Cheshire League Chester, Frodsham 29 December

Over two dozen club members competed in wet weather at Frodsham with good  support from parents, spouses, children and friends, all of whom agree we need an official club tent. Please come to training on Thursday armed with prices from the sales!!!

Dave Twigg produced the performance of the day, a stirring finish to take first place in the under 15 Boys’ event. In the under 13’s only a minute separated our four counters Dave Forrester, Mike Burke, Mike Ehlen and Ben Clough.

Sara McLoughlin and Chloe Wilson

In the women’s race Louise Casey, Diane Appleton and Cecilia Fitzsimons packed well, Julia Eccleston made the count, Janet Holmes and Margaret Hunter-Frackelton completing the course, although Margaret may be ruled out next week’s County Championships with injury.

Richie Bradshaw’s calf went and he’s doubtful for next week but Tony Smith shook off his recent illness to lead the team home, followed by Barry Graney, Ray Vose, and Anthony Davies. John Irwin and Alan Davies completed the course which six of the starters failed to do.

A word too for our other competitors, Melissa McLoughlin, Tom Griffiths, Greg Williams and Sheru Gulati all of whom will have full teams in support in future seasons.

Thanks to Janet Holmes who acted as team manager and Phil Thomas who helped out while Janet was running her own race. One lesson from the day was "come well wrapped up with head and hands covered against the cold." Those of    us who remember Sutton Coldfield in1973……..but that’s another story!
Results      

Round The Walls: Chester,  December 26

Seven hardy members travelled to Chester to run off the after-effects of too much Christmas dinner. Ritchie Bradshaw was the first back with Cecilia Fitzsimons giving chase.Diane Appleton warmed up for the County Championships by beating her mother while Margaret Hunter-Frackelton, Janet Holmes and John Irwin all came in together.
Results

Christmas Handicap: Sherdley Park, December 22.

There was a magnificent turnout of 43 in the Christmas Handicap races at Sherdley Park with 16 youngsters, 9 ladies, 18 men taking part and equal numbers watching from the sidelines, including Diane Appleton and Barry Cunliffe both of whom expect to be fit for the Championships.

The combined men’s and women’s race was won by Mark Laithwaite ahead of Chris Geraghty and Tony Smith. Both Mark and Chris were prize winners but it was Dave Twigg whose sprint away from Gill Bacon earned him first prize with Gill taking the ladies award ahead of Cecilia Fitzsimons and Louise Casey.

The youngsters’ race was indicative of the club’s burgeoning talent, Tom Griffiths finishing five seconds ahead of Mike Burke with John Appleton third. In the girls’race Zoe Woodward and Sara McLoughlin were recorded through in the same time, Melissa McLoughlin taking third spot.

Many thanks to John Irwin and Ian White for setting the course with Janet Holmes who also acted as timekeeper and Julia Hayes as recorder. Results

David Staff Memorial Fell Race: Darwen, December 15

Tony Smith, Chris Geraghty and Barry Graney competed in the David Fell Memorial Fell Race at Darwen finishing tenth, 21st and 36th respectively. Marc Laithwaite, running in his Achilles Ratti colours, was second across the finishing line.Results

Hale Road Race, Hale Village, 15 December

A few hardy souls tackled this race which acts as an end of year sharpener. Danny McLoughlin was the first runner back just outside the top thirty. Cecilia Fitzsimons was our first lady home followed by Pam Appleton, Julia Eccleston and Dorothy Fairhurst. Results

Reebok Challenge: Edinburgh, December 14

Mike Burke finished 18th overall and 14th in the Reebok event having not yet fully recovered from his recent bout of 'flu. Gill Bacon had to withdraw from the inter-area event owing to a cold. That Northern vest will have to wait.

North West Women's Cross Country League, Blackley. December 7.

What a difference a year makes! Twelve months ago we were disappointed not to finish a team in the League. This year we took the bronze medals in the aggregate contest following the final League match at Boggart Hole Clough. Gill Bacon led     the charge, running freely and finishing magnificently in second place behind Salford international Bev Jenkins, ahead of the superb Sarah Jones (Macclesfield). Louise Casey was 21st, the dependable Cecilia Fitzsimons 33rd and Chris Dempsey (49th). Julia Eccleston who, like Louise and Cecilia, ran in all three matches, was on hand in case anyone failed to finish, deservedly collecting a medal for her efforts. It wasn't a theoretical supporting run either, Cecilia took a mud bath and Louise hurt an ankle on the demanding and slippy course.

In the younger age groups the conditions ripped shoes from some off our lassies' feet but Sara McLoughlin (25), Kim Bridge(26) and Lucy Cannon (27) ran as a team while Melissa McLoughlin's 28th place in the under 15 race continued the number sequence. The number of club finishers was double that of last year.Results

Manchester League, Blackley, December 7.

Three of our under U13 boys' team turned out as guests in the Manchester League which acted as hosts to the Women's event at Blackley. Dave Forrester's great potential was confirmed when he finished third, just metres behind the first two in     a sprint finish. Mike Ehlen (15) & Ben Clough (23) completed the tough course and are looking forward to teaming up with Dave, Mike Burke and John Dumbell   for the Championships in the New Year. John Irwin turned out for a training run   in the senior race following hard on his team manager's duties.

Many thanks to John, Frank, Mrs Forrester, Joe Ehlen, Danny McLoughlin, and Phil Thomas for providing transport, support and administrative duties.
Results

Kind 5K, Liverpool, 1 December

A small but talented group of club members competed in the Kind 5k at Walton Park. Andy O'Connor was the third veteran over 40 in seventh place, Danny McLoughlin was seventh in the open race and 13th overall. Cecilia Fitzsimons took the second prize in the ladies' over 50, Dorothy Fairhurst was the first over 60 to finish and Julia Eccleston had a splendid run as the 13th lady to finish. Results

Over The Bales, Sale, 1 December

Last year only Louise Hayes represented the club in this event finishing at the back of the field. This year the youngster finished 39 out of 51 improving her time by two minutes. Louise is still eligible for the same event in 2003. We had three under 11's taking part Zoe Woodward (36), Laura Crook (40) & Katie Jolley (45) all of whom finished within 41 seconds of each other. In the under 13 Boys Mike Ehlen & Ben Clough were up against tough opposition and finished 13 seconds apart as 22 and 24. The quality of all the fields indicates this is a race series we will contest purposefully next season when we will have sufficient notice, do not have to enter at the last minute and be able to prepare for properly. We will use this race as a marker for the championship season. Results