HOLLY Smith reached the UK rankings’ summit for her age category after running a lifetime best during the Mid-Cheshire 5K at Kingsley on Thursday evening.

The 14-year-old, representing Vale Royal Athletics Club, reached the finish in 18:12; the fastest time for the distance by an under 15s girl this year.

Chris Perry was first of Vale Royal’s 37-strong entry to cross the line, classifying ninth overall in 15.46.

Meanwhile Sarah Griffiths was second in the senior women’s class, clocking 17.42 after being pelted by hailstones in the race’s closing stages.

Only two seconds separated the top-three finishers, with Patrick Martin (Stockport Harriers) pipping Daniel Cliffe (Liverpool Harriers) to first place.

After three fixtures in the Cheshire road race series, Vale Royal’s men occupy top spot in the standings.

The women are third in their category.

Results

Mid-Cheshire 5K

Thursday, April 28

Overall: 1. Patrick Martin (Stockport Harriers) 14.37; 2. Daniel Cliffe (Liverpool Harriers) 14.38; 3. Jack Morris (Stockport Harriers) 14.39

Vale Royal members

9. Chris Perry (senior men) 15.46; 14. Oliver Williams (senior men) 16.02; 24. Stuart Doyle (men’s over 40) 16.33; 26. George Thompson (senior men) 16.47; 39. Matt Rowlinson (under 21 men) 17.14; 52. Sarah Griffiths (senior women) 17.42; 55. Nathan Williams (under 21 men) 17.44; 62. Jodie Spencer (senior women) 18.01; 67. James Griffiths (senior men) 18.03; 72. Holly Smith (under 21 women) 18.11; 74. Sarah Murphy (women’s over 35); 18.18; 76. Gareth Williams (men’s over 45) 18.21; 78. Tom Armstrong (senior men) 18.27; 91. Sophie Smith (under 21) 18.47; 96. Kate Titlow (senior women) 18.57; 106. Gary Weedall (men’s over 50) 19.15; 111. Chloe Dooley (under 21) 19.20; 117. James Edwards (men’s over 55) 19.26; 121. Chris Weedall (senior men) 19.31; 122. Craig Sephton (men’s over 45) 19.26; 123. Richard Murrary (men’s over 45) 19.31; 125. Carolyn Dooley (women’s over 40) 19.33; 143. Brian Dooley (men’s over 40) 19.58; 163. John Clarke (men’s over 60) 20.26; 167. Tony Archer (men’s over 60) 20.37; 172. Lucy Burch (under 21 women) 20.47; 173. Geoff Fawkes (men’s over 45) 20.50; 180. Lucy Smith (under 21 women) 20.54; 215. Steve Collier (men’s over 55) 21.48; 222. Hannah Young (under 21) 21.53; 229. Lisa Meadows (women’s over 45) 22.11; 253. Debbie Moreton (women’s over 45) 23.08; 258. Chris Griffiths (men’s over 55) 23.21; 260. Sue Young (women’s over 45) 23.17; 281. Jayne Lomax (women’s over 45) 24.18; 328. Ann Collier (women’s over 55) 26.46