A CHESTER-BASED club played host to a major schools orienteering event at the weekend.
Deeside Orienteering Club staged the British Schools Championships and World Schools Championships UK selection races at Delamere Forest.
On Saturday afternoon, 170 competitors in the boys and girls 14 & 16 age groups competed for places in the Great Britain team for the 2013 World Schools Championships to be held in April in the Algarve.
Then on Sunday, 935 competitors from 128 schools around the UK ran in the British Schools Championships, winning both individual and team trophies for school years five to 13.
Prizes were presented by Deeside Orienteering Club member Chris Smithard, current British sprint orienteering champion, and north-west orienteer Quentin Harding, double gold medallist in the men’s 50 & over age class at this year’s World Championships.
Deeside Orienteering Club’s British talent squad member Olly Williams, representing Sandbach School, ran a fast, accurate race to secure first place and become boys Year 13 British schools champion.
Lachlan Chavasse (The Grange School, Hartford) became British schools champion in the boys Year 8 class.
Completing the host club’s list of podium finishers were Hannah Hateley (Weaverham High) and Katie Wilson (Davenham CoE). Hannah was second in the girls Year 7 race and Katie was third in the girls’ Year 5.
Mickle Trafford Primary School, making their first appearance at the competition, exceeded expectations with a fine second place in the girls’ Year 6 team competition thanks to counting runners Megan Brocklehurst, Elizabeth Goodwin and Isabel Roberts.
Deeside Orienteering Club meets on Wednesdays at the Catholic High School, Chester. For more information www.deeside-orienteering-club.org.uk
