Commentary…some of our longer serving members may remember the “NW Sunday XC League”…
The attached was shared with me by the current Chair of Cheshire & Spectrum member Andy Garnett.
I remember one year running the Alsager 5 in the morning and then the XC pm!
Nick
Go jump in the river….
Sunday the 2nd of February saw many of us re-acquaint ourselves with an old friend: the Wilmslow Cross Country Course. Starting and finishing innocuously on the rugby pitches, the route is a testing, fun-filled, switchback of hills, rises, marshland, woods, mud pools – and two river crossings. To many of us old –timers it seemed incredible that it was six years to the day since we last ran the course, to the first timers it seemed incredible that we could talk of the course with affection…..
The race started at the very civilized time of 1.30pm, thanks to some junior rugby matches. The day was warmed up, even if it meant that the car-park was full as a consequence. 21 Striders braved the course, from a field of 163. After a little confusion about where we were going to start from, we got down to business.
A very quick out and back across the rugby pitch saw us all spaced out before we descended into the woods, clambering over tree roots and swimming in deep mud before starting out on the first of two big laps. Leaving the rugby ground we descended a steep slope to splash through marshy parkland. This section is flat, fast and furious and the leaders were stretching out ahead. Fortunately, I could see Peter Burnett and Neil Ashcroft in the thick of things, with Andy Cresswell not far behind. Mark Livingstone had done his normal relaxed start – but overtook me quickly to pull away as he overhauled runners in front, with Albert in his sights. Julian and the young Mr Houghton were not too far ahead and became the focus of my immediate objectives. A small obstacle was the river crossing – my goodness it was cold – my calves cramped up severely as I urged them up the banking. Mike and I were nip and tuck as we finished the big lap and climbed back onto the rugby pitches. Confound him, he wasn’t going to give in too easily today. However, Julian had got well ahead, but he appeared to be tiring….maybe I could surprise him before the finish.
The last lap seemed endless. It took real effort to drag heavy legs through the mud and water, another bath and the pressure of a Strider on your shoulder – but Mike was dropping back – and Julian was getting closer. Spurred on by Brian as we crawled back onto the field, I mustered all my strength as we dived back through the woods, the mud and the tree roots for the last time. Everything into the last sprint across the field to the welcome finish – Julian had managed to stay 12 seconds ahead but it was still a magic relief to finish.
A few of us braved the river once more to remove the mud – it prepared us well for the shock of the showers, which had run cold. Real compensation came later in the clubhouse, which was lovely and warm, filled with a great atmosphere and some good hot food.
Overall a great day, and Striders had done well. I was 25th – but as seventh counter, didn’t even manage to score for the team, which came second overall behind Liverpool Running Club. The ladies had done OK too, coming second behind Wilmslow. Well done to Alison Hartopp who won the ladies event, Karon performing well again and Nabilah who scored for the team and came in 12th on her first ever cross country race. Janet Grange will remember her first trip around Wilmslow too.
As I left to go home, even the blizzard and snow couldn’t dampen my spirits – but anyone who says it is an easy course can go and jump in the river themselves….
Andy Garnett
////////////////////// Remember XC season starts : Saturday 16th October…at Wythenshawe Park .. get your spikes out!!