ATHLETICS: WEST Cheshire AC's youngsters teed themselves up for awards in wet and muddy conditions at the first round of the Open Junior Cross Country Race Series held at Whitby Park.
Bradley Edwards, Abbie Noble, Michael Lyness, Georgina Wright, Tom Lowndes, and Rebecca Grimes all secured success in their age group races.
But Neston Primary pupil Alex White showed the way home in the opening race with a fine win in the U9s event completing the 800m lap in 4:10 ahead of Harry Ellis from Woodfall Lane Primary.
WCAC's Lucy Earl was next home in 4:20 with team-mate Rosie Bancroft securing the bronze medal in the girls' race in 4:31.
Bradley Edwards enjoyed a gun-to-tape victory to earn his gold medal in the U11 boys' competition in 6:38.
Abbie Noble (7:42) spearheaded a WCAC one-two-three in the U11 girls' race, followed by Alice Jennings (7:45) and Danielle Street (8:11).
Michael Lyness fought out a close contest in the U13 boys' event and had to literally throw himself over the finishing line to beat Ellesmere Port Catholic High School pupil, Callum Freeman.
Both boys were credited with the same time of 12:36 while Whitby High School's David Sparks, was third in 11:01.
Georgina Wright controlled the U13 girls' race from lap one and won in 10:34 ahead of WCAC team-mate Laura Stott, who posted 11:02.
Tom Lowndes commanded the U15 boys' race in 13:39 while WCAC's Alan Littler was third in 12:24.
Rebecca Grimes also took an early stranglehold of the proceedings in the U15 girls' race in 14:28. The second round takes place on Saturday at Whitby Park (10am).
Youngsters can only enter the event on the day for 50p, and organisers urge entrants to arrive no later than 9.30am to enter their respective races.
Other fixtures this weekend include the third round of the Borders Road Running League being held at Caernarfon (11am).
West Cheshire AC will hold their AGM in the Park Suite at the EPIC Leisure Centre on Friday (7.30pm).
