ATHLETICS: CHESHIRE athletics' top annual accolade for services to the sport has gone to Frodsham's George Bunner.

The Cheshire County AA president and founder of sportshall athletics, has been awarded the John Young Award for 2003.

As a Junior he won the AAA 880yds title in 1950 and following a break from athletics for a number of reasons, he returned to the sport as an organiser and helped form an athletics club in the 1970s in his then home town of Frodsham.

He soon started the development of sportshall athletics after recognising the need for something different to introduce young children into the sport of athletics. This has now grown along with the Fun in Athletics concept to become an accepted part of athletics all over the world through the IAAF. In recognition of his contribution to athletics for the young, he was awarded the MBE in 2002.

Bunner has also been an organiser and motivator for conventional athletics - for example, introducing the Cheshire Track and Field League as a means to provide an introduction to the sport for new athletes, reviving the Frodsham Hill races, secretary of the NCAA District Five, organiser of the Women's National CC Championships at Runcorn in the early 1980s, developer of the Youth Games athletics events and organiser of the Millennium Youth Games final at Southampton, the Cheshire County Track Relays, an occasional competitor for his club in the Northern Men's League and, perhaps the event which causes most comment, organiser of the Cheshire Road Relays which were interrupted by the opening of a swing bridge over the Ship Canal!

It has, in fact, been a lifetime of contribution to athletics.

* The final event in this year's County GP series is the Birchwood 10K on Sunday, which also doubles up as the Cheshire 10K championships (for individuals).

Adrian Thiemicke's request for ideas, comments, events for next year's grand prix series, assuming the Cheshire clubs want one, has so far produced only a few responses.

Cheshire County AA are keen that the event continues in 2004 and he is willing to co-ordinate again as those clubs which took part appear to have enjoyed the competition.

* Louise Woodward has won a place in the county multi-events squad. The West Cheshire AC Under 15 member will be competing in the Cheshire Schools' team next month after contributing to the county's victory in the North West Regional Championships at Telford earlier in the season.

She was crowned long jump and sprint hurdles champion at this year's Cheshire County Schools' Championships at Macclesfield.

* Tattenhall Runners were represented at the annual Pie and Peas five-mile multi-terrain race at Moulton, near Winsford, where John Lamb broke 30 minutes to finish 10th in 29.40. Chairman Simon Ellis clocked 31.15, Steve Hammond 32.30, Sarah Hammond 33.45 and first lady veteran 35, Nick Holmes 34.05, Mark Smith 34.14, Dave Ratcliffe 34.23, Dave Clark 36.16, Lawrie Woodley 36.50, Francis McHale 37.01, Greg Berti 37.12, Chris Lamb 37.13, Mike Arrowsmith 40.33, Lesley Arrowsmith 41.30, Jane Woodley (first vet 50) and Derek Clague 42.23, Caroline Howard 44.03, Tessa Swaine 44.37, Lesley Clague 47.00.

Members will be at the Craig-y-Rhiw Hill run near Oswestry tomorrow at 1pm over five miles. Entries will be taken on the day.

* Fixtures this weekend include the latest round of the National Junior Under 20 Track and Field League for Cheshire Tigers AC at Robin Park, Wigan, on Sunday.

The Terry Davies Memorial Track and Field Meeting takes place at Warrington's Victoria Park tomorrow and the AAA U15 and U17 Championships are tomorrow and Sunday, at Don Valley Stadium, Sheffield.

The Birchwood 10k Road Race, at Warrington, on Sunday, incorporates the Cheshire County 10k Championships (10.30am start).

The Capenhurst Multi-Terrain Three-Person Team Event takes place from the EA Technology complex at Capenhurst, near Chester, on Thursday from 6pm.

* Entries are now being accepted for West Cheshire AC's Sutton Six 10k Road Race, being held at Guilden Sutton, Chester, on Sunday, September 21 (11am start). Further details from Richard Batterham, Ranelagh, School Lane, Guilden Sutton, Chester CH3 7ET.