NWCCL races

Spectrum Striders take part in the North West Cross Country League (NWCCL) over the winter months.

The concept of the league is to provide cross-country races over the winter, encourage participation and provide a sociable environment for runners.  Runners of all abilities are encouraged to run.

It’s a very sociable event and members of all abilities are very welcome. Please email or contact the club XC secretary for further details.

Many clubs of all sizes from Merseyside/Cheshire and Lancashire take part in the league and compete to be winners at the end of the season.

2024 results

Clarke Gardens | 27 October 2024

Beacon Park | 3 November 2024

Arrowe Park | 22 December 2024

Victoria Park | 29 December 2024

Benefits

Cross country is a great way of staying focused and race fit over the winter months and is great fun.  Cross-country strengthens the legs and core muscles and develops the ability to run on varied terrain and in varying weather conditions. 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, without the damaging effects of the cumulative jarring that results from track or road training.

What to wear

Runners have to wear a club vest. You should expect to get all clothing muddy.

The courses vary in terms of muddiness and uphill running. The amount of mud greatly depends on the amount of rain the previous few days. The condition and layout of the course affects what type of shoe you should wear:

Road shoes (not recommended)

Possible on a dry, flattish course, but when it gets muddy or steep you will be slipping around which will be tiring and possibly dangerous.

Trail shoes

These are a great compromise as they will handle mud and slopes and can be used on trail races throughout the year.

Cross country spikes

These are best for coping with mud, wet grass, hills etc. The shoes themselves don’t provide much cushioning (this comes from the mud instead!) and have a low centre of gravity, allowing the runner to twist and turn more easily.

Spikes usually cost between £30-70. When buying spikes, make sure you don’t buy spikes which are smooth on the heel and around the individual spikes as these are for track running. The shoes normally come with minimal-size spikes, so you should buy a bigger set (9 to 15mm).

Fell shoes or studs

These are sturdier than spikes and have better grip than trail shoes, so may be your preferred option.

How much does it cost?

It’s FREE. The club pays a one-off fee at the start of the season, and after that, as many members as possible can run in one or all events.

The rules

The league rules are simple, the main points for members being:

• You must wear a club vest/shirt
• All club members are welcome to participate but you must be 1st Claim with your nominated club for your place to score
• Men’s team is the first 6, 1 of which must be a vet (40+)
• Women’s team is the first 3, 1 of which must be a vet (35+)

Races

There are five cross-country fixtures over the winter, all the courses are off-road and suitable to be run in running spikes. The courses are between 4.5 and 5 miles in length and take place over grass, mud, dirt trails, hills, etc.

Every fixture is followed by refreshments supplied by the Host club, when the results of the race are usually announced.

This season’s events are:

A list of the races are below, followed by their details:

Details of Races

Arrowe Park, The Wirral CH49 5LW

Based behind Arrowe Park hospital, this is also a gentle introduction to cross country with plenty of running on grass.

How to get there

Go down the M56 and onto the M53;

1. From M53 Junction 3 take the A552 towards Upton / West Kirby /Heswall / Hospital.
2. At lights turn left onto A551 for Heswall / Thingwall.
3. At the second light turn right into Arrowe Park at Cherry Orchard pub, CH49 5LW.

Course

A map of the course can be found HERE

Parking

There is plenty of parking behind the Cherry Orchard Pub

Amenities

There is a cafe with food/drink and toilets between the car park and course. To use the toilets you may be asked to be a customer at the cafe. There are no changing facilities.

Refreshments

After the race follow the directions below to the Pensby Recreational Center for sandwiches and refreshments whilst awaiting results. Unfortunately there are no showers available.

• Turn right onto A551 to mini-roundabout.
• Turn right onto B5138 for Pensby and Heswall.
• The Centre is on the left before the traffic lights after a mile or so.
• Turn into large car park through gate in white fence (easy to miss!).

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Beacon Fell, Skelmersdale

The most challenging of the courses, this starts at the top of Beacon Fell and runs up and down and around it a few times. The views are breathtaking. The car parking next to the start is limited but there are other car parks nearby.

How to get there

1. Take the M6 northbound and exit at J26 (M58 turn off)
2. Follow m58 westbound exit J5
3. Follow loop around and under M58 onto Stannanought Road
4. Turn right onto windmill road
5. Turn right at mini roundabout onto Newgate Road
6. Left at next mini roundabout onto Ormskirk Road
7. Continue up Ormskirk road over 2 duplex mini roundabout and through a pedestrian crossing at the cross road (pub on left & chippy across the road)
8. Turn left into Mill Lane
9. Continue along Mill Lane for about a mile passing 1st car park on left (harts car park) and just along from here is the main car park (which can become a bit cramped)

Course

A map of the course can be found on the Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers website.

Parking

There is parking next to the start field. This will fill up and there are other car parks nearby.

Amenities

There are toilets nearby at one of the other car parks, and showering facilities at Our Lady’s Queen of Peace RC High School.

Refreshments

The results and refreshments will be at Our Lady’s Queen of Peace RC High School (Glenburn Rd, Skelmersdale, WN8 6JW), see the Skelmersdale Boundary Harriers website for directions.

Clarke Gardens, Liverpool

This is like an extended park run and is a lovely introduction to cross country. There are no toilets near the start.

How to get there

Directions from Runcorn Bridge:

Pick up the A562 (from Widnes/Runcorn bridge) known as Ford Road.

Take the exit slip road for A562 (which is after the A5300).

Follow until small roundabout (still on A562) and take 2nd exit (Higher Lane).

Continue over 2 sets of traffic lights for about approx 1 ½ miles until traffic lights at cross road junction (Kwik save on right and a few shops on the left). Go straight on (Hillfoot Avenue).

At next traffic lights (Asda/retail park entrance opposite) keep right and bear right (still A562).

Keeping left and after about 200/300 metres

Keep on going to the next Junction, turn left into Woolton Rd and park on the road on the left after a couple of hundred meters.

EITHER
Take 1st left turn into Springwood Avenue.
Passing cemeteries on both sides, car park to Clarke Gardens is on the right following the sign for pub inn on the park.
OR
Keep on going to the next Junction, turn left into Woolton Rd and park on the road on the left after a couple of hundred meters.

Course

The course can be seen HERE

Parking

At either end of the park as described above.

Amenities

There are no toilet or changing facilities near the race course. There are toilet and shower facilities at the Cheshire Lines Clubhouse.

Croxteth Park L11 1EH

This is a relatively fast and flat course with lots of mud (weather dependent).  There are sections through the forest that are very technical, but it is a very good course for those who like to avoid the hills

How to get there

Go down the M63 towards Liverpool;

At the end of the M62 turn right on Queens Drive.
After about 1 mile turn right down Muirhead Avenue.
Croxteth park entrance is right at the first roundabout.
Parking
There is plenty of parking in the park.

Amenities

There are no facilities in the park, but there may be some nearby at the Croxteth Hall Cafe.

Refreshments

Refreshments are ar Our Lady Queen of Marty’s centre:

Turn right Muirhead Avenue.
At the main junction, turn left onto Croxteth Hall Lane.
The Centre is on the left before the traffic lights after about 1/2 mile.