Club Race Reports Season 2024-2025
Borders League
Race 1 - Norton Priory - 29/09/2024 - Seniors
The first Borders League race of 2024-2025 took place at Norton Priory in Runcorn. 440 runners lined up to a narrow start that went over a hump-backed bridge after 50 metres and the congestion meant that some of the runners had to wait a while to start racing. The 4.8 mile course was full of turns and contained several undulations. Stephen Ferroni ran extremely well to finish second and not far behind him was Olly Chadwick in fifth. This helped the men into fourth position with other counters being Louis Gorman (31st), Rob Pearse (37th), Alan Kennedy (52nd), Steven Leslie (59th), George Gillies (75th), Scott Eves (76th), Mark Poustie (117th) and Michael Robson (121st). The ladies also finished fourth on the day with Paulena Kremling (11th), Becky Blacklock (17th), Anna Kenny (27th) and Elaine Opara (32nd) counting.
Race 2 - Tattenhall - 03/11/2024 - Seniors
Same day, almost exactly the same date - Sunday, 4th November, 1984 - this was where it all began 40 years ago, with the first ever Borders League race. Founder members Tattenhall Runners were once again hosts for what could be regarded as the League's "40th anniversary" race, and delivered a hugely successful event. In excellent conditions for racing, 422 finishers (quadruple the turnout in 1984) battled round the familiar, but challenging 9.8K course.
Stephen Ferroni had a strong run finishing second and not far behind also running well was Olly Chadwick in fifth. The men finished third on the day and other counters were Jack Poland (19th), Louis Gorman (35th), Rob Pearse (54th), Alan Kennedy (59th), Mark Wynne (61st), John Ellison (64th), Steven Leslie (71st) and Mike Jones (73rd).
Paulena Kremling led our ladies home with an excellent eighth place finish. The ladies team finished in third place with Becky Blacklock (18th), Anna Kenny (26th), Elaine Opara (32nd), Kat Cowdray (44th) and Jan McArd (45th) counting.
Liverpool & District XC Union
Race 2 - Sefton Park - 23/11/2024 - Senior Women
Runners faced tough conditions and the second race in the L&D League held in conjuction with the Liverpool Cross Challenge at Sefton Park. The energy-sapping 5-mile course was wet and muddy. First back for the club was Becky Blacklock in an excellent 8th place and not far behind was Anna Kenny in 18th. In 26th was Elaine Opara andHelen-Anne Stansfield took 55th. This gave the ladies a great third place finish on the day and fourth overall.
Race 2 - Sefton Park - 23/11/2024 - Senior Men
Runners faced tough conditions and the second race in the L&D League held in conjuction with the Liverpool Cross Challenge at Sefton Park. The energy-sapping 5-mile course was wet and muddy. First back for the club was Jack Poland in 38th place and not far behind was Alan Kennedy in 42nd. In 46th was George Gillies and captain Rob Pearse took 55th. Mark Poustie (88th) and Sean Sales (119th) made up the counting team leaving the men in seventh place on the day and fourth overall.
Cross Country Championships
National - Weston Park - 14/09/2024 - Senior Men
Mark Doherty competed at the re-arranged English National Cross-Country at Weston Park in Shropshire finishing in 515th place.
National - Weston Park - 14/09/2024 - Senior Women
The Wallasey AC ladies' team came an excellent twenty-second at the re-arranged English National Cross-Country at Weston Park in Shropshire. Counters were Becky Blacklock (70th), Jan McArd (151st), Kat Cowdray (159th) and Michele Alty (180th).
Merseyside - Arrowe Park - 14/12/2024 - Senior Men
The men's team finished fourth at the Merseyside Cross Country Championships held at Arrowe Park. The 12km course was wet with patches of mud. Counters for the men were Olly Chadwick (4th), Alan Kennedy (21st), George Gillies (22nd), Rob Pearse (41st), Mark Poustie (42nd) and Scott Eves (47th). Olly was rewarded for his great run with a medal for the first runner from an unplaced team. Tony Barbat won gold in the V65+.
Merseyside - Arrowe Park - 14/12/2024 - Senior Women
The ladies performed well at the Merseyside Cross Country Championships held at Arrowe Park finishing in third place. The 8km course was wet with patches of mud. Counters for the ladies were Vicky McConnell (8th), Anna Kenny (9th), Helen Anne Stansfield (18th) and Kat Cowdray (22nd). There were individual medals for Mary Rees gold over 65, Michele Alty bronze over 55 and Vicky McConnell bronze over 35. A great day's running by our girls who received great support out on the course by all the Wallasey AC officials.
Wirral Multi Terrain Series
Race 1 - Royden Park - 03/09/2024 - Senior Ladies
Becky Blacklock (8th) was our first lady finisher at the opening fixture of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series in Royden Park. The women's team were fifth on the night and other counters were Elaine Opara (16th) and Anna Kenny (16th).
Race 1 - Royden Park - 03/09/2024 - Senior Men
Stephen Ferroni made his debut for the club and came away with an excellent victory at the opening fixture of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series in Royden Park. The men's team were second on the night and other counters were Mike Jones (15th), Alan Kennedy (19th), Rob Pearse (26th) and John Ellison (28th). The men also had second B team and first C team.
Race 1 - Royden Park - 03/09/2024 - Under 15 Boys
Gabriel and Phoenix Pearse competed in the under 15 race coming 5th and 8th repectively, great running.
Race 2 - Wirral Country Park - 10/09/2024 - Senior Ladies
The ladies improved to second place at the second fixture of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series at Wirral Country Park. Counters were Becky Blacklock (7th), Anna Kenny (12th) and Elaine Opara (14th). Mary Rees won her age category.
Race 2 - Wirral Country Park - 10/09/2024 - Under 15 Boys
Gabriel and Phoenix Pearse finished sixth and ninth respectively at the second Wirral Multi Terrain Series fixture at Wirral Country Park.
Race 2 - Wirral Country Park - 10/09/2024 - Senior Men
Stephen Ferroni bagged another win at the second Wirral Multi Terrain Series race at Wirral Country Park. The men's team were second and the other counters were Jack Poland (4th), Rob Pearse (15th), Scott Eves (20th) and George Gillies (23rd). Rob Perry won his age category.
Race 3 - Wirral Coastal Park - 17/09/2024 - Senior Ladies
The women's team finished third in the penultimate fixture of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series at Wirral Coastal Park. The race was organised by Wallasey AC and the club are indebted to everyone who helped out. Counters for our ladies were Becky Blacklock (7th), Elaine Opara (13th) and Anna Kenny (15th). The team lie second after the three races.
Race 3 - Wirral Coastal Park - 17/09/2024 - Under 15 Boys
The third race of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series was held at Wirral Coastal Park, Gabriel and Phoenix Pearse and Pak Ho Chow ran well to finish 6th, 9th and 10th respectively.
Race 3 - Wirral Coastal Park - 17/09/2024 - Senior Men
Stephen Ferroni made it three wins out of three at the Wirral Coastal Park with a superb display of front running. Not far behind was Jack Poland in third, a great run. This helped the men finish second and the other counters were Rob Pearse (15th), Alan Kennedy (18th) and Steven Leslie (24th).
Race 4 - Arrowe Park - 24/09/2024 - Senior Men
The final race of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series was held at Arrowe Park, the men ran well to finish second on the night and second overall. Stephen Ferroni finished second on the night but with three wins from the first three races Stephen secured the overall male trophy, an excellent set of resutls. Other counters were Olly Chadwick (4th), Rob Pearse (11th), George Gillies (20th) and Scott Eves (24th). Individual age category positions went to Rob Pearse - 3rd O50, Phil Dabner - 3rd O55, Robert Perry - 1st O70, Ken Stocker - 2nd O70.
Race 4 - Arrowe Park - 24/09/2024 - Under 15 Boys
The final race of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series was held at Arrowe Park, Gabriel Pearse, Pak Ho Chow Phoenix Pearse ran well to finish 5th, 9th and 10th respectively.
Race 4 - Arrowe Park - 24/09/2024 - Senior Ladies
The final race of the Wirral Multi Terrain Series was held at Arrowe Park, our ladies finished second on the night and second overall, a fine performance. Counters were Becky Blacklock (7th), Anna Kenny (10th) and Elaine Opara (16th). Individual age category positions went to Michelle Alty - 3rd WO55, Nicci Davies - 3rd WO65 and Mary Rees - 2nd W070.
UKA Cross Challenge
Liverpool Cross Challenge - Sefton Park - 23/11/2024 - Under 15 Boys
Phoenix and Gabriel Pearse ran well in the Under 15 Boys Cross Challenge held at Sefton Park in Liverpool. Phoenix just edged his brother by 15 seconds over the 3km course in very muddy conditions.
Christmas Handicap
Christmas Handicap - Wallasey Shore - 01/12/2024 - Seniors
The Christmas Handicap took place on a warm morning under sunny skies. First runner to return and take the men's title was Rob Perry, a great performance. Paul Griffiths ran well for second place. Patrick Cuthbert picked up the junior shield after finisihing third in a rapid 15:03. Caet Cuthbert ran well to win the ladies trophy. Elaine Opara and Helen Anne Stansfield tied for fastest lady both returning in 17:26 and fastest male was George Gillies in 14:17.
Road Relays
NW Counties - Edge Hill University - 08/09/2024 - Under 15 Boys
Patrick Cuthbert, Phoenix and Gabriel Pearse represented the club at the North West Counties Road Relays held at Edge Hill University. In the Under 15 Boys race the lads finished in 32:58 for 13th place overall and 7th Merseyside team.
NW Counties - Edge Hill University - 08/09/2024 - Seniors
The club had three teams at the North West Counties Road Relays held at Edge Hill University. The A team finished in 01:07:42 for 20th place, B team 01:13:23 for 42nd and C team 01:22:35 for 70th place. Great running all round.
Northern - Stanley Park - 21/09/2024 - Under 15 Boys
Our youngsters finished 26th in a total time of 00:36:46 at the Northern 4/6 Stage Road Relays held in Stanley Park, Blackpool in the Under 15 Boys' race. The team consisted of Gabriel and Phoenix Pearse and Patrick Cuthbert, a great performance.
Northern - Stanley Park - 21/09/2024 - Senior Ladies
The ladies team finished 63rd in a total time of 01:59:09 at the Northern 4 Stage Road Relays held in Stanley Park, Blackpool. The team consisted of Helen-Anne Stansfield, Sharon Lamont, Zoe Crisp and Caet Cuthbert.
Northern - Stanley Park - 21/09/2024 - Senior Men
The men's A team finished in fiftieth position at the Northern 6 Stage Road Relays held in Stanley Park, Blackpool. The team members were Alan Kennedy, Louis Gorman, Rob Pearse, Joe Boden, Scott Eves and Steve Brealey. The B team was incomplete and George Gillies, Luke Watson, Mark Poustie and Sam Woods ran.
