CROSS
COUNTRY SECTION
Comrades
Cross Country dates and details for your diaries: - Sat 09th October 2010, Northern XC relays,
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WRR Cross Country
dates 2010/2011 REMAINING DATE &
details for your diaries |
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Sat 12th
March 2011 |
6th Mid
Lanc's |
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Regarding travel expenses whilst supporting any of the above
events, I can only say that the club is undertaking a review of the whole
travel expenses process so I cannot give any guarantee that financial support
will be forthcoming.
On entries, this season it is my intention to enter only those
who have directly contacted me, (via e-mail, phone, or on a club
night), with their intention to run a particular events. I shall not be
entering a block of names as, for the last two seasons, more than 50% of
runners have failed to show up which is a waste of club, read members, funds,
so please remember, the onus is on yourselves to contact me, rather Draconian but it is your cash I am
spending.
If interest is expressed I will endeavour to book the minibus we
used for
Salud
Your Dear Leader
Alan
Date line: - Saturday 30th October, 2010
Venue: - College Grounds, Barrow
Event: - 1st Mid Lanc's XC
A touch of symmetry saw Wesham's cross country faithful
take the start of the 2010/2011 season
at the same venue last season finished, the College Grounds, Barrow. Although conditions under spike were
somewhat heavier going the weather was benign to say the least which
made the turn out even more disappointing with only four ladies and
ten men in attendance but this didn't stop the girls posting a sterling result,
ably led by Joanna G, of 4th placed team. Joanna was backed up by Sarah
S, lady XC Captain, Tracey H and Kerry
E, well done girls, keep it up.
The men trailed valiantly home in 12th led by the ever green, ever lean, John Collier with die hard XC
stalwart, Russell Mabbutt, fresh from Poland, taking
6th spot in the "A" team.
It is interesting to note that Steve
Myerscough was the only non-vet
Wesham runner. You can draw your own conclusions; however, one
bright spot in the proceedings was the début, to cross country, of Alistair Morris.
Despite the poor turn out a good time was had by all, the usual
banter was enhanced by post race tea, coffee and biscuits provided by the
girls, many thank's, everybody, including the tent, got s--t up, so it was
business as usual for Wesham's
chosen few.
I would like to finish by announcing a new competition, "Sycophant of the Year", the
idea came to whilst on Saturday chauffeuring
duty to Barrow. An early
contender was ex XC Cap'n,
Dave Young but he was eclipsed, on the day, by the sugar coated
tongue of Brian Porter, who
agreed with everything I said. Although I whole heartedly
approve with grovelling to your Dear
Leader there is a fine line, think Uncle
Joe's treatment of Marshall Zhukov,
you have been warned.
Nostrovia
Your Dear Leader
Comrade
Glasgow
Date Line: - Saturday, 6th November, 2010
Venue: -
Event: - English Cross Country
Championships
Mansfield's Berry Hill Park laid on it's now traditional good
weather for the annual English Cross
Country Championships hosting four teams from Wesham RR, two ladies, two gents. After waiting an eternity
for Bernadette D to park her
car "Wesham’s chosen few" set
sail in convoy for the long trek East.
Conditions were ideal for fast running with only a
few short sections’ of token mud to slow proceedings. First to the
line for the girl's were Sarah S, ladies
"A" and Bernadette D,
ladies "B", leading the team's to 64th and 77th positions
respectively. Back in the fold, Charlie
P was first off for the "A"
team; John B led off for the "B",
finishing positions, 90th, and 136th. Considering that
the "crème
de la crème" of English
cross country talent was on display, a none too shabby set of results. The
after race refreshments were a welcome treat, must say. Charlie's baking is up there with Nigella's, is Charlie Wesham's
Kitchen God? Answers on a post card please? I was also impressed with Mark M's post race impression of a Sea Lion whilst coughing for
As always, I would like to thank everybody for turning out with a
special thank's to those who drove, combined with racing it makes for a long
day, what ever your tipple Saturday night, you certainly earned it.
Salud
Your Dear Leader
Comrade Glasgow
9th November 2010
Date line: - Saturday, 13th November, 2010
Venue: -
Event: - Mid-Lanc's Cross Country
Comrades
Who's contracted Trench
Foot after
The ladies contingent were once again led home by Joanna G, ably backed by Sarah S, Michaela D, lady Cap’n Tracey H and Kerry E,
unfortunately, one runner shy of a "B" team, shame, but the team still improved
from 11th at Barrow to 7th overall and to 2nd
vet's team, great result, but come on girls, more bodies needed to keep up
momentum for Liverpool and
into the New Year.
A 50% rise in the men's attendance was reflected in the results
with Charlie Pass back in harness
and leading the line, 1st, Les C,
back from his adventures in Australia,
2nd, the Barlow boy's, Jason
and Lee, 3rd and 4th
respectively and, with XC
virgin, Troy Watson 5th, and the
ever present John Collier 6th, Wesham
"A" counted 8th
overall, and 7th vet's, the "B" team was led home by a
now injury free Gary P
in 20th overall and 18th vet's positions. A welcome
return to form which needs sustaining if we are to have any chance of promotion
so come on gentlemen, numbers needed, both quality and quantity, to propel
Wesham back to the promised land.
Many thanks' all round for the strong showing, appreciated as always.
Hope to see you again at
Nostrovia
Comrade G
Submitted: 17th
November 2010
Date line: - Saturday, 27th
November, 2010
Venue: -
Event: - Mid Lanc's Cross Country
Comrades
What a difference two weeks make, from the swamp of Witton Park to the frozen waste of Sefton Park, track spikes or studs were
the order of the day for the fast, flat conditions, ideal for the elite
runners, not so good for us sloggers.
Despite the now annual clash with the Wesham 10k we managed to field a team in the senior men's
event, very encouraging and a testament to the commitment of Alex R, Alistair M, John C, Russell M
and Steve M who all doubled up on
the day which begs the question, should we, as a club, be asking members
to attempt this Herculean feat on a
now, annual basis ?, we have twelve month's to resolve the issue if there is a
will to do so, spare a thought also for the ladies who are put in the
unenviable position of having to choose between the two events due to time constraints.
The team was led home by Alex
R, what an achievement considering a heavy mid week cold, a resurgent Russell M. was also in the mix with "new boy" Alistair Morris
putting in a sterling run to complete the team, hat's off to you all,
considering the afore mentioned clash, an accident on the M6, finding your Dear Leader amongst the crowds and no
chance to warm up it was a performance and half.
Whilst on, time is moving rapidly on to forward your names to
me for the Northerns, 29th January,
2011 and Nationals, 19th February, 2011 as I shall be
submitting the entries in the not to distant future, transport has been
arranged. I would also like to remind you all of the Lancashire XC Championships, 8th
January, 2011 at Witton Park,
Blackburn, and individuals are responsible for their own entry although the
club will reimburse entry fees providing you feature in the results.
Finally, as Lanc's
fall on your Dear Leaders birthday,
team orders apply, I shall expect all Wesham entrants to fall dutifully in behind
me and, considering all other club competitors in my age category will
have been eliminated prior to the event, it will allow me to stride home, unopposed, for
a glorious Gold medal.
Nostrovia
Comrade G
29th November 2010
Date line: - 8th January, 2011
Venue :-
Event :-
"Medals galore as
Wesham’s chosen few take
Conditions were surprisingly good under spike for the
annual January pilgrimage to
On a somewhat revised course from the Mid - Lanc's the senior men still had to negotiate the saucer four
times but this didn't stop Alex R leading
the team home picking up a V50 Bronze
in the process. John C followed Alex home for V55 Silver. Steve Myerscough, a mere slip of a lad, was third
home, your dear leader fourth, the evergreen Pete Bartlett fifth and Bronze
medal winner for MV60 with Nigel Shepherd, making a welcome return
to XC, rounding off the team for
sixth position.
Overall a very satisfying afternoons running where Wesham RR once again showed that we are
still a force to be reckoned with on our day.
Nostrovia
Your dear leader
Comrade G
Date line: - Saturday 22nd January, 2011
Venue: -
Event: - Mid - Lanc's XC
Firm conditions under spike and a flat course meant a fast
pace being set at
The ladies once again qualified a team led home by Sarah S who, from the sidelines,
appeared to have arguably, her best race of the season, putting several of her
nemeses' to the sword. Sarah was
backed up by Tracey H and Kerry E and cross country virgin, Laura Wilsdon, welcome to the fold Laura, we all hope you become an off
road devotee.
A very encouraging twelve men turned out, so two full teams to
count, which saw a welcome return of Charlie
P who, due to work commitments, has been sorely missed. Alex R
was second counter with the ever present John
Collier third. A very much in form Gary
M placed fourth Wesham counter.
The event also featured Jonathon
Lawson and John Sharples, both making their season’s
debut.
It was good to see a strong Wesham
turn out, important if we are to maintain the profile of the club at the Mid-Lancs events.
Nostrovia
Your Dear Leader
Date line: - Saturday, 29th January, 2011
Venue: -
Event: - Northern Cross Country
Championships.
An early start saw Wesham’s
finest board the Socialist Express
bound for
First inspection of the course brought a mood of optimism with firm
going in all but a few sections of the course.
As the day wore on an accumulation of rising temperatures and shear
number of races turned much of the course into heavy going with runners
endeavoring to find a line of least resistance - sapping was probably the word most
appropriate.
The ladies were once again led home by Sarah S, looking good from the consistent training miles put
in in readiness for the
Charlie P ran true to form in leading the men’s
team home. Top navigator Alex R
needed all his tenacity to overcome recent illnesses for second Weshamer home with the ever present,
ever reliable, ever consistent, John
Collier third. Steve M, taking a
day off from driving mega miles solo to a race, came home fourth. A
resurgent John B came fifth holding
off Mark M sixth with ex-Cap’n Young acting as "Tail Gunner" for seventh.
Great showing Comrades. It makes sorting out and driving the
minibus all worth while. As always, your efforts were very much appreciated by
your Dear Leader. The only ‘down
side’ to the day was a complete lack of grovelling which makes my proposed, Sycophant of the Year Award, rather hollow. Here's hoping Brian P makes a speedy recovery as Brian was well out in there lead based
on his one and only XC showing.
See you all at
Nostrovia
Comrade G
Date Line: - Saturday, 12th February, 2011
Venue: - Lawson's Road Fields,
Event: - Mid Lanc's Cross Country
Comrades
In a complete contrast to last years freezing conditions
The ladies fielded five runners led home by Joanna G who maintained her run of good form with 10th place overall, the ever present
Sarah S had a strong run for 17th
with Michaela D proving consistent
in 24th, ladies XC Captain Tracey H was 24th
and, to complete the fantastic five, Lisa
Tomlinson made a welcome seasons debut in 75th.
For their efforts the girls finished 5th team overall and a very creditable 1st in the LV35 category, a just reward for a
strong team performance.
The boys fell one runner shy of qualifying two teams but non the
less it was encouraging to see a late season surge in numbers with Charlie P leading the line, a still
slightly under par Alex R 2nd with Troy W, making a welcome visit to XC 3rd, John C 4th, Gary M 5th, Steve M,
for once not having to travel half the length of the country, 6th, making his seasonal debut, Chris Whitlock was 7th, with Jonathon L, Pete B, Alistair M and Dave Y rounding off the squad, the good showing being rewarded by 8th team overall, 5th MV40 and, back where we belong, 1st MV50 team.
With both Charlie and Alex unavailable for the final Mid Lanc's, Skelmersdale, Saturday, 12th
March, we need an all out effort from every level of runner to have a
fighting chance of promotion for the A
team so please, put your own personnel ambitions aside and turn out for the
honour of Wesham Road Runners to
ensure we achieve the icing on the cake, cherries and get to eat it.
Nostrovia
Comrade G
A
tale of semi epic proportions for all.
Date:
- Saturday, 19th February, 2011
Venue:
-
Event:
- National Cross Country Championships, 2011
Comrades
How
does one start to tell a story which, although doesn't quite come up to "Scott of the Antarctic" does
exemplify the best of human nature in the face of adversary.
With
Charlie P's expert guidance the
journey was seamless until reaching our destination when, despite poor signage
and less than switched on marshals the "
Socialist Express" birthed at Alton Towers with ample time to spare.
Wading
through the morass the faithful few found suitable ground to establish base
camp and set up the obligatory field 
tent
whilst XC Captains Tracey H and your dear leader waded off to registration, a
mission in itself due to lack of signage. In what should have been an omen for
the rest of the day event times slipped over the period of the day which led to
our first casualty, Captain Chaos
himself, Les C, who had semi double
booked himself in hoping to run the men's event then dash to Old Trafford for the footie,
optimistic? Time constraints prevailed so Les
made a premature exist without muddying a spike.
After
much deliberation the ladies event got underway on a shortened and
modified course with Sarah S leading
home our valiant girls trio with Tracey
H 2nd and Kerry E 3rd, a
good showing in very difficult conditions.
Next
up were the senior men, also running a slightly shortened distance but still taking
in x 2 ascents of the infamous hill in addition to non stop cloying mud
and slop, believe it or not, your dear leader was green with envy as each and
every runner passed giving their all in such testing conditions, trust me, a
watching brief is not my forte.
Despite
a brief run in with several unco-operative motorist Wesham’s Chosen Few proceeded seamlessly to their first pit
stop, Knutsford services, where the
wheels, well gear box to be precise, truly fell off as we glided to a
stately halt, it wasn't quite a Titanic
moment but equally as terminal for the “Socialist
Express".
With
the tired chosen few now camped out in the services café your Dear Leader set about the process of
rescuing said runners and stricken minibus with little initial success until
gadget guru Mark M pointed out
that you drop the zero of all free phone numbers so, with new found
enthusiasm your dear leader set about re-dialing the rescue services eventually
calling the RAC who sent a "man
in a van" to tell us what we already knew that, the bus was
knackered, which meant we needed "International
Rescue" for twelve tired runners and a very poorly minibus.
After
several more phone calls on my gas powered mobile a very nice man
arrived in a large rescue vehicle who proceeded to take the matter in
hand, sorted a local taxi firm to take four instead of two
passengers, " my way or the highway " I seem to recall he told
the cabbie, which left three brave volunteers to wait for Whiteside's Taxis to wend it's way
from St Annes.
Everybody
got home eventually safe and sound, a little tired but none the worst for the
experience. If any good came out of the day, it rather served
to re-orientate your dear leader’s often jaundice view of the world
and it's occupants for the better. A huge thanks' to everybody for
their patience and understanding. It served as a reminder as to why I took
the role of Cross Country Captain in
the first instance.
Nostrovia, Salud
Comrade G
Cross County Season Review by Ladies Captain - Tracey Hulme
If I had to select one theme for the 2010/2011 Cross Country
season it has definitely got to be mud.
I remember
October - It all started at Barrow with the first meeting of the season. Having run there the previous season on a
glorious sunny and dry course, I was looking forward to it, thinking the course
might be reasonably dry. Well we had a
bit of sunshine in between the showers and the clouds but we were greeted with
a sea of mud on which we attempted to pitch the tent with a 
force nine gale blowing - slight exaggeration! It wasn’t helped when we discovered that
there were some tents pegs missing which meant one side of the tent looked like
it was imminently about to cave in! Captain Kerry was not best pleased when
the men (yes the men!) went into the inner tent with their, by now, very muddy
shoes on! Needless to say, everyone did
as they were told and there were no further infringements of the rules (until Captain Kerry‘s back was turned!). Things could only get better! The ladies team was a little depleted through
injury, work and other commitments - a theme which has prevailed throughout the
season - nevertheless Joanna Goorney
and Sarah Sherratt finished in a
tremendous 9th and 28th position with Captain Tracey and Captain Kerry coming in 56th
and 82nd respectively.
Tea and coffee afterwards seemed to make it all worth while along with Captain Kerry’s shortbread bats for Halloween - yum yum! The ladies made a speedy
departure to the cars when someone mentioned taking the tent down - well Les - it is a man’s job after all!
November - The
English National Cross Country Relay Championships at
The next week, we had the Mid
Lancs at
January - The
Lancashire Championships - attended by Joanna
who finished 6th overall
and first Vet 40, followed shortly
after by Sarah finishing 17th, Michaela 25th and Kath
29th - what a fantastic performance ladies - well done.
Mid Lancs at
The Northerns followed
later in the month at
February saw a further Mid Lancs meeting, this time at
Well up until this point, I thought it had been quite a
muddy season but nothing prepared me (us) for what we were greeted with at the Nationals later that month. My first outing to
Well only one Cross Country meet left and there is one
thing that will probably be guaranteed - MORE
MUD!!!
Written by: Tracey Hulme
Ladies Cross Country Captain
Submitted: 20th
February 2011