage race five on Sunday, March 4, (11am), before Wrecsam Tri Club host round six on Sunday, April 8 (11am), and Deestriders will stage the final round on Wednesday, April 25, (7.30pm).

FIXTURES this weekend include the second round of the North Wales Cross Country League being held at St David’s College, Llandudno, on Saturday (2pm start), and the Flintshire 5km and 10km Road Races, take place on Sunday at Mold Leisure Centre, Mold, (9.45am start).

KEELY SMITH smashed a club record and secured a podium place at the Chester Marathon.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club distance runner clocked three hours 12 minutes 46 seconds for third spot in her senior lady age category at Sunday’s 26.2 miles road race.

Smith was joined at the event by ultra-runner Tom Booth who was West Cheshire AC’s first finisher in 3:05:27, ahead of club mates Chris Palmer (3:08:34), Wullie McGarrell (3:12:43), and Tom Cable who posted a new personal best of 3:18:52.

Other West Cheshire AC finishers at the Roodee included Andrew Dawe (3:27:24), Rob Boggild (3:35:07), and Phil Woodley (3:36:44).

Stuart Thomas headed West Cheshire AC’s contingent home in the 26.2km Metric Marathon with a time of 2:03:56, ahead of Clare Mallon (2:15:18), Stephen Ball (2:15:47), Mark Povey (2:30:10), and Isabel Robertson (2:47:59).

ETHAN ACKROYD celebrated an emphatic victory at Wrexham in the opening round of the North Wales Cross Country League.

The West Cheshire AC teenager won the under 17 men’s race in a time of 20 minutes 47 seconds, more than a minute clear of his nearest rival.

Anest Muller (13th in 25:05) headed West Cheshire AC’s charge in the women’s race ahead of Ellie Robinson (23rd in 26:13), Kerry Riley (36th in 27:12), and Pam Ackroyd (61st in 29:34) to earn the club second team spot in Division Two and fourth place in the Female Masters team event.

Mark Davies (35th in 33:55) was first home for West Cheshire AC in the men’s race, ahead of Andrew Clague (37th in 33:58), John Parlevliet (79th in 36:52), Bob Benson (109th in 38:38), Andy Carter (123rd in 40:00), and Peter Smith (162nd in 46:53) to earn fourth team position in Division Two and fifth place in the Male Masters team competition.

WEST CHESHIRE AC bagged a hat-trick of team victories at the opening round of the North West Sportshall Athletics League.

The under 11 girls, under 13 girls and under 15 boys all won their competitions at the event held on Sunday at South Cheshire College, Crewe.

Special mention must be made to Abigail Cartwright and Sophie Cribb who combined for 92 points and third place in the under 15 girls team competition.

TEAM RESULTS

UNDER 11 GIRLS: 1 West Cheshire 182 points; 2 Crewe and Nantwich 173; 3 Wirral 164; 4 Macclesfield 142.

UNDER 13 GIRLS: 1 West Cheshire 178.5; 2 Crewe and Nantwich 172.5; 3 Wirral 166.5; 4 Macclesfield 148.5.

UNDER 15 GIRLS: 1 Macclesfield 186.5; 2 Wirral 100.5; 3 West Cheshire 92; 4 Crewe and Nantwich 91; 5 Handforth 27.

UNDER 11 BOYS: 1 Crewe and Nantwich 180.5; 2 West Cheshire 169.5; 3 Wirral 164; 4 Macclesfield 146.5; 5 Handforth 105.5.

UNDER 13 BOYS: 1 Crewe and Nantwich 189; 2 Wirral 172; 3 Macclesfield 151; 4 West Cheshire 71.

UNDER 15 BOYS: 1 West Cheshire 186; 2 Crewe and Nantwich 113; 3 Macclesfield 92; 4 Wirral 56.

WEST CHESHIRE AC are third in Division One of both the mens and ladies team events after the Borders Road Running League first round staged at Capenhurst, and the next race will be held at Birkenhead Park on Sunday, December 3.

FIXTURES this weekend include the opening round of the Manchester Area Cross Country League at Heaton Park, Manchester, this Saturday (12.15pm start, there are no under 11s races).

The Farndon 10k Road Race takes place on Sunday incorporating the seventh round of the Cheshire Road Running Grand Prix Series (10am start).

Wirral Multi-Terrain League helps Andrew to pull clear of Andy, and Richard and Mark to close the gap on Dave. Angela does the same to Ellie, with Clare clear in 3rd. Points up for grabs in forthcoming cross-country and Borders leagues. Winter’s here! See halfway down https://www.westcheshireac.co.uk/races/road/

WEST CHESHIRE AC has been crowned North West England Regional Athletics Club of the Year for a second successive year.

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

Club track and field officer, Dennis Wall, and club coaches Jenny Manning, Ellen Molloy and Alan Littler received a plaque and an award from England Athletics officials at the event held at Wigan’s DW Stadium.

“I felt very proud, honoured, and thrilled when I heard that the club had won the regional award for a second 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.”

CARYS ROBERTS secured success at the opening round of the North Staffs Cross Country League.

The talented West Cheshire Athletic Club runner clocked a winning time of eight minutes 19 seconds for top spot in the under 13 girls race at Winsford.

She was backed up by Ruby Wisbey (24th in 9:35), Megan White (33rd in 9:46), Grace Scott (52nd in 11:04), and Elvie Postridge (57th in 11:32).

Issy Clarke posted 16:30 for second spot in the under 17 womens race ahead of Eve Duret (seventh in 17:52) and Lily Moorhouse (17th in 22:07) to earn West Cheshire AC top spot in the team event.

Reece Munro clocked 8:01 for second spot in the under 11 boys race, ahead of Oliver Mallon (51st in 11:28) and Hugh Drake (55th in 12:28).

Isaac Tait (fifth in 14:49), Matthew Douglass (eighth in 15:15), Harvey Tegg (19th in 16:08), and Aaron Scott (29th in 17:23), earned West Cheshire AC second place in the under 15 boys team event.

West Cheshire AC duo Jessica Lark (sixth in 7:09) and Eleanor Williams (13th in 7:25) completed the under 11 girls race.

Ryan Cooke (eighth in 14:11), Henry Robinson (ninth in 14:13), Leo Green (23rd in 15:23), Dan Willetts (25th in 15:26) combined for West Cheshire AC in the under 13 boys event.

Claire Harris (4th senior lady in 24:26), Ellie Robinson (12th over-45 lady in 25:12), Claire Mallon (10th over 40 lady in 26:59), Angela Tegg (17th over-45 lady in 27:19), Pam Ackroyd (ninth over-55 lady in 27:40), earned West Cheshire AC sixth position in Division Two of the women’s team event.

Dave Alexander (fourth over-45 man in 30:45) spearheaded West Cheshire AC’s charge to fifth team spot in Division Two of the men’s race, ahead of Andrew Clague (ninth over-45 man in 32:37), Richard Hayes (12th over-45 man in 32:58), Tony Woodall (34:45), John Parlevliet (36:49), debutant Stuart Thomas (37:27), Bob Benson (fourth over-60 man in 39:29), and Peter Smith (46:30).

MARK POVEY of West Cheshire AC clocked 51:46 in the Mersey Tunnel 10k Road Race.

ENTRIES are now being accepted for the Essar Chester Round The Walls Race being held on Boxing Day. Further details can be found online at: https://wcac.niftyentries.com/Essar-Chester-Round-The-Walls-2017

ENTRIES close on Friday, November 17, for the British Cross Challenge Cross Country event at Sefton Park, Liverpool, being held on Saturday, November 25.

FIXTURES this weekend include the opening round of the North Wales Cross Country League at Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, Wrexham, LL13 9NG on Saturday (Juniors 10.30am start, and Seniors 2pm start), and the first round of the North West Sportshall Athletics League at South Cheshire College, Crewe, CW2 8AB, on Sunday (12 noon start).

WEST CHESHIRE Athletic Club hosted Great Britain international runner Jenny Meadows on Sunday.

The Ellesmere Port Sports Village-based outfit’s members were delighted to receive advice and support during a workshop organised by Meadows who has just finished a busy schedule of pace-making on the Diamond Track and Field League circuit.

West Cheshire AC track and field officer Dennis Wall admitted his club had been honoured and delighted to host a workshop from the 2011 European Indoor 800m champion and 2008 Olympian.

“Every member present was transfixed by what Jenny had to say and everybody was impressed by the way she communicated with members who were nine years old through to over 60 years of age,” Wall said.

“Jenny revealed that she was impressed by the friendly atmosphere, hospitality, and positive response she had received from those present and thoroughly enjoyed her two-hour visit.

“Club athletes, coaches and parents of members all agreed that Jenny’s workshop had been beneficial for everyone present and that the range of warm-up drills and exercises demonstrated had provided plenty of interest.”

LEO GREEN of Ellesmere Port Catholic High School secured success at the opening round of the Essar West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series.

Green posted seven minutes 35 seconds for top spot in the year seven boys race at the event held at Ellesmere Port Sports Village which attracted 322 pupils.

He finished 20 seconds clear of runner-up Daniel Goodwin (Tarporley) and third-placed Max Telford (Upton) who clocked 8:21.

Ruby Wisbey (Tarporley) won the year seven girls race in 8:11, thirty seconds ahead of runner-up Emma Robson (Neston), with Queen’s pupil Megan White third in 8:48.

Imogen Pughe (Wirral Grammar) won the year eight girls race in 10:19, ahead of runner-up Sophie Grainger (Christleton) in 10:31, and third placed Henrietta Duffey (Wirral Grammar) in 12:35.

Sam Hollins (Upton High) won the year eight boys race in 9:49, ahead of second placed Ryan Cooke (Bishop’s) in 10:03, while Reuben Grewal (Neston) was third with 10:28.

Eccleston’s Reece Munro won the year six boys race in 4:15, ahead of runner-up Leo Ferdenzi (Acesfield) in 4:27, and third placed Sam Bailey (Saughall All Saints) in 4:35.

Upton Heath’s Jessica Lark clocked 4:47 for success in the year six girls race ahead of runner-up Holly Sutcliffe (The Firs) with 4:54, and third placed Aimee Phillips (Sutton Green) with 4:55.

Charlie Beyeler (King’s) posted 4:26 for victory in the year five boys race ahead of runner-up Joseph Ireland (Mill View) in 4:31, and third placed Benjamin Williams (Willaston) with 4:33.

Eleanor Williams (King’s) clocked 4:42 for top spot in the year five girls race ahead of runner-up Ella Hims (Childer Thornton) with 4:48 and third placed Macy Brett (Little Sutton) in 4:49.

Saughall All Saints duo Ben and Tom Hackett finished first and second with times of 2:51 and 2:52 respectively in the year four boys race ahead of third placed Charlie Larkin (St Lukes) with 2:52.

Grace Henderson (King’s) posted 3:03 for victory in the year four girls race ahead of Mickle Trafford’s Eleanor Neve (3:06) and Holly Cooke of Christleton (3:08) who were second and third respectively.

Thomas Rimmer (Overleigh St Marys) won the year three boys race in 2:50, ahead of runner up Hugo McLintock (Mill View) in 3:01 and third placed Lewis Cooke (Saighton) in 3:02.

Acresfield’s Edith Carr won the year three girls race in 3:26 ahead of Delamere Academy’s Madison Cobb (3:29) and Newton’s Ella-Grace Graham in 3:31.

FIXTURES this weekend include the first round of the North Staffs Cross Country League on Saturday at Knight’s Grange, Winsford (12 noon start), and the first round of the Borders Road Running League at Capenhurst on Sunday (11am start).

Fun Run and main race photos are now online, free to view and download.

TOMOS ROBERTS celebrated success at Sunday’s Essar Guilden Sutton Six 10k Road Race.

The Meirionnydd Running Club member clocked 32 minutes 30 seconds for top spot at the popular fixture hosted by West Cheshire Athletic Club.

Roberts finished 50 seconds clear of runner-up William Woodcock, from Wirral AC, while Jeff Prest from Trafford AC posted 33:25 for third position.

Jez Brown (Buckley Runners) finished second in his over-45 age group and eighth overall in 34:43, while the Vale Royal AC trio of Chris Williams (fourth in 33:48), Stuart Doyle (fifth in 33:51), and Andrew Miles (seventh in 34:21), were separated by Halton and Frodsham’s Richard McGeachie who was sixth in 34:12.

West Cheshire AC’s Ethan Greenland won the under 20 junior men’s title and was 12th overall in 35:40, just 16 seconds clear of club mate Rob Little who was fourth in his over 40 age group, and Andrew Clague was West Cheshire’s third finisher and fifth over-45 veteran in 37:14.

Buckley Runners; Gary Blackwell was first in his over 50 age group in 37:29, ahead of West Cheshire’s Mark Davies (seventh over-40 man in 38:03, and his club mates Steve Hillier (40:36), Luke Ellis (40:42), fifth under 20 man Patrick Tait (47:33), and Richard Batterham (fourth over 65 man in 50:40),

Diane McVey, from Wilmslow Running Club, won the ladies title with a time of 36:42, well clear of second-placed Joanne Marsden from Ellesmere Port Running Club who won her over-35 age group with 39:15, and Carolyn Dooley (Vale Royal AC) posted 40:47 for third place.

West Cheshire AC’s Anest Muller was runner-up in her over 35 womens age category with a time of 42:44, ahead of club mates Angela Tegg (seventh over-45 lady in 49:42), Jo Bridge (54:13), and Zoe Rees (55:58).

Imogen Pughe of West Cheshire AC won the Guilden Sutton 1.5 miles Fun Run and club mate Luke Parker was the first boy finisher.

WEST CHESHIRE AC’S Imogen Pughe (12:52), Sophie Grainger (12:54), and Fatoumatta Bojang (14:07) teamed up for fifth position in the under 13 girls event at the North of England Road Relay Championships at Sportcity, Manchester.

They were joined in the same race by club mates Jodi Bemand (14:30), Stephanie Jones (16:38), and Isla Shillington (15:57).

Jamie Richardson (12:09), Ryan Cooke (12:29), and Henry Robinson (13:11) earned West Cheshire AC 11th spot in the under 13 boys relays, alongside Leo Green (13:42), Louis Tegg (14:21), and Elliott Bujac (13:49).

Matthew Douglass (11:39), Isaac Tait (11:48), and Edward Woodhead (11:52) earned West Cheshire AC 15th position in the under 15 boys race, ahead of Harvey Tegg (12:50), William Wright (12:34), and Liam Farrell (13:14).

Dave Dentith (12:18), Sion Roberts (12:38), and Jac Goodall (12:37) teamed up for West Cheshire AC’s under 17 men who finished 21st.

Lucia Pyne (12:32), Ella Dimbylow (14:01), and Abigail Cartwright (17:39) combined for West Cheshire AC and finished 31st in the under 15 girls race.

Andrew Clague (23:57), Dave Alexander (23:12), Tom Booth (22:50), Joe Foy (26:44), Bob Benson (27:35), and Julian Tegg (27:40) combined for West Cheshire AC who finished 81st in the mens race.

Ellie Robinson (25:51), Clare Mallon (26:55) and Angela Tegg (28:31) represented West Cheshire AC in the women’s race.

FIXTURES this weekend include the Essar West Cheshire AC Schools Cross Country Race Series First Round at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, on Saturday (registration from 9am for a 10am start).

The free of charge event is open to boys and girls who attend local schools and are in years three, four, five, six, seven, and eight, with medals awarded to the first three finishers in each race and individual and team awards after the final round.

The Final Fling Throws Meeting takes place at Wrexham’s Queensway Stadium on Saturday and Sunday (10am start on both days), and the final round of the Wirral Multi Terrain League Race Series takes place on Tuesday at Arrowe Park, Birkenhead (6.30pm start).