Cross-Country Mid-Term Report

 

No more cross-country now until the County Championships at Witton Park, Blackburn, on 5th January 2008. In my humble opinion, having no meetings in December is disappointing and I am sure Graham at least agrees with me. What a complete waste of perfectly good mud and atrocious weather conditions. Still it will give us all a chance to rest and hone our skills in time to roar up the “Saucer”, several times in the New Year.

 

So far we have had three Mid-Lancs meetings plus the English National Relays. Turnout has been excellent with thirteen ladies and twenty-three men taking part so far. It’s great to see so many of you out there enjoying cross-country and well-done all of you. A special welcome goes to newcomers, Kerry Eccles, Nick Brandwood and Mike Walsh.

 

Pride of place as far as results are concerned must go to the Men’s vet 50 team who top the Mid-Lancs League at the half way stage. On an individual level, particular praise goes to Gary Pendlebury who leads the vet 50 category. It’s great to see Gary coming back so strongly after injury. It is also good to welcome Dave Waywell back after injury and now that Mike Walsh has joined us we should be able to field a vet 60 team on a regular basis.

 

On the trip to Mansfield for the National Relays, we shared a coach with Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. This was a great success and we are thinking of doing so again for the Northern and National Championships.

 

Once again we had the clash with the Wesham 10k and the Sefton Park meeting. This means of course that the Ladies were unable to compete in Liverpool because of time restrictions. I’m sure they would if they could. The men, however managed to field two open teams plus vet 40 and 50 teams. Five men completed the “Wesham Tri” of 10k, cross-country and Dinner-Dance, some of them for the third time, well-done.

 

We haven’t met much in the way of hills as yet or even mud for that matter, though I am sure we will enjoy plenty of both on our visits to Blackburn and Lancaster in January. Also to come in January are the Northern Championships at Roundhay Park, Leeds. I, for one, hope it is the same course that was used for the nationals a few years ago. It’s a cracker, “Hill 60” and all.

 

Well that’s all for now. Enjoy the December break, though if I know you lot, you’ll still be doing plenty of racing. Hope you all have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and I look forward to seeing you at Blackburn on January the 5th.

 

Written by: Dave Young

Submitted: 14th December 2007

Edited by: Brenda J Earnshaw WRR Editor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Plus if it is the same course used for the “Nationals” a few years ago when we travel to Leeds for the “Northerns”