Description
This race seems to take in all the bad bits of Birchwood Forest Park including a large pool! 
So beware it can be very muddy; spikes or studs are probable best for this course.
The course is a four lap route and a total of 5¼ miles (8½k), as measured by GPS. The course is on grass and wooded trails, and crosses tarmac footpaths in several places. The bunkers are quite steep-sided and it is often wet and muddy.
How to get there
The race starts at:
- The Ranger Centre, Birchwood Forest Park (off Moss Gate)
The Forest Park is a little under 1 mile from M62 J11.
- From the J11 roundabout, go down the A574, Birchwood Way.
- After a little over ½ mile, at the first roundabout take the first exit (left) onto the road called Moss Gate.
- After about 300 yards, turn right at the roundabout into the Birchwood Forest Park public car park.
Course
The course is the one used since 2008. The four lap route is approx 5¼ miles (8½k), as measured by GPS.
Parking
There is adequate parking next to the start field.
Amenities
There are limited showers and toilets in the rangers hut.
Refreshments
The venue for refreshments is usually at Birchwood High School or next door at the tennis center.
Birchwood Forest Park in Google maps
Past Results
1st March 2020
Birchwood XC
Men
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 35 | Phil Rowen | M45 |
| 48 | Jonathan Cocroft | M |
| 53 | John Sheldon | M45 |
| 56 | Jim Dawson | M55 |
| 57 | Steven Sherwen | M45 |
| 73 | Michael Smith | M55 |
Ladies
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Emma Nunnerley | F40 |
| 59 | Carolyn Smith | F50 |
| 69 | Alison Felstead | F45 |
24th February 2019
Birchwood XC
Men
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 33 | Stuart Berry | M |
| 40 | Phil Rowen | M45 |
| 90 | Jim Dawson | M55 |
| 99 | Steven Sherwen | M45 |
| 129 | Simone Tondelloni | M |
| 147 | Lee Shears | M40 |
| 188 | Peter Burton | M55 |
| 189 | Simon Hackett | M55 |
Ladies
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | Emma Nunnerley | F40 |
| 48 | Gaynor Seymour | F40 |
| 64 | Mary Burton | F50 |
| 69 | Alison Felstead | F45 |
| 71 | Kathryn Ellis | F40 |
25 February 2018
Men
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Germaine Holmes | F45 |
| 24 | Rachael Gaskell | F35 |
| 42 | Lisa Fothergill | F40 |
| 51 | Kathryn Ellis | F35 |
| 60 | Alison Felstead | F45 |
Ladies
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 45 | Phil Rowen | M45 |
| 122 | Mark Hamill | M50 |
| 143 | David Dean | M50 |
19 February 2017
Birchwood XC
Men
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Angela Walker | F35 |
| 52 | Yasmin Hussain | F45 |
| 66 | Chrissie Knight | F60 |
Ladies
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 29 | Stuart Berry | M |
| 31 | Phil Rowen | M40 |
| 46 | Peter Murphy | M40 |
| 67 | Andrew Holland | M |
| 71 | Jim Dawson | M50 |
| 75 | Kieran Walshe | M50 |
| 123 | Peter Burton | M50 |
21 February 2016
Ladies
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Emma Davis | F |
| 34 | Georgina Walker | F40 |
| 55 | Emma Nunnerley | F35 |
| 68 | Katy OConnor | F50 |
| 73 | Yasmin Hussain | F40 |
Men
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 58 | Stuart Berry | M |
| 60 | Jim Dawson | M50 |
| 74 | Steve Davis | M50 |
| 85 | Michael Smith | M50 |
| 136 | Jamie Bradbury | M |
| 159 | Jose Perez | M40 |
The combined ladies team came 3rd and the men 5th.
22 February 2015
Ladies
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Germaine Holmes | F40 |
| 29 | Georgina Walker | F35 |
| 43 | Emma Davis | F |
| 48 | Alison Roberts | F35 |
Men
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Julian Dickinson | M40 |
| 34 | Paul Bagan | M |
| 41 | Anthony Burke | M40 |
| 50 | Jim Dawson | M50 |
| 61 | Stuart Berry | M |
| 68 | Chris Lees | M45 |
| 79 | Kieran Walshe | M50 |
| 117 | Jamie Bradbury | M |
The ladies and mens team both came 4th.
9 February 2014
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 35 | Jim Dawson | M50 |
| 59 | Julian Dickinson | M40 |
| 91 | Jamie Bradbury | M |
| 27 | Georgina Walker | F35 |
| 42 | Janet Stanhope | F50 |
| 45 | Jen Murphy | F |
25 November 2012
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 39 | Jim Dawson | M45 |
| 104 | Tim Evans | M55 |
| 106 | Mark Hamill | M45 |
| 45 | Katy OConnor | F50 |
There were 152 finishers. The combined Men’s team came 5th and the Ladies team came 6th.
4th March 2012
| Pos | Name | Cat |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Jonathan Smith | M |
| 31 | Jim Dawson | M45 |
| 44 | Kieran Walshe | M45 |
| 47 | Anthony Burke | M40 |
| 56 | David Holmes | M |
| 74 | Lee Hughes | M |
| 94 | Mark Hamill | M45 |
The combined ladies team was 1st, and the men were 5th.
