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Cross Country

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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.
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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

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