Club Race Reports Season 2023-2024
Borders League
Race 1 - Caernarfon - 01/10/2023 - Seniors
The first Borders League fixture of 2023-24 took place at Caernarvon and the course was run towards the castle initially with the runners returning along the river. The rain earlier in the morning ceased and the runners ran in warm conditions. The women's team finished in a creditable second place with six couting for the ladies for the first time. Becky Blacklock was first home in eighth and Becky was suppported by Jan McArd (21st), Paulena Kremling (25th), Michele (30th), Anna Kenny (32nd) and Kat Cowdray (41st). The men's team were led to third place by Olly Chadwick (19th). Not far behind were Andy Bromley (20th) and Chris Jones (27th). Other counters were Rob Pearse (45th), Louis Gorman (49th), Luke Watson (59th), Matt Gillbanks (75th), Alex Yem (104th), Brian Seal (118th) and John Biddle (119th).
Race 2 - Birkenhead Park - 05/11/2023 - Seniors
Borders League records were set in the second race as 473 runners competed in the rain at Birkenhead Park. Wallasey also set a record as 69 runners represented the club. Joe Boden recorded his 14th individual win, Joe led from start to finsh and won by 40 seconds and excellent run. The men's team finished third on the day and lie second overall. Other counters were Olly Chadwick (8th), Bradley Williams (28th), Rob Pearse (34th), Andy Bromley (35th), Steve Brealey (41st), Chris Jones (44th), Louis Gorman (48th), Mike Jones (89th) and Luke Watson (98th). Becky Blacklock once again led Wallasey's ladies home in 12th and Becky was closely followed by Paulena Kremling (14th). Other counters were Anna Kenny (26th) and Jan McArd (28th) giving the ladies second place on the day and overall, great running by all.
Race 3 - Wrexham - 03/12/2023 - Seniors
Despite predictions of freeezing overnight temperatures Wrexham AAC's declared that course around the Redwither Industrial Estate was fit to run on. Conditions at the start of the race were cold but this didn't deter 41 Wallasey AC runners from competing. The ladies were led home by Becky Blacklock in seventh place other counters were Anna Kenny (25th), Jan McArd (28th) and Michelle Alty (30th) leaving the ladies in third place on the day and second overall. Joe Boden, once again, was our first male in second place. The team finished in fifth place on the day and occupy third place overall. Other counters were Oliver Chadwick (6th), Andrew Bromley (27th), Rob Pearse (30th), Louis Gorman (42nd), Luke Watson (61st), Michael Robson (81st), Bernie Murphy (90th), Scott Eves (94th) and Matt Gillbanks (99th).
Race 4 - Wirral Country Park - 28/01/2024 - Seniors
The fourth Borders League race of the 2023-24 season started and finished in Wirral Country Park and included a lung-busting hill and a one-and-half mile downhill finish. Joe Boden beat 417 runners to take top spot covering the 5.87 mile course in 29:58 which was 23 seconds ahead of his nearest challenger. Olly Chadwick also had a great run finishing third. Rob Pearse (29th), Louis Gorman (31st), Chris Jones (40th), Steve Brealey (57th), Luke Watson (60th), Michael Robson (64th), Mike Jones (80th) and Alan Kennedy (91st) helped the men into third place on the day and overall. Paulena Kremling led the ladies home crossing the line in tenth place. Other counters for the ladies were Anna Kenny (22nd), Becky Blacklock (24th), Michele Alty (31st), Elaine Opara (41st) and Vicky McConnell (48th). The ladies also finished in third place and occupy second place overall.
Race 5 - Connah's Quay - 25/02/2024 - Seniors
The penultimate race of the season took place at Coleg Cumbria, the temperature on the day was barely above zero. This didn't deter Joe Boden who picked up his third individual win of the season with an outstanding run. Joe won by 18 seconds and even the lead bike had trouble keeping up with him. The ladies packed their six in the first thirty-six to pick up an excellent team win. Paulena Kremling led the team home with a great fifth place, other counters were Becky Blacklock (16th), Anna Kenny (21st), Michelle Alty (33rd), Elaine Opara (35th) and Kat Cowdray (36th). The men's team finished second with other counters being Olly Chadwick (5th), Bradley Williams (12th), Andy Bromley (23rd), Louis Gorman (43rd), Mike Jones (66th), Bernie Murphy (84th), Matt Gillbanks (85th), Scott Eves (91st) and Tony Barbat (106th). Mary Rees won her age category. Going into the last race the ladies lie in second place and the men third, Mary and Joe lead their age categories.
Race 6 - Hoylake - 17/03/2024 - Seniors
Joe Boden picked up his fourth individual win of the season and successfully defended his senior men's and overall men's title, an outstanding series from Joe. The men finished fifth on the day and second overall. Other counters were Olly Chadwick (5th), Jack Poland (24th), Chris Jones (27th), Rob Pearse (40th), Steve Brealey (45th), Mike Jones (62nd), Alan Kennedy (67th), Scott Eves (92nd) and Tony Barbat (105th). The ladies won the race and finished in their highest ever positionwith second place. Counters for the ladies were Becky Blacklock (15th), Anna Kenny (19th), Elaine Opara (31st), Michele Alty (32nd), Jan McArd (37th) and Kat Cowdray (43rd). There were age category trophies for Luke Watson (3rd U20), Ian Cannings (2nd V60), Anna Kenny (2nd V40), Jan McArd (2nd V50), Michele Alty (2nd V55), Julie Barbat (2nd V60) and Mary Rees (1st V70).
Liverpool & District XC Union
Race 1 - Arrowe Country Park - 28/10/2023 - Seniors
The first league race 2023-24 Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union took place at Arrowe Park. Although there was a shower prior to the race the sun came out and the conditions were firm with some soft spots. This was the first season that the ladies results were separated and Wallasey AC's ladies did the club proud as the came away with a 74 point win over Chester Tri. Counters were Becky Blacklock with an excellent third place, Anna Kenny also had a fine run in seventh, Kate Ryan (10th) and Elaine Opara (12th). The men finished in fifth place with Olly Chadwick leading them home in a great sixth place. Other counters were Louis Samrodia (40th), Alan Kennedy (46th), Phil Dabner (47th), Tony Barbat (51st) and Paul Johnstone (52nd).
Race 2 - Sefton Park - 25/11/2023 - Senior Men
The second race of the L&D league programme was incorporated into the the Liverpool Cross Challenge at Sefton Park. On a sunny afternoon the club completed the races with 18 female and 13 male representatives. The ladies' team finished third on the day and currently occupy top spot going into the final race. Counters were Becky Blacklock (8th), Anna Kenny (19th), Elaine Opara (22nd) and Michele Alty (24th). The men finished sixth and lie in fourth overall. Counters were Olly Chadwick (11th), Bradley Williams (22nd), Rob Pearse (40th), Phil Cuthbert (76th), Scott Eves (86th) and Matt Gillbanks (90th).
Race 3 - Beacon Park - 09/12/2023 - Seniors
The final league race 2023-24 Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union took place at Beacon Park on a windy and rainy day. The former golf course was used for the route and the course was very wet and included mud, standing water and some challlenging hills. The first full ladies separated results ended with a league title for Wallasey AC's ladies. Becky Blacklock ran superbly to lead the women home and take individual gold. Other counters were Kat Cowdray (11th), Kirsty Greenwood (13th) and captain Jan McArd (16th). The men finished in fifth place with Rob Pearse leading them home in seventeenth. Other counters were Alan Kennedy (25th), Scott Eves (31st), Tony Barbat (35th), Pete Barham (54th) and Dave McAlister (61st). The men finished the season in fourth place.
Championships - Clarke's Garden - 11/02/2024 - Senior Men
The men from Wallasey AC finished fifth at the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union Championships at Clarke's Garden. The team were led home by Rob Pearse (15th) who becomes the club's cross-country champion. Other counters were Alan Kennedy (18th), Scott Eves (28th), Tony Barbat (31st), Mark Poustie (36th) and Paul Saunders (53rd). Tony Barbat won his age category.
Championships - Clarke's Garden - 11/02/2024 - Senior Women
Wallasey AC's ladies finished third at the Liverpool & District Cross-Country Union Championships at Clarke's Garden, although the ladies had the same score as Chester Tri in second they lost out on the position of the third runner home. Our first lady home was Becky Blacklock in sixth place, Becky is now the club's ladies cross-country champion. Not far behind with another good run was Anna Kenny in seventh and third spot went to Michele Alty (17th). There were age category wins for Michele and Lesley-Anne Cucksey.
Cross Country Championships
Northern - Sedgefield - 27/01/2024 - Senior Women
Three ladies from the club travelled to Sedgefield for the Northern Cross-Country Championships. There was a breeze across the course but the race was blessed with some sunshine. Jan McArd was first home finishing in 42:37 for the 5 mile course.
Northern - Sedgefield - 27/01/2024 - Senior Men
Three men from the club travelled to Sedgefield for the Northern Cross-Country Championships. The course was dry and undulating and there were only two patches of mud. Phil Cuthbert was first home recording 54:15 for the 7.6 mile course.
Merseyside - Croxteth Park - 03/02/2024 - Senior Men
Croxteth Park hosted the Merseyside Senior Men's Cross Country Championships several weeks late due to the postponement of the original fixture because of flooding. The men's team finished in fourth place and the counters were Alan Kennedy (25th), Scott Eves (31st), Tony Barbat (38th), Mark Poustie (42nd), Pete Barham (58th) and Dave McAlister (63rd).
Merseyside - Croxteth Park - 03/02/2024 - Senior Women
Croxteth Park hosted the Merseyside Senior Women's Cross Country Championships several weeks late due to the postponement of the original fixture because of flooding. Good packing enabled the women to pick up silver medals with counters being Anna Kenny (11th), Michele Alty (12th), Kat Cowdray (14th) and Elaine Opara (15th). There were also age category wins for Micehle Alty and Mary Rees and Julie Barbat picked third place.
Wirral Multi Terrain Series
Race 1 - Royden Park - 05/09/2023 - Seniors
The Wirral Multi Terrain series for 2023 started at Royden Park, 208 men and 132 ladies completed the 2 lap course over Thurstaston Hill. Becky Blacklock with an excellent 4th led the ladies team to a third A team place finish with Elaine Opara (15th) and Anna Kenny (17th) also counting. The men finished in fifth place with Rob Pearse first home (11th), Rob was supported by Luke Watson (26th), Jay Walker (30th), Michael Robson (42nd) and Matt Gillbanks (44th). Wallasey men also finished first B team. Patrick Cuthbert finished tenth in the under 15 race.
Race 2 - Thurstaston - 12/09/2023 - Seniors
The second Multi Terrain race took place at Wirral Country Park. The men finished second on the day with Olly Chadwick first home in an impressive third place. Other counters were Rob Pearse (13th), Luke Watson (26th), Michael Robson (28th) and debutant Louis Samrodia (49th). Michelle Alty led the ladies to second A team in thirteenth, other counters were Elaine Opara (14th) and Anna Kenny (18th). We also had four finishers in the under 15 boys.
Race 3 - Harrison Drive - 19/09/2023 - Seniors
Becky Blacklock led Wallasey AC ladies to third position at the third Wirral Multi Terrain race at Harrison Drive. Becky finished in an excellent fourth place, other counters were Michelle Alty (16th) and Jan McArd (22nd). Rob Pearse led the men home with a top ten finish. Other counters were Luke Watson (22nd), Louis Samrodia (24th), Matt Gillbanks (32nd) and Michael Robson (34th). The A team finished in joint third place. Wallasey AC had 53 runners complete the race and around 20 marshalls and officials who helped ensure the race was a success.
Race 4 - Arrowe Country Park - 26/09/2023 - 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 fourth on the night and fourth overall. Counters were Rob Pearse (10th), Luke Watson (16th), Louis Samrodia (26th), Scott Eves (39th) and Alan Kennedy (47th). The ladies finished fourth on the night and third overall with Becky Blacklock (5th), Michelle Alty (21st) and Anna Kenny (22nd) counting. Trophies were given to age category winners only and Luke Watson (Under 20), Rob Pearse (Over 45), Tony Barbat (Over 60), Ken Stocker (Over 70) and Mary Rees (Over 70) all finished first.
