General: Weekend of sporting excellence hailed a success

May 23 2008 Chester Chronicle

General: Weekend of sporting excellence hailed a success

THOUSANDS of people descended on Chester over the weekend to turn the city into a massive sporting Mecca for all ages.

The city’s biggest weekend of sport this year has been hailed a huge success after hundreds of rowers, runners and junior footballers turned out in force for the Chester Regatta, Shell Chester Half Marathon and the Duke of Westminster Cup finals.

Organisers of Saturday’s regatta made sure the historic race’s 275th anniversary was a big hit.

Regatta secretary Jan Chillery-Belcher said: “It was a great day for everyone. We had more entries than last year and the atmosphere was wonderful.”

Spectators lined the banks of the River Dee as crews from Royal Chester, Grosvenor, The King’s School, Queen’s Park High and the University of Chester competed against visiting clubs from across the UK.

While the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Chester handed out the prizes, there was also the chance for spectators to see a 1733 fun race with rowers in historic garb.

A memorable weekend of sport continued on Sunday, with 1,800 runners crossing the finishing line in the city’s annual half marathon.

Backed by Shell UK and supported by the city council, the race – which starts on the Old Dee Bridge and finishes up on the Roodee – is the most popular in West Cheshire AC’s calendar.

West Cheshire chairman Dennis Wall said: “It was a huge success and everybody enjoyed the day. The half marathon must be one of the biggest participation events in Chester and there were huge crowds on the racecourse for the finish.”

The race was made possible by a dedicated band of between 70 and 100 volunteers.

Mr Wall added: “I’d like to thank everybody who made it such a success – from the runners to the marshals, and everyone behind the scenes.”

Over at the Deva Stadium – home of Chester City FC – the curtain was coming down on the Chester Junior Football League (CJFL) season.

Parents and supporters turned out in force to cheer on teams in the annual Duke of Westminster Cup finals.

CJFL spokesman Graham Frost said: “It was a bigger crowd than last year.

“There were a lot of screaming mums, but it was all very positive and encouraging – and loud!

“The weather helped bring people out and I’m glad it did because the standard of football on display was some of the best we’ve had in the Duke of Westminster Cup.”