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December Results 2004 

Cheshire Cross Country League : Frodsham: 28 December

The final run of the year attracted 29 athletes to Frodsham's biting winds and muddy fields. The under 11 girls' duo of Louise Hayes (22) and Emily Dickinson (28) completed the course before distributing leaflets for the road race. Despite only having two runners on the day the team is lying in fifth place.

Joanne Sturgeon (8), Laura Crook (20), Heather Drillingcourt (22) and Katie Jolly (28) ensured we took fifth place in the under 13 race while Sara McLoughlin ran better than of late to finish 21st in the under 15 event and gained a top ten place in the process.

 All the girls now have three weeks to complete preparations for the Merseyside county championships on January 15th. The positions given above were the race positions whereas the final positions were higher once the guests had been been removed from the scores.

We also had a team in the under 13 Boys' event Jake Healy (5), Joe Jameson (19), John Ashcroft (26) and John Jameson (33) making the count and finishing in third position. Dave Forrester won the under 15 race, John Dumbell (16) and Ben Clough (17) providing excellent support to claim fourth spot while John Appleton was a superb fifth in the under 17 event and Tom Griffiths 12th with the team one point shy of third.. The opportunities for team awards in the Merseyside championships are there if we can get full teams out.

Gill Bacon blew a few cobwebs away in seventh place in the women's race, supported by Cecilia Fitzsimons (52), Chris Dickinson (66) and Pauline Picton (69) who had been up since 4a.m, came to make up the team and had to put in a sprint to head off a determined Manchester athlete!! They might run faster but they don't run harder. The ladies lie eighth and the veteran ladies sixth.

Steve Mayers ran splendidly in the men's race finishing eighth, third Merseyside runner home, Barry Graney (13) and Tony Smith (16) providing good support. Greg Williams found it difficult to get going and ground out 28th place while Ian White (40), Ray Vose (43) and Ian Hayburn (44) battled for places throughout a keenly fought race. Dennis Wharton (54) put in a determined effort while Sheru Gulati showed he has the stamina to last the distance in 113rd position..

With only four to count the team tied on points with Trafford and lie second overall on countback. Unfortunately, the final match always clashes with our own road race so whether we'll be able to sustain the challenge is a moot point.

Phil Thomas acted as team manager with support from Julia Eccleston. John Irwin, Danny McLoughlin and Joe Ehlen provided coaching support, Julia Hayes was in attendance and so were many parents and other family members while Marc Laithwaite and Karl Allender also provided moral support. The judges were disappointed with the absence of Alan Davies whose reputation has grown over the years. Results  Team Results

Chester Round the Walls Race : 26 December.

This year the round the walls wasn't round the walls because the overnight snow and ice had turned the steps into glass. Instead it was run on heavy grass (you'd be surprised what those horses have to put up with!!!)by Christine Dickinson 241st (30.35) & Janet Holmes 279th in 32.19. Christine will be competing at Frodsham in two days time but Janet is working. Joanne Sturgeon was the first girl to finish in the Fun Run, fourth overall, joined in the event by Louise Hayes and Emily Dickinson before all three gave out invitations to the St Helens-Sutton Road Race. Thanks girls and a happy New Year.

Christmas Handicap - Sherdley Park 19 December

Over two dozen competed in the Christmas Handicap races in bright sunshine that wasn't even threatened by a modulated version of "Jingle Bells" which accompanied the start of the senior race.

Ray Vose set out the course and led the youngsters round, narrowly avoiding defeat by Jake Healey, who recorded 5.12. Joanne Sturgeon was the first girl home in 5.55. John Ashcroft, Sara McLoughlin, Heather Drillingcourt, Jaime Webb, Jaime White, Laura Crook and Katie Jolly all beat the seven minute mark.

Mellisa McLoughlin, Jason White, Jenny Hamon, Nicola Hamon, Alana, Rose Hindley, Emily Dickinson, Louise Hayes and Adam White were also amongst the prizes. The full results are on the notice board.

Dave Forrester elected to run with the seniors, winning the handicap off scratch, ahead of Barry Graney, Dennis Wharton, resplendent in blue top and Santa Claus hat, Ray Vose and Ian White who held his own until the final lap when he began to feel the effects of last night's social evening. Dave recorded 15.12, Barry 16.05, Dennis 17.36, Ray 17.55 and  Ian 19.28. Handicap times were Dave 15.12, Barry 15.40, Dennis 15.56, Ray 16.40 and Ian 18.18

Gill Bacon won the magnificent cash prize for the ladies' contest, defeating Chris Dempsey by fourteen seconds with Chris Dickinson gamely battling to the finish for third spot. The actual times were Gill 17.45, and the two Chris's 22.29 and 25.13 with the handicap times Gill 17.45, Chris Dempsey 17.59 and Chris Dickinson 18.18.

Thanks to handicapper Ian White, recorder Julia Hayes, timekeeper Janet Holmes who mastered the complexities of Phil Thomas's 38 year old stopwatch and Julia Eccleston who calculated the handicaps. John Irwin for the prizes and turning up despite his recent time in hospital, Danny McLoughlin for jogging round in support, Stan Erlam for being there and to the parents and families who turned out in support of their offspring. We wish all of you a Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Record Breaking Emma: 10 December

Emma McClatchey set new club indoor pole vault records for junior and senior women by clearing 2.40 at Sheffield. This is 10 cms higher than last season's best and augers well for her 2005 outdoor season.

Road Running:12 December

Janet Holmes was in action in the Stockport 10 miler finishing sixth lady over 50 in 89.03. A number of athletes took part in the Hale Village 5, John Appleton recording 31.09.in 39th place. David Bradshaw  went round in 36.23 (119th), Cecilia Fitzsimons 158th in 38.03, Dorothy Fairhurst (270th in 43.21) and the redoubtable Alan Davies whose time of 54.27 (361st) brought him home ahead of two younger athletes.

Far and Wide : 4 December

Jake Healy finished second in the Manchester & District League held at Boggart Hole Clough and is now second overall with one match to go. Sarah Charnock had a weekend in London and competed in the Dysart Cup by kind permission of Ranelagh Harriers. She was seventh to finish in 27.34.

Reebok Challenge incorporating the Liverpool & District League 4 December:

The senior men completed the Liverpool & District League with a solid performance at Sefton Park led by Barry Graney and Greg Williams. Ray Vose, Ian White and strong finishing captain, Ian Hayburn, came in close together with Dennis Wharton anchoring the team home. Full results will not be known for a few days but the team was supported by two ladies who gave up their own race in case the seniors were unable to field a team. Julia Eccleston was seventh home and Chris Dempsey ninth. In between Tony Raffle ran back to back L&D's for the first time in several seasons, despite having a difficult time on the second lap.

Dave Forrester now lies second in the Reebok table after finishing fourth (9.04) in the under 15 boys' race. Ben Clough was 49th (10.22), Mike Burke 58th (10.31), Steve Clague 75th (11.26) and Mike Ehlen, running for stamina work, 77th (11.58).

In the under 13 Girls' race Joanne Sturgeon was the fifth Merseyside girl home in 24th place (11.25). Chloe Wilson competed in the under 15 race, taking 59th place (12.27). Jaime Webb 26th (8.12) and Louise Hayes 60th (9.20) ran in the combined under 11 race. Steve Mayers finished 23rd (19.33) in the under 20 competition. Tom Griffiths made a welcome return to competition in the under 17 race finishing 69th (20.22).

There was splendid support from a motley group of parents and others, including Julia Hayes, Mr Sturgeon, Aileen Wilson, Janet Holmes, Sue Clague, Joe Ehlen, the Webb family, Mrs Mayers, Luke Burke, Jason White, Mr Griffiths, Paul and Stephanie Forrester. Phil Thomas gave out the numbers, although Barry Graney had to ask three times, Steve Mayers got one he didn't need and Chris Dempsey invoked the Human Rights Act to demand her pound back. Just what you'd expect from a civil servant!! Results: