1. Introduction
2. Benefits
3. Races
4. Course Guide
5. Small print
6. What to wear
7. Cost & Entry
8. Directions to Events
Introduction
Lymm Runners takes part in the North West Sunday 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.
Thirty 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.
Each race takes place at 10am on a Sunday morning and is hosted by one of the league member clubs.
For more information, including previous year’s results, see www.stevesaunders.co.uk and Facebook.
2. Benefits
Jonnie at Town Park
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, develops 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. It will also potential to keep your weight in check over the festive season!
And finally running a cross country race absolutely and utterly entitles you to that hot bath, fantastic meal, and night in a comfortable bed afterwards.
3. Races
There are 4 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 ½ and 5 ½ miles in length and take place over grass, mud, dirt trails, hills, etc.
Some fixtures are followed by refreshments supplied by the Host club.
This season’s events are:
| Race | When | Where | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunday 27th October, 10am | Clarke Gardens | Penny Lane Striders |
| 2 | Sunday 3rd November | Beacon Park | Skelmersdale BH |
| 3 | Sunday 21nd December, 10am | Arrowe Park | Pensby Runners |
| 3 | Sunday 28nd December, 10am | Victoria park, Warrington | Warrington Rad Runners |
| 4 | Sunday 11th January 2026 | Runcorn Town Park | Run Sandymoor |
| 5 | Sunday 1st February 2026 | Croxteth Hall Country Park | Liverpool Running Club |
4. Brief Course Guide
Clarke Gardens
This is like an extended park run with a “small” stream to cross and is a lovely introduction to cross country. Full guide here.
Arrowe Park
Based behind Arrowe Park hospital, this is also a gentle introduction to cross country with plenty of easy running on grass, but can get muddy after prolonged rain. Full guide here.
Croxteth Park
A flat course of open grass running and technical sections through woods. Couple of muddy bits and a bog near the end. Full guide here.
Runcorn Town Park
Has a bit of everything in it; it is twisty, sometime muddy, technical running through woods and open grass running and has the infamous ski slope. Full guide here.
Beacon Country park
This race starts next to the Beacon Country Park center and runs around an old golf course set on the side of Beacon Fell. It has the most ascent of all the races and the views are breathtaking. Full guide here.
Birchwood Park
The muddiest of all races, the course takes in all the bad bits of Forest Park in Birchwood, if it was not for the mud it would be a fairly easy course. Full guide here.
Summary
| Race | Effort | Muddiness | Facilities | Parking |
| Clarke Gardens | 5 | 5 | No toilets near start. | Good |
| Arrowe Park | 6 | 5 | Toilets at nearby cafe to customers only. | One large car park. |
| Croxteth Park | 4 | 2 | Toilets at Croxteth hall | Good |
| Town Park | 9 | 7 | Good | On side roads |
| Forest Park | 8 | 10 | Limited toilet facilities. | Good |
| Beacon Park | 10 | 5 | Good | OK |
Previous Years results:
5. Small Print
The League Rules are available HERE. The main points for members being:
- You must wear a club vest/shirt
- All club members are welcome to participate and join in although you must be 1st Claim with your nominated club for your place to score
- Mens team is the first 6, 1 of which must be a vet
- Ladies team is the first 3, 1 of which must be a vet.
6. 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.
Possible on a dry course flattish course, but when it gets muddy or steep then you will be slipping around in road shoes which will be tiring and could be dangerous.
Trail Shoes
These are a great compromise as they will handle mud and slopes and can be used on the trail races (like our own) throughout the year.
Cross Country Spikes
These are best for coping with mud, wet grass, hills etc. The shoes provide little cushioning (this comes from the mud!) and has a low center of gravity allowing the runner to twist and turn more easily.
Spikes usually cost between £30-70. When buying spikes make sure that you do not buy spikes which are smooth on the heel and around the individual spikes as these are for track running. The shoes will normally come with minimal size spikes, you should buy a bigger set (9 to 15mm).
7. How much does it cost.
Its FREE, even the refreshments are free if provided. The club pays a one off fee at the end of the season to cover the cost of everyone running.
8. Directions
We usually go in convoy from Lymm Library, watch our Face book page for more information.
And finally…
Cross country is a great way of staying focused and race fit over the winter months and is great fun.
The undulating terrain and hills means you are using more muscles than in any other type of running, in turn strengthening the legs. The uneven ground stabilises lower leg muscles and develops them into great ‘shock absorbers’, whilst the changes of pace help improve the cardiovascular capacity of runners.
The courses are often muddy and wet and you are recommended to wear trail shoes as a minimum, if you have fell or cross-country spikes then so much the better. “Normal” road shoes will not be sufficient. Ask one of the club coaches (Chris, Jim, Kieran) for advice if unsure.
