There was a hometown winner in the Essar Chester Round the Walls Race on Boxing Day.
Tessa McCormick, 18, of Upton, won the ladies’ title after completing four laps of the Roodee.
This year’s race was confined to the racecourse as the city walls were judged too icy and dangerous by race organisers West Cheshire AC.
McCormick, representing Vale Royal AC, triumphed in a time of 20 minutes and 25 seconds. She was 15 seconds clear of runner-up Sarah Kearney (Wirral AC), and 2010 winner Sarah Griffiths (Leigh Harriers), who was third in 21:07.
The overall race winner was Daniel Cliffe, representing Merseyside’s Littlewoods Running Club. Cliffe, who won the title in 2009, reclaimed his crown with a winning time of 17:22. He finished 50 seconds clear of runner-up Adam Peers (Liverpool Harriers), while Ian Wetherall (Sale Harriers) finished third in 18:39.
Runners came from far and wide to compete in the annual Boxing Day event.
Of those based closer to home, Wrecsam Tri Club’s Gary Norgrove posted 19:28 for ninth spot, while Deeside AAC’s Thomas Snowden was 12th in 19:40, ahead of Chester Tri’s Duncan Harris in 19:46, and Helsby’s Colin Bishop (15th in 19:53).
Buckley Runners duo Jez Brown (19:55) and Simon Roberts (20:10) finished 16th and 18th respectively.
Great Britain junior international biathlete and West Cheshire AC member Zack Holland finished 22nd in 20:33, ahead of Deeside AC’s David Lemon (26th in 20:45), Wrexham AC’s Mike Robbins (27th in 20:45), and West Cheshire AC’s Rob Little (28th in 21:04).
Jayne Joy, of Helsby, finished fourth lady in 21:09, ahead of West Cheshire AC’s Tom Booth (32nd in 21:13), and fifth lady Emma Crowe of Wrexham AC, who posted 21:18.
Other local finishers included Chester Tri’s Philip Townsend (42nd in 22:10), and Michael Waring (44th in 22:12), Buckley’s Stephen Bellis (46th in 22:21), Wrexham’s Michael Roberts (49th in 22:33), West Cheshire’s Joe Foy (54th in 22:51), Deestriders’ Nick Chadwick (62nd in 23:17), West Cheshire’s Neil Carter (65th in 23:25), and Wrexham’s Simon Hide (66th in 23:25).
As well as the main event, there was also a family fun run for youngsters and their parents.
