Handforth Wilmslow Alderley Athletics Club

Cross Country and Park Runs

At the AGM some HWAAC club athletes expressed an interest in taking part in Cross Country or Park Runs.

You can find out about regional events by visiting this website http://www.timeoutdoors.com/

If you click on Events then Events by activity, select Running and then click on Events by region and select North West, you will see a list of Running events in the North West.  Cross Country Runs tend to be free to enter whereas Park Runs often require a registration fee.

Please speak to Anthony at Thursday training if you would like to find out more about Cross Country or Park Runs.  They're very rewarding and a great way to build fitness.

XC round up for 2010/11

XC Role of Honor

Well we have nearly made it to the end of the cross country season. This has been a little disappointing with the low turn out of numbers of our athletes. Especially as we registered all of you!

However we have a few heroes from the events they are listed below. Some good results for Elliot, Conor and Brendan. A couple of great runs from Marcus and Jacob – Well done!

Round 1 23^rd Oct: Heaton Park

U13b	39  476  Elliott Webb                 Handforth Wa                      16:59

 Round 2 21^st Nov: Sherdley park

U11b	38  831  Conor Smith                  Handforth Wa                      11:33
U13b	27  474  Brendan Smith                Handforth Wa                      16:09
U13b	28  476  Elliott Webb                    Handforth Wa                      16:19
U15b	13  483  Marcus Dalgaard              Handforth Wa                      20:05

Round 3 Dec 4^th:  Boggarts Hole Clough No Show

Round 4 Jan 2^nd : Woodbank park No Show

Cheshire XC Championships 8^th Jan : Birchwood

U13b 13

761

JACOB PANTLING

Handforth, Wilmslow & Alderley Edge

15:05

Cross Country Fixtures 2010-11

Cheshire County Athletics have released the cross country fixtures.

Date	Venue
02-Oct	N Staffs League at Knights Grange (tbc)
23-Oct	Manchester X-C League Round 1, Heaton Park
21-Nov	Manchester X-C League Round 2, Sherdley Park
04-Dec	Manchester X-C League Round 3, Boggart Hole Clough
2011
02-Jan	Manchester X-C League Round 4, Woodbank Park, Stockport
12-Feb	Manchester X-C League Round 5, Clayton Vale (nr Velodrome)
19-Feb	ECCA Cross Country Championships, Alton Towers

More details, regarding the times and directions, will appear on the Events and Races as they become known

UKA Inter Counties XC - Nottingham - 7th March

Kevin Acton U13B represented Cheshire at the Inter Counties XC race in Nottingham. This was a televised, invite only event with the best runners in the country from u13 to seniors. Kevin thoroughly enjoyed himself coming in about 3/4 down the field. Cheshire team were 23 out of 40.

A great achievement to run for your county, well done. Apparently he even spotted himself on television! Results

North of England XC Championships

With a couple of thousand runners and as many supporters cheering on, this was a major XC event. It attracts all of the best runners from all the top Athletics Clubs over the whole of Northern England. So no pressure then!

At 12:15, Hannah Cusworth was lining up with 163 other entries in the u13Gs. A 3km course over two laps on soft ground but at least the weather was kind. Hannah had made sure she was near the front at the start and at the gun they sprinted off the start line. The pace soon settled down and it was down to hard work. Concentrating throughout, she held her ground finishing with a sprint to pass 5 runners at the end to secure in 92nd place. A great performance.

Next was James Grannan, u15B amongst 159 other athletes. A 4km course again over a small and then large lap with a couple of extra hills thrown in. James again ensured he was at the front of the pack and after 50m was winning! A more sensible pace was established and James was comfortably in the middle of the pack. At halfway he looked relaxed but now in the upper half of the race. He cleverly used the extra down hill to grab another place. His final position was 89th and I think it was his best performance this season. James looked pleased with it too!

Finally, at 1:50 it was Kevin Acton, u13B with 184 other athletes. The 3km course now thoroughly cut up by 2 ¹/₂ hours of racing was very soft and heavy. Kevin ran strongly but sensibly. He gained ground throughout the race and finished in a terrific 58th place.

It is a great experience to run in these large major XC events. Our 3 club runners worked hard and were rewarded with superb positions. They should be very proud of their achievements.

Results can be found here: Results and a few photographs here: Photos or on the Northern Athletics Web Site: NOEAA

Cheshire XC Championships - Winsford, 10th Jan 2009

It was bitterly cold and with a breeze, doubly so. But our runners lined up keen and ready to go. Now the County Championships is all the Cheshire Athletic Clubs best runners competing against each other. Every County in the country was holding an event that day, so it was a strong field.

The u13G & u13B were running in the same race, 2,900m over flat frozen fields. We had Joel to boost our regular 3 and he duly set off with Kevin and Hannah on a fast downhill start. With 1/2 a mile to go Kevin was vying with a Vale Royle runner for 4th or 5th place. With 20m to go it was still neck and neck but Kevin was pipped at the line. However with a 5th place Kevin has been picked to run for his County at the Inter-county Championships in Nottingham, a televised event! Kevin had worked really hard to secure that place, a fantastic effort. Next in was Hannah, with 1/2 a mile to go she was in 13th place but her strong finish gave her 12th and again selected as a reserve for her County. Another superb result. Joel, not having been able to race all season nevertheless showed his great ability coming in 21st, well up the field.

James was up against another strong field but over 4,800m. A third of the way round he was in 13th place just outside a reserve county position. But there were a lot of keen runners out there and with 1/2 mile to go he was in 19th place. James pulled back a place and was only beaten by 1 u17G so again demonstrated his improved performance this year. James needs some more training mileage so that he can maintain his undoubted speed in the second half of races.

So great results all round for our club runners. Official results can be found here: AWAITED, and a few photos here: Photos

Graham

MAXCL - Match 4, Woodbank Park, Stockport - 4th Jan 2009

Another disappointing turnout in terms of numbers but excellent runs by our three regulars this year. Again no u11s!!

This is a tough course for those who don't like hills, woods and twisting courses but superb for those who do! The ground was very hard after all the frost so the going was quick. Hannah was up first in the u13Gs. After a fast start she started feeling a pain in her knee so sensibly had a cautious run coming in, in 29th position. She is a much much better runner than this position, so will hopefully bounce back for next weeks County race.

Next was Kevin u13B. Kevin has been having a great season benefiting from his regular attendance at the 5K race in Bramhall. With top ten placements on his previous races he was down a bit on this race. With half a mile to go he was in 8th place with no threat from behind but a huge 50m gap to the next runner in front. I don't know if it was because I had told him he was in 8th but this clearly wasn't enough and by the finish Kevin had caught and comfortably passed the Sale Harries runner in front. This shows great belief, determination and starting to understand what he can achieve. With 3 non-counters (guest runners) from Bury AC his final position is actually 4th!

Finally it was James, u15B. James again has been benefiting from the Bramhall 5Ks and has been improving all season. Disappointed in his last race this is his "least favourite venue...I don't like hills" Well he didn't start off like he thought that, being in 6th place at the first bend! With two laps and therefore 2 hills to climb he was in 8th place about a third of the way through the race but with a bunch of runners on his tail. By the finish, the second hill had taken its toll and he was back in 14th place. This is an excellent result. As James missed Match 1, a good run at Wythenshaw will ensure a great final placement.

Full results can be found here: Results and photos here: Photos

Graham

MAXCL - Match 3, Sherdley Park - 14th Dec 2008

Another disappointing turnout in terms of numbers but excellent runs by our three regulars this year. Again no u11s.

Hannah was first, u13Gs. Hannah looked tired from the start. Although she worked hard throughout "I just felt tired". She had done 2.5km on a tread mill the day before and knowing Hannah probably pushed herself very hard! So the run wasn't her best. With a final position of 27th it was a good training run and has demonstrated to her that rest is needed before a race!

Next was Kevin, u13B. Kevin was 'firing on all cylinders' and about a third of the way round was comfortably in 6th place. After some steep hills, drops and sharp bends he still was holding his position behind a couple of Bury AC athletes. About a mile to go having left all the hills behind he passed the two runners. By the time the finishing line was in sight he was well ahead of any rival. 4th a terrific position.

James, u15Bs was our final runner. James was running smoothly and looked relaxed. His position at halfway was however down on previous matches and he lost more places through the second half. He also finished in 27th and again the culprit was a bit of a cold and a school XC race earlier in the week!

The final league position is based upon the athletes best 4 results.

Full results can be found here: Results Photos can be found here: Photos

Graham 

XC Championship Events

The following Athletes have been entered in to the:

Cheshire County XC Chamionships - Saturday, 10th January 2009

Hannah Cusworth u13G, Kevin Acton u13B, Joel Norman u13B, James Grannan u15B

Great North XC Championships - Saturday, 24th January 2009

Hannah Cusworth u13G, Kevin Acton u13B, James Grannan u15B

As both of these events are pre-entry, if any other athletes would like to be entered, closing date is the 31st Dec and 15th Dec respectively

MAXCL - Match 2, Boggart Hole Clough - 16th Nov 2008

The sun was shinning at Boggart this year but there was still plenty of mud to play in! This is probably the hardest (but personally the best) course of the series. Ewan was first up making his XC debut, u11B. Unfortunately the keen runners raced off at the 5 minute warning and ended up doing half the race before they could be stopped and re-started!! Ewan ran well but learn't legging collect water, mud and slow you down!

Next up was Hannah, u13G. With a stealy determination fought her way round the course with a terrific sprint to the finish line. 14th place a terrific placement in the largest junior race.

Calum and Kevin were next. Kevin dropped in to the conversation that he'd knocked 40 seconds off his 5K pb the day before so, although very pleased for him, I didn't hold out a repeat of the previous 6th place. How wrong was I, a very strong second half to the race saw him burst out of the woods to finish in 3rd place!! Calum found the course tough but it was good to see him out representing the club and trying hard.

Finally it was James, u15B. He set off at pace nearly being tumbled in to a tree at the frantic start. A third of the way round he was running smoothly and in control. His 5K racing at Bramhall park has made a big improvement to his running and there is still much more to come. The field is tougher higher up the age groups so a 13th position is a great result.

Overall great performances by Handforth all round. Official results can be found here: Results and a few photos of our runners can be found here: Pictures

Young Athletes XC Meeting

Sale, 23rd Nov at 1.30pm

The following athletes have been entered for this one off XC race. Would be really good if we could get a few more girls and one more U13B to make up a team! We can still enter more on the day.

Anna Gorman	U11G
Harry Sumner	U11B
Ewan McWalter	U11B
Luke James	U11B
Hannah Cusworth	U13G
Fergus Taylor	U13B
Kevin Acton	U13B

MAXCL - Match 1, Heaton Park - 25th Oct 2008

The Heaton Park race is usually pleasant weather but with a few of our regulars missing this year we had only 2 runners to enjoy the pouring rain and wind sweeping across the Park!

First up was Hannah Cusworth U13G. In probably the largest race she came over the final hill with a large pack of girls in her wake. With 200m to go and a hard pull up to the finish there was no way she was going to let anyone past. With great determination she drove to the finish in 9th place!

Next was Kevin Acton U13B. Kevin came over the hill in 6th place behind a Manchester Harriers runner. Soaked through, he attacked the steep hill just past the gate and left the other runner beaten. With only a 100m to go he pulled away to secure 6th place!

Both of these results are superb. If they continue with this performance throughout the series they could both hold club records for their age catagory. Great runs. Pictures

Wilf Richards - Cross Country Race

Heaton Park - Saturday 16th February

Only one club member ran this event and an excellent result:

8th - Kevin Acton  14:13

Full results can be found here: Wilf Richards 2008 XC Results

Graham Taylor

MAXC - Match 5 Wythenshawe Park - 9th February Race Report

Sorry wasn't at the race to give details but here are the results. Well done everyone especially Hannah at her debut!

   

Full Results can be found here: www.bbresults.com

       Name                       Cat         Distance    Pos    Time

• Hannah Cusworth  FU13      2400m       17th    11:11
• Kevin Acton          MU13      3000m       16th    13:14
• Joel Norman         MU13      3000m       20th    14:06    MU13 Team 3rd!
• Harry Stobart        MU13      3000m       24th   15:43
• James Grannan     MU15      4000m       14th    15:59

Graham Taylor

More XC races! - Heaton Park

There is another cross country race at Heaton Park on February 16th 2008 for U13 and above for those who can't get enough! See attachment: Download wilf_richards_xc005.pdf

Graham Taylor

MAXC - Match 4 Woodbank Park - 13th January Race Report

The course was very wet and soft underfoot after a heavy night of rain but the weather was reasonably mild for January. It is probably the hardest course of the series with a steep hill to pull up half way round.

Holly James was our only Girl racing again having a steady run in the U11 category. With 50m to go however the Stockport Harrier girl who had been shadowing her all race decided to pass her. Holly was having none of this and similar to last week, put on a burst of speed to secure her position.

We had a team of U13 Boys with Kevin, Joel & Harry. With all the mud, Kevin decided to ditch his glasses for the race and soon found himself in the thick of things with the U15 girls towering over him! Joel had another great race sprinting for the finish with a smile on his face. Harry completed the team again successfully battling out the last 50m with a sprint to the finish line ahead of his closest rival.

Ian Hare made his debut (for this year) in the U17 boys. With 6000m to race and little training, this was always going to be tough! Ian however rose to the challenge completing the race strongly.

Photos on this website can be found here: Woodbank Park 2008 and official photos may also be found here: www.hsphotos.co.uk

Full Results can be found here: www.bbresults.com

       Name                       Cat         Distance    Pos    Time

• Holly James          FU11       2400m       28th    14:54
• Kevin Acton          MU13      3000m       13th    13:56
• Joel Norman         MU13      3000m       16th    14:25    MU13 Boys Team 5th!!
• Harry Stobart        MU13      3000m       26th   16:39
• Ian Hare               MU17      6000m       23rd    27:42

Graham Taylor

Cheshire County XC Championship - Race Report

5^th January 2008

Great day for Handforth at the Cheshire County XC Championships. Alas we had only 5 runners with winter colds and injury laying a couple low. The course was really good with lots of steep little hillocks, turns and runs in the wood. Thankfully the weather was dry although breezy and very soft underfoot.

The first race was the U11’s Girls and Boys. Mathew Penney had a good race clearly enjoying himself. Molly James was our only Girl racing but she did well with an impressive sprint past a fellow runner at the finish. You can see this on the photos!

Kevin tumbled over and Joel had his calf spiked at the start of the U13’s but they both quickly put that behind them and pressed on. A good effort by both these boys put them well up the field.

James was our final runner in the U15’s. At nearly 4000m this was a tough race. Again a good strong run and he is starting to identify his immediate competitors which will help that competitive drive.

All the athletes did very well, this is County competition after all. Hard work at our sessions will improve their performances further and additional running outside of the club is essential for the older ones to progress.

Photos can be found here: Photos

Full Results can be found here: Cheshire County Athletic Association

Name                       Cat         Distance    Pos    Time

Holly James          FU11       1625m      18th    9:40

Mathew Penney     MU11      1625m      11th    7:47

Kevin Acton          MU13      3100m      17th   14:28

Joel Norman         MU13      3100m      22nd   15:24

James Grannan     MU15      3930m      20th   17:30

Graham Taylor

MAXC - Match 3 Sherdley Park , St Helens - 13th January Race Report

Sherdley Park was a new venue for the MACCL this year and what a treat it was for the boys! Yes we had no Girls representing Handforth, where are you all?

Sherdley Park is probably delightful in the summer but with a biting cold wind, horizontal rain sweeping through every few minutes and standing water on the open areas it was the hardest conditions I've seen at a XC for many years. But the boys seemed positively excited by the fact, smiling far more than their encouraging parents! Mathew Penney was up first in the U11, then Joel Norman & Harry Stobart in the U13 & finally James Grannan in the U15.

The course twisted back and forth on open, undulating, slippery ground giving us spectators lots of vantage points to encourage them round. All the boys ran really well coming in soaking wet, covered in mud but smiling. They can be justly proud of themselves.

James had a great finish having shadowed a Sale Harriers runner the entire course, he put on a burst of speed over the last 50m to clinch another place.

• Cat        Name                    Pos      Time       Appx Dist
• MU11     Mathew Penney      14       11.33       2200m
• MU13     Joel Norman          8         15.15       3000m
• MU13     Harry Stobart        15        17.02       3000m
• MU15     James Grannan     13        17.18       4000m

Full results can be found on www.bbresults.com

Graham Taylor