WEST Cheshire AC members have battled their way to some Christmas cheer.
The Chester and Ellesmere Port-based club held their Christmas Handicap Cross Country event in wintry conditions at Whitby Park.
Nienke Verwer ploughed her way through the mud to win the one-mile junior race with a time of nine minutes 10 seconds.
The under 15 youngster finished 10 seconds clear of runner-up Alex Kirk, an U11 boy, and U11 girl Rosie Bancroft finished third with a time of nine minutes 53 seconds.
Joanne Hope was the third girl to finish, clocking a time of 9:55.
Alex Haswell posted the fastest handicap time of 6:02 to finish clear of second-placed Tom Booth in 6:25 and third-placed Michael Lyness, who finished in 6:46.
Peter Haswell was the first finisher of the senior four-mile event, posting a time of 37:35 to win the veteran's plate.
Mieke Vanneste was the next member to finish, securing the ladies' cup after clocking 38:09. And U17 lady Kerry Riley strode her way to third position in 38:51.
Gary Withers, sporting his traditional Christmas hat, produced a very creditable run of 39:17 for fourth position.
He held off the challenge of U17 youth Louis Humphreys, who finished just 10 seconds behind.
* Carl van Schie achieved a personal best pole vault performance of 3.40m at Sport City, Manchester.
The multi-talented West Cheshire AC member also posted
9.30 seconds in the 60m hurdles and achieved 6m in the long jump.
* Entries have now closed for the Round The Walls Race at Chester Racecourse on Boxing Day as the entry limit of 500 has been reached.
Entries will be taken on the day for the traditional one-mile fun run on the Roodee, which starts at 10.15am.
Entry is £2 and the minimum age of entrants is nine years. Awards will be presented to all finishers.
