CROSS COUNTRY SECTION

FINAL CROSS COUNTRY CAPTAIN ‘S REPORTS

27th February, 2010

 

 Date line: - Saturday 27th February, 2010

 Venue     : - Round Hay Park, Leeds

 Event      : - English Cross Country Championships

 

With visas sorted and passports to hand Wesham’s chosen few took the Socialist Express destination, Leeds, for the 135th running of the English Cross Country Championships, venue, Round Hey Park.

 

Leaving a sunny Fylde Coast and crossing a snow blown Pennines the chosen few were initially greeted by bright, calm, cool weather, a total contrast to Wesham’s last Leeds visit of bitter cold howling winds, conditions under spike were all that could be expected with the heaviest mud left to the finishing straight testing all who had a sprint finish left in their legs.

 

As per the Northerns it was left to the boys to represent the blues of Wesham with the evergreen Alex Rowe leading the charge ably backed by the ever consistent John Collier, table topper Lee Barlow, John Bertenshaw, Russ Mabbutt, your Dear Leader, Nigel S and Peter Cooke. Due to family and work commitments Dave Young and Charlie P were notable absentees but, as always, all who turned out laid it on the line for the cause.

 

The event also saw, with more than a little head scratching, false starts and assistance from our Fylde rivals Lytham RR; the first erection of the new cross country tent which proved slightly smaller than envisaged but, more than adequate for the needs of the day. At least it was easy to transport.  So should prove popular when a long haul is in the offing, think Parliament Hill Fields.

 

As always your Dear Leader would like to thank those who turned out and take this opportunity to remind all comrades of the final Mid-Lanc's race of the 2009 / 2010 season, Barrow, Saturday, 6th March, followed on Monday, 8th March, and then by the annual Cross Country Presentation night at Dahlia's Kitchen, Cropper Road, Blackpool, 17:30 start, still taking bookings so names to me a.s.a.p please.

 

Nostrovia

Your Dear Leader

 Alan 

6th March, 2010

Date line: - Saturday, 6th March, 2010

Venue    : - Barrow

Event     : - Mid - Lanc's Cross Country

 

New course, former venue, as Barrow played host to the finale of the 2009 / 2010 Mid. Lanc's season where spring like weather and a well thought out course made for a fast competitive race, fair to say flat by cross country standards so a welcome change to the saucer and tea spoon.

 

Due to prior commitments and holidays Wesham’s ladies were a little thin on the ground with only three girls taking the start but this failed to take the shine off what has been a very successful season highlighted by a Gold medal in the LV35 category.

 

Contrasting the ladies achievements the boys limped to the end of the season, once again only fielding one team leading to relegation for both the "A" and "B" teams in their respective divisions with only a Bronze medal performance by the MV50's for comfort, injuries, illness and emigration didn't help the cause but I feel a re-doubling of effort and a change in priorities is needed next season to halt the slide.  However, looking ahead to the 2010 / 2011 season, the immergence of fresh faces on the cross country scene, coupled with the continued presence of the hard core few, gives me cause for optimism that Wesham can again become a force to be reckoned with in the future, it's up to you to don those spikes and turn out.

 

To finish, I would like to thank all who did commit, Julie Cruse for all the work put in during her tenure as Ladies Captain and wish Tracey H good luck as the new Lady Captain.

 

Nostrovia 

Your Dear Leader

Alan

8th March, 2010

 

Date line: - Monday, 8th March, 2010

Venue    : - Dahlia's Kitchen, Blackpool

Event     : - 2009 / 2010 season Cross Country Presentation night

 

A change of venue saw 31 Wesham Cross Countryteers attend the annual presentation night ably catered for by Dahlia's Kitchen with Your Dear Leader as MC for the much anticipated, Oscar rivaling event. A chance for all to cast off the blue of Wesham and don their glad rags for an evening where individual achievements are recognised and celebrated and where thanks' were given to those who showed commitment to the cause.

 

A strong, consistent season paid off for Sarah Sherratt in the ladies categories as Sarah won both ladies overall and LV35 titles with Tracey Hulme winning the LV45 category.

 

It was all change for the men's awards as Lee Barlow swept all before him. Key to Lee's overall success was consistency and commitment. A resurgent Russell Mabbutt took the MV40 award and, despite an injury blighted season, Mick Edge triumphed in the MV45 category whilst, who else but, and despite temporarily stealing the show I still love him, the evergreen Alex Rowe bestrode the MV50's. With a welcome new face to the cross country scene, Peter Bartlett took the MV60 award.

 

So who did Your Dear Leader judge eligible for the "Mud, Sweat and Spikes" award? After last year’s "one horse race" a well deserving Sarah S took the honour due to her past seasons efforts and continued presence as a cross country devotee. One more up for the girls!

 

Thanks once again to all

Cheers

Alan Glasgow Cross Country Captain

 

Ladies Cross Country Report

 

The ladies enjoyed another good cross country season despite a much depleted team due to injuries and holidays etc.  T he Ladies V35 team finished first in their age category which is a great achievement – well done ladies. 

 

The season got off to a great start at Kendal with lovely weather and a gentle undulating course – apart from the big hill of course!  Joanna had a great run finishing in 18th place overall and 5th V35. 

 

Burnley was a contrast with lots of snow and feeling like a real cross country challenge.  For some reason, Carmel didn’t seem to notice the snow or the cold temperatures and insisted on running in her Wesham sleeveless vest - very brave!  The rest of us had hats, gloves and at least two layers.  The lighter clothing must have paid dividends as Carmel was the first Wesham lady home in 17th place overall and 4th V35. 

At some point in the season, Comrade Alan appeared with a new tent which was meant to be easier to put up and take down – cue for lots of smutty jokes by the men most of whom seem to turn up after the tent is up and disappear just as quickly when it’s coming down. Well done Alan for providing us with a tent even if the new one didn’t have two compartments!  

 

Blackpool saw another strong performance with a second appearance by Helen Lawrenson finishing in 48th position overall and 18th V35 and a good effort by Lisa Tomlinson.

 

Conditions at Hynburn were good with not quite so much mud as usual.  We were a bit depleted with a team of four: Sarah, Michaela, Helen, and Tracey. 

 

The season finished at Barrow – although it seemed a long way to go it was a good course and we were blessed with kind weather.  We fielded a team of three ladies with Sarah finishing in a very good 19th position overall with Tracey and Kath finishing in 32nd and 37th place respectively. 

 

What is most appealing about the cross country is not only the chance to run competitively in the league but, if you simply want to get muddy and enjoy the run, then it’s for anyone.  So come on ladies, join in the fun next season, you won’t regret it.

 

Written by: Tracey Hulme - Ladies Cross Country Captain

Submitted: 21st June 2010