WEST CHESHIRE AC’S popular Shell Chester Round The Walls Race has already attracted nearly 200 entries.

The festive 4.5 miles multi-terrain event on Boxing Day has been traditionally held from Chester Racecourse since 1972.

This year’s event has an entry limit of 500 and entries are set to close on November 27.

The event will start at 11am and be held on grass, road and city walls, weather permitting.

The race will be confined to the Roodee if the walls are slippery.

All finishers will receive a cup of mulled wine and a mince pie, and there is an extensive prize list for a wide range of age group categories.

Athletes nationwide are attracted to the fixture which was won last year by British international cross-country runner Rob Whalley.

The Bristol & West AC member, who has represented Great Britain five times at the World Cross-Country Championships, crossed the finishing line in 23:04.

He finished the course well clear of 2007 walls race winner Bashir Hussain (Stockport Harriers), who clocked 23:56 for second spot.

The main Walls Race will be supplemented by a one mile open fun run on grass which starts at 10.15am and can be entered by anyone aged nine or older. Interested runners can enter the Walls Race online, or by postal entry.

Forms can be accessed via the West Cheshire AC website: www.westcheshireac.co.uk

WEST CHESHIRE AC’s Brian Beattie completed the Abergele Five Miles Road Race in a time of 42 minutes five seconds for 126th position.

FIXTURES this weekend include the second round of the North Staffs Cross Country League at Park Hall, Longton, on Saturday (12.30pm start). Forthcoming fixtures include the third round of the North Staffs Cross Country League, on Saturday, November 14, at Stafford Common.