FEELINGS of monumental achievement are being enjoyed across the sporting scene at the moment.
From Liz Renondeau’s international athletics selection to hockey players’ appearances at an Olympic venue and footballers winning league titles, there is lots of celebrating going on.
Renondeau recently broke the Vale Royal Athletics Club women’s record when she clocked 2hrs 42mins 04secs in the Manchester Marathon, a performance which has earned her a richly deserved debut senior selection for Great Britain and Northern Ireland in the inaugural International Association of Ultrarunners 50km European Championships in Spain on October 8.
The over 40s runner, who also has experience of representing Cheshire Dragons, Northern Masters, Ellesmere Port, Tattenhall and Wirral throughout her 21st century athletics career, is one of five debutants making up the GB & NI women’s squad for the event in Avila.
Renondeau, who now owns nine Vale Royal road racing records from 5K to marathon distances, will be joined by Chloe Richardson (Birchfield Harriers), who gained automatic selection in Manchester after running a time of 2.33.25 over the 26.2-mile distance, and three other international debutants in Rebecca Bunting (London Heathside), Ali Lavender (Oswestry) and Sally Ratcliffe (Aldershot, Farnham and District).
Meanwhile, four Winnington Park Hockey Club women achieved ‘the pinnacle of their hockey careers’ when they represented Cheshire in the England Hockey Masters Finals for the over 55s at Lea Valley, home of the London 2012 Olympics.
Julia Harries, who was joined by her Park teammates Eileen Miller, Chris Davies and Rosie Field, said: “The Cheshire team came runners up, losing 2-0, but fought until the end.
“All agreed it was an extremely proud moment and pinnacle of their hockey careers.
“It was truly magical to play at the Olympic venue.”
Also feeling on top of the world this week are Winnington Avenue 94 Reserves, who have ended their first season under the charge of Gary Lee Jamieson as runaway title winners of Cheshire Football League Reserve Division Two.
Jaymie Roberts sealed the crown when he scored the only goal with an overhead kick to win at Crewe last Thursday, with three games still to play.
Jamieson said: “It’s been an incredible maiden season for Winnington Avenue Reserves, one we can look back on with real pride. To a man this season they’ve given me everything.”
Winnington went on to win 3-1 at AFC Knowsley on Saturday and will head to Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds tonight, Thursday, before ending their campaign at home to Avon Villa Reserves on Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here