Running: Graham Jenkins sets pace for Chester Triathlon Club in Borders League

Mar 20 2009 Chester Chronicle

CHESTER Triathlon Club’s Graham Jenkins put in a superb run to finish first for the club in the latest leg of the Borders League series, at Kelsterton on Sunday.

Graham covered the challenging course in 26 minutes and 11 seconds, followed by club colleagues Peter Brook (27:21), Matthew Gibbs (28:20), Sean Kelly (30:55), Chris Morgan (31:23), Dave Taylor (31:26), Andrea Mageean (31:42), Sophie Rees (32:48), Kate Litherland (33:48) and Kim Mason (44:09).

A battling performance from West Cheshire AC’s men squad lifted them out of the Borders League Division One relegation zone.

In the penultimate round of a difficult season, Dave Alexander – fresh from his appearance at Nottingham for Cheshire at the Inter Counties Cross Country Championships – spearheaded the charge at Deeside College. He headed a 24-man squad finishing in 16th position.

Jeff Kettle (26th), Darragh Staunton (28th), Jeff McQueen (31th), Dan Harris (34th), Andrew Clague (47th) and Russell Kirkall (52th), provided important back-up in the club’s strong showing.

Other runners were Dave Tiernan who completed his race in 57th position ahead of Gary Withers who was fourth in his class and 63rd overall and finally Rob Tudor who crossed the line in 68th position.

West Cheshire’s men’s squad were starting relegation in the face just two weeks after a fielding a series of under strength teams in the league since October.

Many at the club have put the turn around in fortunes down to the appointment of road running club secretary Chris Rhodes and his assistant Bob Benson who have rejuvenated the squad.

In the ladies races debutant Ruth Hetherington was West Cheshire’s first lady home at the Deeside meet and finished 40th.

Sacha Kendall-Woods finished 54th overall and 10th in her class and another debutant Cath Ogilvie was 62nd overall and 11th in her class.

Fixtures this weekend include the English Schools Cross Country Championships at Stanford Hall, Loughborough, tomorrow and the UK Sports Hall Final at Birmingham’s NEC on Sunday.