Cross Country
Introduction
Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers take part in two cross country leagues over the winter months. All fixtures are listed below:
Saturdays (various start times);
-
Liverpool & District League (L&D)
-
Mid Lancs League (ML) {inc juniors}
Sundays (10am);
-
North West Cross Country League (NWCCL)
The purpose of the leagues is to provide cross country race opportunities over the winter, encourage participation and provide a sociable environment for runners, of all abilities. We actively encourage all members to try at least one cross country race each season.
Many clubs of all sizes from Merseyside/Cheshire and Lancashire take part in the leagues and compete to be winners at the end of the season.
Benefits
Cross country is a great way of staying focused and race fit over the winter months, proving to also be great fun. Cross-country strengthens the legs and core muscles, develops the ability to run on varied terrain and builds mental resilience from the varying conditions that the British climate likes to provide in great wealth. The runner who is experienced in cross-country is more robust, more versatile and less likely to be thrown by a sudden change in the weather – an event surprisingly common in major championships in the UK.
The cross-country season provides tough physical training, working over a wide range of speeds, inclines, and on occasions, depths, without the damaging effects of cumulative impacts found in solitary track or road training.
Races
In the L&D league there are just two races again this season, the second being the league's Championship race.
In the NWCCL there are 6 cross country fixtures over the winter (4 confirmed thus far), all the courses are off-road and suitable to be run in running spikes or deep lug trail shoes. The courses are between 4 ½ and 5 miles in length and take place over grass, mud, dirt trails, hills, etc.
Most NWCCL fixtures are followed by refreshments supplied by the Host club. The results of the race are usually announced at the venue but can take a couple of days to reach the leagues website as a confirmed tally.
The Mid Lancs league has six races where clubs aim to field teams in at least 4 of the 6 races and also incorporates junior divisions (from u11's at midday) prior to the senior races with Women (6k at 1:30pm) and Men (9-10k at 2:15pm).
Regional and National events (inc Sefton Park) are mass participation events and as such carry a small levy above the standard league entry fees (paid by the club). The club will endeavour to cover all extra fees associated but will only enter those runners who wish to participate in these events. In 2023 we have the rarety of Northern and National championships being hosted in the north west and hope for a strong club turnout in each.
This season’s fixtures are:
ML #1
15th October 2022
Witton Park, Blackburn BB2 2TP
NWSL #1
30th October 2022
Clarke Gardens, Liverpool L25 7UN
NWSL #2
20th November 2022
Beacon Park, Skelmersdale WN8 7RU
ML #2/L&D #1
26th November 2022
Sefton Park, Liverpool L17 1AP
ML #3
10th December 2022
Wilson Playing Fields, Hyndburn BB5 5SF
NWSL #3
11th December 2022
Arrowe Park, Birkenhead CH49 5PG
Lancashire XC
7th January 2023
Witton Park, Blackburn BB2 2TP
ML #4
14th January 2023
Lawson's Ground, Blackpool FY3 9RT
NWSL #4
22nd January 2023
Town Park, Runcorn WA7 6EP
Northern XC
28th January 2023
Witton Park, Blackburn BB2 2TP
PARBOLD
11th February 2023
Hilldale, Bispham L40 3SL
NWSL #5
12th February 2023
Croxteth Hall Country Park, L11 1EH
L&D #2
19th February 2023
Clarke Gardens, Liverpool L25 7UN
National XC
25th February 2023
Bolesworth Castle, Chester CH3 9JJ
ML #5
11th March 2023
Townley Park, Burnley BB11 3RQ