Club Race Reports Season 2022-2023
Borders League
Race 1 - New Brighton - 16/10/2022 - Seniors
Boden Dominant
Joe Boden achieved his tenth Borders League win with a fine display at New Brighton. Joe established a lead after 400 metres and only Ryan Davies (Wrexham AC) was able to go with him. Joe steadily increased the lead and won by 150 metres covering the 5.16 mile course in 25:33 at 4:57 per mile. Olly Chadwick continued his fine form with a seventh place finish and not far behind was Rob pearse in seventeenth. The men finished in third place on the day and face a tough challenge if they are to retain the team title. Other counters were Chris Jones (20th), Andy Bromley (21st), Ray Clark (34th), Matt Gillbanks (76th), Michael Robson (78th), Steve Cosgrove (89th), Alex Yem (95th). The ladies finished in seventh place with Becky Blacklock (23rd), Jan McArd (51st) and Sue Reynolds (66th) counting.
Race 2 - Tattenhall - 13/11/2022 - Seniors
Boden At The Double
Joe Boden picked up his second Borders League win of the season at sunny and unseasonably warm Tattenhall. Joe covered the undulating course of just over six miles in 30:32. Joe also led the men's team to victory with all the counters being in the top 55. Other scorers were Jack Poland (5th), Olly Chadwick (10th), Rob Pearse (16th), Andy Bromley (18th), Ray Clark (24th), Chris Jones (29th), Mike Jones (39th), Louis Gorman (40th) and Michael Robson (55th). The men now occupy second place overall. The ladies' team moved up to sixth overall after a sixth place finish with Becky Blacklock (19th), Jan McArd (40th), Elaine Opara (41st) and Sue Reynolds (45th) counting.
Race 3 - Trac Mon, Anglesey - 18/12/2022 - Seniors
Wet and Windy!
The third Borders League fixture of 2022-23 took place at the Trac Mon motor racing circuit in Anglesey. The weather on the day was wet and windy, although the rain subsided ten minutes into the race the 40mph winds remained constant throughout, making the uphills easier than the downhills. The men's team were led to victory by Olly Chadwick's excellent fourth place. Not far behind were Rob Pearse eleventh and first V45 and Andy Bromley thirteenth. Other counters were Chris Jones (21st), Steve Brealey (31st and first MV40), Louis Gorman (33rd), Michael Robson (48th), Matt Gillbanks (53rd), Steve Cosgrove (71st) and Tony Barbat (75th and 100th Borders appearance). The men won by 144 points and regained top spot. The ladies finished a creditable fourth with counters being Becky Blacklock (14th), Sallie Holt (22nd), Jan McArd (39th) and Michelle Alty (44th).
Race 6 - Mold - 16/04/2023 - Seniors
Wallasey men's team finished a lowly sixth at Mold after injuries and other commitments left the team depleted. Former London 2012 Olympic marathon runner Scott Overall caught Joe Boden by the bridge and took first place by six seconds. Not far behind was Olly Chadwick in fourth and Andy Bromley in 15th. Other counters were Ray Clark (38th), Steve Cosgrove (58th), Tony Barbat (63rd), Joe Fayle (82nd), Rob Mitchell (92nd), whose last appearance Wallasey AC was over twenty years ago, Kevin Hall (104th) and Steve Norton (113th). The ladies also finished sixth with Becky Blacklock (24th), Michelle Alty (32nd), Michelle was three and a half minutes faster than last time out at Mold, Anna Kenny (38th) and Kat Cowdray (42nd).
Race 4 - Delamere - 23/04/2023 - Seniors
The ladies team were in fine form and picked up an excellent second place at the penultimate race in Delamere Forest. This leaves the ladies just 9 points behind West Cheshire in the fight for survival, counters were Becky Blacklock (14th), Michelle Alty, (19th), Jan McArd (25th) and Anna Kenny (29th). Joe Boden led from gun to tape to win by 55 seconds, another great run from Joe, the men finished fourth and other counters were Rob Pearse (17th), Andy Bromley (22nd), Chris Jones (30th), Mike Robson (43rd), Tony Barbat (57th), Steve Cosgrove (58th), John Bassett (100th), Rab Whitworth (116th) and Steve Norton (119th).
Race 7 - Prestatyn - 17/05/2023 - Seniors
Joe Boden came away with his fourth individual win of the season and successfully defended his senior men's and overall men's title, a great series from Joe. The men finished fourth on the day and third overall. Other counters were Chris Jones (28th), Steve Brealey (33rd), Michael Robson (53rd), Matt Gillbanks (56th), Tony Barbat (72nd), Phil Cuthbert (86th), Luke Watson (88th), Steve Cosgrove (108th) and Jack Yang (118th). The ladies managed to stave off the threat of relegation with a fine team performance and a fourth place finish. Counters for the ladies were Becky Blacklock (15th), Jan McArd (22nd), Michelle Alty (27th) and Kat Cowdray (34th). The ladies finished the season in fifth place. There were age category trophies for Rob Pearse (2nd V45), Jan McArd (2nd V50), Michelle Alty (1st V55), Tony Barbat (1st V60) and Mary Rees (2nd V65).
Liverpool & District XC Union
Championships - Clarke's Garden - 19/02/2023 - Seniors
120th edition of the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Championships took place at Clarke's Garden, Allerton. The men's team finished in sixth place and the ladies in fifth. Jack Poland (18th) defended his title as club cross country champion beating Rob Pearse (20th) by 32 seconds. Other counters for the men were Steve Cosgrove (58th), Mike Dyson (74th), John Bassett (86th) and Steve Norton (103rd). Becky Blacklock also defended her title with a ninth place finish and Elaine Opara (15th) and Vicky McConnell (16th) also counted.
Cross Country Championships
Merseyside - Arrowe Park - 07/01/2023 - Seniors
Rain earlier in the day made the course wet and in some places muddy, this didn't deter Olly Chadwick as he led the men's team to the bronze medal position. Olly covered the 12k course in 41:41 for a fine fifth place. Other counters were Rob Pearse (19th), Louis Gorman (21st), Steve Brealey (25th), Matt Gillbanks (48th) and Tony Barbat (49th).
Merseyside - Arrowe Park - 07/01/2023 - Senior Ladies
Becky Blacklock finished an excellent eighth place at Arrowe Park covering the two 4k laps in 33:20. The team finished in fifth place and other counters were Elaine Opara (20th), Sue Reynolds (29th) and Jan McArd (30th). Michelle Alty and Mary Rees ran weel to win their respesctive age categories.
Merseyside - Arrowe Park - 07/01/2023 - Under 17 Men
Tom Clegg led the club's under 17 men to a team bronze medal at Arrowe Park. Tom covered the 6.6km course in 26:34 for ninth place. Other counters were William Hampshire (11th) and Josh Wild (12th)
Merseyside - Arrowe Park - 07/01/2023 - Under 20 Men
Luke Hampshire was the sole representative for the club in the Under 20 Men's race. Luke covered the 8k course in 28:52 for fifth place.
Northern - Witton Park, Blackburn - 28/01/2023 - Seniors
Witton Country Park hosted the Northern Cross-Country Championships and the race was organised by Blackburn Harriers with assistance from several officials from Wallasey AC. The course had cut up after the previous races and was muddy in parts with some hills. Chris Jones (220th) just pipped Rob Pearse (222nd) to be first man home for the club. The team finished thirtieth and other counters were Phil Cuthbert (336th), Tony Barbat (343rd), Steve Cosgrove (402nd) and Pete Barham (478th). Mike Harley-Griffiths battled gamely to finish 476th.
Northern - Witton Park, Blackburn - 28/01/2023 - Ladies
Michelle Aly (151st) led the women's team to 23rd place in the Northern Cross-Country Championships held at Witton Park, Blackburn. Other counters were Jan McArd (158th), Sue Reynolds (163rd) and Anna Kenny (165th). Eleven ladies from the club completed the challenging course that had plenty of mud and hills.
National - Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall - 25/02/2023 - Senior Women
Michelle Alty led Wallasey AC ladies to 56th place at the National Cross-Country Championships held at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall. Other counters were Jan McArd, Anna Kenny and Sue Reynolds. Kirsty Greenwood said "It's not often you get to run at a National XC Champs as a very new XC runner!! Such a brilliant afternoon with great company. The absolute baltic conditions are totally not visible in these pics!"
National - Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall - 25/02/2023 - Senior Men
Rob Pearse led Wallasey AC home at the National Cross-Country Championships held at Bolesworth Castle, Tattenhall. The team finished in 80th place and other counters were Connor McArdle, Phil Cuthbert, Steve Cosgrove, John Bassett and Dave McAlister.
Wirral Multi Terrain Series
Race 1 - Royden Park - 06/09/2022 - Seniors
The Wirral Multi Terrain series for 2022 started at Royden Park, 187 men and 142 ladies completed the 2 lap course over Thurstaston Hill. Becky Blacklock with an excellent 4th led the ladies team to a fourth A team place finish with Elaine Opara (20th) and Sue Reynolds (36th) also counting. The men finished in second place with great runs from Ryan Greenwood (2nd) and Rob Pearse (3rd). Other counters were Luke Hampshire (17th), Michael Robson (30th) and Joe Fayle (44th). Wallasey men also finished second B team and there were age category wins for Ryan Greenwood, Rob Pearse and Ken Stocker. Patrick Cuthbert made his debut for the club finishing fourth in the under 13 race.
Race 2 - Wallasey - 13/09/2022 - Seniors
Wallasey AC men's came away from the Harrison Drive with an individual one-two as Olly Chadwick and Rob Pearse stormed home. The men's team finished in second place and the other counters were Luke Hampshire (10th), Michael Robson (33rd) and Joe Fayle (47th). The ladies finished as third A team with Becky Blacklock (8th), Jan McArd (28th) and Elaine Opara (30th) counting. Wallasey AC had 54 runners complete the race and around 20 marshalls who helped ensure the race was a success.
Race 3 - Wirral Country Park - 20/09/2022 - Seniors
Wallasey AC had three runners in the first four home at the third Wirral Multi Terrain race at Wirral Country Park. Ryan Greenwood walked away with a superb win before going off on his travels. Chasing him down the Wirral Way was Olly Chadwick and two places further back was Rob Pearse. The men finished second on the day with Michael Robson (35th) and Steve Cosgrove (43rd) also counting. Becky Blacklock led the ladies to second A team with an excellent fifth place, other counters were Jan McArd (18th) and Elaine Opara (20th).
Race 4 - Arrowe Park - 27/09/2022 - Seniors
The final race of the Wirral Multi Terrain League took place at Arrowe Park, the course was a lap of the field followed by two laps of the park starting by the swings and finishing by the pitch and putt course. The men finished second on the night and second overall. Counters were Olly Chadwick (2nd), Rob Pearse (5th), Luke Hampshire (8th), Steve Cosgrove (34th) and Phil Cuthbert (37th). The ladies finished fifth on the night and third overall (second A team) with Becky Blacklock (6th), Elaine Opara (26th) and Jan McArd (32nd) counting. In the senior male race Olly Chadwick was an excellent first and Rob Pearse had a good series to finish third. Trophies were given to age category winners only and Rob Pearse (over 40), Jan McArd (over 50) and Tony Barbat (over 60) all finished first.
Christmas Handicap
Christmas Handicap - Wallasey Shore - 03/12/2022 - Seniors
The Christmas Handicap took place on a beautiful sunny morning. First runner to return and take the junior title was Phoenix Pearse in an excellent 18:35. Vicky McConnell won the ladies trophy after crossing the line in 18:46 and Mike Harley-Griffiths won the men's title running 21:37. Fastest lady was Elaine Opara with 18:05 and fastest male was Oliver Chadwick in 14:43.
Christmas Handicap - Wallasey Shore - 17/12/2023 - Seniors
The Christmas Handicap took place on a sunny morning and the runners had to overcome a strong breeze on the outward journey. First runner to return and take the junior title was Gabriel Pearse in an excellent 17:10. Yvette Turner won the ladies trophy after crossing the line in 25:22 and Nick Rae won the men's title running 24:59. Fastest lady was Michelle Alty with 18:39 and fastest male was Rob Pearse in 14:42.
