SARAH Murphy will aim to win the senior women’s race for a third successive year at the Cheshire Cross Country Championships in Warrington this weekend.

She was one of 10 Vale Royal Athletics Club members to collect an individual award at the 2016 edition, which coach Andy Carter described afterwards as the Knights Grange-based outfit’s ‘best yet'.

They were victors as well in eight team categories.

However Murphy is the only runner who is defending a solo title at Birchwood Forest Park.

In tandem with Kate Moulds and Kate Titlow, she also helped Vale Royal to team gold 12 months ago.

A total of more than 130 members, from under 11s through to veterans, have registered to race this weekend.

That includes Holly Weedall, Ed Pettitt, Katie Gerrard and Stuart Doyle, who were all winners in their category in 2016.

Sam Evans, who represents Vale Royal in the under 15s boys’ race, finished first in the same age group last year while wearing Warrington’s colours.

The club is seeking to repeat team success in the under 13s boys, under 15s boys, under 17s boys, under 17s girls, under 20s men and under 20s women’s races.

When the championships were held previously at Birchwood, in 2014, Vale Royal took gold in three races; Tessa McCormick (under 20s women), Elliot Bowker (under 17s boys) and Caitlin Dimmick (under 13s girls).

They also claimed nine team titles.

The first race this Saturday is scheduled to start at 11.30am.

Cheshire Cross Country Championships

Saturday, January 7

Birchwood Forest Park

Timetable

1130 Under 11s boys and girls (2km)

1150 Under 13s boys and girls (2.8km)

1210 Under 15s girls (3.5km)

1235 Under 15s boys and under 17s girls (4.5km)

1300 Under 17s men and under 20s women (6km)

1340 Under 20s men and senior women (7.5km)

1430 Senior men (10km)

Northwich Guardian:

Vale Royal Athletics Club's Elliot Bowker was not discouraged by the muddy conditions at Birchwood Forest Park in 2014, when he won the under 17s boys' race