ATHLETICS: WEST CHESHIRE AC has celebrated a weekend of medal and title-winning performances.

The purple-vested Chester and Ellesmere Port-based outfit claimed two Cheshire county titles at the North West Road Relay Championships, held at Sefton Park, Liverpool.

Paul Frodsham (21 minutes three seconds), Graham Jenkins (21:28), Ken Begley (21:38), and Gary Roberts (21:58), pointed West Cheshire AC to gold medals in the Cheshire 4x6k Road Relay event, and seventh position in the regional race.

The quartet were joined by the B team of Graham Earlam, Dave Tiernan, Andy Starkey, and Gary Withers, who finished fourth in the county event, and Paul Price who ran a leg of 23:20, in an incomplete team.

The West Cheshire AC under-13 girls trio of Kerry Riley (7:18), Danielle Bentley (8:16), and Ruth Pritchard (7:50), secured the Cheshire 3x2k Road Relay Championship title.

They were joined by Lauren Money (8:31), Sarah Radcliff (8:18), and Rebecca Grimes (7:52), who pushed West Cheshire AC to county bronze medals.

And West Cheshire AC's trio of under-15 girls grabbed silver medals in their Cheshire 3x3k Road Relay event.

Kelly Money clocked 12 minutes 12 seconds on the first leg, Lauren Hunt posted 16:55 on the second leg, and Charlotte Roach secured a time of 11:16 on the anchor leg to earn the team second place.

* KEN BEGLEY spearheaded West Cheshire AC's men to first spot in the team event at the Sutton Six 10k Road Race on Sunday at Guilden Sutton, near Chester.

The distance ace clocked 33:44 for third position overall, behind eventual winner Simon Shiels of Abergele in 31:52 and runner-up John Wycherley (Helsby) in 33:36.

Ken was supported by West Cheshire AC team mates Paul Frodsham (seventh in 34:48), Graham Earlam (14th in 35:57), and Andrew Clague (21st in 36:14).

The quartet finished 36 points clear of second team Buckley Runners and third-placed Macclesfield Harriers.

Other West Cheshire AC finishers included Gary Withers (26th in 37:20), race organiser Richard Batterham (42nd in 38:35), and Steve Cutler (119th in 45:31).

Helsby won the ladies team prize thanks to Kathryn Roberts (fifth in 40:50), Rachel Arnold (14th in 45:05), and Vanessa Griffiths (15th in 45:19), to finish clear of second-placed Wrexham AC, and third-placed Vale Royal AC.

Nicola Bird, of Ellesmere Port Running Club, won the ladies race in a time of 38:13, from runner-up Ruth Schofield (Wrexham AC) in 38:23. Jack Blackhall of Hoole was the first junior under-20 finisher, in 37:40 for 28th spot overall.

* KEN BEGLEY won the 4.5 miles New Brighton to Leasowe Beach Race - the third race in the Summer Multi-Terrain League. Ken clocked 23 minutes 47 seconds to win the event, ahead of runner-up Jon Mellor (Wirral AC) in 23:55, and third-placed Graham Mac-Neil (Helsby) in 24:09.

Ken was joined by Graham Jenkins (seventh in 24:48), Graham Earlam (10th in 24:54), and Gary Withers (14th in 25:33), in the West Cheshire AC squad who won the team race by four points from runners up, Wirral AC.

* WEST CHESHIRE AC'S senior men travel as newly-crowned Cheshire County Road Relay champions to Risley, near Warrington, on Saturday, for the North of England AA Six Stage Road Relay Championships, while West Cheshire AC's youngsters head for the EPIC Leisure Centre, Ellesmere Port, on Sunday, for the first round of the North West Sportshall League.

* OTHER fixtures this weekend include the first round of the North Wales Cross Country League, at Eirias Park, Colwyn Bay, on Saturday, and the annual Burton and Puddington Fun Run, from Gladstone Village Hall, Burton, on Sunday, (11am start).

* FORTHCOMING fixtures include the Liverpool International Half Marathon and 10k Road Race take place on Sunday, October 12. Details on (0151) 233 3007.

The Sandstone Trail Races are taking place on Sunday, October 5, from Duckington and Beeston Castle. Details from Barry Barnes, on 01606 888845.

The Chester Zoo 10k Road Race gets under starter's orders on Sunday, October 19, (11.15am start). Contact Roger Knight, 8 Wen-lock Gardens, Great Sutton, Cheshire. CH66 2QZ.

The Flintshire 10k also takes place on October 19, from Mold Sports Centre, (12 noon start). Ring Neil Dunn on (01244) 831731 for further details.

And entry forms are now available for the popular Shell Four Villages Half Marathon, being held from Helsby, on Sunday, January 18, (11am start). Contact the race secretary, 6 Fieldway, Frodsham, Cheshire, WA6 6RQ.