Cross-country Matters
West Cheshire AC is affiliated to four cross-country leagues to give everyone in the club a choice of venues and competition. Some courses may not be suitable to the youngest runners, so not all rounds have under-11 age group races. The club also enters teams or individuals in cross-country championships.If you want to swap running on tarmac for running through grass, woods and mud, here are some hints and tips for cross-country racing:
Footwear should have more grip than your usual trainers. Studded shoes may be OK for some courses, although a pair of spikes is a good investment for some of the muddier courses.
Crop tops are inadvisable when the weather becomes colder – many runners wear thermals under their club vests.
Bring safety pins to pin your number flat on the front of your vest.
For league and championship races, please wear your club vest on top of any other clothing.
Arrive at the race in plenty of time to check out the course (particularly the last mile, so that you know how near the finish is when you are at your most tired!).
There are no showers at many races, so bring an old towel to rub off the mud, plus a change of clothing and clean shoes to go home in.
The club also organises a series of schools' cross country races for pupils from years 3 to 8.
Mike Lamb, our cross-country secretary, has been appointed President of the Liverpool and District Cross-country Union until the 2012-2013 season.
Senior men's race, Cheshire League, Castle Park, Frodsham
